The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle
Original Electronic Text at the Camelot Project web site.
Lythe and listenythe the lif of a lord riche, (see note) The while that he lyvid was none hym liche, like Nether in bowre ne in halle. private room nor In the tyme of Arthoure thys adventure betyd, occurred 5 And of the greatt adventure that he hymself dyd, And [you will hear] of That Kyng curteys and royalle. Of alle kynges Arture berythe the flowyr, bears the prize And of alle knyghtod he bare away the honour, knighthood Wheresoevere he wentt. 10 In his contrey was nothyng butt chyvalry And knyghtes were belovid by that doughty, brave [warrior]; (see note) For cowardes were everemore shent. disgraced Nowe wylle ye lyst a whyle to my talkyng, [if] you listen; performance I shalle you telle of Arthowre the Kyng, 15 Howe ones hym befelle. [adventure] once On huntyng he was in Ingleswod, Inglewood; (see note) With alle his bold knyghtes good - Nowe herken to my spelle! story (spiel) The Kyng was sett att his trestylle-tree hunting station 20 With hys bowe to sle the wylde veneré slay; game And hys lordes were sett hym besyde. As the Kyng stode, then was he ware waited; aware Where a greatt hartt was and a fayre, And forthe fast dyd he glyde. move 25 The hartt was in a braken ferne, fern thicket And hard the houndes, and stode fulle derne: heard; still; (see note) Alle that sawe the Kyng. "Hold you stylle, every man, motionless And I wolle goo myself, yf I can, 30 With crafte of stalkyng." The Kyng in hys hand toke a bowe And wodmanly he stowpyd lowe as a woodsman To stalk unto that dere. deer When that he cam the dere fulle nere, quite 35 The dere lept forthe into a brere, briar patch And evere the Kyng went nere and nere. closer So Kyng Arthure went a whyle for a time After the dere, I trowe, half a myle, I guess And no man with hym went. 40 And att the last to the dere he lett flye at; took a shot And smote hym sore and sewerly - sorely; surely Suche grace God hym sent. Doun the dere tumblyd so theron, on that spot; (see note) And felle into a greatt brake of feron; thicket; fern 45 The Kyng folowyd fulle fast. very quickly Anon the Kyng bothe ferce and felle fierce; eager Was with the dere and dyd hym serve welle, butcher properly; (see note) And after the grasse he taste. 1 (see note) As the Kyng was with the dere alone, While 50 Streyghte ther cam to hym a quaynt grome, strange man Armyd welle and sure, A knyght fulle strong and of greatt myghte. And grymly wordes to the Kyng he sayd: fiercely "Welle imet, Kyng Arthour! met 55 Thou hast me done wrong many a yere year And wofully I shall quytte the here; requite you I hold thy lyfe days nyghe done. lifetime nearly Thou hast gevyn my landes in certayn indeed With greatt wrong unto Sir Gawen. 60 Whate sayest thou, Kyng alone?" "Syr Knyghte, whate is thy name with honour?" "Syr Kyng," he sayd, "Gromer Somer Joure, (see note) I telle the nowe with ryghte." by rights "A, Sir Gromer Somer, bethynk the welle; consider 65 To sle me here honour getyst thou no delle. slay; not a bit Bethynk the thou artt a knyghte: Yf thou sle me nowe in thys case, Alle knyghtes wolle refuse the in every place; That shame shalle nevere the froo. leave you 70 Lett be thy wylle and folowe wytt recklessness; reason And that is amys I shalle amend itt, whatever And thou wolt, or that I goo." If you wish before "Nay," sayd Sir Gromer Somer, "by Hevyn Kyng! So shalt thou nott skape, withoute lesyng; escape, no lie 75 I have the nowe att avaylle. at [my] advantage; (see note) Yf I shold lett the thus goo with mokery, after mocking [you] Anoder tyme thou wolt me defye; Another; challenge in combat; (see note) Of that I shalle nott faylle." In [preventing] that "Now," sayd the Kyng, "so God me save, 80 Save my lyfe, and whate thou most crave, whatever; (see note) I shalle now graunt itt the; Shame thou shalt have to sle me in veneré, in hunting Thou armyd and I clothyd butt in grene, perdé." green, by God "Alle thys shalle nott help the, sekyrly. surely 85 For I wolle nother lond ne gold, truly, want Butt yf thou graunt me att a certeyn day (see note) Suche as I shalle sett, and in thys same araye." specify; gear "Yes," sayd the Kyng; "Lo, here my hand." "Ye, butt abyde, Kyng, and here me a stound. hear; moment 90 Fyrst thow shalt swere upon my sword broun bright To shewe me att thy comyng whate wemen love best in feld and town (note) And thou shalt mete me here withouten send summons Evyn att this day twelfe monethes end; twelve And thou shalt swere upon my swerd good 95 That of thy knyghtes shalle none com with the, by the Rood, Cross Nowther fremde ne freynd. stranger nor; (see note) "And yf thou bryng nott answere withoute faylle, Thyne hed thou shalt lose for thy travaylle - head; effort Thys shalle nowe be thyne othe. oath 100 Whate sayst thou, Kyng? Lett