peril

dais

The fair head from the frame fell to the earth,

.

it’s fitter I fall dead than fail of my errand.’

There was established by statute a pact us between both to meet at that mark, if I should live; and of that same New Year but little is wanting, and I would look on that lord, if God would let me, more gladly, by God’s Son, than any goods gain.

marvels by mountain there the man finds

swarthy

lay down life for life

din

but was always surpassed by Lancelot, who was inspired by the power of courtly love, and Perceval, who won the Grail (Hahn).

God’s blessing

beseech

the blood shot for shame into his fair face

Where now your superiority and your conquests, your grinding down and your anger, your great words? Now is the revel and the renown of the Round Table overthrown with the word of a wanderer’s speech, for all duck down in dread without dint of a blow!’

I shall give him as gift this weapon so rich, this blade, that is heavy enough to handle as he likes, and I will bear the first blow, as bare as I sit.

hauberk

a-feared was he never, and said: ‘Sir, welcome indeed to this place, the head of this house, I, Arthur am named.

and cry.

bright green

perilous

pertinent

it seemed that no man might his mighty blows survive.

The mane of that mighty horse was much alike,

a magnificent mantle above, masked within with pelts pared pertly, the garment agleam with blithe ermine full bright, and his hood both, that was left from his locks and laid on his shoulders; neat, well-hauled hose of that same green that clung to his calves and sharp spurs under of bright gold, on silk stockings rich-barred, and no shoes under sole where the same rides. And all his vesture verily was bright verdure, both the bars of his belt and other bright stones, that were richly rayed in his bright array about himself and his saddle, on silk work, it were tortuous to tell of these trifles the half, embroidered above with birds and butterflies, with gay gaudy of green, the gold ever inmost. The pendants of his harness, the proud crupper, his bridle and all the metal enamelled was then; the stirrups he stood on stained with the same, and his saddle bows after, and saddle skirts, ever glimmered and glinted all with green stones. The horse he rode on was also of that hue,

both his belly and waist were worthily small, and his features all followed his form made and clean.

‘Where is,’ he said, ‘the governor of this throng? Gladly I would see that soul in sight and with himself speak reason.’ On knights he cast his eyes, And rolled them up and down. He stopped and studied ay who was of most renown.

I am the weakest, I know, and of wit feeblest. least worth the loss of my life, who’d learn the truth. Only inasmuch as you are my uncle, am I praised: No bounty but your blood in my body I know.

And all his vesture verily was bright verdure, both the bars of his belt and other bright stones, that were richly rayed in his bright array about himself and his saddle, on silk work, it were tortuous to tell of these trifles the half, embroidered above with birds and butterflies,

The horse he rode on was also of that hue,

This king lay at Camelot nigh on Christmas with many lovely lords, of leaders the best,

as in this land so long.

the beheaded knight picks his head up and instructs Gawain

A grand, coming-of-age story that asks fundamental questions about what it means to be a righteous human being in a brutal world.

Arthurian tale

chivalrous

.

a bargain we’ll make: whatsoever I win in the wood is worthily yours; and whatever here you achieve, exchange me for it

trysting

So, sir, this request I make of you here, that you tell me true if ever you tale heard of the green chapel, on what ground it stands, and of the knight that keeps it, the colour of green. There was established by statute a pact us between both to meet at that mark, if I should live; and of that same New Year but little is wanting, and I would look on that lord, if God would let me, more gladly, by God’s Son, than any goods gain. So, indeed, by your leave, it behoves me to go. Now to work this business I’ve barely three days, and it’s fitter I fall dead than fail of my errand.’

When the lord learned what prince that he there had, loud laughed he thereat, so delightful he thought it, and all the men in that manse made it a joy to appear in his presence promptly that time, who all prize and prowess and purest ways appends to his person, and praised is ever; above all men upon earth his honour is most.

Servants him served seemly enough with several soups, seasoned of the best, double bowlfuls, as fitting, and all kinds of fish, some baked in bread, some browned on the coals, some seethed, some in stews savoured with spices, and sauces ever so subtle that the knight liked.

