Listen, lords, great and small,
        What adventures did befall
          In England, where hath beene                               there were (once)
        Of knights that held the Round Table                            [Some] knights
5       Which were doughty and profittable,                        stalwart and worthy
          Of kempys cruell and keene.                   warriors fierce and courageous

        All England, both East and West,                                  [Throughout]
        Lords and ladyes of the best,
          They busked and made them bowne.                               came and went
10      And when the King sate in seate -                              sat; (see note)
        Lords served him att his meate -
          Into the hall a burne there came.                        warrior; (see note)

        He was not hye, but he was broad,                                         tall
        And like a Turke he was made                                   (i.e., a pagan)
15        Both legg and thye;                                                    thigh
        And said, "Is there any will, as a brother,  who wishes through mutual consent
        To give a buffett and take another?                                       blow
          And iff any soe hardy bee?"                       Might there be; (see note)

        Then spake Sir Kay, that crabbed knight,                                 sulky
20      And said "Man, thou seemest not soe wight,                            powerful
          If thou be not adread.                                            Given that
        For there beene knights within this hall
        With a buffett will garr thee fall,                                       make
          And grope thee to the ground.                                           drop

25      "Give thou be never soe stalworth of hand     If; ever so stalwart; (see note)
        I shall bring thee to the ground,                                 overcome you
          That dare I safely sweare."
        Then spake Sir Gawaine, that worthy knight,
        Saith, "Cozen Kay, thou speakest not right -                            Cousin
30        Lewd is thy answere!                                                 Uncouth

        "What and that man want of his witt?                  What if; be deficient in
        Then litle worshipp were to thee pitt                          honor; allotted
          If thou shold him forefore."                                         destroy
        Then spake the Turke with words thraw,                                   angry
35      Saith, "Come the better of your tow,                                       two
          Though ye be breme as bore . . .                       fierce as a wild boar

[At this point about half a page of the story is missing; Gawain enters into a sworn 
agreement to trade blows (apparently without weapons) with the Turk. He strikes his 
blow, but the return blow by the Turk is postponed.]

        "This buffett thou hast . . .
          Well quitt that it shall be.                                          repaid
        And yett I shall make thee thrise as feard   three times as afraid; (see note)
40      As ever was man on middlearth,
          This Court againe ere thou see."                                      before

        Then said Gawaine, "My truth I plight,                          troth I pledge
        I dare goe with thee full right,                            [That]; resolutely
          And never from thee flye;                                               flee
45      I will never flee from noe adventure,
        Justing, nor noe other turnament,                                       Jousts
          Whilest I may live on lee."                                         unharmed

        The Turke tooke leave of King with crowne;
        Sir Gawaine made him ready bowne,                     himself ready for travel
50        His armor and his steed.
        They rode northwards two dayes and more.
        By then Sir Gawaine hungred sore;                                       sorely
          Of meate and drinke he had great need.

        The Turke wist Gawaine had need of meate,                           understood
55      And spake to him with words great,
          Hawtinge uppon hee;                      Raising himself on high; (see note)
        Says "Gawaine, where is all thy plenty?                                 riches
        Yesterday thou wast served with dainty,                       were; delicacies
          And noe part thou wold give me,
                                                                            (see note) 
60      "But with buffett thou did me sore;                                       made
        Therefore thou shalt have mickle care,                                   great
          And adventures shalt thou see.                                    (see note)
        I wold I had King Arthur heere,
        And many of thy fellowes in fere                                      together
65        That behaves to try mastery." 1

        He led Sir Gawaine to a hill soe plaine.                           in the open
        The earth opened and closed againe -
          Then Gawaine was adread.
        The merke was comen, and the light is gone:                           darkness
70      Thundering, lightning, snow, and raine,
          Therof enough they had.                                             Of those

        Then spake Sir Gawaine and sighed sore:
        "Such wether saw I never afore
          In noe stead there I have beene stood."              place where; (see note)

[Again at this point a half page is missing. The storms seem a preliminary test. 
Gawain endures them, and accepts instruction from the Turk, and is then allowed to 
proceed to the mysterious castle.]
          
75      ". . . made them noe answere                                        (see note)
          But only unto mee."

