Shooes of gold the porter had on,

& all his other rayment was unto the fame; "Now, by my faith," faies noble K: Arthur, "Yonder is a minion fwaine."

Then befpake noble K. Arthur,
These were the words fays hee,
"Come hither, thou proud porter,
I pray thee come hither to me.

I have 2 poor rings of my finger,

The better of them lle give to thee;

[To] tell who may be lord of this castle," he saies, "Or who is lord in this cuntry?"

"Cornewall K:" the porter fayes,

"There is none foe rich as hee ;

Neither in Chriftendome, nor yet in heathenneft,
None hath foe much gold as he."

& then befpake him noble K: Arthur,

These were the words fayes hee,
"I have 2 poore rings of my finger,

The better of them Ile give thee,

If thou wilt greete him well, Cornewall K:

& greete him well from me.

Pray him for one nights lodging, & 2 meales meate,

For his love that dyed uppon a tree;

A bue ghefting, & 2 meales meate,

For his love that dyed uppon a tree.

A bue2 ghesting, &3 2 meales meate,
For his love that was of virgin borne,

1 they, MS.

2 Sic, MS.

3 of, MS.

& in the morning yt we may fcape away,
Either wthout fcath or fcorne."

Then forth is gone this proud porter,

As faft as he cold hye;

& when he came befor Cornewall K:

He kneeled downe on his knee.

Sayes, "I have beene porter, man, at thy gate,

[Half a page is wanting.]

80

p. 26.]

our Lady was borne,

Then thought Cornewall K: these palmers had beene in Britt.

Then befpake him Cornewall King,
These were the words he said there;

"Did you ever know a comely K:
His name was King Arthur?"

& then befpake him noble K: Arthur,
These were the words faid hee;
"I doe not know that comly K:
But once my felfe I did him fee."
Then befpake Cornwall K: againe,
These were the words faid he.

Sayes, "7 yeere I was clad & fed,
In Litle Brittaine, in a bower;

1 his, MS.

85

Then K: Arthur to his bed was brought,

A greeived man was hee;

& foe were all his fellowes wth him, From him they1 thought never to flee.

Then take they did that lodly boome,
& under thrubchandler clofed was hee;
& he was fet by K: Arthurs bed-fide,
To heere theire talke, & theire com❜nye.

Yt he might come forth, & make proclamation,
Long before it was day;

It was more for K: Cornwalls pleasure,

Then it was for K: Arthurs pay.

& when K: Arthur on his bed was laid,

These were the words faid hee;

"Ile make mine avow to God,

& alfoe to the Trinity,

That Ile be the bane of Cornwall kinge

Litle Brittaine or ever I fee!"

"It is an unadvised vow," faies Gawaine the gay,

"As ever K: hard make I;

But wee yt beene 5 christian men,

Of the chriften faith are wee;

& we fhall fight against anoynted K:

& all his armorie."

& then he spake him noble Arthur,

& these were the words faid he;

"Why, if thou be afraid, Sr Gawaine the gay,

Goe home, & drinke wine in thine owne country."

1 the, MS.

2 goome?

3 thrubchadler, MS.

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[p. 28.]

THE 3d. PARTE.

And then befpake Sr Gawaine the gay,

And these were the words faid hee;

"Nay, feeing you have made fuch a hearty vow,

145