VI.

Wherefore, good Sir Gawayne, let this man alone.

"For-þy, goude sir Gawayn, let þe gome one,

& gotȝ a-way sum oþer gate; vpon Goddeȝ halue;

Cayreȝ bi sum oþer kyth, þer Kryst mot yow spede;

& I schal hyȝ me hom aȝayn, & hete yow fyrre,

Þat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode halȝeȝ,

As help me God & þe halydam, & oþeȝ in-noghe,

Þat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale,

Þat euer ȝe fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst."

"Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde,

"Wel worth þe wyȝe, þat woldeȝ my gode,

& þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þou woldeȝ!

Bot helde þou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed,

Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme þat þou telleȝ,

I were a knyȝt kowarde, I myȝt not¹ be excused.

Bot I wy1 to þe chape1, for chaunce þat may falle,

& talk wyth þat ilk tulk þe tale þat me lyste,

Worþe hit wele, oþer wo, as þe wyrde lykeȝ

hit hafe;

Þaȝe he be a sturn knape,

To stiȝtel, &² stad with staue,

Ful wel con dryȝtyn schape,

His seruaunteȝ forto saue."

¹ mot, in MS. ² & &, in MS.