XXI.
Reading edition
Arthur addresses the queen: Þa3 Arþer þe hende kyng at hert hade wonder, 468 He let no semblaunt be sene, bot sayde ful hy3e 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 enterlude3, to la3e & to syng. Among þise, kynde caroles of kny3te3 & ladye3; 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 hat3 in-nogh hewen." [Fol. 97b.] & hit wat3 don abof þe dece, on doser to henge, Þer alle men for meruayl my3t 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 bo3ed to a borde þise burnes to-geder, Þe kyng & þe gode kny3t, & kene men hem serued Of alle dayntye3 double, as derrest my3t 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 hat3 tan on honde.