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Listen, lords, great and small,
What adventures did befall
In England, where hath beene
Of knights that held the Round Table
Which were doughty and profittable,
Of kempys cruell and keene.
All England, both East and West,
Lords and ladyes of the best,
They busked and made them bowne.
And when the King sate in seate -
Lords served him att his meate -
Into the hall a burne there came.
He was not hye, but he was broad,
And like a Turke he was made
Both legg and thye;
And said, "Is there any will, as a brother,
To give a buffett and take another?
And iff any soe hardy bee?"
Then spake Sir Kay, that crabbed knight,
And said "Man, thou seemest not soe wight,
If thou be not adread.
For there beene knights within this hall
With a buffett will garr thee fall,
And grope thee to the ground.
"Give thou be never soe stalworth of hand
I shall bring thee to the ground,
That dare I safely sweare."
Then spake Sir Gawaine, that worthy knight,
Saith, "Cozen Kay, thou speakest not right -
Lewd is thy answere!
"What and that man want of his witt?
Then litle worshipp were to thee pitt
If thou shold him forefore."
Then spake the Turke with words thraw,
Saith, "Come the better of your tow,
Though ye be breme as bore . . .
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there were (once)
[Some] knights
stalwart and worthy
warriors fierce and courageous
[Throughout]
came and went
sat; (see note)
warrior; (see note)
tall
(i.e., a pagan)
thigh
who wishes through mutual consent
blow
Might there be; (see note)
sulky
powerful
Given that
make
drop
If; ever so stalwart; (see note)
overcome you
Cousin
Uncouth
What if; be deficient in
honor; allotted
destroy
angry
two; (see note)
fierce as a wild boar
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[At this point about half a page of the story is missing;
Gawain enters into a sworn agreement to trade blows
(apparently without weapons) with the Turk. He strikes
his blow, but the return blow by the Turk is postponed.]
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"This buffett thou hast . . .
Well quitt that it shall be.
And yett I shall make thee thrise as feard
As ever was man on middlearth,
This Court againe ere thou see."
Then said Gawaine, "My truth I plight,
I dare goe with thee full right,
And never from thee flye;
I will never flee from noe adventure,
Justing, nor noe other turnament,
Whilest I may live on lee."
The Turke tooke leave of King with crowne;
Sir Gawaine made him ready bowne,
His armor and his steed.
They rode northwards two dayes and more.
By then Sir Gawaine hungred sore;
Of meate and drinke he had great need.
The Turke wist Gawaine had need of meate,
And spake to him with words great,
Hawtinge uppon hee;
Says "Gawaine, where is all thy plenty?
Yesterday thou wast served with dainty,
And noe part thou wold give me,
"But with buffett thou did me sore;
Therefore thou shalt have mickle care,
And adventures shalt thou see.
I wold I had King Arthur heere,
And many of thy fellowes in fere
That behaves to try mastery."1
He led Sir Gawaine to a hill soe plaine.
The earth opened and closed againe -
Then Gawaine was adread.
The merke was comen, and the light is gone:
Thundering, lightning, snow, and raine,
Therof enough they had.
Then spake Sir Gawaine and sighed sore:
"Such wether saw I never afore
In noe stead there I have beene stood."
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repaid
three times as afraid; (see note)
(see note)
before
troth I pledge
[That]; resolutely
flee
Jousts
unharmed
himself ready for travel
(see note)
sorely
understood
Raising himself on high; (see note)
riches
were; delicacies
(see note)
made
great
(see note)
together
in the open
darkness
Of those
place where; (see note)
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[Again at this point a half page is missing. The storms seem a preliminary test. Gawain endures them, and accepts instruction from the Turk, and is then allowed to proceed to
the mysterious castle.]
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". . . made them noe answere
But only unto mee."
To the Castle they then yode.
Sir Gawaine light beside his steed,
For horsse the Turke had none.
There they found chamber, bower, and hall,
Richly rayled about with pale,
Seemly to look uppon.
