XVI.
Reading edition
A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace. A cheyer by-fore þe chemné, þer charcole brenned, 876 Watȝ grayþed for sir Gawan, grayþely with cloþeȝ, Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, þa[t] koynt wer boþe; A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over him. & þenne a mere mantyle watȝ on þat mon cast, Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche, 880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felleȝ of þe best, Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of þe same; & he sete in þat settel semlych ryche, & achaufed hym chefly,1 & þenne his cher mended. A table is soon raised, 884 Sone watȝ telded vp a tapit, on tresteȝ ful fayre, and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat. Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed, Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in sponeȝ; [Fol. 103.] Þe wyȝe wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete 888 Seggeȝ hym serued semly in-noȝe, He is served with numerous dishes; Wyth sere sewes & sete,2 sesounde of þe best, Double felde, as hit falleȝ, & fele kyn fischeȝ; with fish baked and broiled, Summe baken in bred, summe brad on þe gledeȝ, or boiled and seasoned with spices. 892 Summe soþen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces, & ay sawes3 so sleȝeȝ, þat þe segge lyked. Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte, He calls it a full noble feast, Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hym at oneȝ 896 as hende; "Þis penaunce now ȝe take, & eft hit schal amende;" and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head. Þat mon much merþe con make. 900 For wyn in his hed þat wende. 1 MS. cefly. 2 swete (?). 3 sewes (?).