And as he rode over a more,
hee see a lady where shee sate
betwixt an oke & a greene hollen[457]:
she was cladd in red scarlett.
Then there as shold have stood her mouth,
then there was sett her eye
the other was in her forhead fast
the way that she might see.
Her nose was crooked & turnd outward,
her mouth stood foule a wry;
a worse formed lady then shee was,
neuer man saw wth his eye.
To halch[458] vpon him, k. Arthur
this lady was full faine
but k. Arthur had forgott his lesson
what he shold say againe
What knight art thou, the lady sayd,
that wilt not speake to me?
of me be thou nothing dismayd
tho I be vgly to see;
for I haue halched you curteouslye,
& you will not me againe,
yett I may happen Sr knight, shee said
to ease thee of thy paine.
Giue thou ease me, lady, he said
or helpe me any thing,
thou shalt haue gentle Gawaine, my cozen
& marry him wth a ring.
Why, if I helpe thee not, thou noble k. Arthur
of thy owne hearts desiringe,
of gentle Gawaine....
[About Nine Stanzas wanting.]
And when he came to the tearne wadling
the baron there cold he fimde[459]
wth a great weapon on his backe,
standing stiffe & stronge