to Arthur's authority, and weds her. During the
bridal night, she becomes a beautiful young woman. Further to test
Gawaine, she gives him his choice: will he have her fair by day and foul
by night, or foul by day and fair by night? Fair by night, says Gawaine.
And foul to be seen of all by day? she asks. Have your way, says
Gawaine, and breaks the last thread of the spell, as she forthwith
explains: her step-mother had bewitched both her, to haunt the moor in
ugly shape, till some knight should grant her _all_ her will, and her
brother, to challenge all comers to fight him or answer the riddle.

Similar tales, but with the important variation--undoubtedly indigenous
in the story--that the man who saves his life by answering the riddle
has himself to wed the ugly woman, are told by Gower (_Confessio
Amantis_, Book I.) and Chaucer (_The Tale of the Wyf of Bathe_). The
latter, which is also Arthurian in its setting, was made into a ballad
in the _Crown Garland of Golden Roses_ (_circ._ 1600), compiled by
Richard Johnson. A parallel is also to be found in an Icelandic saga.

THE MARRIAGE OF SIR GAWAINE

1.
Kinge Arthur liues in merry Carleile,
& seemely is to see,
& there he hath with him Queene Genever,
That bride soe bright of blee.

2.
And there he hath with [him] Queene Genever,
That bride soe bright in bower,
& all his barons about him stoode,
That were both stiffe and stowre.

3.
The king kept a royall Christmasse,
Of mirth and great honor,
And when . . .
... ... ...

*** *** ***

4.
'And bring me word what thing it is
That a woman [will] most desire;
This shalbe thy ransome, Arthur,' he sayes,
'For I'le haue noe other hier.'

5.
King Arthur then held vp his hand,
According thene as was the law;
He tooke his leaue of the baron there,
& homward can he draw.

6.
And when he came to merry Carlile,
To his chamber he is gone,
& ther came to him his cozen Sir Gawaine
As he did make his mone.

7.
And there came to him his cozen Sir Gawaine
That was a curteous knight;
'Why sigh you soe sore, vnckle Arthur,' he said,
'Or who hath done thee vnright?'

8.
'O peace, O peace, thou gentle Gawaine,
That faire may thee beffall!
For if thou knew my sighing soe deepe,
Thou wold not meruaile att all;

9.
'Ffor when I came to Tearne Wadling,
A bold barron there I fand,
Wit