For drede he wolde not dare.
1 welcon, in MS. 2 truee in MS. 3 MS. þy þy.
XII.
Then the man in green seizes his grim tool.
Then þe gome in þe grene grayþed hym swyþe,
Gedereȝ yp hys grymme tole, Gawayn to smyte;
With alle þe bur in his body he ber hit on lofte,
Munt as maȝtyly, as marre hym he wolde;
Hade hit dryuen adoun, as dreȝ as he atled,
Þer hade ben ded of his dynt, þat doȝty watȝ euer.