diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 4 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-0.txt | 2640 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-0.zip | bin | 52896 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h.zip | bin | 779853 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h/66084-h.htm | 3789 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h/images/cover.jpg | bin | 269476 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h/images/p02.jpg | bin | 159713 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h/images/p03.jpg | bin | 73178 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h/images/p04.jpg | bin | 49898 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h/images/p05.jpg | bin | 51875 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h/images/p06.jpg | bin | 44508 -> 0 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | old/66084-h/images/spine.jpg | bin | 70950 -> 0 bytes |
14 files changed, 17 insertions, 6429 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..bc28c45 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #66084 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/66084) diff --git a/old/66084-0.txt b/old/66084-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index a3fe36f..0000000 --- a/old/66084-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,2640 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by -Jessie L. Weston - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight - A Middle-English Arthurian Romance Retold in Modern Prose, with - Introduction & Notes - -Author: Jessie L. Weston - -Release Date: August 18, 2021 [eBook #66084] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed Proofreading - Team at https://www.pgdp.net - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN -KNIGHT *** - - - - - - ARTHURIAN ROMANCES - Unrepresented in Malory’s “Morte d’Arthur” - - - - - _No. I_ - Sir Gawain and the - Green Knight - - -A Middle-English Arthurian Romance _Retold in Modern Prose, with -Introduction & Notes_, by Jessie L. Weston, _Translator_ of Wolfram von -Eschenbach’s “Parzival” • _With Designs by_ M. M. Crawford - - -London: David Nutt in the Strand -mdcccxcviii - - - - - Preface - - -The poem of which the following pages offer a prose rendering is -contained in a MS., believed to be unique, of the Cottonian Collection, -Nero A. X., preserved in the British Museum. The MS. is of the end of -the fourteenth century, but it is possible that the composition of the -poem is somewhat earlier; the subject matter is certainly of very old -date. There has been a considerable divergence of opinion among scholars -on the question of authorship, but the view now generally accepted is -that it is the work of the same hand as _Pearl_, another poem of -considerable merit contained in the same MS. - -Our poem, or, to speak more correctly, metrical romance, contains over -2500 lines, and is composed in staves of varying length, ending in five -short rhyming lines, technically known as a bob and a wheel,—the lines -forming the body of the stave being not rhyming, but alliterative. The -dialect in which it is written has been decided to be West Midland, -probably Lancashire, and is by no means easy to understand. Indeed, it -is the real difficulty and obscurity of the language, which in spite of -careful and scholarly editing will always place the poem in its original -form outside the range of any but professed students of mediæval -literature, which has encouraged me to make an attempt to render it more -accessible to the general public, by giving it a form that shall be -easily intelligible, and at the same time preserve as closely as -possible the style of the author. - -For that style, in spite of a certain roughness, unavoidable at a period -in which the language was still in a partially developed and amorphous -stage, is really charming. The author has a keen eye for effect; a -talent for description, detailed without becoming wearisome; a genuine -love of Nature and sympathy with her varying moods; and a real -refinement and elevation of feeling which enable him to deal with a -_risqué_ situation with an absence of coarseness, not, unfortunately, to -be always met with in a mediæval writer. Standards of taste vary with -the age, but even judged by that of our own day the author of _Sir -Gawain and the Green Knight_ comes not all too badly out of the ordeal! - -The story with which the poem deals, too, has claims upon our interest. -I have shown elsewhere[a] that the beheading challenge is an incident of -very early occurrence in heroic legend, and that the particular form -given to it in the English poem is especially interesting, corresponding -as it does to the variations of the story as preserved in the oldest -known version, that of the old Irish _Fled Bricrend_. - -[a]“The Legend of Sir Gawain,” Grimm Library, Vol. VII. (Chapter IX. Sir - Gawain and the Green Knight). - -But in no other version is the incident coupled with that of a -temptation and testing of the hero’s honour and chastity, such as meets -us here. At first sight one is inclined to assign the episode of the -lady of the castle to the class of stories of which the oldest version -is preserved in Biblical record—the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s wife; -a _motif_ not unseldom employed by mediæval writers, and which notably -occurs in what we may call the _Launfal_ group of stories. But there are -certain points which may make us hesitate as to whether in its first -conception the tale was really one of this class. - -It must be noted that here the lady is acting throughout with the -knowledge and consent of the husband, an important point of difference. -In the second place, it is very doubtful whether her entire attitude was -not a _ruse_. From the Green Knight’s words to Gawain when he finally -reveals himself, “I wot we shall soon make peace with my wife, who was -thy bitter enemy,” her conduct hardly seems to have been prompted by -real passion. - -In my _Studies on the Legend of Sir Gawain_, already referred to, I have -suggested that the character of the lady here is, perhaps, a -reminiscence of that of the Queen of the Magic Castle or Isle, daughter -or niece of an enchanter, who at an early stage of Gawain’s story was -undoubtedly his love. I think it not impossible that she was an integral -part of the tale as first told, and her rôle here was determined by that -which she originally played. In most versions of the story she has -dropped out altogether. It is, of course, possible that, there being but -a confused reminiscence of the original tale, her share _may_ have been -modified by the influence of the _Launfal_ group; but I should prefer to -explain the episode on the whole as a somewhat distorted survival of an -original feature. - -But in any case we may be thankful for this, that the author of the most -important English metrical romance dealing with Arthurian legend -faithfully adheres to the original conception of Gawain’s character, as -drawn before the monkish lovers of edification laid their ruthless hands -on his legend, and turned the model of knightly virtues and courtesy -into a mere vulgar libertine. - -Brave, chivalrous, loyally faithful to his plighted word, scrupulously -heedful of his own and others’ honour, Gawain stands before us in this -poem. We take up Malory or Tennyson, and in spite of their charm of -style, in spite of the halo of religious mysticism in which they have -striven to enwrap their characters, we lay them down with a feeling of -dissatisfaction. How did the Gawain of their imagination, this -empty-headed, empty-hearted worldling, cruel murderer, and treacherous -friend, ever come to be the typical English hero? For such Gawain -certainly was, even more than Arthur himself. Then we turn back to these -faded pages, and read the quaintly earnest words in which the old writer -reveals the hidden meaning of that mystic symbol, the pentangle, and -vindicates Gawain’s title to claim it as his badge—and we smile, -perhaps; but we cease to wonder at the widespread popularity of King -Arthur’s famous nephew, or at the immense body of romance that claims -him as its hero. - -Scholars know all this, of course; they can read the poem for themselves -in its original rough and intricate phraseology; perhaps they will be -shocked at an attempt to handle it in simpler form. But this little book -is not for them, and if to those to whom the tale would otherwise be a -sealed treasure these pages bring some new knowledge of the way in which -our forefathers looked on the characters of the Arthurian legend, the -tales they told of them (unconsciously betraying the while how they -themselves lived and thought and spoke)—if by that means they gain a -keener appreciation of our national heroes, a wider knowledge of our -national literature,—then the spirit of the long-dead poet will -doubtless not be the slowest to pardon my handling of what was his -masterpiece, as it is, in M. Gaston Paris’ words, “The jewel of English -mediæval literature.” - - Bournemouth, _June 1898_. - - [Illustration: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight] - - - - - CONTENTS - - - I 1 - Of the making of Britain 1 - How Arthur held high feast at Camelot 2 - New Year’s Day 3 - Of the noble knights there present 4 - The coming of the Green Knight 5 - The fashion of the knight 5 - Of the knight’s steed 6 - The arming of the knight 7 - Of the knight’s challenge 9 - The silence of the knights 11 - How Sir Gawain dared the venture 12 - The making of the covenant 13 - The giving of the blow 15 - The marvel of the Green Knight 16 - II 19 - The waning of the year 19 - Sir Gawain bethinks him of his covenant 21 - The arming of Sir Gawain 22 - Wherefore Sir Gawain bare the pentangle 24 - How Sir Gawain went forth 25 - Of Sir Gawain’s journey 26 - How Sir Gawain came to a fair castle on Christmas Eve 29 - How Sir Gawain was welcomed 31 - Sir Gawain tells his name 34 - The lady of the castle 35 - Of the Christmas feast 37 - How the feast came to an end but Gawain abode at the - castle 38 - Sir Gawain makes a covenant with his host 41 - III 43 - The first day’s hunting 43 - How the lady of the castle came to Sir Gawain 45 - How the lady kissed Sir Gawain 49 - How the covenant was kept 51 - Of the second day’s hunting 52 - Of the lady and Sir Gawain 54 - How the lady strove to beguile Sir Gawain with words of - love 55 - How the boar was slain 57 - The keeping of the covenant 59 - Of the third day’s hunting 61 - How the lady came for the third time to Sir Gawain 62 - The lady would fain have a parting gift from Gawain 64 - She would give him her ring 65 - Or her girdle 65 - The virtue of the girdle 66 - How Sir Gawain took the girdle 67 - The death of the fox 68 - How Sir Gawain kept not all the covenant 69 - How Sir Gawain took leave of his host 71 - IV 72 - The robing of Sir Gawain 73 - How Sir Gawain went forth from the castle 74 - The squire’s warning 75 - Of the knight of the Green Chapel 76 - Sir Gawain is none dismayed 77 - The finding of the chapel 79 - The coming of the Green Knight 80 - How Sir Gawain failed to stand the blow 81 - Of the Green Knight’s reproaches 82 - How the Green Knight dealt the blow 83 - Of the three covenants 84 - The shame of Sir Gawain 85 - How Sir Gawain would keep the girdle 87 - How the marvel was wrought 88 - How Sir Gawain came again to Camelot 89 - Sir Gawain makes confession of his fault 90 - The knights wear the lace in honour of Gawain 90 - The end of the tale 91 - Notes 93 - - - - - I - - - [Illustration: Illustrated drop-cap] - - -Of the making of Britain - -After the siege and the assault of Troy, when that burg was destroyed -and burnt to ashes, and the traitor slain for his treason, the noble -Æneas and his kin sailed forth to become princes and patrons of -well-nigh all the Western Isles. Thus Romulus built Rome (and gave to -the city his own name, which it bears even to this day); and Ticius -turned him to Tuscany; and Langobard raised him up dwellings in -Lombardy; and Felix Brutus sailed far over the French flood, and founded -the kingdom of Britain, wherein have been war and waste and wonder, and -bliss and bale, oft-times since. - -And in that kingdom of Britain have been wrought more gallant deeds than -in any other; but of all British kings Arthur was the most valiant, as I -have heard tell, therefore will I set forth a wondrous adventure that -fell out in his time. And if ye will listen to me, but for a little -while, I will tell it even as it stands in story stiff and strong, fixed -in the letter, as it hath long been known in the land. - - -How Arthur held high feast at Camelot - -King Arthur lay at Camelot upon a Christmas-tide, with many a gallant -lord and lovely lady, and all the noble brotherhood of the Round Table. -There they held rich revels with gay talk and jest; one while they would -ride forth to joust and tourney, and again back to the court to make -carols;[0] for there was the feast holden fifteen days with all the -mirth that men could devise, song and glee, glorious to hear, in the -daytime, and dancing at night. Halls and chambers were crowded with -noble guests, the bravest of knights and the loveliest of ladies, and -Arthur himself was the comeliest king that ever held a court. For all -this fair folk were in their youth, the fairest and most fortunate under -heaven, and the king himself of such fame that it were hard now to name -so valiant a hero. - - -New Year’s Day - -Now the New Year had but newly come in, and on that day a double portion -was served on the high table to all the noble guests, and thither came -the king with all his knights, when the service in the chapel had been -sung to an end. And they greeted each other for the New Year, and gave -rich gifts, the one to the other (and they that received them were not -wroth, that may ye well believe!), and the maidens laughed and made -mirth till it was time to get them to meat. Then they washed and sat -them down to the feast in fitting rank and order, and Guinevere the -queen, gaily clad, sat on the high daïs. Silken was her seat, with a -fair canopy over her head, of rich tapestries of Tars, embroidered, and -studded with costly gems; fair she was to look upon, with her shining -grey eyes, a fairer woman might no man boast himself of having seen. - -But Arthur would not eat till all were served, so full of joy and -gladness was he, even as a child; he liked not either to lie long, or to -sit long at meat, so worked upon him his young blood and his wild brain. -And another custom he had also, that came of his nobility, that he would -never eat upon an high day till he had been advised of some knightly -deed, or some strange and marvellous tale, of his ancestors, or of arms, -or of other ventures. Or till some knight should seek of him leave to -joust with another, that they might set their lives in jeopardy, one -against another, as fortune might favour them. Such was the king’s -custom when he sat in hall at each high feast with his noble knights, -therefore on that New Year tide, he abode, fair of face, on the throne, -and made much mirth withal. - - -Of the noble knights there present - -Thus the king sat before the high table, and spake of many things; and -there good Sir Gawain was seated by Guinevere the queen, and on her -other side sat Agravain,[1] _à la dure main_; both were the king’s -sister’s sons and full gallant knights. And at the end of the table was -Bishop Bawdewyn, and Ywain, King Urien’s son, sat at the other side -alone. These were worthily served on the daïs, and at the lower tables -sat many valiant knights. Then they bare the first course with the blast -of trumpets and waving of banners, with the sound of drums and pipes, of -song and lute, that many a heart was uplifted at the melody. Many were -the dainties, and rare the meats, so great was the plenty they might -scarce find room on the board to set on the dishes. Each helped himself -as he liked best, and to each two were twelve dishes, with great plenty -of beer and wine. - - -The coming of the Green Knight - -Now I will say no more of the service, but that ye may know there was no -lack, for there drew near a venture that the folk might well have left -their labour to gaze upon. As the sound of the music ceased, and the -first course had been fitly served, there came in at the hall door one -terrible to behold, of stature greater than any on earth; from neck to -loin so strong and thickly made, and with limbs so long and so great -that he seemed even as a giant. And yet he was but a man, only the -mightiest that might mount a steed; broad of chest and shoulders and -slender of waist, and all his features of like fashion; but men -marvelled much at his colour, for he rode even as a knight, yet was -green all over. - - -The fashion of the knight - -For he was clad all in green, with a straight coat, and a mantle above; -all decked and lined with fur was the cloth and the hood that was thrown -back from his locks and lay on his shoulders. Hose had he of the same -green, and spurs of bright gold with silken fastenings richly worked; -and all his vesture was verily green. Around his waist and his saddle -were bands with fair stones set upon silken work, ’twere too long to -tell of all the trifles that were embroidered thereon—birds and insects -in gay gauds of green and gold. - - -Of the knight’s steed - -All the trappings of his steed were of metal of like enamel, even the -stirrups that he stood in stained of the same, and stirrups and -saddle-bow alike gleamed and shone with green stones. Even the steed on -which he rode was of the same hue, a green horse, great and strong, and -hard to hold, with broidered bridle, meet for the rider. - -The knight was thus gaily dressed in green, his hair falling around his -shoulders, on his breast hung a beard, as thick and green as a bush, and -the beard and the hair of his head were clipped all round above his -elbows. The lower part of his sleeves were fastened with clasps in the -same wise as a king’s mantle. The horse’s mane was crisped and plaited -with many a knot folded in with gold thread about the fair green, here a -twist of the hair, here another of gold. The tail was twined in like -manner, and both were bound about with a band of bright green set with -many a precious stone; then they were tied aloft in a cunning knot, -whereon rang many bells of burnished gold. Such a steed might no other -ride, nor had such ever been looked upon in that hall ere that time; and -all who saw that knight spake and said that a man might scarce abide his -stroke. - - -The arming of the knight - -The knight bore no helm nor hauberk, neither gorget nor breast-plate, -neither shaft nor buckler to smite nor to shield, but in one hand he had -a holly-bough, that is greenest when the groves are bare, and in his -other an axe, huge and uncomely, a cruel weapon in fashion, if one would -picture it. The head was an ell-yard long, the metal all of green steel -and gold, the blade burnished bright, with a broad edge, as well shapen -to shear as a sharp razor. The steel was set into a strong staff, all -bound round with iron, even to the end, and engraved with green in -cunning work. A lace was twined about it, that looped at the head, and -all adown the handle it was clasped with tassels on buttons of bright -green richly broidered. - -The knight halted in the entrance of the hall, looking to the high daïs, -and greeted no man, but looked ever upwards; and the first words he -spake were, “Where is the ruler of this folk? I would gladly look upon -that hero, and have speech with him.” He cast his eyes on the knights, -and mustered them up and down, striving ever to see who of them was of -most renown. - -Then was there great gazing to behold that chief, for each man marvelled -what it might mean that a knight and his steed should have even such a -hue as the green grass; and that seemed even greener than green enamel -on bright gold. All looked on him as he stood, and drew near unto him -wondering greatly what he might be; for many marvels had they seen, but -none such as this, and phantasm and faërie did the folk deem it. -Therefore were the gallant knights slow to answer, and gazed astounded, -and sat stone still in a deep silence through that goodly hall, as if a -slumber were fallen upon them. I deem it was not all for doubt, but some -for courtesy that they might give ear unto his errand. - -Then Arthur beheld this adventure before his high daïs, and knightly he -greeted him, for discourteous was he never. “Sir,” he said, “thou art -welcome to this place—lord of this hall am I, and men call me Arthur. -Light thee down, and tarry awhile, and what thy will is, that shall we -learn after.” - - -Of the knight’s challenge - -“Nay,” quoth the stranger, “so help me He that sitteth on high, ’twas -not mine errand to tarry any while in this dwelling; but the praise of -this thy folk and thy city is lifted up on high, and thy warriors are -holden for the best and the most valiant of those who ride mail-clad to -the fight. The wisest and the worthiest of this world are they, and well -proven in all knightly sports. And here, as I have heard tell, is -fairest courtesy, therefore have I come hither as at this time. Ye may -be sure by the branch that I bear here that I come in peace, seeking no -strife. For had I willed to journey in warlike guise I have at home both -hauberk and helm, shield and shining spear, and other weapons to mine -hand, but since I seek no war my raiment is that of peace. But if thou -be as bold as all men tell thou wilt freely grant me the boon I ask.” - -And Arthur answered, “Sir Knight, if thou cravest battle here thou shalt -not fail for lack of a foe.” - -And the knight answered, “Nay, I ask no fight, in faith here on the -benches are but beardless children, were I clad in armour on my steed -there is no man here might match me. Therefore I ask in this court but a -Christmas jest, for that it is Yule-tide, and New Year, and there are -many here. If any one in this hall holds himself so hardy,[2] so bold -both of blood and brain, as to dare strike me one stroke for another, I -will