Sir Gawain and the Green Knight (selection)
lo lorde quoþ þe leude and þe lace hondeled
þis is þe bende of þis blame I bere my nek
þis is þe laþe and þe losse þat I la3t haue
of couardise and couetyse þat I haf ca3t þare
þis is þe token of vntrawþe þat I am tan inne
and I mot nedez hit were wyle I may last
for non may hyden his harme bot vnhap ne may hit
for þer hit onez is tachched twynne wil hit neuer
þe kyng comfortez þe kny3t and alle þe court als
la3en loude þerat and luflyly acorden
þat lordes and ladis þat longed to þe table
vche burne of þe broþerhede a bauderyk schulde haue
a bende abelef hym aboute of a bry3t grene
and þat for sake of þat segge in swete to were
for þat watz acorded þe renoun of þe rounde table
and he honoured þat hit hade euermore after
as hit is breued in þe best boke of romaunce
þus in arthurus day þis aunter bitidde
þe brutus bokez þerof beres wyttenesse
syþen brutus þe bolde burne bo3ed hider fyrst
after þe segge and þe asaute watz sesed at troye
iwysse
mony aunterez here biforne
haf fallen suche er þis
now þat here þe croun of þorne
he bryng vus to his blysse amen
Translation: `Lo, my lord,' quoth the knight as he handled the lace, 'this is the bond and sign of my shame, this is the loss and the hurt that I have suffered through cowardice and covetousness. It is the token of untruth, and I must needs wear it while life shall last, for none may hide it, for when it is once fixed upon any one never will it pass from him.' The king comforted the knight, as did all the court; and they laughed loudly, and it was agreed that all the lords and ladies of the Round Table, each member of the brotherhood, should have a lace belt, a band of bright green, and wear it for the sake of Sir Gawain as long as they lived. And this was the renown of the Round Table, and he that had it was held in great honour for evermore, as I have seen it written in the best book of romance. Thus in King Arthur's day did this adventure betide. The Brutus books bear witness to it, since the bold Knight Brutus came hither first after the siege and the assault ceased at Troy, as I wish. Many adventures herebefore have befallen such ere this. Now He that thorn-crown for us bore, bring us to His bliss. Amen.
