Where is now your sourquydrye1 and your conquestes, Your gryndel-layk, and your greme,3 and your grete wordes? Now is the revel and the renoun of the Rounde Table Over-walt 4 wyth a worde of on wyyes speche; For al dares for drede, withoute dynt 7 schewed! "" 8 Wyth this he laghes so loude, that the lorde greved; The blod schot for scham in-to his schyre face 5 Where is now your arrogance and all your conquests, Your fierceness and your fellness and your fine boasting? Now is the revel and the renown of the Round Table Overthrown by a word of one man's speech; For all quail for cowardice, tho' no combat threatens !" With this he laughed so loud that the lord was grieved; The blood shot for shame into his fair cheek As wrathful then as wind 320 Then any burne1 upon bench hade broght Than if any baron on the bench had brought hym to drynk Of wyne. Gawan, that sate bi the quene, "I be-seche now with sawez sene,3 This melly mot be myne. XVI "Let bounty now be seen, And let this game be mine! XVI 340 no courtesy, I would come to your counsel, before your court splendid; For methinks it is unseemly, as sage men weigh things, When such an asking is honoured so high in your hall Though you yourself be eager for all undertakings 350 While about you on bench sit so many bold ones, Than whom under heaven, I think none hardier are of temper, Nor better bodies in battle when banners are lifted. I am the weakest, I wot, and of wit feeblest, And least the loss of my life, if no lie shall be spoken; But forasmuch as you are my uncle I am only of merit No desert but your blood I in my body reckon And since this affair is so foolish that you it befits not, And I have sued for it first, let my suit be granted! And if my conduct is not comely, let all this court judge me To blame." Nobles 'gan whispering; Their verdict was the same, To exempt the crowned king And give Gawain the game. 30 361 29 re 25 goodness |