XIV.
Reading edition
"Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to grant me a lodging." "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "woldeȝ þou go myn ernde, 812 To þe heȝ lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?" [Fol. 102.] "ȝe, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,1 "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied the porter. Þat ȝe be, wyȝe, welcum to won quyle yow lykeȝ." Þen ȝede þat wyȝe aȝayn awyþe, 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe knyȝt; The draw-bridge is let down, Þay let doun þe grete draȝt, & derely out ȝeden, & kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, To welcum þis ilk wyȝ, as worþy hom þoȝt; and the gate is opened wide to receive him. 820 Þay ȝolden hym þe brode ȝate, ȝarked vp wyde, & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge; Sere seggeȝ hym sesed by sadel, quel2 he lyȝt, His horse is well stabled. & syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-noȝe. Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall. 824 Knyȝteȝ & swyereȝ 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 hiȝed 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 haþeleȝ vch one, & mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour; Alle hasped in his heȝ 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 louteȝ fro his chambre, For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; He sayde, "ȝe ar welcum to welde as yow lykeȝ, 836 Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle & welde." "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, "Þer Kryst hit yow for-ȝelde," and they embrace each other. 840 As frekeȝ þat semed fayn, Ayþer oþer in armeȝ con felde. 1 trowoe, MS. 2 quyle (?) or quen (?). 3 buurne, MS.