As help me God & þe halydam, & oþe3 in-noghe,
Þat I schal lelly yow layne, & lance neuer tale,
Þat euer 3e fondet to fle, for freke þat I wyst."
"Grant merci;" quod Gawayn, & gruchyng he sayde,
"Wel worth þe wy3e, þat wolde3 my gode,
& þat lelly me layne, I leue wel þou wolde3!
Bot helde þou hit neuer so holde, & I here passed,
Founded for ferde for to fle, in fourme þat þou telle3,
I were a kny3t kowarde, I my3t not1 be excused.
Bot I wy1 to þe chape1, for chaunce þat may falle,