When he lifted his helmet, they hastened forward to heft it from his hand, the guest to serve; his blade and his blazon both they took. then hailed he full handily the host each one, and many proud men pressed close, that prince to honour. All clasped in his noble armour to hall they him brought, where a fair fire on a hearth fiercely flamed.

The knight that eventide to Mary made his moan, to show him where to ride, and guide him to some home.

for war worried him not so much but winter was worse

Sometimes with dragons he wars, and wolves also, sometimes with wild woodsmen haunting the crags, with bulls and bears both, and boar other times, and giants that chased after him on the high fells.

if they had heard any word of a knight in green, on any ground thereabout, of the green chapel; and all met him with nay, that never in their lives saw they ever a sign of such a one, hued in green.

He had no friend but his steed by furze and down,

holy Heaven’s Queen

Endless Knot

I intend to tell, though I tarry more than I should.

five points

The knight made yet good cheer, and said: ‘Why should I falter? Such destinies foul or fair what can men do but suffer?’

a year turns full turn, and yields never a like; the form of its finish foretold full seldom. For this Yuletide passed by, and the year after, and each season slips by pursuing another: after Christmas comes crabbed Lenten time, that forces on flesh fish and food more simple. But then the weather of the world with winter it fights, cold shrinks down, clouds are uplifted, shining sheds the rain in showers full warm,

.

that ugly body that bled

The green knight on his ground graciously stands: with a little lean of the head, flesh he uncovers; his long lovely locks he laid over his crown, and let the naked neck to the stroke show.

smoothly

countenance

Now has Arthur his axe

Now is the revel and the renown of the Round Table overthrown with the word of a wanderer’s speech, for all duck down in dread without dint of a blow!’

Where now your superiority and your conquests, your grinding down and your anger, your great words?

Therefore to answer was many a knight afraid, and all stunned at his shout and sat stock-still in a sudden silence through the rich hall

Arthur

each man marvelled what it might mean for a rider and his horse to own such a hue as grew green as the grass and greener it seemed

‘Where is,’ he said, ‘the governor of this throng?

soul

The mane of that mighty horse was much alike, well crisped and combed

Fair fanned-out flax enfolds his shoulders

A green horse great and thick

And all garbed in green this giant and his gear: a straight coat full tight that stuck to his sides, a magnificent mantle above, masked within with pelts pared pertly, the garment agleam with blithe ermine full bright, and his hood both, that was left from his locks and laid on his shoulders; neat, well-hauled hose of that same green that clung to his calves and sharp spurs under of bright gold, on silk stockings rich-barred, and no shoes under sole where the same rides.

Wonder at his hue men displayed, set in his semblance seen; he fared as a giant were made, and over all deepest green.

the most in the world’s mould of measure high, from the nape to the waist so swart and so thick, and his loins and his limbs so long and so great half giant on earth I think now that he was

dreadful

he would never eat on such dear days, before he had been advised, of some adventurous thing, an unknown tale,

Guinevere

Round Table all the rich brethren

jousted

Camelot

as in this land so long

Britain

beings

and sheer above of true Toulouse

Each man minded his, and those two minded theirs.

that other swathed with a wimple wound at the throat,

Several then seized his saddle, while he alighted, and then strong men enough stabled his steed.

Well was the water warm much wept from eyen, when that seemly sire spurred from the court that day.

on the inner half of his shield her image painted, that when he beheld her his boldness never failed.

with a light covering over the face-guard, embroidered and bound with the best gems on broad silken border, and birds on the seams, such as parrots painted preening between, turtle-doves, true-love knots,

comely ladies

For this Yuletide passed by, and the year after, and each season slips by pursuing another: after Christmas comes crabbed Lenten time, that forces on flesh fish and food more simple.

hewn

latched onto his lovely head, and lifted it so; and then strode to his steed, the bridle he catches, steps into stirrup and strides him aloft, and his head by the hair in his hand holds. and as steady and staunch him in his saddle sat as if no mishap had him ailed, though headless now instead.

letting it down lightly light on the naked, that the sharp of the steel sundered the bones, and sank through the soft flesh, sliced it in two, that the blade of the bright steel bit in the ground.

quoth

while so many bold men about you on benches sit,

by heaven you ask as a fool,

Sir courteous knight, if you crave battle bare, here fails you not the fight.’

ll studied that steed, and stalked him near, with all the wonder of the world at what he might do.