A bord was spred within that place:
All manner of meates and drinkes there was
For groomes that might it againe.
Sir Gawaine wold have fallen to that fare,
The Turke bad him leave for care;
Then waxt he unfaine.
Gawaine said, "Man, I marvell have
That thou may none of these vittells spare,
And here is soe great plentye.
Yett have I more mervaile, by my fay,
That I see neither man nor maid,
Woman nor child soe free.
"I had lever now att mine owne will
Of this fayre meate to eate my fill
Then all the gold in Christenty."
The Turke went forth, and tarryed nought;
Meate and drinke he forth brought,
Was seemly for to see.
He said, "Eate, Gawaine, and make thee yare.
In faith, or thou gett victalls more
Thou shalt both swinke and sweate.
Eate, Gawaine, and spare thee nought!"
Sir Gawaine eate as him good thought,
And well he liked his meate.
He dranke ale, and after wine.
He saith, "I will be att thy bidding baine
Without bost or threat.
But one thing I wold thee pray:
Give me my buffett and let me goe my way.
I wold not longer be hereatt.
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(see note)
went; (see note)
dismounted
(see note)
arrayed with elegant cloths
handsome; (see note)
table
men; gain
taken up that food
[But]; refrain because of harm
became [Gawain] unhappy
am astonished
foods dispense
faith
rather
[have]; Christendom
ready
before; food
toil
ready
Without (need for)
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[Another half page is missing at this point. The Turk refuses to allow Gawain to conclude the bargain by receiving his return blow. Instead he asks that Gawain accompany him to the Isle of Man.]
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Ther stood a bote and . . .
Sir Gawaine left behind his steed,
He might noe other doe.
The Turke said to Sir Gawaine,
"He shal be here when thou comes againe -
I plight my troth to thee -
Within an hower, as men tell me."
They were sailed over the sea:
The Turke said, "Gawaine, hee!
"Heere are we withouten scath.
But now beginneth the great othe,
When we shall adventures see."
He lett him see a castle faire;
Such a one he never saw yare,
Noewher in noe country.
The Turke said to Sir Gawaine
"Yonder dwells the King of Man,
A heathen soldan is hee.
"With him he hath a hideous rout
Of giants strong and stout
And uglie to looke uppon.
Whosoever had sought farr and neere
As wide as the world were,
Such a companye he cold find none.
"Many aventures thou shalt see there,
Such as thou never saw yare
In all the world about.
Thou shalt see a tenisse ball
That never knight in Arthurs hall
Is able to give it a lout.
"And other adventures there are moe.
Wee shall be assayled ere we goe,
Therof have thou noe doute.
"But and yee will take to me good heed,
I shall helpe you in time of need.
For ought I can see
There shall be none soe strong in stower
But I shall bring thee againe to hi . . .
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boat; (see note)
hour
hasten; (see note)
harm
the fulfillment of our compact
(see note)
before
(see note)
(see note)
sultan
throng
before
tennis ball [so large]
blow
more
absolved (of sin) before; (see note)
if
anything
battle
(see note)
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[Another half page is missing here. After these reassurances, Gawain accompanies the Turk into the Castle of the King of Man where he is met with verbal assaults.]
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. . . "Sir Gawaine stiffe and stowre,
How fareth thy unckle King Arthur,
And all his company?
And that Bishopp Sir Bodwine
That will not let my goods alone,
But spiteth them every day?
"He preached much of a Crowne of Thorne;
He shall ban the time that he was borne
And ever I catch him may.
I anger more att the spiritually
In England, not att the temporaltie,
They goe soe in theire array.
"And I purpose in full great ire
To brenn their clergy in a fire
And punish them to my pay.
Sitt downe, Sir Gawaine, at the bord."
Sir Gawaine answered at that word,
Saith, "Nay, that may not be,
"I trow not a venturous knight shall
Sitt downe in a kings hall
Adventures or you see."
