I.

This marvel serves to keep up a brisk conversation in Court. This hanselle hat3 Arthur of auenturus on fyrst, 492 In 3onge 3er, for he 3erned 3elpyng to here, Tha3 hym worde3 were wane, when þay to sete wenten; Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond. Gawan wat3 glad to be-gynne þose gomne3 in halle, 496 Bot þa3 þe ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder; For þa3 men ben mery in mynde, quen þay han mayn drynk, The year passes full quickly and never returns. A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neuer lyke, Þe forme to þe fynisment folde3 ful selden. 500 For-þi þis 3ol ouer-3ede, & þe 3ere after, & vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer; After Christmas comes the "crabbed Lenten." After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentoun, Þat frayste3 flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple 504 Bot þenne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepe3, Spring sets in and warm showers descend; Colde clenge3 adoun, cloude3 vp-lyften, Schyre schede3 þe rayn in schowre3 ful warme, Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 þere schewen, the groves become green, 508 Boþe grounde3 & þe greue3 grene ar her wede3, birds build and sing, Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen, for joy of the summer that follows; For solace of þe softe somer þat sues þer after, bi bonk; blossoms begin to bloom, 512 & blossume3 bolne to blowe, Bi rawe3 rych & ronk, and noble notes are heard in the woods Þen note3 noble in-no3e, [Fol. 98] Ar herde in wod so wlonk.