give him as a gift this axe, which is heavy enough, in sooth, to -handle as he may list, and I will abide the first blow, unarmed as I -sit. If any knight be so bold as to prove my words let him come swiftly -to me here, and take this weapon, I quit claim to it, he may keep it as -his own, and I will abide his stroke, firm on the floor. Then shalt thou -give me the right to deal him another, the respite of a year from to-day -shall he have. Now pledge me thy word, and let see whether any here dare -say aught.” - - -The silence of the knights - -Now if the knights had been astounded at the first, yet stiller were -they all, high and low, when they had heard his words. The knight on his -steed straightened himself in the saddle, and rolled his eyes fiercely -round the hall, red they gleamed under his green and bushy brows. He -frowned and twisted his beard, waiting to see who should rise, and when -none answered he cried aloud in mockery, “What, is this Arthur’s hall, -and these the knights whose renown hath run through many realms? Where -are now your pride and your conquests, your wrath, and anger, and mighty -words? Now are the praise and the renown of the Round Table overthrown -by one man’s speech, since all keep silence for dread ere ever they have -seen a blow!” - -With that he laughed so loudly that the blood rushed to the king’s fair -face for very shame; he waxed wroth, as did all his knights, and sprang -to his feet, and drew near to the stranger and said, “Now by heaven -foolish is thine asking, and thy folly shall find its fitting answer. I -know no man aghast at thy great words. Give me here thine axe and I -shall grant thee the boon thou hast asked.” Lightly he sprang to him and -caught at his hand, and the knight, fierce of aspect, lighted down from -his charger. - -Then Arthur took the axe and gripped the haft, and swung it round, ready -to strike. And the knight stood before him, taller by the head than any -in the hall; he stood, and stroked his beard, and drew down his coat, no -more dismayed for the king’s threats than if one had brought him a drink -of wine. - - -How Sir Gawain dared the venture - -Then Gawain, who sat by the queen, leaned forward to the king and spake, -“I beseech ye, my lord, let this venture be mine. Would ye but bid me -rise from this seat, and stand by your side, so that my liege lady -thought it not ill, then would I come to your counsel before this goodly -court. For I think it not seemly that such challenge should be made in -your hall that ye yourself should undertake it, while there are many -bold knights who sit beside ye, none are there, methinks, of readier -will under heaven, or more valiant in open field. I am the weakest, I -wot, and the feeblest of wit, and it will be the less loss of my life if -ye seek sooth. For save that ye are mine uncle naught is there in me to -praise, no virtue is there in my body save your blood, and since this -challenge is such folly that it beseems ye not to take it, and I have -asked it from ye first, let it fall to me, and if I bear myself -ungallantly then let all this court blame me.” - -Then they all spake with one voice that the king should leave this -venture and grant it to Gawain. - -Then Arthur commanded the knight to rise, and he rose up quickly and -knelt down before the king, and caught hold of the weapon; and the king -loosed his hold of it, and lifted up his hand, and gave him his -blessing, and bade him be strong both of heart and hand. “Keep thee -well, nephew,” quoth Arthur, “that thou give him but the one blow, and -if thou redest him rightly I trow thou shalt well abide the stroke he -may give thee after.” - - -The making of the covenant - -Gawain stepped to the stranger, axe in hand, and he, never fearing, -awaited his coming. Then the Green Knight spake to Sir Gawain, “Make we -our covenant ere we go further. First, I ask thee, knight, what is thy -name? Tell me truly, that I may know thee.” - -“In faith,” quoth the good knight, “Gawain am I, who give thee this -buffet, let what may come of it; and at this time twelvemonth will I -take another at thine hand with whatsoever weapon thou wilt, and none -other.” - -Then the other answered again, “Sir Gawain, so may I thrive as I am fain -to take this buffet at thine hand,” and he quoth further, “Sir Gawain, -it liketh me well that I shall take at thy fist that which I have asked -here, and thou hast readily and truly rehearsed all the covenant that I -asked of the king, save that thou shalt swear me, by thy troth, to seek -me thyself wherever thou hopest that I may be found, and win thee such -reward as thou dealest me to-day, before this folk.” - -“Where shall I seek thee?” quoth Gawain. “Where is thy place? By Him -that made me, I wot never where thou dwellest, nor know I thee, knight, -thy court, nor thy name. But teach me truly all that pertaineth thereto, -and tell me thy name, and I shall use all my wit to win my way thither, -and that I swear thee for sooth, and by my sure troth.” - -“That is enough in the New Year, it needs no more,” quoth the Green -Knight to the gallant Gawain, “if I tell thee truly when I have taken -the blow, and thou hast smitten me; then will I teach thee of my house -and home, and mine own name, then mayest thou ask thy road and keep -covenant. And if I waste no words then farest thou the better, for thou -canst dwell in thy land, and seek no further. But take now thy toll, and -let see how thy strikest.” - -“Gladly will I,” quoth Gawain, handling his axe. - - -The giving of the blow - -Then the Green Knight swiftly made him ready, he bowed down his head, -and laid his long locks on the crown that his bare neck might be seen. -Gawain gripped his axe and raised it on high, the left foot he set -forward on the floor, and let the blow fall lightly on the bare neck. -The sharp edge of the blade sundered the bones, smote through the neck, -and clave it in two, so that the edge of the steel bit on the ground, -and the head rolled even to the horse’s feet. - - -The marvel of the Green Knight - -The blood spurted forth, and glistened on the green raiment, but the -knight neither faltered nor fell; he started forward with out-stretched -hand, and caught the head, and lifted it up; then he turned to his -steed, and took hold of the bridle, set his foot in the stirrup, and -mounted. His head he held by the hair, in his hand. Then he seated -himself in his saddle as if naught ailed him, and he were not headless. -He turned his steed about, the grim corpse bleeding freely the while, -and they who looked upon him doubted them much for the covenant. - -For he held up the head in his hand, and turned the face towards them -that sat on the high daïs, and it lifted up the eye-lids and looked upon -them, and spake as ye shall hear. “Look, Gawain, that thou art ready to -go as thou hast promised, and seek leally till thou find me, even as -thou hast sworn in this hall in the hearing of these knights. Come thou, -I charge thee, to the Green Chapel, such a stroke as thou hast dealt -thou hast deserved, and it shall be promptly paid thee on New Year’s -morn. Many men know me as the knight of the Green Chapel, and if thou -askest thou shalt not fail to find me. Therefore it behoves thee to -come, or to yield thee as recreant.” - -With that he turned his bridle, and galloped out at the hall door, his -head in his hands, so that the sparks flew from beneath his horse’s -hoofs. Whither he went none knew, no more than they wist whence he had -come; and the king and Gawain they gazed and laughed, for in sooth this -had proved a greater marvel than any they had known aforetime. - -Though Arthur the king was astonished at his heart, yet he let no sign -of it be seen, but spake in courteous wise to the fair queen: “Dear -lady, be not dismayed, such craft is well suited to Christmas-tide when -we seek jesting, laughter and song, and fair carols of knights and -ladies. But now I may well get me to meat, for I have seen a marvel I -may not forget.” Then he looked on Sir Gawain, and said gaily, “Now, -fair nephew, hang up thine axe, since it has hewn enough,” and they hung -it on the dossal above the daïs, where all men might look on it for a -marvel, and by its true token tell of the wonder. Then the twain sat -them down together, the king and the good knight, and men served them -with a double portion, as was the share of the noblest, with all manner -of meat and of minstrelsy. And they spent that day in gladness, but Sir -Gawain must well bethink him of the heavy venture to which he had set -his hand. - - - - - II - - - [Illustration: Illustrated drop-cap] - -This beginning of adventures had Arthur at the New Year, for he yearned -to hear gallant tales, though his words were few when he sat at the -feast. But now had they stern work on hand. Gawain was glad to begin the -jest in the hall, but ye need have no marvel if the end be heavy. For -though a man be merry in mind when he has well drunk, yet a year runs -full swiftly, and the beginning but rarely matches the end. - - -The waning of the year - -For Yule was now over-past,[3] and the year after, each season in its -turn following the other. For after Christmas comes crabbed Lent, that -will have fish for flesh and simpler cheer. But then the weather of the -world chides with winter; the cold withdraws itself, the clouds uplift, -and the rain falls in warm showers on the fair plains. Then the flowers -come forth, meadows and groves are clad in green, the birds make ready -to build, and sing sweetly for solace of the soft summer that follows -thereafter. The blossoms bud and blow in the hedgerows rich and rank, -and noble notes enough are heard in the fair woods. - -After the season of summer, with the soft winds, when zephyr breathes -lightly on seeds and herbs, joyous indeed is the growth that waxes -thereout when the dew drips from the leaves beneath the blissful glance -of the bright sun. But then comes harvest and hardens the grain, warning -it to wax ripe ere the winter. The drought drives the dust on high, -flying over the face of the land; the angry wind of the welkin wrestles -with the sun; the leaves fall from the trees and light upon the ground, -and all brown are the groves that but now were green, and ripe is the -fruit that once was flower. So the year passes into many yesterdays, and -winter comes again, as it needs no sage to tell us. - - -Sir Gawain bethinks him of his covenant - -When the Michaelmas moon was come in with warnings of winter, Sir Gawain -bethought him full oft of his perilous journey. Yet till All Hallows Day -he lingered with Arthur, and on that day they made a great feast for the -hero’s sake, with much revel and richness of the Round Table. Courteous -knights and comely ladies, all were in sorrow for the love of that -knight, and though they spake no word of it many were joyless for his -sake. - -And after meat, sadly Sir Gawain turned to his uncle, and spake of his -journey, and said, “Liege lord of my life, leave from you I crave. Ye -know well how the matter stands without more words, to-morrow am I bound -to set forth in search of the Green Knight.” - -Then came together all the noblest knights, Ywain and Erec, and many -another. Sir Dodinel le Sauvage, Launcelot and Lionel, and Lucan the -Good, Sir Bors and Sir Bedivere, valiant knights both, and many another -hero, with Sir Mador de la Porte, and they all drew near, heavy at -heart, to take counsel with Sir Gawain. Much sorrow and weeping was -there in the hall to think that so worthy a knight as Gawain should wend -his way to seek a deadly blow, and should no more wield his sword in -fight. But the knight made ever good cheer, and said, “Nay, wherefore -should I shrink? What may a man do but prove his fate?” - - -The arming of Sir Gawain - -He dwelt there all that day, and on the morn he arose and asked betimes -for his armour; and they brought it unto him on this wise: first, a rich -carpet was stretched on the floor[4] (and brightly did the gold gear -glitter upon it), then the knight stepped on to it, and handled the -steel; clad he was in a doublet of silk, with a close hood, lined fairly -throughout. Then they set the steel shoes upon his feet, and wrapped his -legs with greaves, with polished knee-caps fastened with knots of gold. -Then they cased his thighs in cuisses closed with thongs, and brought -him the byrny of bright steel rings sewn upon a fair stuff. Well -burnished braces they set on each arm with good elbow-pieces, and gloves -of mail, and all the goodly gear that should shield him in his need. And -they cast over all a rich surcoat, and set the golden spurs on his -heels, and girt him with a trusty sword fastened with a silken bawdrick. -When he was thus clad his harness was costly, for the least loop or -latchet gleamed with gold. So armed as he was he hearkened Mass and made -his offering at the high altar. Then he came to the king, and the -knights of his court, and courteously took leave of lords and ladies, -and they kissed him, and commended him to Christ. - -With that was Gringalet ready, girt with a saddle that gleamed gaily -with many golden fringes, enriched and decked anew for the venture. The -bridle was all barred about with bright gold buttons, and all the -covertures and trappings of the steed, the crupper and the rich skirts, -accorded with the saddle; spread fair with the rich red gold that -glittered and gleamed in the rays of the sun. - -Then the knight called for his helmet, which was well lined throughout, -and set it high on his head, and hasped it behind. He wore a light -kerchief over the vintail, that was broidered and studded with fair gems -on a broad silken ribbon, with birds of gay colour, and many a turtle -and true-lover’s knot interlaced thickly, even as many a maiden had -wrought them. But the circlet which crowned his helmet was yet more -precious, being adorned with a device in diamonds. Then they brought him -his shield, which was of bright red, with the pentangle painted thereon -in gleaming gold.[5] - - -Wherefore Sir Gawain bare the pentangle - -And why that noble prince bare the pentangle I am minded to tell you, -though my tale tarry thereby. It is a sign that Solomon set ere-while, -as betokening truth; for it is a figure with five points and each line -overlaps the other, and nowhere hath it beginning or end, so that in -English it is called “the endless knot.” And therefore was it well -suiting to this knight and to his arms, since Gawain was faithful in -five and five-fold, for pure was he as gold, void of all villainy and -endowed with all virtues. Therefore he bare the pentangle on shield and -surcoat as truest of heroes and gentlest of knights. - -For first he was faultless in his five senses; and his five fingers -never failed him; and all his trust upon earth was in the five wounds -that Christ bare on the cross, as the Creed tells. And wherever this -knight found himself in stress of battle he deemed well that he drew his -strength from the five joys which the Queen of Heaven had of her Child. -And for this cause did he bear an image of Our Lady on the one half of -his shield, that whenever he looked upon it he might not lack for aid. -And the fifth five that the hero used were frankness and fellowship -above all, purity and courtesy that never failed him, and compassion -that surpasses all; and in these five virtues was that hero wrapped and -clothed. And all these, five-fold, were linked one in the other, so that -they had no end, and were fixed on five points that never failed, -neither at any side were they joined or sundered, nor could ye find -beginning or end. And therefore on his shield was the knot shapen, -red-gold upon red, which is the pure pentangle. Now was Sir Gawain -ready, and he took his lance in hand, and bade them all _Farewell_, he -deemed it had been for ever. - - -How Sir Gawain went forth - -Then he smote the steed with his spurs, and sprang on his way, so that -sparks flew from the stones after him. All that saw him were grieved at -heart, and said one to the other, “By Christ, ’tis great pity that one -of such noble life should be lost! I’ faith, ’twere not easy to find his -equal upon earth. The king had done better to have wrought more warily. -Yonder knight should have been made a duke; a gallant leader of men is -he, and such a fate had beseemed him better than to be hewn in pieces at -the will of an elfish man, for mere pride. Who ever knew a king to take -such counsel as to risk his knights on a Christmas jest?” Many were the -tears that flowed from their eyes when that goodly knight rode from the -hall. He made no delaying, but went his way swiftly, and rode many a -wild road, as I heard say in the book. - - -Of Sir Gawain’s journey - -So rode Sir Gawain through the realm of Logres, on an errand that he -held for no jest. Often he lay companionless at night, and must lack the -fare that he liked. No comrade had he save his steed, and none save God -with whom to take counsel. At length he drew nigh to North Wales, and -left the isles of Anglesey on his left hand, crossing over the fords by -the foreland over at Holyhead, till he came into the wilderness of -Wirral,[6] that is loved neither of God nor of man, and there he abode -but a little time. And ever he asked, as he fared, of all whom he met, -if they had heard any tidings of a Green Knight in the country -thereabout, or of a Green Chapel? And all answered him, Nay, never in -their lives had they seen any man of such a hue. And the knight wended -his way by many a strange road and many a rugged path, and the fashion -of his countenance changed full often ere he saw the Green Chapel. - -Many a cliff did he climb in that unknown land, where afar from his -friends he rode as a stranger. Never did he come to a stream or a ford -but he found a foe before him, and that one so marvellous, so foul and -fell, that it behoved him to fight. So many wonders did that knight -behold that it were too long to tell the tenth part of them. Sometimes -he fought with dragons and wolves; sometimes with wild men that dwelt in -the rocks; another while with bulls, and bears, and wild boars, or with -giants of the high moorland that drew near to him. Had he not been a -doughty knight, enduring, and of well-proved valour, doubtless he had -been slain, for he was oft in danger of death. Yet he cared not so much -for the strife, what he deemed worse was when the cold clear water was -shed from the clouds, and froze ere it fell on the fallow ground. More -nights than enough he slept in his harness on the bare rocks, near slain -with the sleet, while the stream leapt bubbling from the crest of the -hills, and hung in hard icicles over his head. - -Thus in peril and pain, and many a hardship, the knight rode alone till -Christmas Eve, and in that tide he made his prayer to the Blessed Virgin -that she would guide his steps and lead him to some dwelling. On that -morning he rode by a hill, and came into a thick forest, wild and drear; -on each side were high hills, and thick woods below them of great hoar -oaks, a hundred together, of hazel and hawthorn with their trailing -boughs intertwined, and rough ragged moss spreading everywhere. On the -bare twigs the birds chirped piteously, for pain of the cold. The knight -upon Gringalet rode lonely beneath them, through marsh and mire, much -troubled at heart lest he should fail to see the service of the Lord, -who on that self-same night was born of a Maiden for the cure of our -grief; and therefore he said, sighing, “I beseech Thee, Lord, and Mary -Thy gentle Mother, for some shelter where I may hear Mass, and Thy -mattins at morn. This I ask meekly, and thereto I pray my Paternoster, -Ave, and Credo.” Thus he rode praying, and lamenting his misdeeds, and -he crossed himself, and said, “May the Cross of Christ speed me.” - - -How Sir Gawain came to a fair castle on Christmas Eve - -Now that knight had crossed himself but thrice ere he was aware in the -wood of a dwelling within a moat, above a lawn, on a mound surrounded by -many mighty trees that stood round the moat. ’Twas the fairest castle -that ever a knight owned;[7] built in a meadow with a park all about it, -and a spiked palisade, closely driven, that enclosed the trees for more -than two miles. The knight was ware of the hold from the side, as it -shone through the oaks. Then he lifted off his helmet, and thanked -Christ and S. Julian that they had courteously granted his prayer, and -hearkened to his cry. “Now,” quoth the knight, “I beseech ye, grant me -fair hostel.” Then he pricked Gringalet with his golden spurs, and rode -gaily towards the great gate, and came swiftly to the bridge end. - -The bridge was drawn up and the gates close shut; the walls were strong -and thick, so that they might fear no tempest. The knight on his charger -abode on the bank of the deep double ditch that surrounded the castle. -The walls were set deep in the water, and rose aloft to a wondrous -height; they were of hard hewn stone up to the corbels, which were -adorned beneath the battlements with fair carvings, and turrets set in -between with many a loophole; a better barbican Sir Gawain had never -looked upon. And within he beheld the high hall, with its tower and many -windows with carven cornices, and chalk-white chimneys on the turreted -roofs that shone fair in the sun. And everywhere, thickly scattered on -the castle battlements, were pinnacles, so many that it seemed as if it -were all wrought out of paper, so white was it. - -The knight on his steed deemed it fair enough, if he might come to be -sheltered within it to lodge there while that the Holy-day lasted. He -called aloud, and soon there came a porter of kindly countenance, who -stood on the wall and greeted this knight and asked his errand. - -“Good sir,” quoth Gawain, “wilt thou go mine errand to the high lord of -the castle, and crave for me lodging?” - -“Yea, by S. Peter,” quoth the porter. “In sooth I trow that ye be -welcome to dwell here so long as it may like ye.” - - -How Sir Gawain was welcomed - -Then he went, and came again swiftly, and many folk with him to receive -the knight. They let down the great drawbridge, and came forth and knelt -on their knees on the cold