And then bespake Cornewall [King] againe, And these were the words he said: ‘Come hither, five or three of my knights, And feitch me downe my steed; King Arthur, that foule cockeward, Hath none such, if he had need.
‘For I can ryde him as far on a day As King Arthur can any of his on three; And is it not a pleasure for a king When he shall ryde forth on his journèy?
‘For the eyes that beene in his head, They glister as doth the gleed[180].’ ‘Now, by my faith,’ says noble King Arthur, ‘That is a well faire steed.’
After showing them other of his possessions, King Cornwall has the strangers conducted to bed; but first takes the precaution to conceal the Burlow Beanie, or Billy Blind--friendly household spirit--in a rubbish-barrel by the bedside, to listen and overhear their conversation.
Then King Arthur to his bed was brought, A greivèd man was hee; And soe were all his fellowes with him. From him they thought never to flee.
Then take they did that lodly[181] groome, And under the rub-chadler[182] closed was hee, And he was set by King Arthur’s bed-side, To heere theire talke and theire comunye;
That he might come forth, and make proclamation, Long before it was day; It was more for King Cornewall’s pleasure, Then it was for King Arthur’s pay[183].
And when King Arthur in his bed was laid, These were the words said hee: ‘I’le make mine avow to God, And alsoe to the Trinity, That I’le be the bane of Cornewall Kinge Litle Brittaine or ever I see!’
‘It is an unadvised vow,’ saies Gawaine the gay, ‘As ever king hard make I; But wee that beene five christian men, Of the christen faith are wee, And we shall fight against anoynted king And all his armorie.’
And then bespake him noble Arthur, And these were the words said he: ‘Why, if thou be afraid, Sir Gawaine the gay, Goe home, and drinke wine in thine owne country.’
And then bespake Sir Gawaine the gay, And these were the words said hee: ‘Nay, seeing you have made such a hearty vow, Heere another vow make will I.
‘I’le make mine avow to God, And alsoe to the Trinity, That I will have yonder faire lady To Litle Brittaine with mee.
While they lie talking, an unguarded movement of the sprite in the barrel leads to his discovery. Then follows a great combat.