VI.

Wherefore, good Sir Gawayne, let this man alone.

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

& got3 a-way sum oþer gate; vpon Godde3 halue;

Cayre3 bi sum oþer kyth, þer Kryst mot yow spede;

& I schal hy3 me hom a3ayn, & hete yow fyrre,

Þat I schal swere bi God, & alle his gode hal3e3,

As help me God & þe halydam, & oþe3 in-noghe,

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

Þat euer 3e fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst."

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

"Wel worth þe wy3e, þat wolde3 my gode,

& þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þou wolde3!

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

Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme þat þou telle3,

I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t 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 lyke3

hit hafe;

Þa3e he be a sturn knape,

To sti3tel, &² stad with staue,

Ful wel con dry3tyn schape,

His seruaunte3 forto saue."

¹ mot, in MS. ² & &, in MS.