Poetry Reading, Fall 1998
Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
| Foržy I craue in žis court a Crystemas gomen, | Thus I beg at this court a Christmas game, |
| For hit is ȝol and Nwe ȝer and here ar ȝep mony. | For it is yule and New Year's day and here are valiant many, |
| If any so hard in žis hous holdez hymseluen, | If any so hardy holds himself in this house, |
| Be so bolde in his blod, brayn in hys hede, | Be so bold in his blood, wild in his head, |
| Žat dar stifly strike a strok for an ožer, | That dares unflinchingly to strike one stroke for another, |
| I schal gif hym of my gyft žys giserne ryche, | I shall give him as my gift this costly gisarme, |
| Žis ax žat is heué innogh, to hondele as hym lykes, | This axe, that is heavy enough, to handle as he likes, |
| And I schal bide že fyrst bur as bare as I sitte. | And I shall bide the first blow, as bare as I sit. |
| If any freke be so felle to fonde žat I telle | If any warrior be so bold to try what I say, |
| Lepe lyȝtly me to and lach žis weppen, | Leap lightly to me, and seize this weapon; |
| I quitclayme hit for euer, kepe hit as his auen, | I quitclaim it forever, keep it as his own, |
| And I schal stonde hym a strok, stif on žis flet, | And I shall stand him a stroke, unflinching on this floor, |
| Ellez žou wyl diȝt me že dom to dele hym anožer, | Further you will allow me the option to deal him another, |
| barlay, | by law. |
| And ȝet gif hym respite | And yet give him respite |
A twelmonyth and a day. |
A twelvemonth and a day; |
Now hyȝe and let se tite |
Now hurry and let's see at once |
Dar any herinne oȝt say. |
Dare any herein anything say. |
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