The King said, "Gawaine, faire mot thee fall!
Goe feitch me forth my tennisse ball,
For play will I and see."
They brought it out without doubt.
With it came a hideous rout
Of gyants great and plenty;
All the giants were there then
Heire by the halfe then Sir Gawaine,
I tell you withouten nay.
There were seventeen giants bold of blood,
And all thought Gawaine but litle good.
When they thought with him to play.
All the giants thoughten then
To have strucke out Sir Gawaines braine.
Help him God that best may!
The ball of brasse was made for the giants hand;
There was noe man in all England
Were able to carry it . . .
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fierce
Baldwin; (see note)
spoils
curse
If
clergy; (see note)
lords
lavish clothes
intend; wrath
burn
satisfaction
table
do not think a daring; (see note)
before
may good things befall you; (see note)
see what happens
huge throng
Higher; than
without doubt
(see note)
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[In a missing section, Gawain defeats the giants at tennis with the help of the Turk, who ends by pummeling one of the giants.]
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. . . and sticked a giant in the hall
That grysly can hee grone.
The King sayd, "Bray away this axeltree,
For such a boy I never see.
Yett he shal be assayed better ere he goe -
"I told you, soe mote I the -
With the three adventure, and then no more
Befor me at this tide."
Then there stood amongst them all
A chimney in the Kings hall
With barres mickle of pride.
There was laid on in that stond
Coales and wood that cost a pound,
That upon it did abide.
A giant bad Gawaine assay,
And said, "Gawaine, begin the play -
Thou knowest best how it shold be!
And afterwards when thou hast done,
I trow you shal be answered soone
Either with boy or me.
"A great giant, I understand,
Lift up the chimney with his hand
And sett it downe againe fairly."
Sir Gawaine was never soe adread
Sith he was man on midle earth,
And cryd on God in his thought.
Gawaine unto his boy can say
"Lift this chimney - if you may -
That is soe worthily wrought."
Gawaines boy to it did leape,
And gatt itt by the bowles great,
And about his head he it flang.
Thris about his head he it swang
That the coals and the red brands . . .
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stabbed
gruesomely did
Take; staff; (see note)
[i.e., the Turk]
(see note)
may I prosper; (see note)
time
free-standing fireplace; (see note)
iron bars great in strength
stand
in large quantity
lie
give it a try
matched
[i.e., the Turk]
[Should be able to]
easily
since
did
massively
charcoal holders; (see note)
flung
Thrice; (see note)
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[In a missing half page the Turk completes his victory in the second contest, twirling the hot fireplace above his head. He then clothes himself in a garment of invisibility to accompany Gawain as the King of Man leads him to the final challenge. Here, a giant threatens Gawain.]
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". . . saw of mickle might
And strong were in battell.
"I have slaine them thorrow my mastery,
And now, Gawaine, I will slay thee,
And then I have slaine all the flower.
There went never none againe no tale to tell,
Nor more shalt thou, thoe thou be fell,
Nor none that longeth to King Arthur."
The Turke was clad invissible gay:
No man cold see him withouten nay,
He was cladd in such a weede.
He heard their talking lesse and more:
And yet he thought they shold find him there
When they shold do that deed.
Then he led him into steddie
Werhas was a boyling leade,
And welling uppon hie:
And before it a giant did stand
With an iron forke in his hand,
That hideous was to see.
The giant that looked soe keene
That before Sir Gawaine had never seene
Noe where in noe country.
The King saide to the giant thoe,
"Here is none but wee tow;
Let see how best may bee."
When the giant saw Gawaines boy there was,
He leapt and threw, and cryed "Alas,
That he came in that stead!"
Sir Gawaines boy to him lept,
And with strenght up him gett,
And cast him in the lead.
With an iron forke made of steele
He held him downe wondorous weele,
Till he was scalded to the dead.
Then Sir Gawaine unto the King can say,
"Without thou wilt agree unto our law,
Eatein is all thy bread."
