XVII.

Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him, Þenne wat3 spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. Bi preue poynte3 of þat prynce, put to hym-seluen, Þat he be-knew cortaysly of þe court þat he were, tells the prince that he is of Arthur's court. 904 Þat aþel Arthure þe hende halde3 hym one, Þat is þe ryche ryal kyng of þe rounde table; & hit wat3 Wawen hym-self þat in þat won sytte3, Comen to þat krystmasse, as case hym þen lymped. When this was made known, 908 When þe lorde hade lerned þat he þe leude hade, Loude la3ed he þerat, so lef hit hym þo3t, great was the joy in the hall. & alle þe men in þat mote maden much joye, To apere in his presense prestly þat tyme, 912 Þat alle prys, & prowes, & pured þewes Apendes to hys persoun, & praysed is euer, By-fore alle men vpon molde, his mensk is þe most. Each one said softly to his mate, Vch segge ful softly sayde to his fere, "Now we shall see courteous manners and hear noble speech, 916 "Now schal we semlych se sle3te3 of þewe3, & þe teccheles termes of talkyng noble, Wich spede is in speche, vnspurd may we lerne, for we have amongst us the 'father of nurture.' Syn we haf fonged þat fyne fader of nurture; 920 God hat3 geuen vus his grace godly for soþe, Þat such a gest as Gawan graunte3 vus to haue, When burne3 blyþe of his burþe schal sitte & synge. 924 In menyng of manere3 mere, [Fol. 103b.] Þis burne now schal vus bryng, He that may him hear shall learn of love-talking." I hope þat may hym here, Schal lerne of luf-talkyng."