Sir Lancelott and Sir Steven bold, They rode with them that day, And the formost of the company There rode the steward Kay. XXXII Soe did Sir Banier and Sir Bore, Sir Garrett with them soe gay, Soe did Sir Tristeram that gentle knight, To the forrest fresh and gay. XXXIII And when he came to the greene forrest, Underneath a greene holly tree, Their sate that lady in red scarlet That unseemly was to see. XXXIV Sir Kay beheld this lady’s face, And looked uppon her swire[194]; ‘Whosoever kisses this lady,’ he sayes, ‘Of his kisse he stands in feare.’ XXXV Sir Kay beheld the lady againe, And looked upon her snout; ‘Whosoever kisses this lady,’ he saies, ‘Of his kisse he stands in doubt.’ XXXVI ‘Peace, cozen Kay,’ then said Sir Gawaine, ‘Amend thee of thy life; For there is a knight amongst us all That must marry her to his wife.’ XXXVII ‘What! wedd her to wiffe!’ then said Sir Kay, ‘In the divell’s name anon! Gett me a wiffe where-ere I may, For I had rather be slaine!’ XXXVIII Then some tooke up their hawkes in hast. And some tooke up their hounds, And some sware they wo’ld not marry her For citty nor for towne. XXXIX And then be-spake him noble King Arthur, And sware there by this day, For a litle foule sight and misliking [They should not say her Nay]. At length Sir Gawain, for Arthur’s sake, consented. The ugly bride was taken home and bedded, when to Gawain’s delight in his arms she turned to a beautiful woman. She then offered him a choice.-- XL Then shee said, ‘Choose thee, gentle Gawaine, Truth as I doe say, Wether thou wilt have me in this liknesse In the night or else in the day.’ XLI And then bespake him gentle Gawaine, Was one soe mild of moode, Sayes, ‘Well I know what I wo’ld say, God grant it may be good! XLII ‘To have thee fowle in the night When I with thee sho’ld play-- Yet I had rather, if I might, Have thee fowle in the day.’ XLIII ‘What! when lords goe with ther feires[195],’ shee said, ‘Both to the ale and wine, Alas! then I must hyde my selfe, I must not goe withinne.’ XLIV And then bespake him gentle Gawaine, Said, ‘Lady, that’s but skill; And because thou art my owne lady, Thou shall have all thy will.’ XLV Then she said, ‘Blesed be thou, gentle Gawain, This day that I thee see! For as thou seest me att this time, From hencforth I wilbe. XLVI ‘My father was an old knight, And yett it chancèd soe That he marryed a younge lady That brought me to this woe. XLVII