Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Read online

  12Then Arthur before the high dais beheld this wonder,

  and freely with fair words, for fearless was he ever,

  saluted him, saying: ‘Lord, to this lodging thou’rt welcome!

  The head of this household Arthur my name is.

  Alight, as thou lovest me, and linger, I pray thee;

  and what may thy wish be in a while we shall learn.’

  ‘Nay, so help me,’ quoth the horseman, ‘He that on high is throned,

  to pass any time in this place was no part of my errand.

  But since thy praises, prince, so proud are uplifted,

  and thy castle and courtiers are accounted the best,

  the stoutest in steel-gear that on steeds may ride,

  most eager and honourable of the earth’s people,

  valiant to vie with in other virtuous sports,

  and here is knighthood renowned, as is noised in my ears:

  ’tis that has fetched me hither, by my faith, at this time.

  You may believe by this branch that I am bearing here

  that I pass as one in peace, no peril seeking.

  For had I set forth to fight in fashion of war,

  I have a hauberk at home, and a helm also,

  a shield, and a sharp spear shining brightly,

  and other weapons to wield too, as well I believe;

  but since I crave for no combat, my clothes are softer.

  Yet if thou be so bold, as abroad is published,

  thou wilt grant of thy goodness the game that I ask for

  by right.’

  Then Arthur answered there,

  and said: ‘Sir, noble knight,

  if battle thou seek thus bare,

  thou’lt fail not here to fight.’

  13‘Nay, I wish for no warfare, on my word I tell thee!

  Here about on these benches are but beardless children.

  Were I hasped in armour on a high charger,

  there is no man here to match me – their might is so feeble.

  And so I crave in this court only a Christmas pastime,

  since it is Yule and New Year, and you are young here and merry.

  If any so hardy in this house here holds that he is,

  if so bold be his blood or his brain be so wild,

  that he stoutly dare strike one stroke for another,

  then I will give him as my gift this guisarm costly,

  this axe – ’tis heavy enough – to handle as he pleases;

  and I will abide the first brunt, here bare as I sit.

  If any fellow be so fierce as my faith to test,

  hither let him haste to me and lay hold of this weapon –

  I hand it over for ever, he can have it as his own –

  and I will stand a stroke from him, stock-still on this floor,

  provided thou’lt lay down this law: that I may deliver

  him another.

  Claim I!

  And yet a respite I’ll allow,

  till a year and a day go by.

  Come quick, and let’s see now

  if any here dare reply!’

  14If he astounded them at first, yet stiller were then

  all the household in the hall, both high men and low.

  The man on his mount moved in his saddle,

  and rudely his red eyes he rolled then about,

  bent his bristling brows all brilliantly green,

  and swept round his beard to see who would rise.

  When none in converse would accost him, he coughed then loudly,

  stretched himself haughtily and straightway exclaimed:

  ‘What! Is this Arthur’s house,’ said he thereupon,

  ‘the rumour of which runs through realms unnumbered?

  Where now is your haughtiness, and your high conquests,

  your fierceness and fell mood, and your fine boasting?

  Now are the revels and the royalty of the Round Table

  overwhelmed by a word by one man spoken,

  for all blench now abashed ere a blow is offered!’

  With that he laughed so loud that their lord was angered,

  the blood shot for shame into his shining cheeks

  and face;

  as wroth as wind he grew,

  so all did in that place.

  Then near to the stout man drew

  the king of fearless race,

  15And said: ‘Marry! Good man, ’tis madness thou askest,

  and since folly thou hast sought, thou deservest to find it.

  I know no lord that is alarmed by thy loud words here.

  Give me now thy guisarm, in God’s name, sir,

  and I will bring thee the blessing thou hast begged to receive.’

  Quick then he came to him and caught it from his hand.

  Then the lordly man loftily alighted on foot.

  Now Arthur holds his axe, and the haft grasping

  sternly he stirs it about, his stroke considering.

  The stout man before him there stood his full height,

  higher than any in that house by a head and yet more.

  With stern face as he stood he stroked at his beard,

  and with expression impassive he pulled down his coat,

  no more disturbed or distressed at the strength of his blows

  than if someone as he sat had served him a drink

  of wine.

  From beside the queen Gawain

  to the king did then incline:

  ‘I implore with prayer plain

  that this match should now be mine.’

  16‘Would you, my worthy lord,’ said Wawain to the king,

  ‘bid me abandon this bench and stand by you there,

  so that I without discourtesy might be excused from the table,

  and my liege lady were not loth to permit me,

  I would come to your counsel before your courtiers fair.

  For I find it unfitting, as in fact it is held,

  when a challenge in your chamber makes choice so exalted,

  though you yourself be desirous to accept it in person,

  while many bold men about you on bench are seated:

  on earth there are, I hold, none more honest of purpose,

  no figures fairer on field where fighting is waged.

