[A] A cheyer by-fore þe chemné, þer charcole brenned,
876 Wat3 grayþed for sir Gawan, grayþely with cloþe3,
Whyssynes vpon queldepoyntes, þa[t] koynt wer boþe;
[B] & þenne a mere mantyle wat3 on þat mon cast,
Of a broun bleeaunt, enbrauded ful ryche,
880 & fayre furred wyth-inne with felle3 of þe best,
Alle of ermyn in erde, his hode of þe same;
& he sete in þat settel semlych ryche,
& achaufed hym chefly,[1] & þenne his cher mended.
884 [C] Sone wat3 telded vp a tapit, on treste3 ful fayre,
[D] Clad wyth a clene cloþe, þat cler quyt schewed,
Sanap, & salure, & syluer-in spone3;
Þe wy3e wesche at his wylle, & went to his mete [Fol. 103.]
888 Segge3 hym serued semly in-no3e,
[E] Wyth sere sewes & sete,[2] sesounde of þe best,
Double felde, as hit falle3, & fele kyn fische3;
[F] Summe baken in bred, summe brad on þe glede3,
892 [G] Summe soþen, summe in sewe, sauered with spyces,
& ay sawes[3] so sle3e3, þat þe segge lyked.
Þe freke calde hit a fest ful frely & ofte,
[H] Ful hendely, quen alle þe haþeles re-hayted hym at one3
896 as hende;
"Þis penaunce now 3e take,
& eft hit schal amende;"
[I] Þat mon much merþe con make.
900 For wyn in his hed þat wende.
[Sidenote A: A chair is placed for Sir Gawayne before the fireplace.]
[Sidenote B: A mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, is thrown over
him.]
[Sidenote C: A table is soon raised,]
[Sidenote D: and the knight, having washed, proceeded to meat.]
[Sidenote E: He is served with numerous dishes;]
[Sidenote F: with fish baked and broiled,]
[Sidenote G: or boiled and seasoned with spices.]
[Sidenote H: He calls it a full noble feast,]
[Sidenote I: and much mirth he makes, for the wine is in his head.]
[Footnote 1: MS. cefly.]
[Footnote 2: swete (?).]
[Footnote 3: sewes (?).]
XVII.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account