24.

And then he tooke King Arthur's letters in his hands, & away he cold them fling, & then he puld out a good browne sword, & cryd himselfe a king.

25.

And he sayd, 'I haue thee & thy land, Arthur, To doe as it pleaseth me, For this is not thy ransome sure, Therfore yeeld thee to me.'

26.

And then bespoke him noble Arthur, & bad him hold his hand; '& giue me leaue to speake my mind In defence of all my land.'

27.

He said, 'As I came over a more, I see a lady where shee sate Betweene an oke & a green hollen; She was clad in red scarlett;

28.

'And she says a woman will haue her will, & this is all her cheef desire: Doe me right, as thou art a baron of sckill, This is thy ransome & all thy hyer.'

29.

He sayes, 'An early vengeance light on her!

She walkes on yonder more; It was my sister that told thee this; & she is a misshappen hore!

30.

'But heer He make mine avow to God To doe her an euill turne, For an euer I may thate fowle theefe get, In a fyer I will her burne.'

[Annotations: 1.4: 'blee,' complexion.

2.4: Perhaps we should read 'stiff in stowre,' a constant expression in ballads, 'sturdy in fight.'

11: Arthur's customary bravery and chivalry are not conspicuous in this ballad.

18.1: 'halch upon,' salute.

21.1: 'Giue,' If.

27.3: 'hollen,' holly.

28.3: 'sckill,' reason, judgment.]

+The 2d Part+

31.

Sir Lancelott & Sir Steven bold They rode with them that day, And the formost of the company There rode the steward Kay.

32.

Soe did Sir Bauier and Sir Bore, Sir Garrett with them soe gay, Soe did Sir Tristeram that gentle knight, To the forrest fresh & gay.

33.

And when he came to the greene fforrest, Vnderneath a greene holly tree Their sate that lady in red scarlet That vnseemly was to see.

34.

Sir Kay beheld this ladys face, & looked vppon her swire; 'Whosoeuer kisses this lady,' he sayes, 'Of his kisse he stands in feare.'

35.

Sir Kay beheld the lady againe, & looked vpon her snout; 'Whosoeuer kisses this lady,' he saies, 'Of his kisse he stands in doubt.'

36.

'Peace, cozen Kay,' then said Sir Gawaine, 'Amend thee of thy life; For there is a knight amongst vs all That must marry her to his wife.'

37.

'What! wedd her to wiffe!' then said Sir Kay, 'In the diuells name, anon!

Gett me a wiffe whereere I may, For I had rather be slaine!'

38.

Then some tooke vp their hawkes in hast, & some tooke vp their hounds, & some sware they wold not marry her For citty nor for towne.

39.

And then bespake him noble King Arthur, & sware there by this day: 'For a litle foule sight & misliking ... ... ...

40.

Then shee said, 'Choose thee, gentle Gawaine, Truth as I doe say, Wether thou wilt haue me in this liknesse In the night or else in the day.'

41.

And then bespake him gentle Gawaine, Was one soe mild of moode, Sayes, 'Well I know what I wold say, God grant it may be good!

42.

'To haue thee fowle in the night When I with thee shold play; Yet I had rather, if I might, Haue thee fowle in the day.'

43.

'What! when Lords goe with ther feires,' shee said, 'Both to the ale & wine?

Alas! then I must hyde my selfe, I must not goe withinne.'

44.

And then bespake him gentle Gawaine; Said, 'Lady, thats but skill; And because thou art my owne lady, Thou shalt haue all thy will.'

45.

Then she said, 'Blessed be thou, gentle Gawaine, This day that I thee see, For as thou see[st] me att this time, From hencforth I wil be:

46.

'My father was an old knight, & yett it chanced soe That he marryed a younge lady That brought me to this woe.

47.

'Shee witched me, being a faire young lady, To the greene forrest to dwell, & there I must walke in womans likness, Most like a feend of hell.

48.

'She witched my brother to a carlish b . . . . .