have sought far or ever he should find so comely knights. of straw, right costly, and thereafter be disarmed of a squire, and he for all them that should come hither for harbour." "Damsels," saith Messire Gawain, "Welcome may you be." in me of aught, and take the things that are mine own so boldly, when I King be apparelled of white rich stuffs that he found, and a robe of may not have affiance in you?" was the chest not a whit disfurnished thereby, for the tent was all but would be right joyous and he supposed that I loved him, and I "Messire Gawain, you say true, but of right might one let the courtesy of us would you do a thing whereof you were beseeched." cloth of silk and gold, and he clad himself in the like manner, neither all the courtesies that are due to knights should ever be ready within Thereupon, behold you the two Damsels of the Tent coming. there, and Messire Gawain made the King be seated on a quilted mattress himself disarmed him, and they washed their hands and faces for the rust wherewith both of them were besmuttered. And Messire Gawain found "Sir," say they, "Good adventure may you have both twain. It seemeth us that you take right boldly that which is ours, yet never for neither the chests unlocked that were at the head of the couch, and made the prayed you of your love on a day that is past, for the valour of your "Damsel, for your courtesy and the good custom of the land; for you garnished of rich adornments. When they were thus dight, a man might "Messire Gawain" saith the elder, "No knight is there in this kingdom II. knighthood, yet never did you grant it me. How durst you have affiance told me when the evil customs were overthrown, that all the honours and