XIV.

"Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to grant me a lodging."

"Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 þou go myn ernde,

To þe he3 lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?"

"3e, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,¹

Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3."

Þen 3ede þat wy3e a3ayn awyþe,

& folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe kny3t;

Þay let doun þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden,

& kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe,

To welcum þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t;

Þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde,

& he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge;

Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel² he ly3t,

& syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e.

Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun þenne,

For to bryng þis burne³ wyth blys in-to halle;

Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed in-noghe

For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen,

His bronde & his blasoun boþe þay token.

Þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one,

& mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour;

Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen,

Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned.

Þenne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre,

For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor;

He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3,

Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle

& welde."

"Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn,

"Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde,"

As freke3 þat semed fayn,

Ayþer oþer in arme3 con felde.

¹ trowoe, MS. ² quyle (?) or quen (?). ³ buurne, MS.