Translated by Herder, I, 219; Bodmer, I, 18; Bothe, p. 59.
Percy MS., p. 284: Hales and Furnivall, II, 304.
1
In the third day of May
to Carleile did come
A kind curteous child,
that cold much of wisdome.
2
A kirtle and a mantle
this child had vppon,
With brauches and ringes
full richelye bedone.
3
He had a sute of silke,
about his middle drawne;
Without he cold of curtesye,
he thought itt much shame.
4
'God speed thee, King Arthur,
sitting att thy meate!
And the goodly Queene Gueneuer!
I canott her fforgett.
5
'I tell you lords in this hall,
I hett you all heede,
Except you be the more surer,
is you for to dread.'
6
He plucked out of his potewer,
and longer wold not dwell,
He pulled forth a pretty mantle,
betweene two nut-shells.
7
'Haue thou here,' King Arthure,
haue thou heere of mee;
Giue itt to thy comely queene,
shapen as itt is alreadye.
8
'Itt shall neuer become that wiffe
that hath once done amisse:'
Then euery knight in the kings court
began to care for his.