Chapter I

[A] This hanselle hat3 Arthur of auenturus on fyrst,
492 In 3onge 3er, for he 3erned 3elpyng to here,
Tha3 hym worde3 were wane, when þay to sete wenten;
Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond.
Gawan wat3 glad to be-gynne þose gomne3 in halle,
496 Bot þa3 þe ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder;
For þa3 men ben mery in mynde, quen þay han mayn drynk,
[B] A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neuer lyke,
Þe forme to þe fynisment folde3 ful selden.
500 For-þi þis 3ol ouer-3ede, & þe 3ere after,
& vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer;
[C] After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentoun,
Þat frayste3 flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple
504 Bot þenne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepe3,
[D] Colde clenge3 adoun, cloude3 vp-lyften,
Schyre schede3 þe rayn in schowre3 ful warme,
Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 þere schewen,
508 [E] Boþe grounde3 & þe greue3 grene ar her wede3,
[F] Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen,
[G] For solace of þe softe somer þat sues þer after,
bi bonk;
512 [H] & blossume3 bolne to blowe,
Bi rawe3 rych & ronk,
[I] Þen note3 noble in-no3e,
Ar herde in wod so wlonk. [Fol. 98]

[Sidenote A: This marvel serves to keep up a brisk conversation in Court.] [Sidenote B: The year passes full quickly and never returns.] [Sidenote C: After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten."] [Sidenote D: Spring sets in and warm showers descend;] [Sidenote E: the groves become green,] [Sidenote F: birds build and sing,] [Sidenote G: for joy of the summer that follows;] [Sidenote H: blossoms begin to bloom,] [Sidenote I: and noble notes are heard in the woods]