_How Sir Marhaus, Sir Gawaine, and Sir Uwaine met three damsels, and
each of them took one._
Now shall every each of us choose a damsel. I shall tell you, said Sir
Uwaine: I am the youngest and most weakest of you both, therefore I
will have the eldest damsel, for she hath seen much and can help me
best when I have need, for I have most need of help of you both. Now,
said Sir Marhaus, I will have the damsel of thirty winter age, for she
fallest best to me. Well, said Sir Gawaine, I thank you, for ye have
left me the youngest and the fairest, and she is most liefest to me.
Then every damsel took her knight by the reins of his bridle, and
brought them to the three ways, and there was their oath made to meet
at the fountain that day twelvemonth and they were living, and so they
kissed and departed, and every each knight set his lady behind him. And
Sir Uwaine took the way that lay west, and Sir Marhaus took the way
that lay south, and Sir Gawaine took the way that lay north.
Now will we begin at Sir Gawaine that held that way till he came unto a
fair manor, where dwelled an old knight and a good householder, and
there Sir Gawaine asked the knight if he knew any adventures in that
country. I shall shew you some to-morn, said the old knight, and that
marvellous. So on the morn they rode into the forest of adventures till
they came to a lawn, and thereby they found a cross, and as they stood
and hoved there came by them the fairest knight and the seemliest man
that ever they saw, making the greatest dole that ever man made. And
then he was ware of Sir Gawaine, and saluted him, and prayed God to
send him much worship. As to that, said Sir Gawaine, Gramercy! Also, I
pray to God that he send you honour and worship. Ah, said the knight, I
may lay that aside, for sorrow and shame cometh to me after worship.