        To the Castle they then yode.                                 went; (see note)
        Sir Gawaine light beside his steed,                                 dismounted
          For horsse the Turke had none.                                    (see note)
80      There they found chamber, bower, and hall,
        Richly rayled about with pale,                     arrayed with elegant cloths
          Seemly to look uppon.                                   handsome; (see note)

        A bord was spred within that place:                                      table
        All manner of meates and drinkes there was
85        For groomes that might it againe.                                  men; gain
        Sir Gawaine wold have fallen to that fare,                  taken up that food
        The Turke bad him leave for care;               [But]; refrain because of harm
          Then waxt he unfaine.                                became [Gawain] unhappy

        Gawaine said, "Man, I marvell have                               am astonished
90      That thou may none of these vittells spare,                     foods dispense
          And here is soe great plentye.
        Yett have I more mervaile, by my fay,                                    faith
        That I see neither man nor maid,
          Woman nor child soe free.

95      "I had lever now att mine owne will                                     rather
        Of this fayre meate to eate my fill
          Then all the gold in Christenty."                        [have]; Christendom
        The Turke went forth, and tarryed nought;
        Meate and drinke he forth brought,
100       Was seemly for to see.

        He said, "Eate, Gawaine, and make thee yare.                             ready
        In faith, or thou gett victalls more                              before; food
          Thou shalt both swinke and sweate.                                      toil
        Eate, Gawaine, and spare thee nought!"
105     Sir Gawaine eate as him good thought,
          And well he liked his meate.

        He dranke ale, and after wine.
        He saith, "I will be att thy bidding baine                               ready
          Without bost or threat.                                   Without (need for)
110     But one thing I wold thee pray:
        Give me my buffett and let me goe my way.
          I wold not longer be hereatt.

[Another half page is missing at this point. The Turk refuses to allow Gawain to 
conclude the bargain by receiving his return blow. Instead he asks that Gawain 
accompany him to the Isle of Man.]

        Ther stood a bote and . . .                                   boat; (see note)
        Sir Gawaine left behind his steed,
115         He might noe other doe.

        The Turke said to Sir Gawaine,
        "He shal be here when thou comes againe -
          I plight my troth to thee -
        Within an hower, as men tell me."                                         hour
120     They were sailed over the sea:
          The Turke said, "Gawaine, hee!                            hasten; (see note)

        "Heere are we withouten scath.                                            harm
        But now beginneth the great othe,               the fulfillment of our compact
          When we shall adventures see."                                    (see note)
125     He lett him see a castle faire;
        Such a one he never saw yare,                                           before
          Noewher in noe country.

        The Turke said to Sir Gawaine                                       (see note)
        "Yonder dwells the King of Man,                                     (see note)
130       A heathen soldan is hee.                                              sultan

        "With him he hath a hideous rout                                        throng
        Of giants strong and stout
          And uglie to looke uppon.
        Whosoever had sought farr and neere
135     As wide as the world were,
          Such a companye he cold find none.

        "Many aventures thou shalt see there,
        Such as thou never saw yare                                             before
          In all the world about.
140     Thou shalt see a tenisse ball                           tennis ball [so large]
        That never knight in Arthurs hall
          Is able to give it a lout.                                              blow

        "And other adventures there are moe.                                      more
        Wee shall be assayled ere we goe,         absolved (of sin) before; (see note)
145         Therof have thou noe doute.

        "But and yee will take to me good heed,                                     if
        I shall helpe you in time of need.
          For ought I can see                                                 anything
        There shall be none soe strong in stower                                battle
150     But I shall bring thee againe to hi . . .                           (see note)

[Another half page is missing here. After these reassurances, Gawain accompanies the
 Turk into the Castle of the King of Man where he is met with verbal assaults.]

        . . . "Sir Gawaine stiffe and stowre,                                   fierce
        How fareth thy unckle King Arthur,
          And all his company?
        And that Bishopp Sir Bodwine                               Baldwin; (see note)
155     That will not let my goods alone,
          But spiteth them every day?                                           spoils

        "He preached much of a Crowne of Thorne;
        He shall ban the time that he was borne                                  curse
          And ever I catch him may.                                                 If
160     I anger more att the spiritually                            clergy; (see note)
        In England, not att the temporaltie,                                     lords
          They goe soe in theire array.                                 lavish clothes

        "And I purpose in full great ire                                 intend; wrath
        To brenn their clergy in a fire                                           burn
165       And punish them to my pay.                                      satisfaction
        Sitt downe, Sir Gawaine, at the bord."                                   table
        Sir Gawaine answered at that word,
          Saith, "Nay, that may not be,

