Chapter V

"In god fayth," quod Gawayn, "gayn hit me þynkke3,
[A] Þa3 I be not now he þat 3e of speken;
To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here
1244 I am wy3e vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen;
Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þo3t,
[B] At sa3e oþer at seruyce þat I sette my3t
To þe plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye."
1248 "In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod þe gay lady,
"Þe prys & þe prowes þat plese3 al oþer,
If I hit lakked, oþer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynté;
[C] Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, þat leuer wer nowþe
1252 Haf þe hende in hor holde, as I þe habbe here,
To daly witt derely your daynté worde3,
Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3,
[D] Þen much of þe garysourn oþer golde þat[1] þay hauen;
1256 Bot I louue[2] þat ilk lorde þat þe lyfte halde3,
I haf hit holly in my honde þat al desyres,
þur3e grace."
Scho made hym so gret chere,
1260 Þat wat3 so fayr of face, [Fol. 108.]
[E] Þe kny3t with speches skere,
A[n]swared to vche a cace.

[Sidenote A: "I am unworthy," says Sir Gawayne, "to reach to such reverence as ye rehearse.] [Sidenote B: I shall be glad, however, to please you by word, or service."] [Sidenote C: "There are ladies," says his visitor, "who would prefer thy company] [Sidenote D: to much of the gold that they possess."] [Sidenote E: The knight answers the lady's questions.] [Footnote 1: MS. þat þat.] [Footnote 2: louie or loune (?).]