earth to give him worthy welcome. They held -wide open the great gates, and he greeted them courteously, and rode -over the bridge. Then men came to him and held his stirrup while he -dismounted, and took and stabled his steed. There came down knights and -squires to bring the guest with joy to the hall. When he raised his -helmet there were many to take it from his hand, fain to serve him, and -they took from him sword and shield. - -Sir Gawain gave good greeting to the nobles and the mighty men who came -to do him honour. Clad in his shining armour they led him to the hall, -where a great fire burnt brightly on the floor; and the lord of the -household came forth from his chamber to meet the hero fitly. He spake -to the knight, and said: “Ye are welcome to do here as it likes ye. All -that is here is your own to have at your will and disposal.” - -“Gramercy!” quote Gawain, “may Christ requite ye.” - -As friends that were fain each embraced the other; and Gawain looked on -the knight who greeted him so kindly, and thought ’twas a bold warrior -that owned that burg. - -Of mighty stature he was, and of high age; broad and flowing was his -beard, and of a bright hue. He was stalwart of limb, and strong in his -stride, his face fiery red, and his speech free: in sooth he seemed one -well fitted to be a leader of valiant men. - -Then the lord led Sir Gawain to a chamber, and commanded folk to wait -upon him, and at his bidding there came men enough who brought the guest -to a fair bower. The bedding was noble, with curtains of pure silk -wrought with gold, and wondrous coverings of fair cloth all embroidered. -The curtains ran on ropes with rings of red gold, and the walls were -hung with carpets of Orient, and the same spread on the floor. There -with mirthful speeches they took from the guest his byrny and all his -shining armour, and brought him rich robes of the choicest in its stead. -They were long and flowing, and became him well, and when he was clad in -them all who looked on the hero thought that surely God had never made a -fairer knight: he seemed as if he might be a prince without peer in the -field where men strive in battle. - -Then before the hearth-place, whereon the fire burned, they made ready a -chair for Gawain, hung about with cloth and fair cushions; and there -they cast around him a mantle of brown samite, richly embroidered and -furred within with costly skins of ermine, with a hood of the same, and -he seated himself in that rich seat, and warmed himself at the fire and -was cheered at heart. And while he sat thus the serving men set up a -table on trestles, and covered it with a fair white cloth, and set -thereon salt-cellar, and napkin, and silver spoons; and the knight -washed at his will, and set him down to meat. - -The folk served him courteously with many dishes seasoned of the best, a -double portion. All kinds of fish were there, some baked in bread, some -broiled on the embers, some sodden, some stewed and savoured with -spices, with all sorts of cunning devices to his taste. And often he -called it a feast, when they spake gaily to him all together, and said, -“Now take ye this penance, and it shall be for your amendment.” Much -mirth thereof did Sir Gawain make. - - -Sir Gawain tells his name - -Then they questioned that prince courteously of whence he came; and he -told them that he was of the court of Arthur, who is the rich royal King -of the Round Table, and that it was Gawain himself who was within their -walls, and would keep Christmas with them, as the chance had fallen out. -And when the lord of the castle heard those tidings he laughed aloud for -gladness, and all men in that keep were joyful that they should be in -the company of him to whom belonged all fame, and valour, and courtesy, -and whose honour was praised above that of all men on earth. Each said -softly to his fellow, “Now shall we see courteous bearing, and the -manner of speech befitting courts. What charm lieth in gentle speech -shall we learn without asking, since here we have welcomed the fine -father of courtesy. God has surely shewn us His grace since He sends us -such a guest as Gawain! When men shall sit and sing, blithe for Christ’s -birth, this knight shall bring us to the knowledge of fair manners, and -it may be that hearing him we may learn the cunning speech of love.” - -By the time the knight had risen from dinner it was near nightfall. Then -chaplains took their way to the chapel, and rang loudly, even as they -should, for the solemn evensong of the high feast. Thither went the -lord, and the lady also, and entered with her maidens into a comely -closet, and thither also went Gawain. Then the lord took him by the -sleeve and led him to a seat, and called him by his name, and told him -he was of all men in the world the most welcome. And Sir Gawain thanked -him truly, and each kissed the other, and they sat gravely together -throughout the service. - - -The lady of the castle - -Then was the lady fain to look upon that knight; and she came forth from -her closet with many fair maidens. The fairest of ladies was she in -face, and figure, and colouring, fairer even than Guinevere, so the -knight thought. She came through the chancel to greet the hero, another -lady held her by the left hand, older than she, and seemingly of high -estate, with many nobles about her. But unlike to look upon were those -ladies, for if the younger were fair, the elder was yellow. Rich red -were the cheeks of the one, rough and wrinkled those of the other; the -kerchiefs of the one were broidered with many glistening pearls, her -throat and neck bare, and whiter than the snow that lies on the hills; -the neck of the other was swathed in a gorget, with a white wimple over -her black chin. Her forehead was wrapped in silk with many folds, worked -with knots, so that naught of her was seen save her black brows, her -eyes, her nose, and her lips, and those were bleared, and ill to look -upon. A worshipful lady in sooth one might call her! In figure was she -short and broad, and thickly made—far fairer to behold was she whom she -led by the hand. - -When Gawain beheld that fair lady, who looked at him graciously, with -leave of the lord he went towards them, and, bowing low, he greeted the -elder, but the younger and fairer he took lightly in his arms, and -kissed her courteously, and greeted her in knightly wise. Then she -hailed him as friend, and he quickly prayed to be counted as her -servant, if she so willed. Then they took him between them, and talking, -led him to the chamber, to the hearth, and bade them bring spices, and -they brought them in plenty with the good wine that was wont to be drunk -at such seasons. Then the lord sprang to his feet and bade them make -merry, and took off his hood, and hung it on a spear, and bade him win -the worship thereof who should make most mirth that Christmas-tide. “And -I shall try, by my faith, to fool it with the best, by the help of my -friends, ere I lose my raiment.” Thus with gay words the lord made trial -to gladden Gawain with jests that night, till it was time to bid them -light the tapers, and Sir Gawain took leave of them and gat him to rest. - - -Of the Christmas feast - -In the morn when all men call to mind how Christ our Lord was born on -earth to die for us, there is joy, for His sake, in all dwellings of the -world; and so was there here on that day. For high feast was held, with -many dainties and cunningly cooked messes. On the daïs sat gallant men, -clad in their best. The ancient dame sat on the high seat, with the lord -of the castle beside her. Gawain and the fair lady sat together, even in -the midst of the board, when the feast was served; and so throughout all -the hall each sat in his degree, and was served in order. There was -meat, there was mirth, there was much joy, so that to tell thereof would -take me too long, though peradventure I might strive to declare it. But -Gawain and that fair lady had much joy of each other’s company through -her sweet words and courteous converse. And there was music made before -each prince, trumpets and drums, and merry piping; each man hearkened -his minstrel, and they too hearkened theirs. - - -How the feast came to an end but Gawain abode at the castle - -So they held high feast that day and the next, and the third day -thereafter, and the joy on S. John’s Day was fair to hearken, for ’twas -the last of the feast, and the guests would depart in the grey of the -morning. Therefore they awoke early, and drank wine, and danced fair -carols, and at last, when it was late, each man took his leave to wend -early on his way. Gawain would bid his host farewell, but the lord took -him by the hand, and led him to his own chamber beside the hearth, and -there he thanked him for the favour he had shown him in honouring his -dwelling at that high season, and gladdening his castle with his fair -countenance. “I wis, sir, that while I live I shall be held the worthier -that Gawain has been my guest at God’s own feast.” - -“Gramercy, sir,” quoth Gawain, “in good faith, all the honour is yours, -may the High King give it ye, and I am but at your will to work your -behest, inasmuch as I am beholden to ye in great and small by rights.” - -Then the lord did his best to persuade the knight to tarry with him, but -Gawain answered that he might in no wise do so. Then the host asked him -courteously what stern behest had driven him at the holy season from the -king’s court, to fare all alone, ere yet the feast was ended? - -“Forsooth,” quoth the knight, “ye say but the truth: ’tis a high quest -and a pressing that hath brought me afield, for I am summoned myself to -a certain place, and I know not whither in the world I may wend to find -it; so help me Christ, I would give all the kingdom of Logres an I might -find it by New Year’s morn. Therefore, sir, I make request of ye that ye -tell me truly if ye ever heard word of the Green Chapel, where it may be -found, and the Green Knight that keeps it. For I am pledged by solemn -compact sworn between us to meet that knight at the New Year if so I -were on life; and of that same New Year it wants but little—I’ faith, I -would look on that hero more joyfully than on any other fair sight! -Therefore, by your will, it behoves me to leave ye, for I have but -barely three days, and I would as fain fall dead as fail of mine -errand.” - -Then the lord quoth, laughing, “Now must ye needs stay, for I will show -ye your goal, the Green Chapel, ere your term be at an end, have ye no -fear! But ye can take your ease, friend, in your bed, till the fourth -day, and go forth on the first of the year, and come to that place at -mid-morn to do as ye will. Dwell here till New Year’s Day, and then rise -and set forth, and ye shall be set in the way; ’tis not two miles -hence.” - -Then was Gawain glad, and he laughed gaily. “Now I thank ye for this -above all else. Now my quest is achieved I will dwell here at your will, -and otherwise do as ye shall ask.” - -Then the lord took him, and set him beside him, and bade the ladies be -fetched for their greater pleasure, tho’ between themselves they had -solace. The lord, for gladness, made merry jest, even as one who wist -not what to do for joy; and he cried aloud to the knight, “Ye have -promised to do the thing I bid ye: will ye hold to this behest, here, at -once?” - -“Yea, forsooth,” said that true knight, “while I abide in your burg I am -bound by your behest.” - -“Ye have travelled from far,” said the host, “and since then ye have -waked with me, ye are not well refreshed by rest and sleep, as I know. -Ye shall therefore abide in your chamber, and lie at your ease to-morrow -at Mass-tide, and go to meat when ye will with my wife, who shall sit -with ye, and comfort ye with her company till I return; and I shall rise -early and go forth to the chase.” And Gawain agreed to all this -courteously. - - -Sir Gawain makes a covenant with his host - -“Sir knight,” quoth the host, “we will make a covenant. Whatsoever I win -in the wood shall be yours, and whatever may fall to your share, that -shall ye exchange for it. Let us swear, friend, to make this exchange, -however our hap may be, for worse or for better.” - -“I grant ye your will,” quoth Gawain the good; “if ye list so to do, it -liketh me well.” - -“Bring hither the wine-cup, the bargain is made,” so said the lord of -that castle. They laughed each one, and drank of the wine, and made -merry, these lords and ladies, as it pleased them. Then with gay talk -and merry jest they arose, and stood, and spoke softly, and kissed -courteously, and took leave of each other. With burning torches, and -many a serving man, was each led to his couch; yet ere they gat them to -bed the old lord oft repeated their covenant, for he knew well how to -make sport. - - - - - III - - - [Illustration: Illustrated drop-cap] - - -The first day’s hunting - -Full early, ere daylight, the folk rose up; the guests who would depart -called their grooms, and they made them ready, and saddled the steeds, -tightened up the girths, and trussed up their mails. The knights, all -arrayed for riding, leapt up lightly, and took their bridles, and each -rode his way as pleased him best. - -The lord of the land was not the last. Ready for the chase, with many of -his men, he ate a sop hastily when he had heard Mass, and then with -blast of the bugle fared forth to the field.[8] He and his nobles were -to horse ere daylight glimmered upon the earth. - -Then the huntsmen coupled their hounds, unclosed the kennel door, and -called them out. They blew three blasts gaily on the bugles, the hounds -bayed fiercely, and they that would go a-hunting checked and chastised -them. A hundred hunters there were of the best, so I have heard tell. -Then the trackers gat them to the trysting-place and uncoupled the -hounds, and the forest rang again with their gay blasts. - -At the first sound of the hunt the game quaked for fear, and fled, -trembling, along the vale. They betook them to the heights, but the -liers in wait turned them back with loud cries; the harts they let pass -them, and the stags with their spreading antlers, for the lord had -forbidden that they should be slain, but the hinds and the does they -turned back, and drave down into the valleys. Then might ye see much -shooting of arrows. As the deer fled under the boughs a broad whistling -shaft smote and wounded each sorely, so that, wounded and bleeding, they -fell dying on the banks. The hounds followed swiftly on their tracks, -and hunters, blowing the horn, sped after them with ringing shouts that -well-nigh burst the cliffs asunder. What game escaped those that shot -was run down at the outer ring. Thus were they driven on the hills, and -harassed at the waters, so well did the men know their work, and the -greyhounds were so great and swift that they ran them down as fast as -the hunters could slay them. Thus the lord passed the day in mirth and -joyfulness, even to nightfall. - - -How the lady of the castle came to Sir Gawain - -So the lord roamed the woods, and Gawain, that good knight, lay ever -a-bed, curtained about, under the costly coverlet, while the daylight -gleamed on the walls. And as he lay half slumbering, he heard a little -sound at the door, and he raised his head, and caught back a corner of -the curtain, and waited to see what it might be. It was the lovely lady, -the lord’s wife; she shut the door softly behind her, and turned towards -the bed; and Gawain laid him down softly and made as if he slept. And -she came lightly to the bedside, within the curtain, and sat herself -down beside him, to wait till he wakened. The knight lay there awhile, -and marvelled within himself what her coming might betoken; and he said -to himself, “’Twere more seemly if I asked her what hath brought her -hither.” Then he made feint to waken, and turned towards her, and opened -his eyes as one astonished, and crossed himself; and she looked on him -laughing, with her cheeks red and white, lovely to behold. - -“Good morrow, Sir Gawain,” said that fair lady; “ye are but a careless -sleeper, since one can enter thus. Now are ye taken unawares, and lest -ye escape me I shall bind you in your bed; of that be ye assured!” -Laughing, she spake these words. - -“Good morrow, fair lady,” quoth Gawain blithely. “I will do your will, -as it likes me well. For I yield me readily, and pray your grace, and -that is best, by my faith, since I needs must do so.” Thus he jested -again, laughing. “But an ye would, fair lady, grant me this grace that -ye pray your prisoner to rise. I would get me from bed, and array me -better, then could I talk with ye in more comfort.” - -“Nay, forsooth, fair sir,” quoth the lady, “ye shall not rise, I will -rede ye better. I shall keep ye here, since ye can do no other, and talk -with my knight whom I have captured. For I know well that ye are Sir -Gawain, whom all the world worships, wheresoever ye may ride. Your -honour and your courtesy are praised by lords and ladies, by all who -live. Now ye are here and we are alone, my lord and his men are afield; -the serving men in their beds, and my maidens also, and the door shut -upon us. And since in this hour I have him that all men love, I shall -use my time well with speech, while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my -company, for it behoves me in sooth to be your servant.” - -“In good faith,” quoth Gawain, “I think me that I am not he of whom ye -speak, for unworthy am I of such service as ye here proffer. In sooth, I -were glad if I might set myself by word or service to your pleasure; a -pure joy would it be to me!” - -“In good faith, Sir Gawain,” quoth the gay lady, “the praise and the -prowess that pleases all ladies I lack them not, nor hold them light; -yet are there ladies enough who would liever now have the knight in -their hold, as I have ye here, to dally with your courteous words, to -bring them comfort and to ease their cares, than much of the treasure -and the gold that are theirs. And now, through the grace of Him who -upholds the heavens, I have wholly in my power that which they all -desire!” - -Thus the lady, fair to look upon, made him great cheer, and Sir Gawain, -with modest words, answered her again: “Madam,” he quoth, “may Mary -requite ye, for in good faith I have found in ye a noble frankness. Much -courtesy have other folk shown me, but the honour they have done me is -naught to the worship of yourself, who knoweth but good.” - -“By Mary,” quoth the lady, “I think otherwise; for were I worth all the -women alive, and had I the wealth of the world in my hand, and might -choose me a lord to my liking, then, for all that I have seen in ye, Sir -Knight, of beauty and courtesy and blithe semblance, and for all that I -have hearkened and hold for true, there should be no knight on earth to -be chosen before ye!” - -“Well I wot,” quoth Sir Gawain, “that ye have chosen a better; but I am -proud that ye should so prize me, and as your servant do I hold ye my -sovereign, and your knight am I, and may Christ reward ye.” - -So they talked of many matters till mid-morn was past, and ever the lady -shewed her love to him, and the knight turned her speech aside. For -though she were the brightest of maidens, yet had he forborne to shew -her love for the danger that awaited him, and the blow that must be -given without delay. - -Then the lady prayed her leave from him, and he granted it readily. And -she gave him good-day, with laughing glance, but he must needs marvel at -her words: - -“Now He that speeds fair speech reward ye this disport; but that ye be -Gawain my mind misdoubts me greatly.” - -“Wherefore?” quoth the knight quickly, fearing lest he had lacked in -some courtesy. - -And the lady spake: “So true a knight as Gawain is holden, and one so -perfect in courtesy, would never have tarried so long with a lady but he -would of his courtesy have craved a kiss at parting.” - - -How the lady kissed Sir Gawain - -Then quoth Gawain, “I wot I will do even as it may please ye, and kiss -at your commandment, as a true knight should who forbears to ask for -fear of displeasure.” - -At that she came near and bent down and kissed the knight, and each -commended the other to Christ, and she went forth from the chamber -softly. - -Then Sir Gawain arose and called his chamberlain and chose his garments, -and when he was ready he gat him forth to Mass, and then went to meat, -and made merry all day till the rising of the moon, and never had a -knight fairer lodging than had he with those two noble ladies, the elder -and the younger. - -And ever the lord of the land chased the hinds through holt and heath -till eventide, and then with much blowing of bugles and baying of hounds -they bore the game homeward; and by the time daylight was done all the -folk had returned to that fair castle. And when the lord and Sir Gawain -met together, then were they both well pleased. The lord commanded them -all to assemble in the great hall, and the ladies to descend with their -maidens, and there, before them all, he bade the men fetch in the spoil -of the day’s hunting, and he called unto Gawain, and counted the tale of -the beasts, and showed them unto him, and said, “What think ye of this -game, Sir Knight? Have I deserved of ye thanks for my woodcraft?” - -“Yea, I wis,” quoth the other, “here is the fairest spoil I have seen -this seven year in the winter season.” - - -How the covenant was kept - -“And all this do I give ye, Gawain,” quoth the host, “for by accord of -covenant ye may claim it as your own.” - -“That is sooth,” quoth the other, “I grant you that same; and I have -fairly won this within walls, and with as good will do I yield it to -ye.” With that he clasped his hands round the lord’s neck and kissed him -as courteously as he might. “Take ye here my spoils, no more have I won; -ye should have it freely, though it were greater than this.” - -“’Tis good,” said the host, “gramercy thereof. Yet were I fain to know -where ye won this same favour, and if it were by your own wit?” - -“Nay,” answered Gawain, “that was not in the bond. Ask me no more: ye -have taken what was yours by right, be content with that.” - -They laughed and jested together, and sat them down to supper, where -they were served with many dainties; and after supper they sat by the -hearth, and wine was served out to them; and oft in their jesting they -promised to observe on the morrow the same covenant that they had made -before, and whatever chance might betide to exchange their spoil, be it -much or little, when they met at night. Thus they renewed their bargain -before the whole court, and then the night-drink was served, and each -courteously took leave of the other and gat him to bed. - - -Of the second day’s hunting - -By the time the cock had crowed thrice the lord of the castle had left -his bed; Mass was sung and meat fitly served. The folk were forth to the -wood ere the day broke, with hound and horn they rode over the plain, -and uncoupled their dogs among the thorns. Soon they struck on the -scent, and the hunt cheered on the hounds who were first to seize it, -urging them with shouts. The others hastened to the cry, forty at once, -and there rose such a clamour from the pack that the rocks rang again. -The huntsmen followed hard after with shouting and blasts of the horn; -and the hounds drew together to a thicket betwixt the water and a high -crag in the cliff beneath the hillside. As the rough rocks were ill for -riding the huntsmen sprang to earth and hastened on foot, and cast about -round the hill and the thicket. The knights wist well what beast was -within, and would drive him forth with the bloodhounds. And as they beat -the bushes, suddenly over the beaters there rushed forth a wondrous -great and fierce boar, long since had he left the herd to roam by -himself. Grunting, he cast many to the ground, and fled forth at his -best speed, without more mischief. The men hallooed loudly and cried, -“_Hay! Hay!