XXIV

"Ȝet firre," quod þe freke, "a forwarde we make;

Quat-so-euer I wynne in þe wod, hit worþeȝ to youreȝ,

& quat chek so ȝe acheue, chaunge me þer-forne;

Swete, swap we so, sware with trawþe,

Queþer, leude, so lymp lere oþer better."

"Bi God," quod Gawayn þe gode, "I grant þer-tylle,

& þat yow lyst forto layke, lef hit me þynkes.

"Who bringeȝ vus þis beuerage, þis bargayn is maked:"

So sayde þe lorde of þat lede; þay laȝed vchone,

Þay dronken, & daylyeden, & dalten vntyȝtel,

Þise lordeȝ & ladyeȝ, quyle þat hem lyked;

& syþen with frenkysch fare & fele fayre loteȝ

Þay stoden, & stemed, & stylly speken,

Kysten ful comlyly, & kaȝten her leue.

With mony leude ful lyȝt, & lemande torches,

Vche burne to his bed watȝ broȝt at þe laste,

ful softe;
To bed ȝet er þay ȝede,
Recorded couenaunteȝ ofte;
Þe olde lorde of þat leude,
Cowþe wel halde layk a-lofte.

vntyl nyȝte (?). lede (?).