baptized, as you may see
here imaged, and he was named Gawain for the sake of the lord of this
castle that had that name. His mother, that had him by King Lot, would
not that it should be known. She set him in a right fair coffer, and
prayed the good man of this castle that he would carry him away and
leave him where he might perish, but and if he would not do so, she
would make another do it. This Gawain, that was loyal and would not
that the child should be put to death, made seal letters at the
pillow-bere of his cradle that he was of lineage royal on the one side
and the other, and set therein gold and silver so as that the child
might be nurtured in great plenty, and spread above the child a right
rich coverlid. He carried him away to a far distant country, and so
came one early morning to a little homestead where dwelt a right
worshipful man. He delivered the child to him and his wife, and bade
them they should keep him and nurture him well, and told them that it
might be much good should come to them thereof. The vavasour turned
him back, and they took charge of the child and nurtured him until that
he were grown, and then took him to Rome to the Holy Father, and showed
him the sealed letters. The Holy Father saw them and understood that
he was the son of a King. He had pity upon him, and gave him to
understand that he was of his kindred. After that, he was elected to
be Emperor of Rome. But he would not be Emperor lest he should be
reproached of his birth that had before been concealed from him. He
departed thence, and lived afterwards within yonder. Now is it said
that he is one of the best knights in the world, insomuch that none
durst take possession of this castle for dread of him, nor of this
great forest that lieth round about it. For, when the vavasour that
dwelt here was dead, he left to Messire Gawain, his foster-son, this
castle, and made me guardian thereof until such time as Messire Gawain
should return."

II.

The King looketh at Messire Gawain, and seeth him stoop his head toward
the ground for shame.

"Fair nephew, be not ashamed, for as well might you reproach me of the
same. Of your birth hath there been great joy, and dearly ought one to
love the place and honour it, where so good a knight as are you was
born."

When the priest understood that it was Messire Gawain, he made great
cheer to him, and was all ashamed of that he had recorded as concerning
his birth. But he sai