XVI.

[A] For hit is my wede þat þou were3, þat ilke wouen girdel, Myn owen wyf hit þe weued, I wot wel forsoþe; 2360 [B] Now know I wel þy cosses, & þy costes als, & þe wowyng of my wyf, I wro3t hit myseluen; [C] I sende hir to asay þe, & sothly me þynkke3, On þe fautlest freke, þat euer on fote 3ede; 2364 As perle bi þe quite pese is of prys more, So is Gawayn, in god fayth, bi oþer gay kny3te3. [D] Bot here you lakked a lyttel, sir, & lewte yow wonted, Bot þat wat3 for no wylyde werke, ne wowyng nauþer, 2368 [E] Bot for 3e lufed your lyf, þe lasse I yow blame." Þat oþer stif mon in study stod a gret whyle; So agreued for greme he gryed with-inne, [F] Alle þe blode of his brest blende in his face, 2372 Þat al he schrank for schome, þat þe schalk talked. Þe forme worde vpon folde, þat þe freke meled,-- [G] "Corsed worth cowarddyse & couetyse boþe! In yow is vylany & vyse, þat vertue disstrye3." 2376 [H] Þenne he ka3t to þe knot, & þe kest lawse3, Brayde broþely þe belt to þe burne seluen: "Lo! þer þe falssyng, foule mot hit falle! [I] For care of þy knokke cowardyse me ta3t 2380 To a-corde me with couetyse, my kynde to for-sake, Þat is larges & lewte, þat longe3 to kny3te3. [J] Now am I fawty, & falce, & ferde haf ben euer; Of trecherye & vn-trawþe boþe bityde sor3e 2384 & care! [K] I bi-knowe yow, kny3t, here stylle, [Fol. 123.] Al fawty is my fare, Lete3 me ouer-take your wylle, 2388 & efle I schal be ware."

[Sidenote A: For my weed (woven by my wife) thou wearest.] [Sidenote B: I know thy kisses and my wife's wooing.] [Sidenote C: I sent her to try thee, and faultless I found thee.] [Sidenote D: But yet thou sinnedst a little,] [Sidenote E: for love of thy life."] [Sidenote F: Gawayne stands confounded.] [Sidenote G: "Cursed," he says, "be cowardice and covetousness both!"] [Sidenote H: Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight.] [Sidenote I: He curses his cowardice,] [Sidenote J: and confesses himself to have been guilty of untruth.] [Sidenote K: ]