        "I trow not a venturous knight shall         do not think a daring; (see note)
170     Sitt downe in a kings hall
          Adventures or you see."                                               before
        The King said, "Gawaine, faire mot thee fall! 2                     (see note)
        Goe feitch me forth my tennisse ball,
          For play will I and see."                                   see what happens

175     They brought it out without doubt.
        With it came a hideous rout                                        huge throng
          Of gyants great and plenty;
        All the giants were there then
        Heire by the halfe then Sir Gawaine,                              Higher; than
180       I tell you withouten nay.                                      without doubt

        There were seventeen giants bold of blood,                          (see note)
        And all thought Gawaine but litle good.
          When they thought with him to play.
        All the giants thoughten then
185     To have strucke out Sir Gawaines braine.
          Help him God that best may!

        The ball of brasse was made for the giants hand;
        There was noe man in all England
          Were able to carry it . . .

[In a missing section, Gawain defeats the giants at tennis with the help of the 
Turk, who ends by pummeling one of the giants.]

190     . . . and sticked a giant in the hall                                  stabbed
          That grysly can hee grone.                                    gruesomely did
        The King sayd, "Bray away this axeltree,               Take; staff; (see note)
        For such a boy I never see.                                   [i.e., the Turk]
          Yett he shal be assayed better ere he goe -                       (see note)

195     "I told you, soe mote I the -                        may I prosper; (see note)
        With the three adventure, and then no more
          Befor me at this tide."                                                 time

        Then there stood amongst them all
        A chimney in the Kings hall                free-standing fireplace; (see note)
200       With barres mickle of pride.                     iron bars great in strength
        There was laid on in that stond                                          stand
        Coales and wood that cost a pound,                           in large quantity
          That upon it did abide.                                                  lie

        A giant bad Gawaine assay,                                       give it a try
205     And said, "Gawaine, begin the play -
          Thou knowest best how it shold be!
        And afterwards when thou hast done,
        I trow you shal be answered soone                                      matched
          Either with boy or me.                                      [i.e., the Turk]

210     "A great giant, I understand,
        Lift up the chimney with his hand                          [Should be able to]
          And sett it downe againe fairly."                                     easily

        Sir Gawaine was never soe adread
        Sith he was man on midle earth,                                          since
215       And cryd on God in his thought.
        Gawaine unto his boy can say                                               did
        "Lift this chimney - if you may -
          That is soe worthily wrought."                                     massively

        Gawaines boy to it did leape,
220       And gatt itt by the bowles great,               charcoal holders; (see note)
        And about his head he it flang.                                          flung
        Thris about his head he it swang                            Thrice; (see note)
          That the coals and the red brands . . .

[In a missing half page the Turk completes his victory in the second contest,
 twirling the hot fireplace above his head. He then clothes himself in a garment
 of invisibility to accompany Gawain as the King of Man leads him to the final 
challenge. Here, a giant threatens Gawain.]

        ". . . saw of mickle might                                               great
225       And strong were in battell.

        "I have slaine them thorrow my mastery,      (i.e., other knights); (see note)
        And now, Gawaine, I will slay thee,
          And then I have slaine all the flower.                   elite (of chivalry)
        There went never none againe no tale to tell,               none ever returned
230     Nor more shalt thou, thoe thou be fell,          Any more than; though; fierce
          Nor none that longeth to King Arthur."                                belong

        The Turke was clad invissible gay: 3                                (see note)
        No man cold see him withouten nay,                               without doubt
        He was cladd in such a weede.                                          garment
235     He heard their talking lesse and more:                              altogether
        And yet he thought they shold find him there                 feel his presence
        When they shold do that deed.

        Then he led him into steddie               (i.e., the King led Gawain); a spot
        Werhas was a boyling leade,                   Where; [cauldron of] molten lead
240       And welling uppon hie:                                              seething
        And before it a giant did stand
        With an iron forke in his hand,
          That hideous was to see.

        The giant that looked soe keene                                         fierce
245     That before Sir Gawaine had never seene                        [one so fierce]
          Noe where in noe country.
        The King saide to the giant thoe,                                         then
        "Here is none but wee tow;                                                 two
          Let see how best may bee."                                      do your best

250     When the giant saw Gawaines boy there was,                          (see note)
        He leapt and threw, and cryed "Alas,                                   writhed
          That he came in that stead!"                                      this place
        Sir Gawaines boy to him lept,
        And with strenght up him gett,                                            took
255       And cast him in the lead.