_” and blew the horns to urge on the hounds, and rode swiftly -after the boar. Many a time did he turn to bay and tare the hounds, and -they yelped, and howled shrilly. Then the men made ready their arrows -and shot at him, but the points were turned on his thick hide, and the -barbs would not bite upon him, for the shafts shivered in pieces, and -the head but leapt again wherever it hit. - -But when the boar felt the stroke of the arrows he waxed mad with rage, -and turned on the hunters and tare many, so that, affrighted, they fled -before him. But the lord on a swift steed pursued him, blowing his -bugle; as a gallant knight he rode through the woodland chasing the boar -till the sun grew low. - -So did the hunters this day, while Sir Gawain lay in his bed lapped in -rich gear; and the lady forgat not to salute him, for early was she at -his side, to cheer his mood. - - -Of the lady and Sir Gawain - -She came to the bedside and looked on the knight, and Gawain gave her -fit greeting, and she greeted him again with ready words, and sat her by -his side and laughed, and with a sweet look she spoke to him: - -“Sir, if ye be Gawain, I think it a wonder that ye be so stern and cold, -and care not for the courtesies of friendship, but if one teach ye to -know them ye cast the lesson out of your mind. Ye have soon forgotten -what I taught ye yesterday, by all the truest tokens that I knew!” - -“What is that?” quoth the knight. “I trow I know not. If it be sooth -that ye say, then is the blame mine own.” - -“But I taught ye of kissing,” quoth the fair lady. “Wherever a fair -countenance is shown him, it behoves a courteous knight quickly to claim -a kiss.” - -“Nay, my dear,” said Sir Gawain, “cease that speech; that durst I not do -lest I were denied, for if I were forbidden I wot I were wrong did I -further entreat.” - -“I’ faith,” quoth the lady merrily, “ye may not be forbid, ye are strong -enough to constrain by strength an ye will, were any so discourteous as -to give ye denial.” - -“Yea, by Heaven,” said Gawain, “ye speak well; but threats profit little -in the land where I dwell, and so with a gift that is given not of good -will! I am at your commandment to kiss when ye like, to take or to leave -as ye list.” - -Then the lady bent her down and kissed him courteously. - - -How the lady strove to beguile Sir Gawain with words of love - -And as they spake together she said, “I would learn somewhat from ye, an -ye would not be wroth, for young ye are and fair, and so courteous and -knightly as ye are known to be, the head of all chivalry, and versed in -all wisdom of love and war—’tis ever told of true knights how they -adventured their lives for their true love, and endured hardships for -her favours, and avenged her with valour, and eased her sorrows, and -brought joy to her bower; and ye are the fairest knight of your time, -and your fame and your honour are everywhere, yet I have sat by ye here -twice, and never a word have heard of love! Ye who are so courteous and -skilled in such lore ought surely to teach one so young and unskilled -some little craft of true love! Why are ye so unlearned who art -otherwise so famous? Or is it that ye deem me unworthy to hearken to -your teaching? For shame, Sir Knight! I come hither alone and sit at -your side to learn of ye some skill; teach me of your wit, while my lord -is from home.” - -“In good faith,” quoth Gawain, “great is my joy and my profit that so -fair a lady as ye are should deign to come hither, and trouble ye with -so poor a man, and make sport with your knight with kindly countenance, -it pleaseth me much. But that I, in my turn, should take it upon me to -tell of love and such like matters to ye who know more by half, or a -hundred fold, of such craft than I do, or ever shall in all my lifetime, -by my troth ’twere folly indeed! I will work your will to the best of my -might as I am bounden, and evermore will I be your servant, so help me -Christ!” - -Then often with guile she questioned that knight that she might win him -to woo her, but he defended himself so fairly that none might in any -wise blame him, and naught but bliss and harmless jesting was there -between them. They laughed and talked together till at last she kissed -him, and craved her leave of him, and went her way. - - -How the boar was slain - -Then the knight arose and went forth to Mass, and afterward dinner was -served, and he sat and spake with the ladies all day. But the lord of -the castle rode ever over the land chasing the wild boar, that fled -through the thickets, slaying the best of his hounds and breaking their -backs in sunder; till at last he was so weary he might run no longer, -but made for a hole in a mound by a rock. He got the mound at his back -and faced the hounds, whetting his white tusks and foaming at the mouth. -The huntsmen stood aloof, fearing to draw nigh him; so many of them had -been already wounded that they were loth to be torn with his tusks, so -fierce he was and mad with rage. At length the lord himself came up, and -saw the beast at bay, and the men standing aloof. Then quickly he sprang -to the ground and drew out a bright blade, and waded through the stream -to the boar. - -When the beast was ware of the knight with weapon in hand, he set up his -bristles and snorted loudly, and many feared for their lord lest he -should be slain. Then the boar leapt upon the knight so that beast and -man were one atop of the other in the water; but the boar had the worst -of it, for the man had marked, even as he sprang, and set the point of -his brand to the beast’s chest, and drove it up to the hilt, so that the -heart was split in twain, and the boar fell snarling, and was swept down -by the water to where a hundred hounds seized on him, and the men drew -him to shore for the dogs to slay. - -Then was there loud blowing of horns and baying of hounds, the huntsmen -smote off the boar’s head, and hung the carcase by the four feet to a -stout pole, and so went on their way homewards. The head they bore -before the lord himself, who had slain the beast at the ford by force of -his strong hand. - -It seemed him o’er long ere he saw Sir Gawain in the hall, and he blew a -blast on his horn to let all men know that he was come again to take his -part in the covenant. And when he saw Gawain the lord laughed aloud, and -bade them call the ladies and the household together, and he showed them -the game, and told them the tale, how they had hunted the wild boar -through the woods, and of his length and breadth and height; and Sir -Gawain commended his deeds and praised him for his valour, well proven, -for so mighty a beast had he never seen before. - - -The keeping of the covenant - -Then they handled the huge head, and the lord said aloud, “Now, Gawain, -this game is your own by sure covenant, as ye right well know.” - -“’Tis sooth,” quoth the knight, “and as truly will I give ye all I have -gained.” He took the host round the neck, and kissed him courteously -twice. “Now are we quits,” he said, “this eventide, of all the covenants -that we made since I came hither.” - -And the lord answered, “By S. Giles, ye are the best I know; ye will be -rich in a short space if ye drive such bargains!” - -Then they set up the tables on trestles, and covered them with fair -cloths, and lit waxen tapers on the walls. The knights sat and were -served in the hall, and much game and glee was there round the hearth, -with many songs, both at supper and after; songs of Christmas, and new -carols, with all the mirth one may think of. And ever that lovely lady -sat by the knight, and with still stolen looks made such feint of -pleasing him, that Gawain marvelled much, and was wroth with himself, -but he could not for his courtesy return her fair glances, but dealt -with her cunningly, however she might strive to wrest the thing. - -When they had tarried in the hall so long as it seemed them good, they -turned to the inner chamber and the wide hearth-place, and there they -drank wine, and the host proffered to renew the covenant for New Year’s -Eve; but the knight craved leave to depart on the morrow, for it was -nigh to the term when he must fulfil his pledge. But the lord would -withhold him from so doing, and prayed him to tarry, and said, - -“As I am a true knight I swear my troth that ye shall come to the Green -Chapel to achieve your task on New Year’s morn, long before prime. -Therefore abide ye in your bed, and I will hunt in this wood, and hold -ye to the covenant to exchange with me against all the spoil I may bring -hither. For twice have I tried ye, and found ye true, and the morrow -shall be the third time and the best. Make we merry now while we may, -and think on joy, for misfortune may take a man whensoever it wills.” - -Then Gawain granted his request, and they brought them drink, and they -gat them with lights to bed. - - -Of the third day’s hunting - -Sir Gawain lay and slept softly, but the lord, who was keen on -woodcraft, was afoot early. After Mass he and his men ate a morsel, and -he asked for his steed; all the knights who should ride with him were -already mounted before the hall gates. - -’Twas a fair frosty morning, for the sun rose red in ruddy vapour, and -the welkin was clear of clouds. The hunters scattered them by a forest -side, and the rocks rang again with the blast of their horns. Some came -on the scent of a fox, and a hound gave tongue; the huntsmen shouted, -and the pack followed in a crowd on the trail. The fox ran before them, -and when they saw him they pursued him with noise and much shouting, and -he wound and turned through many a thick grove, often cowering and -hearkening in a hedge. At last by a little ditch he leapt out of a -spinney, stole away slily by a copse path, and so out of the wood and -away from the bounds. But he went, ere he wist, to a chosen tryst, and -three started forth on him at once, so he must needs double back, and -betake him to the wood again. - -Then was it joyful to hearken to the hounds; when all the pack had met -together and had sight of their game they made as loud a din as if all -the lofty cliffs had fallen clattering together. The huntsmen shouted -and threatened, and followed close upon him so that he might scarce -escape, but Reynard was wily, and he turned and doubled upon them, and -led the lord and his men over the hills, now on the slopes, now in the -vales, while the knight at home slept through the cold morning beneath -his costly curtains. - - -How the lady came for the third time to Sir Gawain - -But the fair lady of the castle rose betimes, and clad herself in a rich -mantle that reached even to the ground, and was bordered and lined with -costly furs. On her head she wore no golden circlet, but a network of -precious stones, that gleamed and shone through her tresses in clusters -of twenty together. Thus she came into the chamber and set open a -window, and called to him gaily, “Sir Knight, how may ye sleep? The -morning is so fair.” - -Sir Gawain was deep in slumber, and in his dream he vexed him much for -the destiny that should befall him on the morrow, when he should meet -the knight at the Green Chapel, and abide his blow; but when the lady -spake he heard her, and came to himself, and roused from his dream and -answered swiftly. The lady came laughing, and kissed him courteously, -and he welcomed her fittingly with a cheerful countenance. He saw her so -glorious and gaily dressed, so faultless of features and complexion, -that it warmed his heart to look upon her. - -They spake to each other smiling, and all was bliss and good cheer -between them. They exchanged fair words, and much happiness was therein, -yet was there a gulf between them, and she might win no more of her -knight, for that gallant prince watched well his words—he would neither -take her love, nor frankly refuse it. He cared for his courtesy, lest he -be deemed churlish, and yet more for his honour lest he be traitor to -his host. “God forbid,” quoth he to himself, “that it should so befall.” -Thus with courteous words did he set aside all the special speeches that -came from her lips. - -Then spake the lady to the knight, “Ye deserve blame if ye hold not that -lady who sits beside ye above all else in the world, if ye have not -already a love whom ye hold dearer, and like better, and have sworn such -firm faith to that lady that ye care not to loose it—as I scarce may -believe. And now I pray ye straitly that ye tell me that in truth, and -hide it not.” - -And the knight answered, “By S. John” (and he smiled as he spake) “no -such love have I, nor do I think to have yet awhile.” - -“That is the worst word I may hear,” quoth the lady, “but in sooth I -have mine answer; kiss me now courteously, and I will go hence; I can -but mourn as a maiden that loves much.” - -Sighing, she stooped down and kissed him, and then she rose up and spake -as she stood, “Now, dear, at our parting do me this grace: give me some -gift, if it were but thy glove, that I may bethink me of my knight, and -lessen my mourning.” - - -The lady would fain have a parting gift from Gawain - -“Now, I wis,” quoth the knight, “I would that I had here but the least -thing that I possess on earth that I might leave ye as love-token, great -or small, for ye have deserved forsooth more reward than I might give -ye. But it is not to your honour to have at this time a glove for reward -as gift from Gawain, and I am here on a strange errand, and have no man -with me, nor mails with goodly things—that mislikes me much, lady, at -this time; but each man must fare as he is taken, if for sorrow and -ill.” - - -She would give him her ring - -“Nay, knight highly honoured,” quoth that lovesome lady, “though I have -naught of yours, yet shall ye have somewhat of mine.” With that she -reached him a ring of red gold with a sparkling stone therein, that -shone even as the sun (wit ye well, it was worth many marks); but the -knight refused it, and spake readily, - -“I will take no gift, lady, at this time. I have none to give, and none -will I take.” - -She prayed him to take it, but he refused her prayer, and sware in sooth -that he would not have it. - - -Or her girdle - -The lady was sorely vexed, and said, “If ye refuse my ring as too -costly, that ye will not be so highly beholden to me, I will give ye my -girdle[9] as a lesser gift.” With that she loosened a lace that was -fastened at her side, knit upon her kirtle under her mantle. It was -wrought of green silk, and gold, only braided by the fingers, and that -she offered to the knight, and besought him though it were of little -worth that he would take it, and he said nay, he would touch neither -gold nor gear ere God give him grace to achieve the adventure for which -he had come hither. “And therefore, I pray ye, displease ye not, and ask -me no longer, for I may not grant it. I am dearly beholden to ye for the -favour ye have shown me, and ever, in heat and cold, will I be your true -servant.” - - -The virtue of the girdle - -“Now,” said the lady, “ye refuse this silk, for it is simple in itself, -and so it seems, indeed; lo, it is small to look upon and less in cost, -but whoso knew the virtue that is knit therein he would, peradventure, -value it more highly. For whatever knight is girded with this green -lace, while he bears it knotted about him there is no man under heaven -can overcome him, for he may not be slain for any magic on earth.” - - -How Sir Gawain took the girdle - -Then Gawain bethought him, and it came into his heart that this were a -jewel for the jeopardy that awaited him when he came to the Green Chapel -to seek the return blow—could he so order it that he should escape -unslain, ’twere a craft worth trying. Then he bare with her chiding, and -let her say her say, and she pressed the girdle on him and prayed him to -take it, and he granted her prayer, and she gave it him with good will, -and besought him for her sake never to reveal it but to hide it loyally -from her lord; and the knight agreed that never should any man know it, -save they two alone. He thanked her often and heartily, and she kissed -him for the third time. - -Then she took her leave of him, and when she was gone Sir Gawain arose, -and clad him in rich attire, and took the girdle, and knotted it round -him, and hid it beneath his robes. Then he took his way to the chapel, -and sought out a priest privily, and prayed him to teach him better how -his soul might be saved when he should go hence; and there he shrived -him, and showed his misdeeds, both great and small, and besought mercy -and craved absolution; and the priest assoiled him, and set him as clean -as if Doomsday had been on the morrow. And afterwards Sir Gawain made -him merry with the ladies, with carols, and all kinds of joy, as never -he did but that one day, even to nightfall; and all the men marvelled at -him, and said that never since he came thither had he been so merry. - - -The death of the fox - -Meanwhile the lord of the castle was abroad chasing the fox; awhile he -lost him, and as he rode through a spinney he heard the hounds near at -hand, and Reynard came creeping through a thick grove, with all the pack -at his heels. Then the lord drew out his shining brand, and cast it at -the beast, and the fox swerved aside for the sharp edge, and would have -doubled back, but a hound was on him ere he might turn, and right before -the horse’s feet they all fell on him, and worried him fiercely, -snarling the while. - -Then the lord leapt from his saddle, and caught the fox from their jaws, -and held it aloft over his head, and hallooed loudly, and the hunters -hied them thither, blowing their horns; all that bare bugles blew them -at once, and all the others shouted. ’Twas the merriest meeting that -ever men heard, the clamour that was raised at the death of the fox. -They rewarded the hounds, stroking them and rubbing their heads, and -took Reynard and stripped him of his coat; then blowing their horns, -they turned them homewards, for it was nigh nightfall. - - -How Sir Gawain kept not all the covenant - -The lord was gladsome at his return, and found a bright fire on the -hearth, and the knight beside it, the good Sir Gawain, who was in joyous -mood for the pleasure he had had with the ladies. He wore a robe of -blue, that reached even to the ground, and a surcoat richly furred, that -became him well. A hood like to the surcoat fell on his shoulders, and -all alike were done about with fur. He met the host in the midst of the -floor, and jesting, he greeted him, and said, “Now shall I be first to -fulfil our covenant which we made together when there was no lack of -wine.” Then he embraced the knight, and kissed him thrice, as solemnly -as he might. - -“Of a sooth,” quoth the other, “ye have good luck in the matter of this -covenant, if ye made a good exchange!” - -“Yea, it matters naught of the exchange,” quoth Gawain, “since what I -owe is swiftly paid.” - -“Marry,” said the other, “mine is behind, for I have hunted all this -day, and naught have I got but this foul fox-skin, and that is but poor -payment for three such kisses as ye have here given me.” - -“Enough,” quoth Sir Gawain, “I thank ye, by the Rood.” - -Then the lord told them of his hunting, and how the fox had been slain. - -With mirth and minstrelsy, and dainties at their will, they made them as -merry as a folk well might till ’twas time for them to sever, for at -last they must needs betake them to their beds. Then the knight took his -leave of the lord, and thanked him fairly. - -“For the fair sojourn that I have had here at this high feast may the -High King give ye honour. I give ye myself, as one of your servants, if -ye so like; for I must needs, as ye know, go hence with the morn, and ye -will give me, as ye promised, a guide to show me the way to the Green -Chapel, an God will suffer me on New Year’s Day to deal the doom of my -weird.” - -“By my faith,” quoth the host, “all that ever I promised, that shall I -keep with good will.” Then he gave him a servant to set him in the way, -and lead him by the downs, that he should have no need to ford the -stream, and should fare by the shortest road through the groves; and -Gawain thanked the lord for the honour done him. Then he would take -leave of the ladies, and courteously he kissed them, and spake, praying -them to receive his thanks, and they made like reply; then with many -sighs they commended him to Christ, and he departed courteously from -that folk. Each man that he met he thanked him for his service and his -solace, and the pains he had been at to do his will; and each found it -as hard to part from the knight as if he had ever dwelt with him. - - -How Sir Gawain took leave of his host - -Then they led him with torches to his chamber, and brought him to his -bed to rest. That he slept soundly I may not say, for the morrow gave -him much to think on. Let him rest a while, for he was near that which -he sought, and if ye will but listen to me I will tell ye how it fared -with him thereafter. - - - - - IV - - - [Illustration: Illustrated drop-cap] - -Now the New Year drew nigh, and the night passed, and the day chased the -darkness, as is God’s will; but wild weather wakened therewith. The -clouds cast the cold to the earth, with enough of the north to slay them -that lacked clothing. The snow drave smartly, and the whistling wind -blew from the heights, and made great drifts in the valleys. The knight, -lying in his bed, listened, for though his eyes were shut he might sleep -but little, and hearkened every cock that crew. - -He arose ere the day broke, by the light of a lamp that burned in his -chamber, and called to his chamberlain, bidding him bring his armour and -saddle his steed. The other gat him up, and fetched his garments, and -robed Sir Gawain. - - -The robing of Sir Gawain - -First he clad him in his clothes to keep off the cold, and then in his -harness, which was well and fairly kept. Both hauberk and plates were -well burnished, the rings of the rich byrny freed from rust, and all as -fresh as at first, so that the knight was fain to thank them. Then he -did on each piece, and bade them bring his steed, while he put the -fairest raiment on himself; his coat with its fair cognizance, adorned -with precious stones upon velvet, with broidered seams, and all furred -within with costly skins. And he left not the lace, the lady’s gift, -that Gawain forgot not, for his own good. When he had girded on his -sword he wrapped the gift twice about him, swathed around his waist. The -girdle of green silk set gaily and well upon the royal red cloth, rich -to behold, but the knight ware it not for pride of the pendants, -polished though they were, with fair gold that gleamed brightly on the -ends, but to save himself from sword and knife, when it behoved him to -abide his hurt without question. With that the hero went forth, and -thanked that kindly folk full often. - - -How Sir Gawain went forth from the castle - -Then was Gringalet ready, that was great and strong, and had been well -cared for and tended in every wise; in fair condition was that proud -steed, and fit for a journey. Then Gawain went to him, and looked on his -coat, and said by his sooth, “There is a folk in this place that -thinketh on honour; much joy may they have, and the lord who maintains -them, and may all good betide that lovely lady all her life long. Since -they for charity cherish a guest, and hold honour in their hands, may He -who holds the heaven on high requite them, and also ye all. And if I -might live anywhile on earth, I would give ye full reward, readily, if -so I might.” Then he set foot in the stirrup and bestrode his steed, and -his squire gave him his shield, which he laid on his shoulder. Then he -smote Gringalet with his golden spurs, and the steed pranced on the -stones and would stand no longer. - -By that his man was mounted, who bare his spear and lance, and Gawain -quoth, “I commend this castle to Christ, may He give it ever good -fortune.” Then the drawbridge was let down, and the broad gates unbarred -and opened on both sides; the knight crossed himself, and passed through -the gateway, and praised the porter, who knelt before the prince, and -gave him good-day, and commended him to God. Thus the knight went on his -way with the one man who should guide him to that dread place where he -should receive rueful payment. - -The two went by hedges where the boughs were bare, and climbed the -cliffs where the cold clings. Naught fell from the heavens, but ’twas -ill beneath them; mist brooded over the moor and hung on the mountains; -each hill had a cap, a great cloak, of mist. The streams foamed and -bubbled between their banks, dashing sparkling on the shores where they -shelved downwards. Rugged and dangerous was the way through the woods, -till it was time for the sun-rising. Then were they on a high hill; the -snow lay white beside them, and the man who rode with Gawain drew rein -by his master. - - -The squire’s warning - -“Sir,” he said, “I have brought ye hither, and now ye are not far from -the place that ye have sought so specially. But I will tell ye for -sooth, since I know ye well, and ye are such a knight as I well love, -would ye follow my counsel ye would fare the better. - - -Of the knight of the Green Chapel - -“The place whither ye go is accounted full perilous, for he who liveth -in that waste is the worst on earth, for he is strong and fierce, and -loveth to deal mighty blows; taller is he than any man on earth, and -greater of frame than any four in Arthur’s court, or in any other. And -this is his custom at the Green Chapel: there may no man pass by that -place, however proud his arms, but he does him to death by force of his -hand, for he is a discourteous knight, and shews no mercy. Be he churl -or chaplain who rides by that chapel, monk or mass-priest, or any man -else, he thinks it as pleasant to slay them as to pass alive himself. -Therefore, I tell ye, as sooth as ye sit in saddle, if ye come there and -that knight know it, ye shall be slain, though ye had twenty lives; trow -me that truly! He has dwelt here full long and seen many a combat; ye -may not defend ye against his blows. Therefore, good Sir Gawain, let the -man be, and get ye away some other road; for God’s sake seek ye another -land, and there may Christ speed ye! And I will hie me home again, and I -promise ye further that I will swear by God and the saints, or any other -oath ye please, that I will keep counsel faithfully, and never let any -wit the tale that ye fled for fear of any man.” - - -Sir Gawain is none dismayed - -“Gramercy,” quoth Gawain, but ill pleased. “Good fortune be his who -wishes me good, and that thou wouldst keep faith with me I well believe; -but didst thou keep it never so truly, an I passed here and fled for -fear as thou sayest, then were I a coward knight, and might not be held -guiltless. So I will to the chapel let chance what may, and talk with -that man, even as I may list, whether for weal or for woe as fate may -have it. Fierce though he may be in fight, yet God knoweth well how to -save His servants.” - -“Well,” quoth the other, “now that ye have said so much that ye will -take your own harm on yourself, and ye be pleased to lose your life, I -will neither let nor keep ye. Have here your helm and the spear in your -hand, and ride down this same road beside the rock till ye come to the -bottom of the valley, and there look a little to the left hand, and ye -shall see in that vale the chapel, and the grim man who keeps it. Now -fare ye well, noble Gawain; for all the gold on earth I would not go -with ye nor bear ye fellowship one step further.” With that the man -turned his bridle into the wood, smote the horse with his spurs as hard -as he could, and galloped off, leaving the knight alone. - -Quoth Gawain, “I will neither greet nor groan, but commend myself to -God, and yield me to His will.” - -Then the knight spurred Gringalet, and rode adown the path close in by a -bank beside a grove. So he rode through the rough thicket, right into -the dale, and there he halted, for it seemed him wild enough. No sign of -a chapel could he see, but high and burnt banks on either side and rough -rugged crags with great stones above. An ill-looking place he thought -it. - -Then he drew in his horse and looked around to seek the chapel, but he -saw none and thought it strange. Then he saw as it were a mound on a -level space of land by a bank beside the stream where it ran swiftly, -the water bubbled within as if boiling. The knight turned his steed to -the mound, and lighted down and tied the rein to the branch of a linden; -and he turned to the mound and walked round it, questioning with himself -what it might be. It had a hole at the end and at either side, and was -overgrown with clumps of grass, and it was hollow within as an old cave -or the crevice of a crag; he knew not what it might be. - - -The finding of the chapel - -“Ah,” quoth Gawain, “can this be the Green Chapel? Here might the devil -say his mattins at midnight! Now I wis there is wizardry here. ’Tis an -ugly oratory, all overgrown with grass, and ’twould well beseem that -fellow in green to say his devotions on devil’s wise. By my five wits, -’tis the foul fiend himself who hath set me this tryst, to destroy me -here! This is a chapel of mischance: ill-luck betide it, ’tis the -cursedest kirk that ever I came in!” - -Helmet on head and lance in hand, he came up to the rough dwelling, when -he heard over the high hill beyond the brook, as it were in a bank, a -wondrous fierce noise, that rang in the cliff as if it would cleave -asunder. ’Twas as if one ground a scythe on a grindstone, it whirred and -whetted like water on a mill-wheel and rushed and rang, terrible to -hear. - -“By God,” quoth Gawain, “I trow that gear is preparing for the knight -who will meet me here. Alas! naught may help me, yet should my life be -forfeit, I fear not a jot!” With that he called aloud. “Who waiteth in -this place to give me tryst? Now is Gawain come hither: if any man will -aught of him let him hasten hither now or never.” - - -The coming of the Green Knight - -“Stay,” quoth one on the bank above his head, “and ye shall speedily -have that which I promised ye.” Yet for a while the noise of whetting -went on ere he appeared, and then he came forth from a cave in the crag -with a fell weapon, a Danish axe newly dight, wherewith to deal the -blow. An evil head it had, four feet large, no less, sharply ground, and -bound to the handle by the lace that gleamed brightly. And the knight -himself was all green as before, face and foot, locks and beard, but now -he was afoot. When he came to the water he would not wade it, but sprang -over with the pole of his axe, and strode boldly over the brent that was -white with snow. - -Sir Gawain went to meet him, but he made no low bow. The other said, -“Now, fair sir, one may trust thee to keep tryst. Thou art welcome, -Gawain, to my place. Thou hast timed thy coming as befits a true man. -Thou knowest the covenant set between us: at this time twelve months -agone thou didst take that which fell to thee, and I at this New Year -will readily requite thee. We are in this valley, verily alone, here are -no knights to sever us, do what we will. Have off thy helm from thine -head, and have here thy pay; make me no more talking than I did then -when thou didst strike off my head with one blow.” - -“Nay,” quoth Gawain, “by God that gave me life, I shall make no moan -whatever befall me, but make thou ready for the blow and I shall stand -still and say never a word to thee, do as thou wilt.” - -With that he bent his head and shewed his neck all bare, and made as if -he had no fear, for he would not be thought a-dread. - - -How Sir Gawain failed to stand the blow - -Then the Green Knight made him ready, and grasped his grim weapon to -smite Gawain. With all his force he bore it aloft with a mighty feint of -slaying him: had it fallen as straight as he aimed he who was ever -doughty of deed had been slain by the blow. But Gawain swerved aside as -the axe came gliding down to slay him as he stood, and shrank a little -with the shoulders, for the sharp iron. The other heaved up the blade -and rebuked the prince with many proud words: - - -Of the Green Knight’s reproaches - -“Thou art not Gawain,” he said, “who is held so valiant, that never -feared he man by hill or vale, but _thou_ shrinkest for fear ere thou -feelest hurt. Such cowardice did I never hear of Gawain! Neither did _I_ -flinch from thy blow, or make strife in King Arthur’s hall. My head fell -to my feet, and yet I fled not, but thou didst wax faint of heart ere -any harm befell. Wherefore must I be deemed the braver knight.” - -Quoth Gawain, “I shrank once, but so will I no more, though an _my_ head -fall on the stones I cannot replace it. But haste, Sir Knight, by thy -faith, and bring me to the point, deal me my destiny, and do it out of -hand, for I will stand thee a stroke and move no more till thine axe -have hit me—my troth on it.” - -“Have at thee, then,” quoth the other, and heaved aloft the axe with -fierce mien, as if he were mad. He struck at him fiercely but wounded -him not, withholding his hand ere it might strike him. - -Gawain abode the stroke, and flinched in no limb, but stood still as a -stone or the stump of a tree that is fast rooted in the rocky ground -with a hundred roots. - -Then spake gaily the man in green, “So now thou hast thine heart whole -it behoves me to smite. Hold aside thy hood that Arthur gave thee, and -keep thy neck thus bent lest it cover it again.” - -Then Gawain said angrily, “Why talk on thus? Thou dost threaten too -long. I hope thy heart misgives thee.” - - -How the Green Knight dealt the blow - -“For sooth,” quoth the other, “so fiercely thou speakest I will no -longer let thine errand wait its reward.” Then he braced himself to -strike, frowning with lips and brow, ’twas no marvel that he who hoped -for no rescue misliked him. He lifted the axe lightly and let it fall -with the edge of the blade on the bare neck. Though he struck swiftly it -hurt him no more than on the one side where it severed the skin. The -sharp blade cut into the flesh so that the blood ran over his shoulder -to the ground. And when the knight saw the blood staining the snow, he -sprang forth, swift-foot, more than a spear’s length, seized his helmet -and set it on his head, cast his shield over his shoulder, drew out his -bright sword, and spake boldly (never since he was born was he half so -blithe), “Stop, Sir Knight, bid me no more blows. I have stood a stroke -here without flinching, and if thou give me another, I shall requite -thee, and give thee as good again. By the covenant made betwixt us in -Arthur’s hall but one blow falls to me here. Halt, therefore.” - - -Of the three covenants - -Then the Green Knight drew off from him, and leaned on his axe, setting -the shaft on the ground, and looked on Gawain as he stood all armed and -faced him fearlessly—at heart it pleased him well. Then he spake merrily -in a loud voice, and said to the knight, “Bold sir, be not so fierce, no -man here hath done thee wrong, nor will do, save by covenant, as we made -at Arthur’s court. I promised thee a blow and thou hast it—hold thyself -well paid! I release thee of all other claims. If I had been so minded I -might perchance have given thee a rougher buffet. First I menaced thee -with a feigned one, and hurt thee not for the covenant that we made in -the first night, and which thou didst hold truly. All the gain didst -thou give me as a true man should. The other feint I proffered thee for -the morrow: my fair wife kissed thee, and thou didst give me her -kisses—for both those days I gave thee two blows without scathe—true -man, true return. But the third time thou didst fail, and therefore -hadst thou that blow. For ’tis my weed thou wearest, that same woven -girdle, my own wife wrought it, that do I wot for sooth. Now know I well -thy kisses, and thy conversation, and the wooing of my wife, for ’twas -mine own doing. I sent her to try thee, and in sooth I think thou art -the most faultless knight that ever trode earth. As a pearl among white -peas is of more worth than they, so is Gawain, i’ faith, by other -knights. But thou didst lack a little, Sir Knight, and wast wanting in -loyalty, yet that was for no evil work, nor for wooing neither, but -because thou lovedst thy life—therefore I blame thee the less.” - - -The shame of Sir Gawain - -Then the other stood a great while still, sorely angered and vexed -within himself; all the blood flew to his face, and he shrank for shame -as the Green Knight spake; and the first words he said were, “Cursed be -ye, cowardice and covetousness, for in ye is the destruction of virtue.” -Then he loosed the girdle, and gave it to the knight. “Lo, take there -the falsity, may foul befall it! For fear of thy blow cowardice bade me -make friends with covetousness and forsake the customs of largess and -loyalty, which befit all knights. Now am I faulty and false and have -been afeard: from treachery and untruth come sorrow and care. I avow to -thee, Sir Knight, that I have ill done; do then thy will. I shall be -more wary hereafter.” - -Then the other laughed and said gaily, “I wot I am whole of the hurt I -had, and thou hast made such free confession of thy misdeeds, and hast -so borne the penance of mine axe-edge, that I hold thee absolved from -that sin, and purged as clean as if thou hadst never sinned since thou -wast born. And this girdle that is wrought with gold and green, like my -raiment, do I give thee, Sir Gawain, that thou mayest think upon this -chance when thou goest forth among princes of renown, and keep this for -a token of the adventure of the Green Chapel, as it chanced between -chivalrous knights. And thou shalt come again with me to my dwelling and -pass the rest of this feast in gladness.” Then the lord laid hold of -him, and said, “I wot we shall soon make peace with my wife, who was thy -bitter enemy.” - - -How Sir Gawain would keep the girdle - -“Nay, forsooth,” said Sir Gawain and seized his helmet and took it off -swiftly, and thanked the knight: “I have fared ill, may bliss betide -thee, and may He who rules all things reward thee swiftly. Commend me to -that courteous lady, thy fair wife, and to the other my honoured ladies, -who have beguiled their knight with skilful craft. But ’tis no marvel if -one be made a fool and brought to sorrow by women’s wiles, for so was -Adam beguiled, and many a mighty man of old, Samson, and David, and -Solomon—if one might love a woman and believe her not, ’twere great -gain! And since all they were beguiled by women, methinks ’tis the less -blame to me that I was misled! But as for thy girdle, that will I take -with good will, not for gain of the gold, nor for samite, nor silk, nor -the costly pendants, neither for weal nor for worship, but in sign of my -frailty. I shall look upon it when I ride in renown and remind myself of -the fault and faintness of the flesh; and so when pride uplifts me for -prowess of arms, the sight of this lace shall humble my heart. But one -thing would I pray, if it displease thee not: since thou art lord of -yonder land wherein I have dwelt, tell me what thy rightful name may be, -and I will ask no more.” - - -How the marvel was wrought - -“That will I truly,” quoth the other. “Bernlak de Hautdesert am I called -in this land. Morgain le Fay dwelleth in mine house,[10] and through -knowledge of clerkly craft hath she taken many. For long time was she -the mistress of Merlin, who knew well all you knights of the court. -Morgain the goddess is she called therefore, and there is none so -haughty but she can bring him low. She sent me in this guise to yon fair -hall to test the truth of the renown that is spread abroad of the valour -of the Round Table. She taught me this marvel to betray your wits, to -vex Guinevere and fright her to death by the man who spake with his head -in his hand at the high table. That is she who is at home, that ancient -lady, she is even thine aunt, Arthur’s half-sister, the daughter of the -Duchess of Tintagel, who afterward married King Uther. Therefore I bid -thee, knight, come to thine aunt, and make merry in thine house; my folk -love thee, and I wish thee as well as any man on earth, by my faith, for -thy true dealing.” - -But Sir Gawain said nay, he would in no wise do so; so they embraced and -kissed, and commended each other to the Prince of Paradise, and parted -right there, on the cold ground. Gawain on his steed rode swiftly to the -king’s hall, and the Green Knight got him whithersoever he would. - - -How Sir Gawain came again to Camelot - -Sir Gawain, who had thus won grace of his life, rode through wild ways -on Gringalet; oft he lodged in a house, and oft without, and many -adventures did he have and came off victor full often, as at this time I -cannot relate in tale. The hurt that he had in his neck was healed, he -bare the shining girdle as a baldric bound by his side, and made fast -with a knot ’neath his left arm, in token that he was taken in a -fault—and thus he came in safety again to the court. - -Then joy awakened in that dwelling when the king knew that the good Sir -Gawain was come, for he deemed it gain. King Arthur kissed the knight, -and the queen also, and many valiant knights sought to embrace him. They -asked him how he had fared, and he told them all that had chanced to -him—the adventure of the chapel, the fashion of the knight, the love of -the lady—at last of the lace. He showed them the wound in the neck which -he won for his disloyalty at the hand of the knight, the blood flew to -his face for shame as he told the tale. - - -Sir Gawain makes confession of his fault - -“Lo, lady,” he quoth, and handled the lace, “this is the bond of the -blame that I bear in my neck, this is the harm and the loss I have -suffered, the cowardice and covetousness in which I was caught, the -token of my covenant in which I was taken. And I must needs wear it so -long as I live, for none may hide his harm, but undone it may not be, -for if it hath clung to thee once, it may never be severed.” - - -The knights wear the lace in honour of Gawain - -Then the king comforted the knight, and the court laughed loudly at the -tale, and all made accord that the lords and the ladies who belonged to -the Round Table, each hero among them, should wear bound about him a -baldric of bright green[11] for the sake of Sir Gawain. And to this was -agreed all the honour of the Round Table, and he who ware it was -honoured the more thereafter, as it is testified in the best book of -romance. - - -The end of the tale - -That in Arthur’s days this adventure befell, the book of Brutus bears -witness. For since that bold knight came hither first, and the siege and -the assault were ceased at Troy, I wis - - Many a venture herebefore - Hath fallen such as this: - May He that bare the crown of thorn - Bring us unto His bliss. - - - _Amen_ - - - - - Notes - - -[0]. Page 2.