XXXIII

And when he came to the greene forrest,
Underneath a greene holly tree,
Their sate that lady in red scarlet
That unseemly was to see.

XXXIV

Sir Kay beheld this lady’s face,
And looked uppon her swire[194];
‘Whosoever kisses this lady,’ he sayes,
‘Of his kisse he stands in feare.’

XXXV

Sir Kay beheld the lady againe,
And looked upon her snout;
‘Whosoever kisses this lady,’ he saies,
‘Of his kisse he stands in doubt.’

XXXVI

‘Peace, cozen Kay,’ then said Sir Gawaine,
‘Amend thee of thy life;
For there is a knight amongst us all
That must marry her to his wife.’

XXXVII

‘What! wedd her to wiffe!’ then said Sir Kay,
‘In the divell’s name anon!
Gett me a wiffe where-ere I may,
For I had rather be slaine!’