        With an iron forke made of steele
        He held him downe wondorous weele,                            well; (see note)
          Till he was scalded to the dead.                                       death
        Then Sir Gawaine unto the King can say,                                    did
260     "Without thou wilt agree unto our law,                                  Unless
          Eatein is all thy bread."                (i.e., your time is up); (see note)

        The King spitt on Gawaine the knight.                               (see note)
        With that the Turke hent him upright                    seized him as he stood
          And into the fyer him flang,                                            fire
265     And saide to Sir Gawaine at the last,
        "Noe force, Master, all the perill is past!                           No worry
          Thinke not we tarrie too longe . . .

[In a missing half page, Gawain and the Turk apparently move quickly to another
 part of the Castle, where captives have been magically imprisoned. The Turk then,
 instead of taking the return blow at Gawain to which he is entitled, requests that 
Gawain deliver a sword stroke that would behead him.]

        He tooke forth a bason of gold                                           basin
        As an Emperour washe shold,                                Such as; (see note)
270       As fell for his degree.                                   it suited his rank

        He tooke a sword of mettle free,                       metal noble; (see note)
        Saies "If ever I did any thing for thee,                            [And] says
            Doe for me in this stead:                                    Help me; case
        Take here this sword of steele
275     That in battell will bite weele,
          Therwith strike of my head."                              [And] with it; off

        "That I forefend!" said Sir Gawaine,                                    forbid
        "For I wold not have thee slaine
          For all the gold soe red."
280     "Have done, Sir Gawaine! I have no dread.                               Enough
        But in this bason let me bleed,
          That standeth here in this steed,                                      place

        "And thou shalt see a new play,                                 turn of events
        With helpe of Mary that mild mayd
285       That saved us from all dread."
        He drew forth the brand of steele
        That in battell bite wold weele,
          And there stroke of his head.                                            off

        And when the blood in the bason light,                                    fell
290     He stood up a stalwortht Knight
          That day, I undertake,                                              dare say
        And song "'Te Deum Laudamus' -                                sang; (see note)
        Worshipp be to our Lord Jesus
          That saved us from all wracke!                                          ruin

295     "A! Sir Gawaine! Blessed thou be!
        For all the service I have don thee,
          Thou hast well quitt it me."                                          repaid
        Then he tooke him by the hand,
        And many a worthy man they fand                        encountered; (see note)
300       That before they never see.                                         had seen

        He said, "Sir Gawaine, withouten threat          with all courtesy; (see note)
        Sitt downe boldly at thy meate,
          And I will eate with thee.
        Ladyes all, be of good cheere:
305     Eche ane shall wend to his owne deer                             one; go; dear
          In all hast that may be.                                               haste

        "First we will to King Arthurs hall,
        And soone after your husbands send we shall
          In country where they beene;                                      have lived
310     There they wold . . . abide.                                        (see note)

[In another missing section, the process of liberating the chivalric captives 
continues with the return to Arthur's court.]

        "Thus we have brought seventeen ladys cleere                          handsome
        That there were left in great danger,
          And we have brought them out."

        Then sent they for theire husbands swithe,                             quickly
315     And every one tooke his oune wife,                                         own
          And lowlye can they lowte,                               humbly did they bow
        And thanked the two knights and the King,
        And said they wold be at theire bidding                             (see note)
          In all England about.

320     Sir Gromer kneeld upon his knee,                                    (see note)
        Saith "Sir King, and your wil be,                           if it be your will
          Crowne Gawaine King of Man."                            [of the Isle] of Man
        Sir Gawaine kneeld downe by,                                next to Sir Gromer
        And said "Lord, nay, not I;
325       Give it him, for he it wan.

        "For I never purposed to be noe King,
        Never in all my livinge,
          Whilest I am a living man."
        He said, "Sir Gromer, take it thee,               (i.e., Arthur); for yourself
330     For Gawaine will never King bee
          For no craft that I can."                                argument I may make

        Thus endeth the tale that I of meane,                              had in mind
        Of Arthur and his knightes keene
          That hardy were and free.
335     God give them good life far and neere             to them (i.e., the audience)
        That such talking loves to heere!
          Amen for Charity!

        Fins.                                                                  The end