—_Carol._ Dance accompanied by song. Often mentioned in old - romances. - -[1]. Page 4.—_Agravain_, “_à la dure main_.” This characterisation of - Gawain’s brother seems to indicate that there was a French source at - the root of this story. The author distinctly tells us more than - once that the tale, as he tells it, was written _in a book_. M. - Gaston Paris thinks that the direct source was an Anglo-Norman poem, - now lost. - -[2]. Page 10.—_If any in this hall holds himself so hardy._ This, the - main incident of the tale, is apparently of very early date. The - oldest version we possess is that found in the Irish tale of the - _Fled Bricrend_ (Bricriu’s feast), where the hero of the tale is the - Irish champion, Cuchulinn. Two mediæval romances, the _Mule sans - Frein_ (French) and _Diu Krône_ (German), again attribute it to - Gawain; while the continuator of Chrétien de Troye’s _Conte del - Graal_ gives as hero a certain Carados, whom he represents as - Arthur’s nephew; and the prose _Perceval_ has Lancelot. So far as - the mediæval versions are concerned, the original hero is - undoubtedly Gawain; and our poem gives the fullest and most complete - form of the story we possess. In the Irish version the magician is a - _giant_, and the abnormal size and stature of the Green Knight is, - in all probability, the survival of a primitive feature. His curious - _colour_ is a trait found nowhere else. In _Diu Krône_ we are told - that the challenger changes shapes in a terrifying manner, but no - details are given. - -[3]. Page 19.—_For Yule was over-past._ This passage, descriptive of the - flight of the year, should be especially noticed. Combined with - other passages—the description of Gawain’s journey, the early - morning hunts, the dawning of New Year’s Day, and the ride to the - Green Chapel—they indicate a knowledge of Nature, and an observant - eye for her moods, uncommon among mediæval poets. It is usual enough - to find graceful and charming descriptions of spring and early - summer—an appreciation of _May_ in especial, when the summer courts - were held, is part of the stock-in-trade of mediæval romancers—but a - sympathy with the year in all its changes is far rarer, and - certainly deserves to be specially reckoned to the credit of this - nameless writer. - -[4]. Page 22.—_First a rich carpet was stretched on the floor._ The - description of the arming of Gawain is rather more detailed in the - original, but some of the minor points are not easy to understand, - the identification of sundry of the pieces of armour being doubtful. - -[5]. Page 24.—_The pentangle painted thereupon in gleaming gold._ I do - not remember that the pentangle is elsewhere attributed to Gawain. - He often bears a red shield; but the blazon varies. Indeed, the - heraldic devices borne by Arthur’s knights are distractingly - chaotic—their legends are older than the science of heraldry, and no - one has done for them the good office that the compiler of the - Thidrek Saga has rendered to his Teutonic heroes. - -[6]. Page 26.—_The Wilderness of Wirral._ This is in Cheshire. Sir F. - Madden suggests that the forest which forms the final stage of - Gawain’s journey is that of Inglewood, in Cumberland. The geography - here is far clearer than is often the case in such descriptions. - -[7]. Page 29.—_’Twas the fairest castle that ever a knight owned._ Here, - again, I have omitted some of the details of the original, the - architectural terms lacking identification. - -[8]. Page 43.—_With blast of the bugle fared forth to the field._ The - account of each day’s hunting contains a number of obsolete terms - and details of woodcraft, not given in full. The meaning of some has - been lost, and the minute description of skinning and dismembering - the game would be distinctly repulsive to the general reader. They - are valuable for a student of the history of the English sport, but - interfere with the progress of the story. The fact that the author - devotes so much space to them seems to indicate that he lived in the - country and was keenly interested in field sports. (Gottfried von - Stressbourg’s _Tristan_ contains a similar and almost more detailed - description.) - -[9]. Page 65.—_I will give thee my girdle._ This magic girdle, which - confers invulnerability on its owner, is a noticeable feature of our - story. It is found nowhere else in this connection, yet in other - romances we find that Gawain possesses a girdle with similar powers - (cf., my _Legend of Sir Gawain_, Chap. IX.). Such a talisman was - also owned by Cuchulinn, the Irish hero, who has many points of - contact with Gawain. It seems not improbable that this was also an - old feature of the story. I have commented, in the Introduction, on - the lady’s persistent wooing of Gawain, and need not repeat the - remarks here. The Celtic _Lay of the Great Fool_ (_Amadan Mor_) - presents some curious points of contact with our story, which may, - however, well be noted here. In the _Lay_ the hero is mysteriously - deprived of his legs, through the draught from a cup proffered by a - _Gruagach_ or magician. He comes to a castle, the lord of which goes - out hunting, leaving his wife in the care of the Great Fool, who is - to allow no man to enter. He falls asleep, and a young knight - arrives and kisses the host’s wife. The Great Fool, awaking, refuses - to allow the intruder to depart; and, in spite of threats and - blandishments, insists on detaining him till the husband returns. - Finally, the stranger reveals himself as the host in another shape; - he is also the _Gruagach_, who deprived the hero of his limbs, and - the Great Fool’s brother. He has only intended to test the _Amadan - Mor’s_ fidelity. A curious point in connection with this story is - that it possesses a prose opening which shows a marked affinity with - the “Perceval” _enfances_. That the Perceval and Gawain stories - early became connected is certain, but what is the precise - connection between them and the Celtic _Lay_ is not clear. _In its - present form_ the latter is certainly posterior to the Grail - romances, but it is quite possible that the matter with which it - deals represents a tradition older than the Arthurian story. - -[10]. Page 88.—_Morgain le Fay, who dwelleth in my house._ The enmity - between Morgain le Fay and Guinevere, which is here stated to have - been the _motif_ of the enchantment, is no invention of the author, - but is found in the _Merlin_, probably the earliest of the Arthurian - _prose_ romances. In a later version of our story, a poem, written - in ballad form, and contained in the “Percy” MS., Morgain does not - appear; her place is taken by an old witch, mother to the lady, but - the enchantment is still due to her spells. In this later form the - knight bears the curious name of _Sir Bredbeddle_. That given in our - romance, _Bernlak de Hautdesert_, seems to point to the original - French source of the story. (It is curious that Morgain should here - be represented as extremely old, while Arthur is still in his first - youth. There is evidently a discrepancy or misunderstanding of the - source here.) - -[11]. Page 90.—_A baldric of bright green, for sake of Sir Gawain._—The - later version connects this _lace_ with that worn by the knights of - the Bath; but this latter was _white_, not _green_. The knights wore - it on the left shoulder till they had done some gallant deed, or - till some noble lady took it off for them. - - - Printed by Ballantyne, Hanson _&_ Co. - London & Edinburgh - - - - - Transcriber’s Notes - - -—Silently corrected a few typos. - -—Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook - is public-domain in the country of publication. - -—In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by - _underscores_. - -—Created a Table of Contents based on the sidenotes. - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN -KNIGHT *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the -United States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. - -START: FULL LICENSE - -THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK - -To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. - -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the -person or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph -1.E.8. - -1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. - -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the -Foundation" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg-tm License when -you share it without charge with others. - -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. - -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: - -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work -on which the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the -phrase "Project Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: - - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and - most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no - restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it - under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this - eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the - United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where - you are located before using this eBook. - -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase "Project -Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg-tm -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. - -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. - -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg-tm License. - -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format -other than "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original "Plain -Vanilla ASCII" or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg-tm License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. - -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. - -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works -provided that: - -* You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, "Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation." - -* You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg-tm - works. - -* You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - -* You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. - -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. - -1.F. - -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg-tm collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. - -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right -of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. - -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. - -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. - -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. - -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg-tm work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. - -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm - -Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. - -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at -www.gutenberg.org - -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation - -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. - -The Foundation's business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation's website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact - -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg -Literary Archive Foundation - -Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without -widespread public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. - -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular -state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate - -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. - -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. - -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate - -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works - -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg-tm concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. - -Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. - -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: www.gutenberg.org - -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/old/66084-0.zip b/old/66084-0.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 8489cf1..0000000 --- a/old/66084-0.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66084-h.zip b/old/66084-h.zip Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 73a660c..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h.zip +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66084-h/66084-h.htm b/old/66084-h/66084-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 1bf7038..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h/66084-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3789 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> -<head> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> -<meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> -<meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0" /> -<title>Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by Jessie L. Weston—a Project Gutenberg eBook</title> -<meta name="author" content="Jessie L. Weston" /> -<meta name="pss.pubdate" content="1898" /> -<link rel="coverpage" href="images/cover.jpg" /> -<link rel="spine" href="images/spine.jpg" /> -<link rel="schema.DC" href="http://dublincore.org/documents/1998/09/dces/" /> -<meta name="DC.Title" content="Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" /> -<meta name="DC.Language" content="en" /> -<meta name="DC.Format" content="text/html" /> -<meta name="DC.Created" content="1898" /> -<meta name="DC.Creator" content="Jessie L. Weston" /> -<style type="text/css"> -/* == GLOBAL MARKUP == */ -body, table.twocol tr td { margin-left:2em; margin-right:2em; } /* BODY */ -.box { border-style:double; margin-bottom:2em; max-width:30em; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; margin-top:2em; clear:both; } -.box div.box { border-style:solid; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; max-width:26em; } -.box p { margin-right:1em; margin-left:1em; } -.box dl { margin-right:1em; margin-left:1em; } -h1, h2, h5, h6, .titlepg p { text-align:center; clear:both; text-indent:0; } /* HEADINGS */ -h2 { margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:1em; - font-size:60%; text-align:center; } -h2#trnotes, h2#toc { font-size:120%; } -h2 .small { font-size:200%; } -h2+h2 { margin-top:3.5em; } -h1 { margin-top:3em; font-size:150%; } -h1 .likep { font-weight:normal; font-size:50%; } -div.box h1 { margin-top:2em; margin-left:.5em; margin-right:.5em; } -h3 { margin-top:2em; text-align:right; font-size: 90%; clear:both; - float:right; max-width:8em; margin-left:1em; margin-top:1em; } -h4, h5 { font-size:100%; text-align:right; clear:right; } -h6 { font-size:100%; } -h6.var { font-size:80%; font-style:normal; } -.titlepg { margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; border-style:double; clear:both; } -span.chaptertitle { font-style:normal; display:block; text-align:center; font-size:150%; text-indent:0; } -.tblttl { text-align:center; text-indent:0;} -.tblsttl { text-align:center; font-variant:small-caps; text-indent:0; } - -pre sub.ms { width:4em; letter-spacing:1em; } -pre { margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; } -table.fmla { text-align:center; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em; } -table.inline, table.symbol { display: inline-table; vertical-align: middle; } -td.cola { text-align:left; vertical-align:100%; } -td.colb { text-align:justify; } - -p, blockquote, div.p, div.bq { text-align:justify; } /* PARAGRAPHS */ -div.p, div.bq { margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; } -blockquote, .bq { margin-left:1em; margin-right:0em; } -.verse { font-size:100%; } -p.indent {text-indent:2em; text-align:left; } -p.tb, p.tbcenter, verse.tb, blockquote.tb { margin-top:2em; clear:both; } - /* PAGE BREAKS */ -span.pb, div.pb, dt.pb, p.pb -{ text-align:right; float:right; margin-right:0em; clear:right; } -div.pb { display:inline; } -.pb, dt.pb, dl.toc dt.pb, dl.tocl dt.pb, dl.undent dt.pb, dl.index dt.pb { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left: 1.5em; - margin-top:.5em; margin-bottom:.5em; display:inline; text-indent:0; - font-size:80%; font-style:normal; font-weight:bold; - color:gray; border:1px solid gray;padding:1px 3px; } -div.index .pb { display:block; } -.bq div.pb, .bq span.pb { font-size:90%; margin-right:2em; } - -div.img, body a img {text-align:center; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; clear:right; } -img { max-width:100%; height:auto; } - -sup, a.fn { font-size:75%; vertical-align:100%; line-height:50%; font-weight:normal; } -h3 a.fn { font-size:65%; } -a.fn { font-style:normal; } -sub { font-size:75%; } -.center, .tbcenter { text-align:center; clear:both; text-indent:0; } /* TEXTUAL MARKUP */ -span.center { display:block; } -table.center { clear:both; margin-right:auto; margin-left:auto; } -table.center tr td.l, table.center tr th.l {text-align:left; margin-left:0em; } -table.center tr td.j {text-align:justify; } -table.center tr td.lj {text-align:justify; } -table.center tr td.ltab { text-align:left; width:1.5em; } -table.center tr td.t {text-align:left; text-indent:1em; } -table.center tr td.t2 {text-align:left; text-indent:2em; } -table.center tr td.r, table.center tr th.r {text-align:right; } -table.center tr th.rx { width:4.5em; text-align:right; } -table.center tr th {vertical-align:bottom; } -table.center tr td {vertical-align:top; } -table.inline, table.symbol { display: inline-table; vertical-align: middle; } - -p { clear:left; } -.small, .lsmall { font-size:90%; } -.smaller { font-size:80%; } -.smallest { font-size:67%; } -.larger { font-size:150%; } -.large { font-size:125%; } -.xlarge { font-size:150%; } -.xxlarge { font-size:200%; } -.gs { letter-spacing:1em; } -.gs3 { letter-spacing:2em; } -.gslarge { letter-spacing:.3em; font-size:110%; } -.sc { font-variant:small-caps; font-style:normal; } -.cur { font-family:cursive; } -.unbold { font-weight:normal; } -.xo { position:relative; left:-.3em; } -.over { text-decoration: overline; display:inline; } -hr { width:20%; margin-left:40%; } -hr.dwide { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; width:90%; margin-left:5%; clear:right; } -hr.double { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; width:100%; margin-left:0; margin-right:0; } -hr.f { margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; width:100%; margin-left:0; } -.jl { text-align:left; } -.jr, .jri { text-align:right; min-width:2em; display:inline-block; float:right; } -.pcap .jri { font-size:80%; } -.jr1 { text-align:right; margin-right:2em; } -h1 .jr { margin-right:.5em; } -.ind1 { text-align:left; margin-left:2em; } -.u { text-decoration:underline; } -.hst { margin-left:2em; } -.hst2 { margin-left:4em; } -.rubric { color:red; } -.blue { color:blue; background-color:white; } -.purple { color:purple; background-color:white; } -.green { color:green; background-color:white; } -.yellow { color:yellow; background-color:white; } -.orange { color:#ffa500; background-color:white; } -.brown { color:brown; background-color:white; } -.white { color:white; background-color:black; margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em; max-width:28em; } -.cnwhite { color:white; background-color:black; min-width:2em; display:inline-block; - text-align:center; font-weight:bold; font-family:sans-serif; } -.cwhite { color:white; background-color:black; text-align:center; font-weight:bold; - font-family:sans-serif; } -ul li { text-align:justify; } -u.dbl { text-decoration:underline; } -.ss { font-family:sans-serif; font-weight:bold; } -.ssn { font-family:sans-serif; font-weight:normal; } -p.revint { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } -.box p.revint { margin-left:3em; } -p.revint2 { margin-left:5em; text-indent:-3em; } -p.revint2 .cn { min-width:2.5em; text-indent:0; text-align:left; display:inline-block; margin-right:.5em; } -i .f { font-style:normal; } -.b { font-weight:bold; } -.i { font-style:italic; } -.f { font-style:italic; font-weight:bold; } -div.box p.wide { width:100%; margin-left:0; margin-right:0; margin-bottom:0; } - -dd.t { text-align:left; margin-left: 5.5em; } -dl.toc, dl.key { clear:both; margin-top:1em; } /* CONTENTS (.TOC) */ -dl.toc dt.center { text-align:center; clear:both; margin-top:3em; margin-bottom:1em; text-indent:0;} -.toc dt, .key dt { text-align:right; clear:both; } -.toc dt.just { text-align:justify; margin-left:2em; margin-right:2em; } -.toc dd, .key dd { text-align:right; clear:both; } -.toc dd.ddt, .toc dd.t { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:4em; } -.toc dd.ddt2,.toc dd.t2 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:5em; } -.toc dd.ddt3 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:6em; } -.toc dd.ddt4 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:7em; } -.toc dd.ddt5 { text-align:right; clear:both; margin-left:8em; } -.toc dd.note { text-align:justify; clear:both; margin-left:5em; text-indent:-1em; margin-right:3em; } -.toc dt .xxxtest {width:17em; display:block; position:relative; left:4em; } -.toc dt a, -.toc dd a, -.toc dt span.left, -.toc dt span.lsmall, -.toc dd span.left { text-align:left; clear:right; float:left; } -.toc dt a span.cn { width:4em; text-align:right; margin-right:.7em; float:left; } -.toc dt.sc { text-align:right; clear:both; } -.toc dt.scl { text-align:left; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; } -.toc dt.sct { text-align:right; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; margin-left:1em; } -.toc dt .jl, .toc dd .jl, .key dt .jl, .key dd .jl - { text-align:left; float:left; clear:both; font-variant:normal; } -.toc dt.scc { text-align:center; clear:both; font-variant:small-caps; text-indent:0; } -.toc dt span.lj, span.lj { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } -.toc dd.center { text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -dd.tocsummary {text-align:justify; margin-right:2em; margin-left:2em; } -dd.center .sc {display:block; text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -/* BOX CELL */ -td.top { border-top:1px solid; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.bot { border-bottom:1px solid; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.rb { border:1px solid; border-left:none; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td.lb { border:1px solid; border-right:none; width:.5em; height:.8em; } -td span.cellt { text-indent:1em; } -td span.cellt2 { text-indent:2em; } -td span.cellt3 { text-indent:3em; } -td span.cellt4 { text-indent:4em; } - -/* INDEX (.INDEX) */ -dl.index { clear:both; } -.index dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dd { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dd.t { margin-left:6em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left; } -.index dt.center {text-align:center; text-indent:0; } - - dl.indexlr { clear:both; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; - max-width:20em; text-align:right; } - dl.indexlr dt { clear:both; text-align:left; } - dl.indexlr dt.jl { text-align:right; } - dl.indexlr dd { clear:both; } - dl.indexlr a { float:right; text-align:right; } - dl.indexlr dd span, dl.indexlr dt.jl span { text-align:left; display:block; float:left; } - dl.indexlr dt.center {text-align:center; text-indent:0; } - -.ab, .ab1, .ab2 { -font-weight:bold; text-decoration:none; -border-style:solid; border-color:gray; border-width:1px; -margin-right:0px; margin-top:5px; display:inline-block; text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -.ab { width:1em; } -.ab2 { width:1.5em; } -a.gloss { background-color:#f2f2f2; border-bottom-style:dotted; text-decoration:none; border-color:#c0c0c0; color:inherit; } - /* FOOTNOTE BLOCKS */ -div.notes p { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; text-align:justify; } - -dl.undent dd { margin-left:3em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; } -dl.undent dt { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; clear:both; } -dl.undent dd.t { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; } -dl.undent dd.t2 { margin-left:5em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; } - /* POETRY LINE NUMBER */ -.lnum { text-align:right; float:right; margin-left:.5em; display:inline; } - -.hymn { text-align:left; } /* HYMN AND VERSE: HTML */ -.verse { text-align:left; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:0em; } -.versetb { text-align:left; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:1em; margin-left:0em; } -.originc { text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -.subttl { text-align:center; font-size:80%; text-indent:0; } -.srcttl { text-align:center; font-size:80%; text-indent:0; font-weight:bold; } -p.lc { text-indent:0; text-align:center; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; } -p.t0, p.l { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.lb { margin-left:4em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.tw, div.tw, .tw { margin-left:1em; text-indent:-1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t, div.t, .t { margin-left:5em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t2, div.t2, .t2 { margin-left:6em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t3, div.t3, .t3 { margin-left:7em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t4, div.t4, .t4 { margin-left:8em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t5, div.t5, .t5 { margin-left:9em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t6, div.t6, .t6 { margin-left:10em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t7, div.t7, .t7 { margin-left:11em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t8, div.t8, .t8 { margin-left:12em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t9, div.t9, .t9 { margin-left:13em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t10, div.t10,.t10 { margin-left:14em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t11, div.t11,.t11 { margin-left:15em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t12, div.t12,.t12 { margin-left:16em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t13, div.t13,.t13 { margin-left:17em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t14, div.t14,.t14 { margin-left:18em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.t15, div.t15,.t15 { margin-left:19em; text-indent:-3em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:left; } -p.lr, div.lr, span.lr { display:block; margin-left:0em; margin-right:1em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; text-align:right; } -dt.lr { width:100%; margin-left:0em; margin-right:0em; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:1em; text-align:right; } -dl dt.lr a { text-align:left; clear:left; float:left; } - -.fnblock { margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:2em; } -.fndef, p.fn { text-align:justify; margin-top:1.5em; margin-left:1.5em; text-indent:-1.5em; } -.fndef p.fncont, .fndef dl { margin-left:0em; text-indent:0em; } -.fnblock div.fncont { margin-left:1.5em; text-indent:0em; margin-top:1em; text-align:justify; } -.fnblock dl { margin-top:0; margin-left:4em; text-indent:-2em; } -.fnblock dt { text-align:justify; } -dl.catalog dd { font-style:italic; } -dl.catalog dt { margin-top:1em; } -.author { text-align:right; margin-top:0em; margin-bottom:0em; display:block; } - -dl.biblio dt { margin-top:.6em; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:justify; clear:both; } -dl.biblio dt div { display:block; float:left; margin-left:-6em; width:6em; clear:both; } -dl.biblio dt.center { margin-left:0em; text-align:center; text-indent:0; } -dl.biblio dd { margin-top:.3em; margin-left:3em; text-align:justify; font-size:90%; } -p.biblio { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } -.clear { clear:both; } -p.book { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; } -p.review { margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; font-size:80%; } -p.pcap { margin-left:0em; text-indent:0; text-align:center; margin-top:0; font-size:110%; } -p.pcapc { margin-left:4.7em; text-indent:0em; text-align:justify; } -span.attr { font-size:80%; font-family:sans-serif; } -span.pn { display:inline-block; width:4.7em; text-align:left; margin-left:0; text-indent:0; } -</style> -</head> -<body> -<p style='text-align:center; font-size:1.2em; font-weight:bold'>The Project Gutenberg eBook of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, by Jessie L. Weston</p> -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms -of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online -at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>A Middle-English Arthurian Romance Retold in Modern Prose, with Introduction & Notes</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: Jessie L. Weston</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: August 18, 2021 [eBook #66084]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net </p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT ***</div> -<div id="cover" class="img"> -<img id="coverpage" src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" width="800" height="1140" /> -</div> -<div class="box"> -<p class="center"><span class="large"><b>ARTHURIAN ROMANCES -<br />Unrepresented in Malory’s “Morte d’Arthur”</b></span></p> -<h1><i>No. I</i> -<br />Sir Gawain and the -<br />Green Knight</h1> -<p class="tb">A Middle-English Arthurian Romance -<i>Retold in Modern Prose, with Introduction -& Notes</i>, by Jessie L. Weston, -<i>Translator</i> of Wolfram von Eschenbach’s -“Parzival” • <i>With Designs by</i> -M. M. Crawford</p> -<p class="tb">London: David Nutt in the Strand -<br /><span class="small">mdcccxcviii</span></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_v">v</div> -<h2><span class="small">Preface</span></h2> -<p>The poem of which the following pages -offer a prose rendering is contained in a -MS., believed to be unique, of the Cottonian -Collection, Nero A. X., preserved -in the British Museum. The MS. is of -the end of the fourteenth century, but it -is possible that the composition of the -poem is somewhat earlier; the subject -matter is certainly of very old date. -There has been a considerable divergence -of opinion among scholars on the question -of authorship, but the view now -generally accepted is that it is the work -of the same hand as <i>Pearl</i>, another poem -<span class="pb" id="Page_vi">vi</span> -of considerable merit contained in the -same MS.</p> -<p>Our poem, or, to speak more correctly, -metrical romance, contains over 2500 lines, -and is composed in staves of varying length, -ending in five short rhyming lines, technically -known as a bob and a wheel,—the -lines forming the body of the stave being -not rhyming, but alliterative. The dialect -in which it is written has been decided to -be West Midland, probably Lancashire, -and is by no means easy to understand. -Indeed, it is the real difficulty and obscurity -of the language, which in spite of careful -and scholarly editing will always place the -poem in its original form outside the range -of any but professed students of mediæval -literature, which has encouraged me to make -an attempt to render it more accessible to -the general public, by giving it a form that -shall be easily intelligible, and at the same -time preserve as closely as possible the style -of the author.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_vii">vii</div> -<p>For that style, in spite of a certain roughness, -unavoidable at a period in which the -language was still in a partially developed -and amorphous stage, is really charming. -The author has a keen eye for effect; a -talent for description, detailed without becoming -wearisome; a genuine love of -Nature and sympathy with her varying -moods; and a real refinement and elevation -of feeling which enable him to deal with a -<i>risqué</i> situation with an absence of coarseness, -not, unfortunately, to be always met -with in a mediæval writer. Standards of -taste vary with the age, but even judged -by that of our own day the author of <i>Sir -Gawain and the Green Knight</i> comes not -all too badly out of the ordeal!</p> -<p>The story with which the poem deals, -too, has claims upon our interest. I have -shown elsewhere<a class="fn" id="fr_a" href="#fn_a">[a]</a> that the beheading -challenge is an incident of very early -<span class="pb" id="Page_viii">viii</span> -occurrence in heroic legend, and that the -particular form given to it in the English -poem is especially interesting, corresponding -as it does to the variations of the story -as preserved in the oldest known version, -that of the old Irish <i>Fled Bricrend</i>.</p> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_a" href="#fr_a">[a]</a>“The Legend of Sir Gawain,” Grimm Library, Vol. -VII. (Chapter IX. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight).</div> -<p>But in no other version is the incident -coupled with that of a temptation and -testing of the hero’s honour and chastity, -such as meets us here. At first sight one -is inclined to assign the episode of the lady -of the castle to the class of stories of which -the oldest version is preserved in Biblical -record—the story of Joseph and Potiphar’s -wife; a <i>motif</i> not unseldom employed by -mediæval writers, and which notably occurs -in what we may call the <i>Launfal</i> group -of stories. But there are certain points -which may make us hesitate as to whether -in its first conception the tale was really -one of this class.</p> -<p>It must be noted that here the lady is -acting throughout with the knowledge and -<span class="pb" id="Page_ix">ix</span> -consent of the husband, an important point -of difference. In the second place, it is -very doubtful whether her entire attitude -was not a <i>ruse</i>. From the Green Knight’s -words to Gawain when he finally reveals -himself, “I wot we shall soon make peace -with my wife, who was thy bitter enemy,” -her conduct hardly seems to have been -prompted by real passion.</p> -<p>In my <i>Studies on the Legend of Sir -Gawain</i>, already referred to, I have suggested -that the character of the lady here -is, perhaps, a reminiscence of that of the -Queen of the Magic Castle or Isle, daughter -or niece of an enchanter, who at an early -stage of Gawain’s story was undoubtedly -his love. I think it not impossible that -she was an integral part of the tale as first -told, and her rôle here was determined by -that which she originally played. In most -versions of the story she has dropped out -altogether. It is, of course, possible that, -there being but a confused reminiscence of -<span class="pb" id="Page_x">x</span> -the original tale, her share <i>may</i> have been -modified by the influence of the <i>Launfal</i> -group; but I should prefer to explain the -episode on the whole as a somewhat distorted -survival of an original feature.</p> -<p>But in any case we may be thankful for -this, that the author of the most important -English metrical romance dealing with -Arthurian legend faithfully adheres to the -original conception of Gawain’s character, -as drawn before the monkish lovers of -edification laid their ruthless hands on his -legend, and turned the model of knightly -virtues and courtesy into a mere vulgar -libertine.</p> -<p>Brave, chivalrous, loyally faithful to his -plighted word, scrupulously heedful of his -own and others’ honour, Gawain stands -before us in this poem. We take up -Malory or Tennyson, and in spite of their -charm of style, in spite of the halo of -religious mysticism in which they have -striven to enwrap their characters, we lay -<span class="pb" id="Page_xi">xi</span> -them down with a feeling of dissatisfaction. -How did the Gawain of their imagination, -this empty-headed, empty-hearted worldling, -cruel murderer, and treacherous -friend, ever come to be the typical English -hero? For such Gawain certainly was, -even more than Arthur himself. Then -we turn back to these faded pages, and -read the quaintly earnest words in which -the old writer reveals the hidden meaning -of that mystic symbol, the pentangle, and -vindicates Gawain’s title to claim it as his -badge—and we smile, perhaps; but we -cease to wonder at the widespread popularity -of King Arthur’s famous nephew, -or at the immense body of romance that -claims him as its hero.</p> -<p>Scholars know all this, of course; they -can read the poem for themselves in its -original rough and intricate phraseology; -perhaps they will be shocked at an attempt -to handle it in simpler form. But this -little book is not for them, and if to those -<span class="pb" id="Page_xii">xii</span> -to whom the tale would otherwise be a -sealed treasure these pages bring some -new knowledge of the way in which our -forefathers looked on the characters of the -Arthurian legend, the tales they told of -them (unconsciously betraying the while -how they themselves lived and thought -and spoke)—if by that means they gain a -keener appreciation of our national heroes, -a wider knowledge of our national literature,—then -the spirit of the long-dead -poet will doubtless not be the slowest to -pardon my handling of what was his -masterpiece, as it is, in M. Gaston Paris’ -words, “The jewel of English mediæval -literature.”</p> -<blockquote> -<p><span class="sc">Bournemouth</span>, <i>June 1898</i>.</p> -</blockquote> -<div class="pb" id="Page_xiii">xiii</div> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p02.jpg" id="ncfig1" alt="Sir Gawain and the Green Knight" width="600" height="809" /> -</div> -<h2 id="toc" class="center">CONTENTS</h2> -<dl class="toc"> -<dt><a href="#c1">I</a> 1</dt> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs1">Of the making of Britain</a> 1</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs2">How Arthur held high feast at Camelot</a> 2</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs3">New Year’s Day</a> 3</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs4">Of the noble knights there present</a> 4</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs5">The coming of the Green Knight</a> 5</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs6">The fashion of the knight</a> 5</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs7">Of the knight’s steed</a> 6</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs8">The arming of the knight</a> 7</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs9">Of the knight’s challenge</a> 9</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs10">The silence of the knights</a> 11</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs11">How Sir Gawain dared the venture</a> 12</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs12">The making of the covenant</a> 13</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs13">The giving of the blow</a> 15</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs14">The marvel of the Green Knight</a> 16</dd> -<dt><a href="#c2">II</a> 19</dt> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs15">The waning of the year</a> 19</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs16">Sir Gawain bethinks him of his covenant</a> 21</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs17">The arming of Sir Gawain</a> 22</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs18">Wherefore Sir Gawain bare the pentangle</a> 24</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs19">How Sir Gawain went forth</a> 25</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs20">Of Sir Gawain’s journey</a> 26</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs21">How Sir Gawain came to a fair castle on Christmas Eve</a> 29</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs22">How Sir Gawain was welcomed</a> 31</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs23">Sir Gawain tells his name</a> 34</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs24">The lady of the castle</a> 35</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs25">Of the Christmas feast</a> 37</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs26">How the feast came to an end but Gawain abode at the castle</a> 38</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs27">Sir Gawain makes a covenant with his host</a> 41</dd> -<dt><a href="#c3">III</a> 43</dt> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs28">The first day’s hunting</a> 43</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs29">How the lady of the castle came to Sir Gawain</a> 45</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs30">How the lady kissed Sir Gawain</a> 49</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs31">How the covenant was kept</a> 51</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs32">Of the second day’s hunting</a> 52</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs33">Of the lady and Sir Gawain</a> 54</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs34">How the lady strove to beguile Sir Gawain with words of love</a> 55</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs35">How the boar was slain</a> 57</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs36">The keeping of the covenant</a> 59</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs37">Of the third day’s hunting</a> 61</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs38">How the lady came for the third time to Sir Gawain</a> 62</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs39">The lady would fain have a parting gift from Gawain</a> 64</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs40">She would give him her ring</a> 65</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs41">Or her girdle</a> 65</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs42">The virtue of the girdle</a> 66</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs43">How Sir Gawain took the girdle</a> 67</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs44">The death of the fox</a> 68</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs45">How Sir Gawain kept not all the covenant</a> 69</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs46">How Sir Gawain took leave of his host</a> 71</dd> -<dt><a href="#c4">IV</a> 72</dt> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs47">The robing of Sir Gawain</a> 73</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs48">How Sir Gawain went forth from the castle</a> 74</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs49">The squire’s warning</a> 75</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs50">Of the knight of the Green Chapel</a> 76</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs51">Sir Gawain is none dismayed</a> 77</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs52">The finding of the chapel</a> 79</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs53">The coming of the Green Knight</a> 80</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs54">How Sir Gawain failed to stand the blow</a> 81</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs55">Of the Green Knight’s reproaches</a> 82</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs56">How the Green Knight dealt the blow</a> 83</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs57">Of the three covenants</a> 84</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs58">The shame of Sir Gawain</a> 85</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs59">How Sir Gawain would keep the girdle</a> 87</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs60">How the marvel was wrought</a> 88</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs61">How Sir Gawain came again to Camelot</a> 89</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs62">Sir Gawain makes confession of his fault</a> 90</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs63">The knights wear the lace in honour of Gawain</a> 90</dd> -<dd class="ddt"><a href="#cs64">The end of the tale</a> 91</dd> -<dt><a href="#c5">Notes</a> 93</dt> -</dl> -<div class="pb" id="Page_1">1</div> -<h2 id="c1"><span class="small">I</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p03.jpg" id="ncfig2" alt="Illustrated drop-cap" width="600" height="337" /> -</div> -<h3 id="cs1">Of the making of Britain</h3> -<p>After the siege and the -assault of Troy, when -that burg was destroyed -and burnt to ashes, and -the traitor slain for his treason, the noble -Æneas and his kin sailed forth to become -princes and patrons of well-nigh all the -Western Isles. Thus Romulus built Rome -(and gave to the city his own name, -which it bears even to this day); and -Ticius turned him to Tuscany; and -Langobard raised him up dwellings in -Lombardy; and Felix Brutus sailed far -over the French flood, and founded the -kingdom of Britain, wherein have been -war and waste and wonder, and bliss and -bale, oft-times since.