Messire Gawain goeth his way and evening draweth on; and on his right
hand was there a narrow pathway that seemed him to be haunted of folk.
Thitherward goeth he, for that he seeth the sun waxeth low, and findeth
in the thick of the forest a great chapel, and without was a right fair
manor. Before the chapel was an orchard enclosed of a wooden fence
that was scarce so high as a tall man. A hermit that seemed him a
right worshipful man was leaning against the fence, and looked into the
orchard and made great cheer from time to time. He seeth Messire
Gawain, and cometh to meet him, and Messire Gawain alighteth.
"Sir," saith the hermit, "Welcome may you be."
"God grant you the joy of Paradise," saith Messire Gawain. The hermit
maketh his horse be stabled of a squire, and then taketh him by the
hand and maketh him sit beside him to look on the orchard.
"Sir," saith the hermit, "Now may you see that whereof I was making
cheer."
Messire Gawain looketh therewithin and seeth two damsels and a squire
and a child that were guarding a lion.
"Sir," saith the hermit, "Here see my joy, which is this child. Saw you
ever so fair a child his age?"
"Never," saith Messire Gawain. They go into the orchard to sit, for
the evening was fair and calm. He maketh disarm him, and thereupon the
damsel bringeth him a surcoat of right rich silk furred of ermine. And
Messire Gawain looketh at the child that rode upon the lion right
fainly.
"Sir," saith the hermit, "None durst guard him or be master over him
save this child only, and yet the lad is not more than six years of
age. Sir, he is of right noble lineage, albeit he is the son of the
most cruel man and most felon that is. Marin the Jealous is his
father, that slew his wife on account of Messire Gawain. Never
sithence that his mother was dead would not the lad be with his father,
for well knoweth he that he slew her of wrong. And I am his uncle, so
I make him be tended here of these damsels and these two squires, but
no one thing is there that he so much desireth to see as Messire
Gawain. For after his father's death ought he of right to be Messire
Gawain's man. Sir, if any tidings you know of him, tell us them."
"By my faith, Sir," saith he, "Tidings true can I give you. Lo, there
is his shield and his spear, and himself shall you have this night for
guest."
"Fair sir, are you he?" saith the hermit.
"So men call me," saith Messire Gawain, "And the lady saw I slain in
the forest, whereof was I sore an-angered."