467
Þaȝ
though
Arþer
þe
hende
courteous
kyng
at
hert
heart
hade
had
wonder,
Arthur addresses the queen:
468
He
let
no
semblaunt
sign of his feeling
be
sene,
seen
bot
but
sayde
ful
hyȝe
loudly
469
To
þe
comlych
beautiful
quene,
queen
wyth
cortays
courteous
speche,
speech
470
“Dere
dear
dame,
to day
demay
be perturbed
yow
neuer;
not at all
"Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the Christmas festival;
471
Wel
by-commes
is fitting
such
craft
doings
vpon
cristmasse,
472
Laykyng
playing
of
enterludeȝ,
dramatic displays
to
laȝe
laugh
&
to
syng.
473
Among
þise,
kynde
courtly
caroles
carols (=dance and song)
of
knyȝteȝ
&
ladyeȝ;
474
Neuer-þe-lece
none...less
to
my
mete
meal
I
may
me
myself
wel
dres,
proceed
I may now go to meat.
475
For
I
haf
have
sen
seen
a
selly,
marvel
I
may
not
for-sake.”
deny
476
He
glent
looked
vpon
sir
Gawen,
&
gaynly
appositely
he
sayde,
477
“Now
sir,
heng
hang
vp
þyn
ax,
axe
þat
which
hatȝ
has
in-nogh
enough
hewen.”
cut
Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe.
97b
478
&
hit
watȝ
was
don
put
abof
above
þe
dece,
dais
on
doser
wall-tapestry
to
henge,
hang
479
Þer
where
alle
men
for
as
meruayl
marvel
myȝt
could
on
hit
loke,
look
480
&
bi
trwe
true
tytel
evidence
þer-of
of it
to
telle
þe
wonder.
wondrous deed
481
Þenne
þay
they
boȝed
went
to
a
borde
table
þise
burnes
knights
to-geder,
The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is ended.
482
Þe
kyng
&
þe
gode
good
knyȝt,
&
kene
bold
men
hem
them
serued
483
Of
with
alle
dayntyeȝ
dainties
double,
as
derrest
the noblest
myȝt
could
falle,
be fitting for
484
Wyth
alle
maner
kinds
of
mete
food
&
mynstralcie
minstrelsy
boþe;
as well
485
Wyth
wele
joy
walt
spent
þay
they
þat
day,
til
until
worþed
was made
an
ende,
486
in
londe.
land
487
Now
þenk
take heed
wel,
sir
Gawan,
Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure that thou hast taken in hand.
488
For
woþe
danger
þat
þou
ne
not
wonde,
neglect
489
Þis
auenture
adventure
forto
frayn,
make trial of
490
Þat
þou
hatȝ
have
tan on honde.
undertaken (tan=taken)
Now, though Arthur the Gentle at this had great wonder, he let no semblance thereof be seen, but spake with gentle speed to the comely Queen Guinevere: 'Dear lady, let not this day's doings dismay thee at all. Such craft well becomes the Feast of Christmas; gamings and interludes and laughing and singing and carollings of knights and ladies. And now can I dress myself for meat, for a wondrous adventure have I seen.' He glanced at Sir Gawain and said, 'Now, sir, hang up thine axe; hewing enough has it done for to-day.' Then they hung it up over the daïs at the back of the high seat, that all men might look upon the marvel of it and truly tell the wonder of it. Then went these two, the king and the good knight, to the table, and brave men served them, double of all dainties, with all manner of meat and minstrelsy. In good weal they passed the day, but it came to an end, and night
was near.
'Now, Sir Gawain, be sure,
Turn not away for fear
From this grim adventure
That thou hast promised here.'
Text and side-notes from Richard Morris (1869). Interlinear glosses from Brunetti. Translation from Ernest Kirtlan's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Rendered Literally Into Modern English.
Sources integrated and rendered by James K. Tauber.