se, have done!" Come on, do it "Syr, I graunt to thys! Now lett me gone. agree; [be] gone Thoughe itt be to me fulle lothe, distasteful I ensure the, as I am true kyng, assure To com agayn att thys twelfe monethes endyng (see note) 105 And bryng the thyne answere." "Now go thy way, Kyng Arthure. Thy lyfe is in my hand, I am fulle sure; Of thy sorowe thow artt nott ware. plight; aware "Abyde, Kyng Arthure, a lytell whyle: 110 Loke nott today thou me begyle, trick And kepe alle thyng in close - to yourself For and I wyst, by Mary mylde, if I knew Thou woldyst betray me in the feld, Thy lyf fyrst sholdyst thou lose." 115 "Nay," sayd Kyng Arthure, "that may nott be. Untrewe knyght shalt thou nevere fynde me - To dye yett were me lever. would even be preferable to me Farwelle, Sir Knyght, and evyll mett. met through bad luck I wolle com, and I be on lyve att the day sett, if I'm alive; appointed 120 Thoughe I shold scape nevere." escape [alive] The Kyng his bugle gan blowe. did That hard every knyght and itt gan knowe; heard; did know Unto hym can they rake. did; hasten Ther they fond the Kyng and the dere, 125 With sembland sad and hevy chere, countenance; distressed look That had no lust to layk. Who; desire to play "Go we home nowe to Carlylle; Carlisle Thys huntyng lykys me nott welle," pleases; (see note) So sayd Kyng Arthure. 130 Alle the lordes knewe by his countenaunce That the Kyng had mett with sume dysturbaunce. Unto Carlylle then the Kyng cam, Butt of his hevynesse knewe no man; [the cause] of his sadness Hys hartt was wonder hevy. heart; exceedingly 135 In this hevynesse he dyd abyde That many of his knyghtes mervelyd that tyde, So that; at that time Tylle att the last Sir Gawen To the Kyng he sayd than: then "Syr, me marvaylythe ryghte sore [it] puzzles me greatly 140 Whate thyng that thou sorowyst fore." Then answeryd the Kyng as tyghte: immediately "I shall the telle, gentylle Gawen knyght. In the Forest as I was this daye, while Ther I mett with a knyght in his araye, in full armor 145 And serteyn wordes to me he gan sayn certain; did say And chargyd me I shold hym nott bewrayne; not give him away Hys councelle must I kepe therfore, confidence Or els I am forswore." forsworn "Nay, drede you nott, Lord! By Mary flower, fear; (see note) 150 I am nott that man that wold you dishonour Nother by evyn ne by moron." evening; morning "Forsothe I was on huntyng in Ingleswod; In fact Thowe knowest welle I slewe an hartt, by the Rode, Cross Alle mysylf alon. 155 Ther mett I with a knyght armyd sure; heavily His name he told me was Sir Gromer Somer Joure: Therfor I make my mone. lament "Ther that knyght fast dyd me threte pressingly; threaten And wold have slayn me with greatt heatt, passion 160 But I spak fayre agayn. Except that; in turn Wepyns with me ther had I none; Weapons Alas! My worshypp therfor is nowe gone." honor "What therof?" sayd Gawen. What came of it "Whatt nedys more? I shalle nott lye: can I say 165 He wold have slayn me ther withoute mercy - And that me was fulle lothe. to me was most hateful He made me to swere that att the twelfe monethes end twelve That I shold mete hym ther in the same kynde; manner To that I plyghte my trowithe. pledged my troth (good faith) 170 "And also I shold telle hym att the same day Whate wemen desyren moste, in good faye; faith My lyf els shold I lese. otherwise; lose; (see note) This othe I made unto that knyghte, And that I shold nevere telle itt to no wight; man 175 Of thys I myghte nott chese. In this [matter]; choose And also I shold com in none oder araye, other gear Butt evyn as I was the same daye. first day And yf I faylyd of myne answere, I wott I shal be slayn ryghte there. know 180 Blame me nott thoughe I be a wofulle man; Chide; if Alle thys is my drede and fere." [the cause of] my doubt "Ye, Sir, make good chere. Lett make your hors redy Have; prepared To ryde into straunge contrey; 185 And evere wheras ye mete owther man or woman, in faye, either; faith Ask of theym whate thay therto saye, to that [question] And I shalle also ryde anoder waye And enquere of every man and woman and gett whatt I may inquire; learn Of every man and womans answere; 190 And in a boke I shalle theym wryte." book "I graunt," sayd the Kyng as tyte; immediately "Ytt is welle advysed, Gawen the good, considered Evyn by the Holy Rood." Cross; (see note) Sone were they bothe redy, 195 Gawen and the Kyng, wytterly. truly The Kyng rode on way and Gawen anoder one And evere enquyred of man, woman, and other, others Whate wemen desyred moste dere. dearly Somme sayd they lovyd to be welle arayd, accoutered 200 Somme sayd they lovyd to be fayre prayed, beseeched Somme sayd they lovyd a lusty man That in theyr armys can clypp them and kysse them than. hug Somme sayd one, somme sayd other; one [thing] And so had Gawen getyn many an answere. 