I

[Fytte the Second.]

This hanselle hat3 Arthur of auenturus on fyrst,

In 3onge 3er, for he 3erned 3elpyng to here,

Tha3 hym worde3 were wane, when þay to sete wenten;

Now ar þay stoken of sturne werk staf-ful her hond.

Gawan wat3 glad to be-gynne þose gomne3 in halle,

Bot þa3 þe ende be heuy, haf 3e no wonder;

For þa3 men ben mery in mynde, quen þay han mayn drynk,

A 3ere 3ernes ful 3erne, & 3elde3 neuer lyke,

Þe forme to þe fynisment folde3 ful selden.

For-þi þis 3ol ouer-3ede, & þe 3ere after,

& vche sesoun serlepes sued after oþer;

After crysten-masse com þe crabbed lentoun,

Þat frayste3 flesch wyth þe fysche & fode more symple

Bot þenne þe weder of þe worlde wyth wynter hit þrepe3,

Colde clenge3 adoun, cloude3 vp-lyften,

Schyre schede3 þe rayn in schowre3 ful warme,

Falle3 vpon fayre flat, flowre3 þere schewen,

Boþe grounde3 & þe greue3 grene ar her wede3,

Brydde3 busken to bylde, & bremlych syngen,

For solace of þe softe somer þat sues þer after,

bi bonk;
& blossume3 bolne to blowe,
Bi rawe3 rych & ronk,
Þen note3 noble in-no3e,
Ar herde in wod so wlonk.