V.

"In god fayth," quod Gawayn, "gayn hit me þynkke3,

Þa3 I be not now he þat 3e of speken;

To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here

I am wy3e vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen;

Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þo3t,

At sa3e oþer at seruyce þat I sette my3t

To þe plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye."

"In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod þe gay lady,

"Þe prys & þe prowes þat plese3 al oþer,

If I hit lakked, oþer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynté;

Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, þat leuer wer nowþe

Haf þe hende in hor holde, as I þe habbe here,

To daly witt derely your daynté worde3,

Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3,

Þen much of þe garysourner golde þat1 þay hauen;

Bot I louue2 þat ilk lorde þat þe lyfte halde3,

I haf hit holly in my honde þat al desyres,

þur3e grace."

Scho made hym so gret chere,

Þat wat3 so fayr of face,

Þe kny3t with speches skere,

A[n]swared to vche a cace.

1 MS. þat þat. 2 louie or loune (?).