205 By that Gawen had geten whate he maye Finally And come agayn by a certeyn daye. returned Syr Gawen had goten answerys so many That had made a boke greatt, wytterly. for sure To the courte he cam agayn. 210 By that was the Kyng comyn with hys boke, At the same time; had come And eyther on others pamplett dyd loke. pamphlet "Thys may nott faylle," sayd Gawen. (see note) "By God," sayd the Kyng, "I drede me sore; fear greatly I cast me to seke a lytelle more resolve; seek 215 In Yngleswod Forest. I have butt a monethe to my day sett; I may hapen on somme good tydynges to hitt - hit [upon] Thys thynkythe me nowe best." seems to "Do as ye lyst," then Gawen sayd, please 220 "Whatesoevere ye do I hold me payd; satisfied Hytt is good to be spyrryng. enquiring Doute you nott, Lord, ye shalle welle spede; Fear; fare Sume of your sawes shalle help att nede, sayings Els itt were ylle lykyng." Otherwise; unlikely 225 Kyng Arthoure rode forthe on the other day next Into Yngleswod as hys gate laye, path led And ther he mett with a Lady. She was as ungoodly a creature uncouth As evere man sawe, withoute mesure. beyond measure 230 Kyng Arthure mervaylyd securly. marveled transfixed Her face was red, her nose snotyd withalle, snotted as well Her mowithe wyde, her tethe yalowe overe alle, mouth; teeth yellow With bleryd eyen gretter then a balle. bleary; than Her mowithe was nott to lak: oversmall 235 Her tethe hyng overe her lyppes, hung; (see note) Her chekys syde as wemens hippes. broad; hips A lute she bare upon her bak; hump; back Her nek long and therto greatt; equally broad Her here cloteryd on an hepe; hair clotted; heap 240 In the sholders she was a yard brode. Hangyng pappys to be an hors lode, breasts [large enough] And lyke a barelle she was made. And to reherse the fowlnesse of that Lady, recount Ther is no tung may telle, securly; surely 245 Of lothynesse inowghe she had. ugliness enough She satt on a palfray was gay begon, palfrey [that] was richly draped With gold besett and many a precious stone. adorned Ther was an unsemely syghte: incongruous So fowlle a creature withoute mesure 250 To ryde so gayly, I you ensure, handsomely; assure Ytt was no reason ne ryghte. neither proper nor She rode to Arthoure and thus she sayd: "God spede, Sir Kyng! I am welle payd satisfied That I have with the mett; 255 Speke with me, I rede, or thou goo, advise before For thy lyfe is in my hand, I warn the soo; promise you; (see note) That shalt thou fynde, and I itt nott lett." if; prevent "Why, whatt wold ye, Lady, nowe with me?" what do you desire "Syr, I wold fayn nowe speke with the eagerly 260 And telle the tydynges good. For alle the answerys that thou canst yelpe, Despite; sing out None of theym alle shalle the helpe. That shalt thou knowe, by the Rood. Cross Thou wenyst I knowe nott thy councelle, think; secret 265 Butt I warn the, I knowe itt every dealle. promise; bit Yf I help the nott, thou art butt dead. all but; (see note) Graunt me, Sir Kyng, butt one thyng, And for thy lyfe I make warrauntyng, stand as guarantor Or elles thou shalt lose thy hed." 270 "Whate mean you, Lady? Telle me tyghte, quickly For of thy wordes I have great dispyte; indignation To you I have no nede. Of Whate is your desyre, fayre Lady? (see note) Lett me wete shortly - know right away 275 Whate is your meanyng? And why my lyfe is in your hand? Telle me, and I shalle you warraunt guarantee Alle your oun askyng." own "Forsothe," sayd the Lady, "I am no qued. wicked person 280 Thou must graunt me a knyght to wed: (see note) His name is Sir Gawen. And suche covenaunt I wolle make the, Butt thorowe myne answere thy lyf savyd be, Except that through Elles lett my desyre be in vayne. Otherwise 285 And yf myne answere save thy lyf, Graunt me to be Gawens wyf. Advyse the nowe, Sir Kyng. Consider For itt must be so, or thou artt butt dead; are as good as Chose nowe, for thou mayste sone lose thyne hed. may 290 Telle me nowe in hying." haste "Mary!" sayd the Kyng, "I maye nott graunt the "Good heavens!" To make warraunt Sir Gawen to wed the; guarantee Alle lyethe in hym alon. rests with him; (see note) Butt and itt be so, I wolle do my labour if it may be 295 In savyng of my lyfe to make itt secour; [that outcome] secure To Gawen wolle I make my mone." lament "Welle," sayd she, "nowe go home agayn And fayre wordes speke to Sir Gawen, For thy lyf I may save. 300 Thoughe I be foulle, yett am I gaye; gracious Thourghe me thy lyfe save he maye Or sewer thy dethe to have." ensure; (see note) "Alas!" he sayd; "Nowe woo is me That I shold cause Gawen to wed the, 305 For he wol be lothe to saye naye. So foulle a Lady as ye ar nowe one you are Sawe I nevere in my lyfe on ground gone; to go I nott whate I do may." do not know "No force, Sir Kyng, thoughe I be foulle; No matter 310 Choyse for a make hathe an owlle. mate [is allowed even to] Thou getest of me no more. When thou comyst agayn to thyne answere for your Ryghte in this place I shalle mete the here, Or elles I wott thou artt lore." know; lost; (see note) 315 "Now farewelle," sayd the Kyng, "Lady." "Ye, Sir," she sayd, "ther is a byrd men calle an owlle... (see note) And yett a Lady I am." "Whate is your name, I pray you, telle me?" "Syr Kyng, I highte Dame Ragnelle, truly, am named Lady; (see note) 320 That nevere yett begylyd man." deceived a man "Dame Ragnelle, now have good daye." "Syr Kyng, God spede the on thy way! Ryghte here I shalle the mete." you meet Thus they departyd fayre and welle. 