  I am the weakest, I am aware, and in wit feeblest,

  and the least loss, if I live not, if one would learn the truth.

  Only because you are my uncle is honour given me:

  save your blood in my body I boast of no virtue;

  and since this affair is so foolish that it nowise befits you,

  and I have requested it first, accord it then to me!

  If my claim is uncalled-for without cavil shall judge

  this court.’

  To consult the knights draw near,

  and this plan they all support;

  the king with crown to clear,

  and give Gawain the sport.

  17The king then commanded that he quickly should rise,

  and he readily uprose and directly approached,

  kneeling humbly before his highness, and laying hand on the weapon;

  and he lovingly relinquished it, and lifting his hand

  gave him God’s blessing, and graciously enjoined him

  that his hand and his heart should be hardy alike.

  ‘Take care, cousin,’ quoth the king, ‘one cut to address,

  and if thou learnest him his lesson, I believe very well

  that thou wilt bear any blow that he gives back later.’

  Gawain goes to the great man with guisarm in hand,

  and he boldly abides there – he blenched not at all.

  Then next said to Gawain the knight all in green:

  ‘Let’s tell again our agreement, ere we go any further.

  I’d know first, sir knight, thy name; I entreat thee

  to tell it me truly, that I may trust in thy word.’

  ‘In good faith,’ quoth the good knight, ‘I Gawain am called

  who bring thee this buffet, let be what may follow;

  and at this time a twelvemonth in thy turn have another

  with whatever weapon thou wilt, and in the world with

  none else but me.’

  The other man answered again:

  ‘I am passing pleased,’ said he,

  ‘upon my life, Sir Gawain,

  that this stroke should be struck by thee.’

  18‘Begad,’ said the green knight, ‘Sir Gawain, I am pleased

  to find from thy fist the favour I asked for!

  And thou hast promptly repeated and plainly hast stated

  without abatement the bargain I begged of the king here;

  save that thou must assure me, sir, on thy honour

  that thou’lt seek me thyself, search where thou thinkest

  I may be found near or far, and fetch thee such payment

  as thou deliverest me today before these lordly people.’

  ‘Where should I light on thee,’ quoth Gawain, ‘where look for thy place?

  I have never learned where thou livest, by the Lord that made me,

  and I know thee not, knight, thy name nor thy court.

  But teach me the true way, and tell what men call thee,

  and I will apply all my purpose the path to discover:

  and that I swear thee for certain and solemnly promise.’

  ‘That is enough in New Year, there is need of no more!’

  said the great man in green to Gawain the courtly.

  ‘If I tell thee the truth of it, when I have taken the knock,

  and thou handily hast hit me, if in haste I announce then

  my house and my home and mine own title,

  then thou canst call and enquire and keep the agreement;

  and if I waste not a word, thou’lt win better fortune,

  for thou mayst linger in thy land and look no further –

  but stay!

  To thy grim tool now take heed, sir!

  Let us try thy knocks today!’

  ‘Gladly’, said he, ‘indeed, sir!’

  and his axe he stroked in play.

  19The Green Knight on the ground now gets himself ready,

  leaning a little with the head he lays bare the flesh,

  and his locks long and lovely he lifts over his crown,

  letting the naked neck as was needed appear.

  His left foot on the floor before him placing,

  Gawain gripped on his axe, gathered and raised it,

  from aloft let it swiftly land where ’twas naked,

  so that the sharp of his blade shivered the bones,

  and sank clean through the clear fat and clove it asunder,

  and the blade of the bright steel then bit into the ground.

  The fair head to the floor fell from the shoulders,

  and folk fended it with their feet as forth it went rolling;

  the blood burst from the body, bright on the greenness,

  and yet neither faltered nor fell the fierce man at all,

  but stoutly he strode forth, still strong on his shanks,

  and roughly he reached out among the rows that stood there,

  caught up his comely head and quickly upraised it,

  and then hastened to his horse, laid hold of the bridle,

  stepped into stirrup-iron, and strode up aloft,

  his head by the hair in his hand holding;

  and he settled himself then in the saddle as firmly

  as if unharmed by mishap, though in the hall he might

  wear no head.

  His trunk he twisted round,

  that gruesome body that bled,

  and many fear then found,

  as soon as his speech was sped.

  20For the head in his hand he held it up straight,

  towards the fairest at the table he twisted the face,

  and it lifted up its eyelids and looked at them broadly,

  and made such words with its mouth as may be recounted.

  ‘See thou get ready, Gawain, to go as thou vowedst,

  and as faithfully seek till thou find me, good sir,

  as thou hast promised in this place in the presence of these knights.

  To the Green Chapel go thou, and get thee, I charge thee,

  such a dint as thou hast dealt – indeed thou hast earned

  a nimble knock in return on New Year’s morning!

  The Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many,

  so if to find me thou endeavour, thou’lt fail not to do so.

