XXVII.

1792

"Þat is a worde," quod þat wy3t, "þat worst is of alle,

Bot I am swared for soþe, þat sore me þinkke3;

Kysse me now coraly, & I schal cach heþen,

I may bot mourne vpon molde, as may þat much louyes."

Sykande ho swe3e doun, & semly hym kyssed,

& siþen ho seueres hym fro, & says as ho stondes,

"Now, dere, at þis de-partyng, do me þis ese,

Gif me sumquat of þy gifte, þi gloue if¹ hit were,

Þat I may mynne on þe mon, my mournyng to lassen."

"Now Iwysse," quod þat wy3e, "I wolde I hade here

Þe leuest þing for þy luf, þat I in londe welde,

For 3e haf deserued, forsoþe, sellyly ofte

More rewarde bi resoun, þen I reche my3t,

Bot to dele yow for drurye, þat dawed bot neked;

Hit is not your honour to haf at þis tyme

A gloue for a garysoun, of Gawayne3 gifte3,

& I am here [on] an erande in erde3 vncouþe,

& haue no men wyth no male3, with menskful þinge3;

Þat mislyke3 me, ladé, for luf at þis tyme,²

Iche tolke mon do as he is tan, tas to non ille,

ne pine."

"Nay, hende of hy3e honours,"

Quod þat lufsum vnder lyne,

"Þa3 I hade o3t³ of youre3,

3et schulde 3e haue of myne."

¹ of, in MS. ² tyne, in MS. ³ no3t (?).