XIV.
Reading edition
"Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to grant me a lodging." "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 þou go myn ernde, 812 To þe he3 lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?" [Fol. 102.] "3e, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,1 "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied the porter. Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3." Þen 3ede þat wy3e a3ayn awyþe, 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe kny3t; The draw-bridge is let down, Þay let doun þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden, & kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, To welcum þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t; and the gate is opened wide to receive him. 820 Þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde, & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge; Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel2 he ly3t, His horse is well stabled. & syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e. Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall. 824 Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun þenne, For to bryng þis burne3 wyth blys in-to halle; Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword. Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed in-noghe For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen, 828 His bronde & his blasoun boþe þay token. Þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one, & mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour; Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen, 832 Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. The lord of the country bids him welcome, Þenne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre, For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3, 836 Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle & welde." "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, "Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde," and they embrace each other. 840 As freke3 þat semed fayn, Ayþer oþer in arme3 con felde. 1 trowoe, MS. 2 quyle (?) or quen (?). 3 buurne, MS.