The King spitt on Gawaine the knight.
With that the Turke hent him upright
And into the fyer him flang,
And saide to Sir Gawaine at the last,
"Noe force, Master, all the perill is past!
Thinke not we tarrie too longe . . .
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great
(i.e., other knights); (see note)
elite (of chivalry)
none ever returned
Any more than; though; fierce
belong
clothed with wonderful invisibility; (see note)
without doubt
garment
altogether
feel his presence
(i.e., the King led Gawain); a spot
Where; [cauldron of] molten lead
seething
fierce
[one so fierce]
then
two
do your best
(see note)
writhed
this place
took
well; (see note)
death
did
Unless
(i.e., your time is up); (see note)
(see note)
seized him as he stood
fire
No worry
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[In a missing half page, Gawain and the Turk apparently move quickly to another part of the Castle, where captives have been magically imprisoned. The Turk then, instead of taking the return blow at Gawain to which he is entitled, requests that Gawain deliver a sword stroke that would behead him.]
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He tooke forth a bason of gold
As an Emperour washe shold,
As fell for his degree.
He tooke a sword of mettle free,
Saies "If ever I did any thing for thee,
Doe for me in this stead:
Take here this sword of steele
That in battell will bite weele,
Therwith strike of my head."
"That I forefend!" said Sir Gawaine,
"For I wold not have thee slaine
For all the gold soe red."
"Have done, Sir Gawaine! I have no dread.
But in this bason let me bleed,
That standeth here in this steed,
"And thou shalt see a new play,
With helpe of Mary that mild mayd
That saved us from all dread."
He drew forth the brand of steele
That in battell bite wold weele,
And there stroke of his head.
And when the blood in the bason light,
He stood up a stalwortht Knight
That day, I undertake,
And song "'Te Deum Laudamus' -
Worshipp be to our Lord Jesus
That saved us from all wracke!
"A! Sir Gawaine! Blessed thou be!
For all the service I have don thee,
Thou hast well quitt it me."
Then he tooke him by the hand,
And many a worthy man they fand
That before they never see.
He said, "Sir Gawaine, withouten threat
Sitt downe boldly at thy meate,
And I will eate with thee.
Ladyes all, be of good cheere:
Eche ane shall wend to his owne deer
In all hast that may be.
"First we will to King Arthurs hall,
And soone after your husbands send we shall
In country where they beene;
There they wold . . . abide.
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basin
Such as; (see note)
it suited his rank
metal noble; (see note)
[And] says
Help me; case
[And] with it; off
forbid
Enough
place
turn of events
off
fell
dare say
sang; (see note)
ruin
repaid
encountered; (see note)
had seen
with all courtesy; (see note)
one; go; dear
haste
have lived
(see note)
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[In another missing section, the process of liberating the chivalric captives continues with the return to Arthur's court.]
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"Thus we have brought seventeen ladys cleere
That there were left in great danger,
And we have brought them out."
Then sent they for theire husbands swithe,
And every one tooke his oune wife,
And lowlye can they lowte,
And thanked the two knights and the King,
And said they wold be at theire bidding
In all England about.
Sir Gromer kneeld upon his knee,
Saith "Sir King, and your wil be,
Crowne Gawaine King of Man."
Sir Gawaine kneeld downe by,
And said "Lord, nay, not I;
Give it him, for he it wan.
"For I never purposed to be noe King,
Never in all my livinge,
Whilest I am a living man."
He said, "Sir Gromer, take it thee,
For Gawaine will never King bee
For no craft that I can."
Thus endeth the tale that I of meane,
Of Arthur and his knightes keene
That hardy were and free.
God give them good life far and neere
That such talking loves to heere!
Amen for Charity!
Fins.
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handsome
quickly
own
humbly did they bow
(see note)
(see note)
if it be your will
[of the Isle] of Man
next to Sir Gromer
(i.e., Arthur); for yourself
argument I may make
had in mind
to them (i.e., the audience)
The end
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