2118
“For-þy,
therefore
goude
sir
Gawayn,
let
þe
gome
man
one,
alone
Wherefore, good Sir Gawayne, let this man alone.
2119
&
gotȝ
go
a-way
sum
some
oþer
gate;
road
vpon
Goddes halue for God’s sake
Goddeȝ
halue;
2120
Cayreȝ
ride
bi
sum
some
oþer
kyth,
land
þer
where
Kryst
mot
may
yow
spede;
bless
Go by some other region,
2121
&
I
schal
hyȝ
hasten
me
myself
hom
home
aȝayn,
&
hete
promise
yow
fyrre,
moreover
119b
2122
Þat
I
schal
swere
swear
bi
God,
&
alle
his
gode
halȝeȝ,
saints
I swear by God and all His saints, that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from any man."
2123
As
so
help
me
God
&
þe
halydam,
holy relic
&
oþeȝ
oaths
in-noghe,
many
2124
Þat
I
schal
lelly
faithfully
yow layne,
keep your secret
&
lance
utter
neuer
tale,
account
2125
Þat
euer
ȝe
you
fondet
hastened
to
fle,
flee
for
because of
freke
man
þat
I
wyst.”
knew
2126
“Grant merci;”
many thanks
quod
Gawayn,
&
gruchyng
with displeasure
he
sayde,
2127
“Wel worth þe
good luck befall thee
wyȝe,
man
þat
who
woldeȝ
wanted
my
gode,
advantage
2128
&
þat
lelly
faithfully
me layne,
to keep my secret
I
leue
believe
wel
þou
woldeȝ!
intended
2129
Bot
helde
kept
þou
hit
neuer so
no matter how
holde,
loyally
&
if
I
here
passed,
passed by
Gawayne replies that to shun this danger would mark him as a "coward knight."
2130
Founded
hastened
for
in
ferde
fear
for
to
fle,
flee
in
fourme
manner
þat
þou
telleȝ,
2131
I
were
would be
a
knyȝt
kowarde,
cowardly
I
myȝt
could
not[1]
be
excused.
2132
Bot
I
wy1
to
(go) to
þe
chape1,
for chaunce
in spite of anything
þat
may
falle,
happen
To the Chapel, therefore, he will go,
2133
&
talk
speak
wyth
þat
ilk
same
tulk
man
þe
tale
speech
þat
me
lyste,
pleases
2134
Worþe hit
come of it
wele,
joy
oþer
or
wo,
woe
as
þe
wyrde
fate
lykeȝ
it pleases
2135
hit
hafe;
to have
2136
Þaȝe
though
he
be
a
sturn
grim
knape,
fellow
though the owner thereof were a stern knave.
2137
To
stiȝtel,
deal with
&[2]
stad
armed
with
staue,
club
2138
Ful
wel
con
did
dryȝtyn
God
schape,
contrive
"Full well can God devise his servants for to save."
2139
His
seruaunteȝ
forto
saue.”
keep safe
For thy welfare, Sir Gawain, let him alone, and gang some other gait, for God's dear sake. Go where Christ may speed thee, and I will hie me home again; and further I promise thee on my oath, by God and all His good saints, as help me, God and Our Lady and others, that I will keep thy secret and say not a word that ever thou didst turn back from thy quest.' 'Grammercy,' quoth Gawain, 'well may it be with thee for that thou desirest my good, and wouldst loyally keep a secret, as I believe thou wouldst verily, but didst thou keep it never so truly, were I to turn away for fear as thou dost bid me, a coward knight I should show myself and without excuse. Nay, but I will to the chapel, come what come may, and deal with that fellow as I list, and as Weird doth like, be it for weal
or woe.
Though he be fierce to yield,
And deal a deadly blow,
My God can full well shield
His servant from the foe.'
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.