8

Then the first course came with crack of trumpets, with many a banner full bright that thereby hung; new noise of kettledrums and noble pipes, wild warbles and wide wakened echoes,

so busied him his young blood and his brain wild.

and the loveliest ladies that ever life honoured,

mirth

I would come counsel you before your court rich. For I think it not seemly, as it is true known, that such an asking is heaved so high in your hall, that you yourself are tempted, to take it to yourself, while so many bold men about you on benches sit, that under heaven, I hope, are none higher of will, nor better of body on fields where battle is raised. I am the weakest, I know, and of wit feeblest. least worth the loss of my life, who’d learn the truth. Only inasmuch as you are my uncle, am I praised: No bounty but your blood in my body I know. And since this thing is folly and naught to you falls, and I have asked it of you first, grant it to me;

embellished

forsooth

elvish

altercations

over-clambered

tortuous

As the daylight was done, the company came to the comely castle

the company off to the wood, ere daylight sprang, to the chase.

May He bring us to his bliss! AMEN.

I confess to you knight, here, still, my fault in this affair; let me understand your will, and henceforth I shall beware.’

But wild weather awoke in the world outside, clouds cast cold keenly down to the earth, with wind enough from the north, to flail the flesh. The snow sleeted down sharp, and nipped the wild; the whistling wind wailed from the heights and drove each dale full of drifts full great. The knight listened full well, as he lay in his bed.

calls on the priest for absolution; and he absolved him surely and left him so pure that Doomsday yet might be declared on the morn.

but he was still mighty, the greatest of boars, full grim when he grunted. Then grieved many for three hounds at first thrust he felled to the earth,

Then they slit the slot, and seized the first stomach, shaved it with sharp knives, and knotted the sheared. Then lopped off the four limbs and rent off the hide, next broke they the belly, the bowels out-taking, deftly, lest they undid and destroyed the knot. They gripped the gullet, and swiftly severed the weasand from the windpipe and whipped out the guts. Then sheared out the shoulders with their sharp knives, hauled them through a little hole, left the sides whole. Then they slit up the breast and broke it in twain.

And ever the lord of the land intent on his games, hunted, in holts and heath, for barren hinds, Such a sum he there slew by the set of sun, of does and other deer, it were deemed a wonder. Then fiercely they flocked in, folk at the last, and quickly of the quenched deer a heap they made. The noblest sped there with servants enough, gathered the quarry greatest in flesh that were there, and had them deftly undone as custom demands. Some that were there searched them in assay,

I am all ways unworthy, I know well myself.

I shall kiss at your command, as befits a knight, and further, lest I displease you, so plead no more.’

‘One gracious as Gawain is rightly held to be, with courtesy contained so clear in himself, could not lightly have lingered so long with a lady, but he had craved a kiss out of courtesy, with some trifling touch at some tale’s end.’

At the first call of the quest quaked the wild; deer drove for the dales, darting for dread, hied to the high ground, but swiftly they were stayed by the beaters, with their stout cries.

deer drove for the dales, darting for dread,

blew briskly on their bugles three bare notes; braches bayed therefore, and bold

You shall not rise from your bed. I charge you better: I shall wrap you up here on this other side

stole to his bed

Now who bears the crown of thorn

Round Table, and he that had it was honoured,

sojourned

‘I hold it happily made whole, the harm that I had; You are confessed so clean, cleared of your faults,

in good faith,

and if you offer another I’ll readily requite you and yield it you swiftly again – of that be you sure – as foe. But one stroke to me here falls; the covenant stated so,

He menaces him mightily, but touches him not, swiftly withholding his hand ere it might hurt.

‘You are not Gawain,’ quoth the man, ‘held so great, that was never afraid of the host by hill or by vale, for now you flinch for fear ere you feel harm. Such cowardice of that knight have I never heard.

as if he were no way cowed;

Strike but the one stroke, and I shall stand still and offer no hindrance, come work as you like, I swear.

