to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who
declares that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll.
1558-1647).

After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle another
day (ll. 1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men hasten to
the woods, and come upon the track of a fox, the hunting of which
affords them plenty of employment and sport (ll. 1686-1730). Meanwhile
our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely curtains. He is again
visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and so
"faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir
Gawayne. With soft and pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are
soon engaged in conversation. Had not Mary thought of her knight, he
would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely does the fair
one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a
traitor to his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to
whom he has plighted his troth. The knight swears by St John that he
neither has nor desires one. This answer causes the dame to sigh for
sorrow, and telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift,
if it were only a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and
lessen her grief" (ll. 1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has
nothing worthy of her acceptance; that he is on an "uncouth errand,"
and therefore has "no men with no mails containing precious things,"
for which he is truly sorry.

Quoth that lovesome (one)--

"Though I had nought of yours,
Yet should ye have of mine.