XIV.

[A] "Gode sir," quod Gawan, "wolde3 þou go myn ernde, 812 To þe he3 lorde of þis hous, herber to craue?" "3e, Peter," quod þe porter, "& purely I trowe,[1] [Fol. 102.] [B] Þat 3e be, wy3e, welcum to won quyle yow lyke3." Þen 3ede þat wy3e a3ayn awyþe, 816 & folke frely hym wyth, to fonge þe kny3t; [C] Þay let doun þe grete dra3t, & derely out 3eden, & kneled doun on her knes vpon þe colde erþe, To welcum þis ilk wy3, as worþy hom þo3t; 820 [D] Þay 3olden hym þe brode 3ate, 3arked vp wyde, & he hem raysed rekenly, & rod ouer þe brygge; Sere segge3 hym sesed by sadel, quel[2] he ly3t, [E] & syþen stabeled his stede stif men in-no3e. 824 [F] Kny3te3 & swyere3 comen doun þenne, For to bryng þis burne[3] wyth blys in-to halle; [G] Quen he hef vp his helme, þer hi3ed in-noghe For to hent hit at his honde, þe hende to seruen, 828 His bronde & his blasoun boþe þay token. Þen haylsed he ful hendly þo haþele3 vch one, & mony proud mon þer presed, þat prynce to honour; Alle hasped in his he3 wede to halle þay hym wonnen, 832 Þer fayre fyre vpon flet fersly brenned. [H] Þenne þe lorde of þe lede loute3 fro his chambre, For to mete wyth menske þe mon on þe flor; He sayde, "3e ar welcum to welde as yow lyke3, 836 Þat here is, al is yowre awen, to haue at yowre wylle & welde." "Graunt mercy," quod Gawayn, "Þer Kryst hit yow for-3elde," 840 [I] As freke3 þat semed fayn, Ayþer oþer in arme3 con felde.

[Sidenote A: "Good sir," says Gawayne, "ask the high lord of this house to grant me a lodging."] [Sidenote B: "You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like," replied the porter.] [Sidenote C: The draw-bridge is let down,] [Sidenote D: and the gate is opened wide to receive him.] [Sidenote E: His horse is well stabled.] [Sidenote F: Knights and squires bring Gawayne into the hall.] [Sidenote G: Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword.] [Sidenote H: The lord of the country bids him welcome,] [Sidenote I: and they embrace each other.] [Footnote 1: trowoe, MS.] [Footnote 2: quyle (?) or quen (?).] [Footnote 3: buurne, MS.]