[At the window.] Nay, Madam! It is but Sir Gawayne who returns from hunting!
Guinevere.
Sir Gawayne! Let send for him! [The Page hastens out.] It may be he brings tidings of my Lord!
[The Page returns, attending on Sir Gawayne.]
Sir Gawayne.
[Kneeling to kiss the hand of the Queen.] Fair Queen and dear Aunt Guinevere! But wherefore do I find you in such heavy cheer with the tears upon your cheeks?
Guinevere.
Ah, Gawayne! Your dear Uncle, my good Lord, the King.... But sit we down and ye shall hear! [They sit.] It was yestreen at the undern hour that we sat here, listening to minstrelsy! All of a sudden the King cried out, “Now by the Holy Rood the third day hence will be All-Hallowmass! Now by the faith of my body and on my head as anointed king will I not set me down to meat on All-Hallowmass until I shall have taken on me and brought to a good end some high quest that shall bring to me and my goodly fellowship great worship and renown!” Hardly had he so spoken when riding into the hall came this damosel who thereon alighted from her palfrey and threw herself flatling at my good lord’s feet and lay there grovelling and praying him for succour for her knight!
Damosel.