XI.

On the morn Sir Gawayne finds himself in a deep forest, 740

Bi a mounte on þe morne meryly he rydes,

Into a forest ful dep, þat ferly wat3 wylde,

Hi3e hille3 on vche a halue, & holt wode3 vnder,

Of hore oke3 fill hoge a hundreth to-geder;

Þe hasel & þe ha3-þorne were harled al samen,

With ro3e raged mosse rayled ay-where,

With mony brydde3 vnblyþe vpon bare twyges,

Þat pitosly þer piped for pyne of þe colde.

Þe gome vpon Gryngolet glyde3 hem vnder,

Þur3 mony misy & myre, mon al hym one,

Carande for his costes, lest he ne keuer schulde,

To se þe seruy1 of þat syre, þat on þat self ny3t

Of a burde wat3 borne, oure baret to quelle;

& þerfore sykyng he sayde, "I be-seche þe, lorde,

& Mary, þat is myldest moder so dere.

Of sum herber, þer he3ly I my3t here masse.

Ande þy matyne3 to-morne, mekely I ask,

& þer-to prestly I pray my pater & aue,

& crede."

He rode in his prayere,

& cryed for his mysdede,

He sayned hym in syþes sere,

& sayde "cros Kryst me spede!"

1 seruyce (?).