V.

"In god fayth," quod Gawayn, "gayn hit me þynkke3, [A] Þa3 I be not now he þat 3e of speken; To reche to such reuerence as 3e reherce here 1244 I am wy3e vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen; Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þo3t, [B] At sa3e oþer at seruyce þat I sette my3t To þe plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye." 1248 "In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod þe gay lady, "Þe prys & þe prowes þat plese3 al oþer, If I hit lakked, oþer set at ly3t, hit were littel daynté; [C] Bot hit ar ladyes in-no3e, þat leuer wer nowþe 1252 Haf þe hende in hor holde, as I þe habbe here, To daly witt derely your daynté worde3, Keuer hem comfort, & colen her care3, [D] Þen much of þe garysourn oþer golde þat[1] þay hauen; 1256 Bot I louue[2] þat ilk lorde þat þe lyfte halde3, I haf hit holly in my honde þat al desyres, þur3e grace." Scho made hym so gret chere, 1260 Þat wat3 so fayr of face, [Fol. 108.] [E] Þe kny3t with speches skere, A[n]swared to vche a cace.

[Sidenote A: "I am unworthy," says Sir Gawayne, "to reach to such reverence as ye rehearse.] [Sidenote B: I shall be glad, however, to please you by word, or service."] [Sidenote C: "There are ladies," says his visitor, "who would prefer thy company] [Sidenote D: to much of the gold that they possess."] [Sidenote E: The knight answers the lady's questions.] [Footnote 1: MS. þat þat.] [Footnote 2: louie or loune (?).]