II.

516 [A] After þe sesoun of somer wyth þe soft wynde3, Quen 3eferus syfle3 hym-self on sede3 & erbe3, [B] Wela-wynne is þe wort þat woxes þer-oute. When þe donkande dewe drope3 of þe leue3, 520 To bide a blysful blusch of þe bry3t sunne. [C] Bot þen hy3es heruest, & hardenes hym sone. Warne3 hym for þe wynter to wax ful rype; [D] He dryues wyth dro3t þe dust for to ryse. 524 Fro þe face of þe folde to fly3e ful hy3e; Wroþe wynde of þe welkyn wrastele3 with þe sunne, [E] Þe leue3 lancen fro þe lynde, & ly3ten on þe grounde, [F] & al grayes þe gres, þat grene wat3 ere; 528 Þenne al rype3 & rote3 þat ros vpon fyrst, & þus 3irne3 þe 3ere in 3isterdaye3 mony, [G] & wynter wynde3 a3ayn, as þe worlde aske3 no sage. 532 Til me3el-mas mone, Wat3 cumen wyth wynter wage; [H] Þen þenkke3 Gawan ful sone, Of his anious uyage.

[Sidenote A: Then the soft winds of summer,] [Sidenote B: beautiful are the flowers wet with dew-drops.] [Sidenote C: But harvest approaches soon,] [Sidenote D: and drives the dust about.] [Sidenote E: The leaves drop off the trees,] [Sidenote F: the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots.] [Sidenote G: Winter winds round again,] [Sidenote H: and then Sir Gawayne thinks of his dread journey.]