325 The Kyng fulle sone com to Carlylle, soon came And his hartt hevy and greatt. painful The fyrst man he mett was Sir Gawen, That unto the Kyng thus gan sayn, did say "Syr, howe have ye sped?" you fared 330 "Forsothe," sayd the Kyng, "nevere so ylle! Alas, I am in poynt myself to spylle, ready; destroy For nedely I most be ded." of necessity "Nay," sayd Gawen, "that may nott be! I had lever myself be dead, so mott I the. rather; may I prosper 335 Thys is ille tydand." bad news "Gawen, I mett today with the fowlyst Lady That evere I sawe, sertenly. certainly She sayd to me my lyfe she wold save - Butt fyrst she wold the to husbond have. desires you as 340 Wherfor I am wo begon - Thus in my hartt I make my mone." lament "Ys this alle?" then sayd Gawen; (see note) "I shalle wed her and wed her agayn, Thowghe she were a fend; fiend 345 Thowghe she were as foulle as Belsabub, the devil Her shalle I wed, by the Rood, Cross Or elles were nott I your frende. "For ye ar my Kyng with honour And have worshypt me in many a stowre; honored; battle 350 Therfor shalle I nott lett. hesitate To save your lyfe, Lorde, itt were my parte, role Or were I false and a greatt coward; And my worshypp is the bett." honor; more "Iwys, Gawen, I mett her in Inglyswod. Indeed 355 She told me her name, by the Rode: Cross That itt was Dame Ragnelle. She told me butt I had of her answere, unless; from Elles alle my laboure is nevere the nere - Otherwise; nearer [success] Thus she gan me telle. did 360 "And butt yf her answere help me welle unless Elles let her have her desyre no dele - Otherwise; not at all This was her covenaunt. And yf her answere help me, and none other, no other [answer] Then wold she have you: here is alle togeder 365 That made she warraunt." guarantee of "As for this," sayd Gawen, "itt shalle nott lett: (see note) I wolle wed her att whate tyme ye wolle sett. whatever; will I pray you, make no care. have no concern For and she were the moste fowlyst wyghte if; person 370 That evere men myghte se with syghte, For your love I wolle nott spare." stint "Garamercy, Gawen," then sayd Kyng Arthor; Many thanks "Of alle knyghtes thou berest the flowre take the prize That evere yett I fond. knew 375 My worshypp and my lyf thou savyst forevere; honor Therfore my love shalle nott frome the dyssevyr, from you be severed As I am Kyng in lond." While Then within five or six days The Kyng must nedys goo his ways 380 To bere his answere. offer The Kyng and Sir Gawen rode oute of toun - No man with them, butt they alone, Neder ferre ne nere. Neither far; near When the Kyng was within the Forest: [he said] 385 "Syr Gawen, farewelle, I must go west; Thou shalt no furder goo." further "My Lord, God spede you on your jorney. quest I wold I shold nowe ryde your way, wish For to departe I am ryghte wo." very distressed 390 The Kyng had rydden butt a while, Lytelle more then the space of a myle, Or he mett Dame Ragnelle. Before "A, Sir Kyng! Ye arre nowe welcum here. I wott ye ryde to bere your answere; perceive 395 That wolle avaylle you no dele." will; not at all "Nowe," sayd the Kyng, "sithe itt wolle none other be, not otherwise Telle me your answere nowe, and my lyfe save me; save for me Gawen shalle you wed. So he hathe promysed me my lyf to save, in order to save 400 And your desyre nowe shalle ye have, Bothe in bowre and in bed. chamber Therfor telle me nowe alle in hast - haste Whate wolle help now att last? Have done, I may nott tary." Be quick 405 "Syr," quod Dame Ragnelle, "nowe shalt thou knowe Whate wemen desyren moste of highe and lowe; high and low rank From this I wolle nott varaye: deviate "Summe men sayn we desyre to be fayre; Also we desyre to have repayre traffic 410 Of diverse straunge men; With Also we love to have lust in bed; pleasure And often we desyre to wed. Thus ye men nott ken do not understand Yett we desyre anoder maner thyng: Also; another 415 To be holden nott old, butt fresshe and yong, regarded as With flatryng and glosyng and quaynt gyn - cajolery and special art So ye men may us wemen evere wyn Of whate ye wolle crave. whatever; will "Ye goo fulle nyse, I wolle nott lye; act very foolishly; (see note) 420 Butt there is one thyng is alle oure fantasye, fancy And that nowe shalle ye knowe. We desyren