Chapter XXI

[A] Þa3 Arþer þe hende kyng at hert hade wonder,
468 He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hy3e
To þe comlych quene, wyth cortays speche,
[B] "Dere dame, to day demay yow neuer;
Wel by-commes such craft vpon cristmasse,
472 Laykyng of enterlude3, to la3e & to syng.
Among þise, kynde caroles of kny3te3 & ladye3;
[C] Neuer-þe-lece to my mete I may me wel dres,
For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake."
476 He glent vpon sir Gawen, & gaynly he sayde,
[D] "Now sir, heng vp þyn ax, þat hat3 in-nogh hewen."
& hit wat3 don abof þe dece, on doser to henge, [Fol. 97b.]
Þer alle men for meruayl my3t on hit loke,
480 & bi trwe tytel þer-of to telle þe wonder.
[E] Þenne þay bo3ed to a borde þise burnes to-geder,
Þe kyng & þe gode kny3t, & kene men hem serued
Of alle dayntye3 double, as derrest my3t falle,
484 Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie boþe;
Wyth wele walt þay þat day, til worþed an ende,
in londe.
[F] Now þenk wel, sir Gawan,
488 For woþe þat þou ne wonde,
Þis auenture forto frayn,
Þat þou hat3 tan on honde.

[Sidenote A: Arthur addresses the queen:] [Sidenote B: "Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the Christmas festival;] [Sidenote C: I may now go to meat.] [Sidenote D: Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.] [Sidenote E: The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is ended.] [Sidenote F: Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure that thou hast taken in hand.]

[FYTTE THE SECOND.]