The lady was sorely vexed, and said, “If ye refuse my ring as too
costly, that ye will not be so highly beholden to me, I will give ye my
girdle[9] as a lesser gift.” With that she loosened a lace that was
fastened at her side, knit upon her kirtle under her mantle. It was
wrought of green silk, and gold, only braided by the fingers, and that
she offered to the knight, and besought him though it were of little
worth that he would take it, and he said nay, he would touch neither
gold nor gear ere God give him grace to achieve the adventure for which
he had come hither. “And therefore, I pray ye, displease ye not, and ask
me no longer, for I may not grant it. I am dearly beholden to ye for the
favour ye have shown me, and ever, in heat and cold, will I be your true
servant.”