of men above alle maner thyng To have the sovereynté, withoute lesyng, mastery, no lie Of alle, bothe hyghe and lowe. 425 For where we have sovereynté, alle is ourys, Thoughe a knyght be nevere so ferys, fierce And evere the mastry wynne. mastery Of the moste manlyest is oure desyre: To have the sovereynté of suche a syre, a lord 430 Suche is oure crafte and gynne. skill; art "Therfore wend, Sir Kyng, on thy way, go And telle that knyght, as I the saye, you tell That itt is as we desyren moste. What He wol be wrothe and unsoughte angry; bitter 435 And curse her fast that itt the taughte, stoutly; you For his laboure is lost. Go forthe, Sir Kyng, and hold promyse, keep [your] For thy lyfe is sure nowe in alle wyse, secure; ways That dare I welle undertake." well declare; (see note) 440 The Kyng rode forthe a greatt shake, at headlong speed; (see note) As fast as he myghte gate go Thorowe myre, more, and fenne, moor; bog Whereas the place was sygnyd and sett then. assigned Evyn there with Sir Gromer he mett, Right 445 And stern wordes to the Kyng he spak with that: right away "Com of, Sir Kyng, nowe lett se Come on Of thyne answere, whate itt shal be, For I am redy grathyd." all prepared The Kyng pullyd oute bokes twayne: two books 450 "Syr, ther is myne answer, I dare sayn; say For somme wolle help att nede." one [of these] will have to help Syr Gromer lokyd on theym everychon: every one "Nay, nay, Sir Kyng, thou artt butt a dead man; as good as Therfor nowe shalt thou blede." bleed 455 "Abyde, Sir Gromer," sayd Kyng Arthoure, "I have one answere shalle make alle sure." (see note) "Lett se," then sayd Sir Gromer, see "Or els, so God me help, as I the say, tell Thy dethe thou shalt have with large paye, to my great pleasure 460 I telle the nowe ensure." surely "Now," sayd the Kyng, "I se, as I gesse, think In the is butt a lytelle gentilnesse, By God that ay is helpand. ever; helping Here is oure answere, and that is alle 465 That wemen desyren moste specialle, especially Bothe of fre and bond: unfree "I saye no more, butt above al thyng Wemen desyre sovereynté, for that is theyr lykyng. their pleasure And that is ther moste desyre, 470 To have the rewlle of the manlyest men, control And then ar they welle. Thus they me dyd ken Thus they did teach me To rule the, Gromer Syre." "And she that told the nowe, Sir Arthoure, I pray to God, I maye se her bren on a fyre; burn 475 For that was my suster, Dame Ragnelle, That old scott, God geve her shame. nag; (see note) Elles had I made the fulle tame; Otherwise Nowe have I lost moche travaylle. effort "Go where thou wolt, Kyng Arthoure, you wish 480 For of me thou maiste be evere sure. may rest assured Alas, that I evere se this day! Nowe, welle I wott, myne enimé thou wolt be. know And att suche a pryk shall I nevere gett the; plight My song may be `Welle-awaye!"' alas 485 "No," sayd the Kyng, "that make I warraunt: [of] that; guarantee Some harnys I wolle have to make me defendaunt, armor; ready for combat That make I God avowe! an oath In suche a plyghte shalt thou nevere me fynde; And yf thou do, lett me bete and bynde, have me beaten 490 As is for thy best prouf." As living proof "Nowe have good day," sayd Sir Gromer. "Farewele," sayd Sir Arthoure; "so mott I the, as I prosper I am glad I have so sped." fared Kyng Arthoure turnyd hys hors into the playn, 495 And sone he mett with Dame Ragnelle agayn, In the same place and stede. spot "Syr Kyng, I am glad ye have sped welle. I told howe itt wold be, every delle; part Nowe hold that ye have hyghte: hold [to] what; promised; (see note) 500 Syn I have savyd your lyf, and none other, Since Gawen must me wed, Sir Arthoure, That is a fulle gentille knyght." Who "No, Lady; that I you hyghte I shalle nott faylle. what; promised So ye wol be rulyd by my councelle, As long as 505 Your wille then shalle ye have." "Nay, Sir Kyng, nowe wolle I nott soo; will I not [have it] so Openly I wol be weddyd, or I parte the froo Publicly; from Elles shame wolle ye have. Otherwise; will; (see note) Ryde before, and I wolle com after, 510 Unto thy courte, Syr Kyng Arthoure. Of no man I wolle shame; Upon; [do] I wish Bethynk you howe I have savyd your lyf. Therfor with me nowe shalle ye nott stryfe, strive For and ye do, ye be to blame." if 515 The Kyng of her had greatt shame, was ashamed Butt forth she rood, thoughe he were grevyd; grieved Tylle they cam to Karlyle forth they mevyd. onward; rode Into the courte she rode hym by; alongside For no man wold she spare, securly - hold back surely 520 Itt likyd the Kyng fulle ylle. pleased Alle the contraye had wonder greatt Everyone Fro whens she com, that foule unswete; whence; unlovely They sawe nevere of so fowlle a thyng. Into the halle she went, in certen. indeed 525 "Arthoure, Kyng, lett fetche me Sir Gaweyn, 2 (see note) Before the knyghtes, alle in hying, haste "That I