Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

AND BALLADS. 29
Ere the firft crowinge of the cocke,
When as the kinge in his bed laye,
He thoughte fir Gawaine to him came,
And there to him thefe wordes did faye.
Nowe as you are mine unkle deare,
And as you prize your life, this daye 10
O meet not with your foe in fighte ;
Putt off the battayle, if yee xnaye.
For fir Launcelot is nowe in Fraunce,
And with him many an hardye knighte
Who will within this moneth be backe, 15
And will affifte yee in the fighte.
The kinge then calFd his nobles all,
Before the breakinge of the daye ;
And tolde them howe fir Gawaine came,
And there to him thefe wordes did faye. 2®
His nobles all this counfayle gave,
That earlye in the morning, hee
Shoid fend awaye an herauld at armes,
To afke a parley faire and free.
Then twelve good knightes king Arthure chofe 5
The befc of ail that with him were :
To parley with the foe in field,
And make with him agreement faire.
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