There drank they and toasted, and talk’d yet again + 

Of renewing that note on New-Year’s eve; + 

But Gawain craved leave to go on the morrow, + 

For ’twas nigh to the term, when time was to travel; + 

But the lord dissuaded, and besought him to stay, + 

And said “As I’m true man (my troth will I plight) + 

Thou shalt be at thy bourn thy business to settle + 

With the New-Year’s light, long before prime. + 

So thou mayst lie in thy loft and lodge at thine ease, + 

While I hunt in this holt, and we’ll hold to our terms + 

And our chaffer exchange, when from chase I return; + 

For I have tried thee twice, and true have I found thee. + 

Now ‘third time throw best’ bethink thee tomorrow, + 

Máke we mérry while we máy, with a mind upon joy, + 

For woe may we win whénso we like.” + 

Thus graithly ’twas granted, and Gawain is stay’d; + 

Drink blithely was brought, and to bed they hied them + 

with light. + 

Sir Gawain lies and sleeps + 

Full still and soft all night; + 

The lord his hunting keeps, + 

Full early is he dight. + 