XVIII
To halch upon[192] him, King Arthur,
This lady was full faine,
But King Arthur had forgott his lesson,
What he sho’ld say againe.
XIX
‘What knight art thou,’ the lady sayd,
‘That will not speak to me?
Of me be thou nothing dismay’d,
Tho I be ugly to see.
XX
‘For I have halched you curteouslye,
And you will not me againe;
Yett I may happen Sir Knight,’ shee said,
‘To ease thee of thy paine.’
XXI
‘Give thou ease me, lady,’ he said,
‘Or helpe me any thing,
Thou shalt have gentle Gawaine, my cozen,
And marry him with a ring.’
The hag thereupon gave him the right answer and he rode forward.