  Therefore come! Or to be called a craven thou deservest.’

  With a rude roar and rush his reins he turned then,

  and hastened out through the hall-door with his head in his hand,

  and fire of the flint flew from the feet of his charger.

  To what country he came in that court no man knew,

  no more than they had learned from what land he had journeyed.

  Meanwhile,

  the king and Sir Gawain

  at the Green Man laugh and smile;

  yet to men had appeared, ’twas plain,

  a marvel beyond denial.

  21Though Arthur the high king in his heart marvelled,

  he let no sign of it be seen, but said then aloud

  to the queen so comely with courteous words:

  ‘Dear Lady, today be not downcast at all!

  Such cunning play well becomes the Christmas tide,

  interludes, and the like, and laughter and singing,

  amid these noble dances of knights and of dames.

  Nonetheless to my food I may fairly betake me,

  for a marvel I have met, and I may not deny it.’

  He glanced at Sir Gawain and with good point he said:

  ‘Come, hang up thine axe, sir! It has hewn now enough.’

  And over the table they hung it on the tapestry behind,

  where all men might remark it, a marvel to see,

  and by its true token might tell of that adventure.

  Then to a table they turned, those two lords together,

  the king and his good kinsman, and courtly men served them

  with all dainties double, the dearest there might be,

  with all manner of meats and with minstrelsy too.

  With delight that day they led, till to the land came the

  night again.

  Sir Gawain, now take heed

  lest fear make thee refrain

  from daring the dangerous deed

  that thou in hand hast ta’en!

  II

  WITH this earnest of high deeds thus Arthur began the young year, for brave vows he yearned to hear made. Though such words were wanting when they went to table, now of fell work to full grasp filled were their hands. Gawain was gay as he began those games in the hall, but if the end be unhappy, hold it no wonder! For though men be merry of mood when they have mightily drunk, a year slips by swiftly, never the same returning; the outset to the ending is equal but seldom. And so this Yule passed over and the year after, and severally the seasons ensued in their turn: after Christmas there came the crabbed Lenten that with fish tries the flesh and with food more meagre; but then the weather in the world makes war on the winter, cold creeps into the earth, clouds are uplifted, shining rain is shed in showers that all warm fall on the fair turf, flowers there open, of grounds and of groves green is the raiment, birds are busy a-building and bravely are singing for sweetness of the soft summer that will soon be on

  the way;

  and blossoms burgeon and blow

  in hedgerows bright and gay;

  then glorious musics go

  through the woods in proud array.

  23After the season of summer with its soft breezes,

  when Zephyr goes sighing through seeds and herbs,

  right glad is the grass that grows in the open,

  when the damp dewdrops are dripping from the leaves

  to greet a gay glance of the glistening sun.

  But then Harvest hurries in, and hardens it quickly,

  warns it before winter to wax to ripeness.

  He drives with his drought the dust, till it rises

  from the face of the land and flies up aloft;

  wild wind in the welkin makes war on the sun,

  the leaves loosed from the linden alight on the ground,

  and all grey is the grass that green was before:

  all things ripen and rot that rose up at first,

  and so the year runs away in yesterdays many,

  and here winter wends again, as by the way of the world

  it ought,

  until the Michaelmas moon

  has winter’s boding brought;

  Sir Gawain then full soon

  of his grievous journey thought.

  24And yet till All Hallows with Arthur he lingered,

  who furnished on that festival a feast for the knight

  with much royal revelry of the Round Table.

  The knights of renown and noble ladies

  all for the love of that lord had longing at heart,

  but nevertheless the more lightly of laughter they spoke:

  many were joyless who jested for his gentle sake.

  For after their meal mournfully he reminded his uncle

  that his departure was near, and plainly he said:

  ‘Now liege-lord of my life, for leave I beg you.

  You know the quest and the compact; I care not further

  to trouble you with tale of it, save a trifling point:

  I must set forth to my fate without fail in the morning,

  as God will me guide, the Green Man to seek.’

  Those most accounted in the castle came then together,

  Iwain and Erric and others not a few,

  Sir Doddinel le Savage, the Duke of Clarence,

  Lancelot, and Lionel, and Lucan the Good,

  Sir Bors and Sir Bedivere that were both men of might,

  and many others of mark with Mador de la Porte.

  All this company of the court the king now approached

  to comfort the knight with care in their hearts.

  Much mournful lament was made in the hall

  that one so worthy as Wawain should wend on that errand,

  To endure a deadly dint and deal no more

  with blade.

  The knight ever made good cheer,

  saying, ‘Why should I be dismayed?

  Of doom the fair or drear

  by a man must be assayed.’

  25He remained there that day, and in the morning got ready,

  asked early for his arms, and they all were brought him.

  First a carpet of red silk was arrayed on the floor,

  and the gilded gear in plenty there glittered upon it.