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 kyng

Remembering 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