may nowe be made sekyr. have surety In welle and wo trowithe plyghte us togeder 3 (see note) Before alle thy chyvalry. knights 530 This is your graunt; lett se, have done. pledge; come on, do it Sett forthe Sir Gawen, my love, anon, Bring For lenger tarying kepe nott I." longer; suffer Then cam forthe Sir Gawen the knyght: "Syr, I am redy of that I you hyghte, for what; promised 535 Alle forwardes to fulfylle." agreements "God have mercy!" sayd Dame Ragnelle then; (see note) "For thy sake I wold I were a fayre woman, For thou art of so good wylle." Ther Sir Gawen to her his trowthe plyghte troth 540 In welle and in woo, as he was a true knyght; Then was Dame Ragnelle fayn. glad "Alas!" then sayd Dame Gaynour; Guenevere So sayd alle the ladyes in her bower, chamber And wept for Sir Gawen. 545 "Alas!" then sayd bothe Kyng and knyght, That evere he shold wed suche a wyghte, person She was so fowlle and horyble. She had two tethe on every syde each; (see note) As borys tuskes, I wolle nott hyde, boar's; dissemble 550 Of lengthe a large handfulle. In; hand's breadth The one tusk went up and the other doun. A mowthe fulle wyde and fowlle igrown, foully grown With grey herys many on. hairs; one Her lyppes laye lumpryd on her chyn; lumpish 555 Nek forsothe on her was none iseen - She was a lothly on! one She wold nott be weddyd in no maner Butt there were made a krye in all the shyre, Except; proclamation Bothe in town and in borowe. borough 560 Alle the ladyes nowe of the lond, She lett kry to com to hand did summon; to visit To kepe that brydalle thorowe. wedding feast; (see note) So itt befylle after on a daye That maryed shold be that fowlle maye (see note) 565 Unto Sir Gawen. The daye was comyn the daye shold be; date had arrived [when] Therof the ladyes had greatt pitey. "Alas!" then gan they sayn. The Queen prayd Dame Ragnelle sekerly - steadfastly 570 "To be maryed in the mornyng erly, As pryvaly as ye may." privately; (see note) "Nay!" she sayd; "By Hevyn Kyng, That wolle I nevere, for no thyng, For oughte that ye can saye. anything 575 "I wol be weddyd alle openly, For with the Kyng suche covenaunt made I. I putt you oute of dowte, assure you I wolle nott to churche tylle Highe Masse tyme And in the open halle I wolle dyne, 580 In myddys of alle the rowte." midst; company "I am greed," sayd Dame Gaynour; agreed "Butt me wold thynk more honour Only I am thinking about And your worshypp moste." worship "Ye, as for that, Lady, God you save. 585 This daye my worshypp wolle I have, honor I telle you withoute boste." boast She made her redy to churche to fare And alle the states that there ware, As did all those of noble rank Syrs, withoute lesing. no lie 590 She was arayd in the richest maner, More fressher than Dame Gaynour; Her arayment was worthe thre thowsand mark (see note) Of good red nobles, styff and stark, coin; hard So rychely she was begon. done up 595 For alle her rayment, she bare the belle Despite; took the prize Of fowlnesse, that evere I hard telle - For; heard So fowlle a sowe sawe nevere man. sow For to make a shortt conclusion, When she was weddyd, they hyed theym home; As soon as; hastened 600 To mete alle they went. dinner This fowlle Lady bygan the highe dese; occupied first place on the dais She was fulle foulle and nott curteys, courteous So sayd they alle verament. truly When the servyce cam her before, platters 605 She ete as moche as six that ther wore; were there That mervaylyd many a man. [At] that Her nayles were long ynchys thre, inches three Therwith she breke her mete ungoodly; broke her bread unmannerly Therfore she ete alone. she didn't wait for anyone 610 She ette thre capons, and also curlues thre, curlews And greatt bake metes she ete up, perdé. roasts; by God Al men therof had mervaylle. (see note) Ther was no mete cam her before Butt she ete itt up, lesse and more, But she did not 615 That praty, fowlle dameselle. crafty Alle men then that evere her sawe Bad the deville her bonys gnawe, Bade; bones Bothe knyght and squyre. So she ete tylle mete was done, 620 Tylle they drewe clothes and had wasshen, cleared tables As is the gyse and maner. custom Meny men wold speke of diverse service; various courses I trowe ye may wete inowghe ther was, trust; know enough Bothe of tame and wylde. [meats] 625 In Kyng Arthours courte ther was no wontt lack That myghte be gotten with mannys hond, [Of] what Noder in Forest ne in feld. Neither Ther were mynstralles of diverse contrey. [The manuscript is here missing one leaf, containing about seventy lines; the narrative continues at the moment of Ragnelle's and Gawain's wedding night.] "A, Sir Gawen, syn I have you wed, since 630 Shewe me your cortesy in bed; With ryghte itt may nott be denyed. By "Iwyse, Sir Gawen," that Lady sayd, Surely "And I were fayre ye wold do anoder brayd, If; take another tack Butt of wedlok ye take no hed. Unless; regard 635 Yett for Arthours sake kysse me att the leste; least; (see note) I pray you do this att my request. Lett se howe ye can spede." fare Sir Gawen sayd, "I wolle do more will [undertake to] do Then for to kysse, and God before!" 