Whitsuntide
Twas faire sunnie day, first of May
When the queene rhod out among her court
Maidens and matrons on mares to go a-Maying
Guarded by a lone fair knighte,
The queen's champione and kynge's own counsel
When the queen rode out among her court
The king and his courte remained within the walls
Arthur, kynge with countenance faire'
And his loyale Gawain, a knight in counsel strong
Whilst other knyghtes gathered the tides of maiden's Mays
The king and his court remained within stone walls
Loyal Gawayne gave his counsel to his kyng
For Arthure was deeply troubled
By the betrayal of friende and wife
Who committed treason against the kyngdom
Loyal Gawain gave his counsel to his kyngRemembering that looks may deceive
And bared his very soul to his lord
As he had to the priest while in the Greene Knight's prison
Offering his kinge what he coulde
Remembering that looks may deceive
Arthur hesitated, staying his counsel's handes
But he saw that Sir Gawayne was true
Truer than wyfe, or life's blood friend
And would offer his lyfe for his kinge
Arthur hesitated, staying his counsel's handes
Proclaiming hymself as a man of God
Distracting king and counsel with hollow protests
Delaying inevitable with known declarations
Accepted silently by loyale Sir Gawain
Proclaiming himself as a Man of God
Faire Gawayne offered his lyfe for his king
Easing the cuckold's wounds
And offering what had never been given
By either wife or lyfe's blood friend
Fair Sir Gawayne offered his life for his king
Arthur having held his heart before
And lyfe and heart and soul were accepted
And life and heart and soul were returned
Only on Walpurgis and Whitsuntide
