V

"In god fayth," quod Gawayn, "gayn hit me þynkkeȝ,

Þaȝ I be not now he þat ȝe of speken;

To reche to such reuerence as ȝe reherce here

I am wyȝe vn-worþy, I wot wel my-seluen;

Bi God, I were glad, & yow god þoȝt,

At saȝe oþer at seruyce þat I sette myȝt

To þe plesaunce of your prys, hit were a pure ioye."

"In god fayth, sir Gawayn," quod þe gay lady,

"Þe prys & þe prowes þat pleseȝ al oþer,

If I hit lakked, oþer set at lyȝt, hit were littel daynté;

Bot hit ar ladyes in-noȝe, þat leuer wer nowþe

Haf þe hende in hor holde, as I þe habbe here,

To daly witt derely your daynté wordeȝ,

Keuer hem comfort, & colen her careȝ,

Þen much of þe garysourn oþer golde þat þay hauen;

Bot I louue þat ilk lorde þat þe lyfte haldeȝ,

I haf hit holly in my honde þat al desyres,

þurȝe grace."
Scho made hym so gret chere,
Þat watȝ so fayr of face,
Þe knyȝt with speches skere,
A[n]swared to vche a cace.

MS. þat þat. louie or loune (?).