640 He turnyd hym her untille. towards He sawe her the fayrest creature That evere he sawe, withoute mesure. compare She sayd, "Whatt is your wylle?" "A, Jhesu!" he sayd; "Whate ar ye?" (see note) 645 "Sir, I am your wyf, securly. without doubt Why ar ye so unkynde?" aloof (unnatural) "A, Lady, I am to blame. I cry you mercy, my fayre madame - Itt was nott in my mynde. (I was not thinking) 650 A Lady ye ar fayre in my syghte, (see note) And today ye were the foulyst wyghte person That evere I sawe with mine ie. eye; (see note) Wele is me, my Lady, I have you thus" - And brasyd her in his armys and gan her kysse embraced; did 655 And made greatt joye, sycurly. surely "Syr," she sayd, "thus shalle ye me have: (see note) Chese of the one, so God me save, Choose My beawty wolle nott hold - Wheder ye wolle have me fayre on nyghtes Whether; (see note) 660 And as foulle on days to alle men sightes, Or els to have me fayre on days And on nyghtes on the fowlyst wyfe - wife [of all] The one ye must nedes have. of necessity Chese the one or the oder. 665 Chese on, Sir Knyght, whiche you is levere, one; preferable Your worshypp for to save." honor "Alas!" sayd Gawen; "The choyse is hard. To chese the best, itt is froward, confounding Wheder choyse that I chese: Either 670 To have you fayre on nyghtes and no more, That wold greve my hartt ryghte sore, And my worshypp shold I lese. lose; (see note) And yf I desyre on days to have you fayre, Then on nyghtes I shold have a symple repayre. dismal relations 675 Now fayn wold I chose the best: happily I ne wott in this world whatt I shalle saye, don't know Butt do as ye lyst nowe, my Lady gaye. [it] pleases you; (see note) The choyse I putt in your fyst: hand "Evyn as ye wolle, I putt itt in your hand. Just 680 Lose me when ye lyst, for I am bond; Release; bound I putt the choyse in you. Bothe body and goodes, hartt, and every dele, part Ys alle your oun, for to by and selle - buy That make I God avowe!" 685 "Garamercy, corteys Knyght," sayd the Lady; Many thanks courteous "Of alle erthly knyghtes blyssyd mott thou be, may For now am I worshyppyd. honored properly Thou shalle have me fayre bothe day and nyghte And evere whyle I lyve as fayre and bryghte; 690 Therfore be nott grevyd. grieved "For I was shapen by nygramancy, transformed; necromancy; (see note) With my stepdame, God have on her mercy, By And by enchauntement; And shold have bene oderwyse understond otherwise [as a hag] perceived 695 Evyn tylle the best of Englond Until; best [knight] Had wedyd me verament, truly And also he shold geve me the sovereynté mastery Of alle his body and goodes, sycurly. surely Thus was I disformyd; On such conditions 700 And thou, Sir Knyght, curteys Gawen, Has gevyn me the sovereynté serteyn, That woll nott wrothe the erly ne late. Who; hurt "Kysse me, Sir Knyght, evyn now here; I pray the, be glad and make good chere, 705 For well is me begon." I am well-off Ther they made joye oute of mynde, beyond imagining So was itt reason and cours of kynde, 4 They two theymself alone. She thankyd God and Mary mylde 710 She was recovered of that that she was defoylyd; which had defiled her So dyd Sir Gawen. He made myrthe alle in her boure chamber And thankyd of alle Oure Savyoure, for everything I telle you, in certeyn. 715 With joye and myrthe they wakyd tylle daye stayed awake; dawn And than wold ryse that fayre maye. arise; woman; (see note) "Ye shalle nott," Sir Gawen sayd; "We wolle lye and slepe tylle pryme mid-morning And then lett the Kyng calle us to dyne." 720 "I am greed," then sayd the mayd. agreed Thus itt passyd forth tylle middaye. "Syrs," quod the Kyng, "lett us go and asaye find out; (see note) Yf Sir Gawen be on lyve. alive I am fulle ferd of Sir Gawen, fearful for 725 Nowe lest the fende have hym slayn; fiend Nowe wold I fayn preve. gladly make sure "Go we nowe," sayd Arthoure the Kyng. "We wolle go se theyr uprysyng, Howe welle that he hathe sped." 730 They cam to the chambre, alle incerteyn. unsure; (see note) "Aryse," sayd the Kyng to Sir Gawen; "Why slepyst thou so long in bed?" "Mary," quod Gawen, "Sir Kyng, sicurly, surely I wold be glad, and ye wold lett me be, if you would 735 For I am fulle welle att eas. ease Abyde, ye shalle se the dore undone! I trowe that ye wolle say I am welle goon; trust; well-off; (see note) I am fulle lothe to ryse." completely averse Syr Gawen rose, and in his hand he toke 740 His fayr Lady, and to the dore he shoke, hastened And opynyd the dore fulle fayre. widely She stod in her smok alle by that fyre; night dress right by Her here was to her knees as red as gold wyre. hair; (see