Sir Gawain the man did greet, he bowed to him

But it is no wonder for a fool to run mad and through wiles of woman be won to sorrow.

‘For it is mine that you wear, that same woven girdle; my own wife gave it you, I know it well forsooth. Now, know I well your kisses and conduct too, and the wooing of my wife; I wrought it myself.

Well wild was the way where they by woods rode, till it was soon time that the sun in that season does rise. They were on a hill full high, the white snow lay beside; the man that rode him by bade his master abide.

I have received a stroke in this place without strife, and if you offer another I’ll readily requite you and yield it you swiftly again – of that be you sure – as foe.

This castle to Christ I commend: May he grant it good chance!’

He leant down his neck, and bowed, and showed the white flesh all bare, as if he were no way cowed; for to shrink he would not dare.

nothing low;

What!

Though he be a stern fellow to manage, armed with a stave, full well does the Lord know His servants how to save.’

He has lived here of yore, and battled to great extent. Against his blows full sore, you may not yourself defend.’

But wild weather awoke in the world outside, clouds cast cold keenly down to the earth, with wind enough from the north, to flail the flesh. The snow sleeted down sharp, and nipped the wild; the whistling wind wailed from the heights and drove each dale full of drifts full great. The knight listened full well, as he lay in his bed.

his steed to be brought he bade.

.

Their hounds they then reward,

thrice,

there is no man under heaven might hew him, for he may not be slain by any sleight upon earth.

‘I’ll no gifts, before God, my dear, at this time; I have none to give you, nor naught will I take.’

unless you have a leman, a lover, that you like better,

Then swiftly to the chapel took he his way, privately approached a priest, and there prayed him that he would enlighten his life and teach him better how his soul might be saved when he went hence.

“third time pays all,”

The lord persuaded him not to, pressed him to linger,

‘I’ll no gifts, before God, my dear, at this time; I have none to give you, nor naught will I take.’

peerless princess

In heavy depths of dreaming murmured that noble, as one that was troubled with thronging thoughts, of how destiny would that day deal him his fate at the Green Chapel, where he must meet his man, bound there to bear his buffet without more debate

the brave knight said, nor such flanks on a swine he’d not seen before.

such as Christmas carols and dances new,

nor such flanks on a swine he’d not seen before. Then they handled the huge head, the knight gave praise,

that the baron and boar were both in a heap, in the white water.

froth foamed from his mouth foul at the corners, and he whet his white tusks.

‘Sir, if you be Gawain, it’s a wonder methinks, why one so well disposed always to good, knows not how to manage his manners in company, and if any teach you to know them, you cast them from mind. You have swiftly forgot what but yesterday I taught with all the truest tokens of talk that I could.’

hunts the ill-fated swine

The lady did not forget, to come to greet him too; full early she him beset to seek a change of mood.

‘And I give all this to you, Gawain,’ quoth the man then, ‘for according to covenant you may call it your own.’ ‘That is so,’ quoth the knight, ‘I say you the same: what I have worthily won this house within, shall with as good a will be worthily yours.’

48

to a young thing, to yearn to show and teach some tokens of true love’s craft What! Are you ignorant

knows not how to manage his manners in company,

The lady did not forget, to come to greet him too;

‘How does this sport please you? Have I won praise? Have I won thanks, thoroughly served by my craft?’

Then sheared out the shoulders with their sharp knives, hauled them through a little hole, left the sides whole. Then they slit up the breast and broke it in twain.

he had failed in forms of politeness.

yet the knight held to his guard, and acted full fair.

the knight with speeches clear answered her every case.

Your are welcome to my body, Your pleasure to take all; I must by necessity your servant be, and shall.’

and then chat with my knight whom I have caught;

It was the lady, the loveliest to behold, that drew the door after her full silent and still, and bent her way to the bed; and the knight ashamed,

What screaming and bleeding, by banks they lay dying, and ever the hounds in a rush hard on them followed,

deer drove for the dales, darting for dread, hied to the high ground, but swiftly they were stayed by the beaters, with their stout cries.

hallooing

valour

yowl

unscathed

clamour

stalwartly

haunches

sundered

lappets

boon

debonair

jested

sop

trussing