XXI.
Reading edition
Arthur addresses the queen: Þaȝ Arþer þe hende kyng at hert hade wonder, 468 He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hyȝe To þe comlych quene, wyth cortays speche, "Dear dame, be not dismayed; such marvels well become the Christmas festival; "Dere dame, to day demay yow neuer; Wel by-commes such craft vpon cristmasse, 472 Laykyng of enterludeȝ, to laȝe & to syng. Among þise, kynde caroles of knyȝteȝ & ladyeȝ; I may now go to meat. Neuer-þe-lece to my mete I may me wel dres, For I haf sen a selly, I may not for-sake." 476 He glent vpon sir Gawen, & gaynly he sayde, Sir Gawayne, hang up thine axe. "Now sir, heng vp þyn ax, þat hatȝ in-nogh hewen." [Fol. 97b.] & hit watȝ don abof þe dece, on doser to henge, Þer alle men for meruayl myȝt on hit loke, 480 & bi trwe tytel þer-of to telle þe wonder. The king and his knights sit feasting at the board till day is ended. Þenne þay boȝed to a borde þise burnes to-geder, Þe kyng & þe gode knyȝt, & kene men hem serued Of alle dayntyeȝ double, as derrest myȝt falle, 484 Wyth alle maner of mete & mynstralcie boþe; Wyth wele walt þay þat day, til worþed an ende, in londe. Now beware, Sir Gawayne, lest thou fail to seek the adventure that thou hast taken in hand. Now þenk wel, sir Gawan, 488 For woþe þat þou ne wonde, Þis auenture forto frayn, Þat þou hatȝ tan on honde.