note) "Lo, this is my repayre! source of comfort 745 Lo!" sayd Gawen Arthoure untille - unto "Syr, this is my wyfe, Dame Ragnelle, That savyd onys your lyfe." once He told the Kyng and the Queen hem beforn in their presence Howe sodenly from her shap she dyd torne - monstrousness; revert 750 "My Lord, nowe be your leve" - by And whate was the cause she forshapen was transformed Syr Gawen told the Kyng both more and lesse. in all details "I thank God," sayd the Queen; "I wenyd, Sir Gawen, she wold the have myscaryed; thought; harmed 755 Therfore in my hartt I was sore agrevyd. Butt the contrary is here seen!" Ther was game, revelle, and playe, And every man to other gan saye, did "She is a fayre wyghte." person; (see note) 760 Than the Kyng them alle gan telle How did help hym att nede Dame Ragnelle, (see note) "Or my dethe had bene dyghte." assured Ther the Kyng told the Queen, by the Rood, Cross Howe he was bestad in Ingleswod beset 765 With Sir Gromer Somer Joure, And whate othe the knyght made hym swere, oath "Or elles he had slayn me ryghte there Withoute mercy or mesure. This same Lady, Dame Ragnelle, 770 From my dethe she dyd help me ryght welle, Alle for the love of Gawen." Then Gawen told the Kyng alle togeder fully Howe forshapen she was with her stepmoder transformed; by; (see note) Tylle a knyght had holpen her agayn. helped 775 Ther she told the Kyng fayre and welle Howe Gawen gave her the sovereynté every delle, part And whate choyse she gave to hym. "God thank hym of his curtesye; He savid me from chaunce and vilony mischance; evil 780 That was fulle foulle and grym. Therfore, curteys Knyght and hend Gawen, gracious Shalle I nevere wrathe the serteyn, hurt you surely That promyse nowe here I make. Whilles that I lyve I shal be obaysaunt; And that I trust to fynde." will ever be the case 790 He sayd, "My love shalle she have. Therafter nede she nevere more crave, Beyond that For she hathe bene to me so kynde." The Queen sayd, and the ladyes alle, "She is the fayrest nowe in this halle, 795 I swere by Seynt John! My love, Lady, ye shalle have evere For that ye savid my Lord Arthoure, As I am a gentilwoman." Syr Gawen gatt on her Gyngolyn begot; Guinglain; (see note) 800 That was a good knyght of strengthe and kynn ancestry And of the Table Round. Att every greatt fest that Lady shold be. Of fayrnesse she bare away the bewtye, the [prize for] beauty Wher she yed on the ground. went 805 Gawen lovyd that Lady, Dame Ragnelle; (see note) In alle his lyfe he lovyd none so welle, I telle you withoute lesyng. no lie As a coward he lay by her bothe day and nyghte. Submissively; stayed Nevere wold he haunt justyng aryghte; pursue jousting as usual 810 Theratt mervaylyd Arthoure the Kyng. (see note) She prayd the Kyng for his gentilnes, "To be good lord to Sir Gromer, iwysse, indeed Of that to you he hathe offendyd." Insofar as "Yes, Lady, that shalle I nowe for your sake, 815 For I wott welle he may nott amendes make; know; offer restitution He dyd to me fulle unhend." acted towards; uncourteously Nowe for to make you a short conclusyon, I cast me for to make an end fulle sone undertake Of this gentylle Lady. 820 She lyvyd with Sir Gawen butt yerys five; five years That grevid Gawen alle his lyfe, I telle you securly. In her lyfe she grevyd hym nevere; offended Therfor was nevere woman to hym lever. dearer 825 Thus leves my talkyng. ends; performance She was the fayrest Lady of alle Englond, When she was on lyve, I understand; dare say So sayd Arthoure the Kyng. Thus endythe the adventure of Kyng Arthoure, 830 That oft in his days was grevyd sore, sorely harassed And of the weddyng of Gawen. Gawen was weddyd oft in his days; (see note) Butt so welle he nevere lovyd woman always, constantly As I have hard men sayn. heard 835 This adventure befelle in Ingleswod, As good Kyng Arthoure on huntyng yod; went Thus have I hard men telle. Nowe God, as thou were in Bethleme born, (see note) Suffer nevere her soules be forlorne their; lost 840 In the brynnyng fyre of helle! burning And, Jhesu, as thou were borne of a virgyn, Help hym oute of sorowe that this tale dyd devyne, make up And that nowe in alle hast, [do] that For he is besett with gaylours many jailors; (see note) 845 That kepen hym fulle sewerly, guard; securely With wyles wrong and wraste. tricks; powerful Nowe God, as thou art veray Kyng Royalle, true; (see note) Help hym oute of daunger that made this tale For therin he hathe bene long. 850 And of greatt pety help thy servaunt, out of; pity For body and soull I yeld into thyne hand, For paynes he hathe strong. Here endythe the weddyng of Syr Gawen and Dame Ragnelle For helpyng of Kyng Arthoure.
The Wedding of Sir Gawain and Dame Ragnelle
Edited by Thomas Hahn
Originally Published in Sir Gawain: Eleven Romances and Tales
Kalamazoo, Michigan: Western Michigan University for TEAMS, 1995