XVII.

Sir Gawayne, in answer to questions put to him, Þenne watȝ spyed & spured vpon spare wyse. Bi preue poynteȝ 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 haldeȝ hym one, Þat is þe ryche ryal kyng of þe rounde table; & hit watȝ Wawen hym-self þat in þat won sytteȝ, 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 laȝed he þerat, so lef hit hym þoȝt, 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 sleȝteȝ of þeweȝ, & 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 hatȝ geuen vus his grace godly for soþe, Þat such a gest as Gawan graunteȝ vus to haue, When burneȝ blyþe of his burþe schal sitte & synge. 924 In menyng of manereȝ 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."