Chapter XIV

[A] "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 þou go myn ernde,
812 To þe he3 lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?"
"3e, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102.]
[B] Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3."
Þen 3ede þat wy3e a3ayn awyþe,
816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe kny3t;
[C] Þay let doun þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden,
& kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe,
To welcum þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t;
820 [D] Þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde,
& he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge;
Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t,
[E] & syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e.
824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun þenne,
For to bryng þis burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle;
[G] Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed in-noghe
For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen,
828 His bronde & his blasoun boþe þay token.
Þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one,
& mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour;
Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen,
832 Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned.
[H] Þenne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre,
For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor;
He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3,
836 Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle
& welde."
"Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn,
"Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde,"
840 [I] As freke3 þat semed fayn,
Ayþer oþer in arme3 con felde.

[Sidenote A: "Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to grant me a lodging."] [Sidenote B: "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied the porter.] [Sidenote C: The draw-bridge is let down,] [Sidenote D: and the gate is opened wide to receive him.] [Sidenote E: His horse is well stabled.] [Sidenote F: Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.] [Sidenote G: Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.] [Sidenote H: The lord of the country bids him welcome,] [Sidenote I: and they embrace each other.] [Footnote 1: trowoe, MS.] [Footnote 2: quyle (?) or quen (?).] [Footnote 3: buurne, MS.]