</p> -<p>And in that kingdom of Britain have -been wrought more gallant deeds than in -<span class="pb" id="Page_2">2</span> -any other; but of all British kings Arthur -was the most valiant, as I have heard tell, -therefore will I set forth a wondrous -adventure that fell out in his time. And if -ye will listen to me, but for a little while, -I will tell it even as it stands in story stiff -and strong, fixed in the letter, as it hath -long been known in the land.</p> -<hr /> -<h3 id="cs2">How Arthur held high feast at Camelot</h3> -<p>King Arthur lay at Camelot upon a -Christmas-tide, with many a gallant lord -and lovely lady, and all the noble brotherhood -of the Round Table. There they -held rich revels with gay talk and jest; -one while they would ride forth to joust -and tourney, and again back to the court -to make carols;<a class="fn" id="fr_0" href="#fn_0">[0]</a> for there was the feast -holden fifteen days with all the mirth that -men could devise, song and glee, glorious to -hear, in the daytime, and dancing at night. -Halls and chambers were crowded with -noble guests, the bravest of knights and the -loveliest of ladies, and Arthur himself was -the comeliest king that ever held a court. -For all this fair folk were in their youth, -the fairest and most fortunate under heaven, -<span class="pb" id="Page_3">3</span> -and the king himself of such fame that it -were hard now to name so valiant a hero.</p> -<h3 id="cs3">New Year’s Day</h3> -<p>Now the New Year had but newly come -in, and on that day a double portion was -served on the high table to all the noble -guests, and thither came the king with all -his knights, when the service in the chapel -had been sung to an end. And they -greeted each other for the New Year, and -gave rich gifts, the one to the other (and -they that received them were not wroth, -that may ye well believe!), and the maidens -laughed and made mirth till it was time to -get them to meat. Then they washed and -sat them down to the feast in fitting rank -and order, and Guinevere the queen, gaily -clad, sat on the high daïs. Silken was her -seat, with a fair canopy over her head, of rich -tapestries of Tars, embroidered, and studded -with costly gems; fair she was to look -upon, with her shining grey eyes, a fairer -woman might no man boast himself of -having seen.</p> -<p>But Arthur would not eat till all were -served, so full of joy and gladness was he, -even as a child; he liked not either to lie -long, or to sit long at meat, so worked -upon him his young blood and his wild brain. -<span class="pb" id="Page_4">4</span> -And another custom he had also, that came -of his nobility, that he would never eat -upon an high day till he had been advised -of some knightly deed, or some strange and -marvellous tale, of his ancestors, or of arms, -or of other ventures. Or till some knight -should seek of him leave to joust with -another, that they might set their lives in -jeopardy, one against another, as fortune -might favour them. Such was the king’s -custom when he sat in hall at each high -feast with his noble knights, therefore on -that New Year tide, he abode, fair of face, on -the throne, and made much mirth withal.</p> -<h3 id="cs4">Of the noble knights there present</h3> -<p>Thus the king sat before the high table, -and spake of many things; and there good -Sir Gawain was seated by Guinevere the -queen, and on her other side sat Agravain,<a class="fn" id="fr_1" href="#fn_1">[1]</a> -<i>à la dure main</i>; both were the king’s sister’s -sons and full gallant knights. And at the -end of the table was Bishop Bawdewyn, and -Ywain, King Urien’s son, sat at the other -side alone. These were worthily served on -the daïs, and at the lower tables sat many -valiant knights. Then they bare the first -course with the blast of trumpets and -waving of banners, with the sound of drums -and pipes, of song and lute, that many a -<span class="pb" id="Page_5">5</span> -heart was uplifted at the melody. Many -were the dainties, and rare the meats, so -great was the plenty they might scarce find -room on the board to set on the dishes. -Each helped himself as he liked best, and -to each two were twelve dishes, with great -plenty of beer and wine.</p> -<h3 id="cs5">The coming of the Green Knight</h3> -<p>Now I will say no more of the service, -but that ye may know there was no lack, -for there drew near a venture that the folk -might well have left their labour to gaze -upon. As the sound of the music ceased, -and the first course had been fitly served, -there came in at the hall door one terrible -to behold, of stature greater than any on -earth; from neck to loin so strong and -thickly made, and with limbs so long and -so great that he seemed even as a giant. -And yet he was but a man, only the -mightiest that might mount a steed; broad -of chest and shoulders and slender of waist, -and all his features of like fashion; but men -marvelled much at his colour, for he rode -even as a knight, yet was green all over.</p> -<h3 id="cs6">The fashion of the knight</h3> -<p>For he was clad all in green, with a -straight coat, and a mantle above; all -decked and lined with fur was the cloth -and the hood that was thrown back from -<span class="pb" id="Page_6">6</span> -his locks and lay on his shoulders. Hose -had he of the same green, and spurs of -bright gold with silken fastenings richly -worked; and all his vesture was verily -green. Around his waist and his saddle -were bands with fair stones set upon silken -work, ’twere too long to tell of all the trifles -that were embroidered thereon—birds and -insects in gay gauds of green and gold.</p> -<h3 id="cs7">Of the knight’s steed</h3> -<p>All the trappings of his steed were of metal -of like enamel, even the stirrups that he -stood in stained of the same, and stirrups -and saddle-bow alike gleamed and shone -with green stones. Even the steed on -which he rode was of the same hue, a green -horse, great and strong, and hard to hold, -with broidered bridle, meet for the rider.</p> -<p>The knight was thus gaily dressed in -green, his hair falling around his shoulders, -on his breast hung a beard, as thick and -green as a bush, and the beard and the hair -of his head were clipped all round above his -elbows. The lower part of his sleeves -were fastened with clasps in the same wise -as a king’s mantle. The horse’s mane -was crisped and plaited with many a knot -folded in with gold thread about the fair -green, here a twist of the hair, here another -<span class="pb" id="Page_7">7</span> -of gold. The tail was twined in like -manner, and both were bound about with -a band of bright green set with many a -precious stone; then they were tied aloft -in a cunning knot, whereon rang many -bells of burnished gold. Such a steed -might no other ride, nor had such ever -been looked upon in that hall ere that time; -and all who saw that knight spake and said -that a man might scarce abide his stroke.</p> -<h3 id="cs8">The arming of the knight</h3> -<p>The knight bore no helm nor hauberk, -neither gorget nor breast-plate, neither -shaft nor buckler to smite nor to shield, but -in one hand he had a holly-bough, that is -greenest when the groves are bare, and in -his other an axe, huge and uncomely, a -cruel weapon in fashion, if one would -picture it. The head was an ell-yard long, -the metal all of green steel and gold, the -blade burnished bright, with a broad edge, -as well shapen to shear as a sharp razor. -The steel was set into a strong staff, all -bound round with iron, even to the end, -and engraved with green in cunning work. -A lace was twined about it, that looped at -the head, and all adown the handle it was -clasped with tassels on buttons of bright -green richly broidered.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_8">8</div> -<p>The knight halted in the entrance of the -hall, looking to the high daïs, and greeted -no man, but looked ever upwards; and the -first words he spake were, “Where is the -ruler of this folk? I would gladly look -upon that hero, and have speech with -him.” He cast his eyes on the knights, -and mustered them up and down, striving -ever to see who of them was of most -renown.</p> -<p>Then was there great gazing to behold -that chief, for each man marvelled what it -might mean that a knight and his steed -should have even such a hue as the green -grass; and that seemed even greener than -green enamel on bright gold. All looked -on him as he stood, and drew near unto -him wondering greatly what he might be; -for many marvels had they seen, but none -such as this, and phantasm and faërie did -the folk deem it. Therefore were the -gallant knights slow to answer, and gazed -astounded, and sat stone still in a deep -silence through that goodly hall, as if a -slumber were fallen upon them. I deem it -was not all for doubt, but some for -courtesy that they might give ear unto his -errand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_9">9</div> -<p>Then Arthur beheld this adventure before -his high daïs, and knightly he greeted -him, for discourteous was he never. “Sir,” -he said, “thou art welcome to this place—lord -of this hall am I, and men call -me Arthur. Light thee down, and tarry -awhile, and what thy will is, that shall we -learn after.”</p> -<h3 id="cs9">Of the knight’s challenge</h3> -<p>“Nay,” quoth the stranger, “so help -me He that sitteth on high, ’twas not -mine errand to tarry any while in this -dwelling; but the praise of this thy folk -and thy city is lifted up on high, and thy -warriors are holden for the best and the -most valiant of those who ride mail-clad to -the fight. The wisest and the worthiest -of this world are they, and well proven in -all knightly sports. And here, as I have -heard tell, is fairest courtesy, therefore -have I come hither as at this time. Ye -may be sure by the branch that I bear -here that I come in peace, seeking no -strife. For had I willed to journey in -warlike guise I have at home both -hauberk and helm, shield and shining -spear, and other weapons to mine hand, -but since I seek no war my raiment is -that of peace. But if thou be as bold as -<span class="pb" id="Page_10">10</span> -all men tell thou wilt freely grant me the -boon I ask.”</p> -<p>And Arthur answered, “Sir Knight, if -thou cravest battle here thou shalt not fail -for lack of a foe.”</p> -<p>And the knight answered, “Nay, I ask -no fight, in faith here on the benches are -but beardless children, were I clad in -armour on my steed there is no man here -might match me. Therefore I ask in this -court but a Christmas jest, for that it is -Yule-tide, and New Year, and there are -many here. If any one in this hall holds -himself so hardy,<a class="fn" id="fr_2" href="#fn_2">[2]</a> so bold both of blood and -brain, as to dare strike me one stroke for -another, I will give him as a gift this axe, -which is heavy enough, in sooth, to handle -as he may list, and I will abide the first -blow, unarmed as I sit. If any knight be -so bold as to prove my words let him come -swiftly to me here, and take this weapon, I -quit claim to it, he may keep it as his own, -and I will abide his stroke, firm on the -floor. Then shalt thou give me the right -to deal him another, the respite of a year -from to-day shall he have. Now pledge -me thy word, and let see whether any here -dare say aught.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_11">11</div> -<h3 id="cs10">The silence of the knights</h3> -<p>Now if the knights had been astounded -at the first, yet stiller were they all, high -and low, when they had heard his words. -The knight on his steed straightened himself -in the saddle, and rolled his eyes fiercely -round the hall, red they gleamed under his -green and bushy brows. He frowned and -twisted his beard, waiting to see who should -rise, and when none answered he cried -aloud in mockery, “What, is this Arthur’s -hall, and these the knights whose renown -hath run through many realms? Where -are now your pride and your conquests, -your wrath, and anger, and mighty words? -Now are the praise and the renown of the -Round Table overthrown by one man’s -speech, since all keep silence for dread ere -ever they have seen a blow!”</p> -<p>With that he laughed so loudly that the -blood rushed to the king’s fair face for very -shame; he waxed wroth, as did all his -knights, and sprang to his feet, and drew -near to the stranger and said, “Now by -heaven foolish is thine asking, and thy folly -shall find its fitting answer. I know no man -aghast at thy great words. Give me here -thine axe and I shall grant thee the boon -thou hast asked.” Lightly he sprang to -<span class="pb" id="Page_12">12</span> -him and caught at his hand, and the -knight, fierce of aspect, lighted down from -his charger.</p> -<p>Then Arthur took the axe and gripped -the haft, and swung it round, ready to -strike. And the knight stood before him, -taller by the head than any in the hall; he -stood, and stroked his beard, and drew -down his coat, no more dismayed for the -king’s threats than if one had brought him -a drink of wine.</p> -<h3 id="cs11">How Sir Gawain dared the venture</h3> -<p>Then Gawain, who sat by the queen, -leaned forward to the king and spake, “I -beseech ye, my lord, let this venture be -mine. Would ye but bid me rise from -this seat, and stand by your side, so that -my liege lady thought it not ill, then -would I come to your counsel before this -goodly court. For I think it not seemly -that such challenge should be made in your -hall that ye yourself should undertake it, -while there are many bold knights who sit -beside ye, none are there, methinks, of -readier will under heaven, or more valiant -in open field. I am the weakest, I wot, -and the feeblest of wit, and it will be the -less loss of my life if ye seek sooth. For -save that ye are mine uncle naught is there -<span class="pb" id="Page_13">13</span> -in me to praise, no virtue is there in my -body save your blood, and since this -challenge is such folly that it beseems ye -not to take it, and I have asked it from -ye first, let it fall to me, and if I bear -myself ungallantly then let all this court -blame me.”</p> -<p>Then they all spake with one voice that -the king should leave this venture and grant -it to Gawain.</p> -<p>Then Arthur commanded the knight to -rise, and he rose up quickly and knelt -down before the king, and caught hold of -the weapon; and the king loosed his hold -of it, and lifted up his hand, and gave him -his blessing, and bade him be strong both -of heart and hand. “Keep thee well, -nephew,” quoth Arthur, “that thou give -him but the one blow, and if thou redest -him rightly I trow thou shalt well abide -the stroke he may give thee after.”</p> -<h3 id="cs12">The making of the covenant</h3> -<p>Gawain stepped to the stranger, axe in -hand, and he, never fearing, awaited his -coming. Then the Green Knight spake -to Sir Gawain, “Make we our covenant -ere we go further. First, I ask thee, -knight, what is thy name? Tell me truly, -that I may know thee.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_14">14</div> -<p>“In faith,” quoth the good knight, -“Gawain am I, who give thee this buffet, -let what may come of it; and at this time -twelvemonth will I take another at thine -hand with whatsoever weapon thou wilt, -and none other.”</p> -<p>Then the other answered again, “Sir -Gawain, so may I thrive as I am fain to -take this buffet at thine hand,” and he -quoth further, “Sir Gawain, it liketh me -well that I shall take at thy fist that -which I have asked here, and thou hast -readily and truly rehearsed all the covenant -that I asked of the king, save that thou -shalt swear me, by thy troth, to seek -me thyself wherever thou hopest that I -may be found, and win thee such reward -as thou dealest me to-day, before this -folk.”</p> -<p>“Where shall I seek thee?” quoth -Gawain. “Where is thy place? By Him -that made me, I wot never where thou -dwellest, nor know I thee, knight, thy -court, nor thy name. But teach me truly -all that pertaineth thereto, and tell me thy -name, and I shall use all my wit to win -my way thither, and that I swear thee for -sooth, and by my sure troth.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_15">15</div> -<p>“That is enough in the New Year, it -needs no more,” quoth the Green Knight -to the gallant Gawain, “if I tell thee -truly when I have taken the blow, and -thou hast smitten me; then will I teach -thee of my house and home, and mine -own name, then mayest thou ask thy road -and keep covenant. And if I waste no -words then farest thou the better, for thou -canst dwell in thy land, and seek no -further. But take now thy toll, and let -see how thy strikest.”</p> -<p>“Gladly will I,” quoth Gawain, handling -his axe.</p> -<h3 id="cs13">The giving of the blow</h3> -<p>Then the Green Knight swiftly made -him ready, he bowed down his head, and -laid his long locks on the crown that his -bare neck might be seen. Gawain gripped -his axe and raised it on high, the left foot -he set forward on the floor, and let the -blow fall lightly on the bare neck. The -sharp edge of the blade sundered the -bones, smote through the neck, and clave -it in two, so that the edge of the steel bit -on the ground, and the head rolled even to -the horse’s feet.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_16">16</div> -<h3 id="cs14">The marvel of the Green Knight</h3> -<p>The blood spurted forth, -and glistened on the green raiment, but -the knight neither faltered nor fell; he -started forward with out-stretched hand, -and caught the head, and lifted it up; then -he turned to his steed, and took hold of -the bridle, set his foot in the stirrup, and -mounted. His head he held by the hair, -in his hand. Then he seated himself in -his saddle as if naught ailed him, and he -were not headless. He turned his steed -about, the grim corpse bleeding freely the -while, and they who looked upon him -doubted them much for the covenant.</p> -<p>For he held up the head in his hand, -and turned the face towards them that sat -on the high daïs, and it lifted up the eye-lids -and looked upon them, and spake as -ye shall hear. “Look, Gawain, that thou -art ready to go as thou hast promised, and -seek leally till thou find me, even as thou -hast sworn in this hall in the hearing of -these knights. Come thou, I charge thee, -to the Green Chapel, such a stroke as thou -hast dealt thou hast deserved, and it shall -be promptly paid thee on New Year’s morn. -Many men know me as the knight of the -Green Chapel, and if thou askest thou -shalt not fail to find me. Therefore it -behoves thee to come, or to yield thee as -recreant.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_17">17</div> -<p>With that he turned his bridle, and -galloped out at the hall door, his head in -his hands, so that the sparks flew from -beneath his horse’s hoofs. Whither he -went none knew, no more than they -wist whence he had come; and the king -and Gawain they gazed and laughed, -for in sooth this had proved a greater -marvel than any they had known aforetime.</p> -<p>Though Arthur the king was astonished -at his heart, yet he let no sign of it be -seen, but spake in courteous wise to the -fair queen: “Dear lady, be not dismayed, -such craft is well suited to Christmas-tide -when we seek jesting, laughter and song, -and fair carols of knights and ladies. But -now I may well get me to meat, for I -have seen a marvel I may not forget.” -Then he looked on Sir Gawain, and said -gaily, “Now, fair nephew, hang up thine -axe, since it has hewn enough,” and they -hung it on the dossal above the daïs, -where all men might look on it for a -marvel, and by its true token tell of the -wonder. Then the twain sat them down -together, the king and the good knight, -and men served them with a double portion, -<span class="pb" id="Page_18">18</span> -as was the share of the noblest, with -all manner of meat and of minstrelsy. -And they spent that day in gladness, -but Sir Gawain must well -bethink him of the heavy -venture to which he -had set his hand.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_19">19</div> -<h2 id="c2"><span class="small">II</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p04.jpg" id="ncfig3" alt="Illustrated drop-cap" width="600" height="350" /> -</div> -<p>This beginning of adventures -had Arthur at -the New Year, for he -yearned to hear gallant -tales, though his words were few when -he sat at the feast. But now had they -stern work on hand. Gawain was glad -to begin the jest in the hall, but ye need -have no marvel if the end be heavy. For -though a man be merry in mind when -he has well drunk, yet a year runs full -swiftly, and the beginning but rarely -matches the end.</p> -<h3 id="cs15">The waning of the year</h3> -<p>For Yule was now over-past,<a class="fn" id="fr_3" href="#fn_3">[3]</a> and the -year after, each season in its turn following -the other. For after Christmas comes -crabbed Lent, that will have fish for flesh -and simpler cheer. But then the weather -of the world chides with winter; the cold -<span class="pb" id="Page_20">20</span> -withdraws itself, the clouds uplift, and the -rain falls in warm showers on the fair -plains. Then the flowers come forth, -meadows and groves are clad in green, the -birds make ready to build, and sing sweetly -for solace of the soft summer that follows -thereafter. The blossoms bud and blow -in the hedgerows rich and rank, and noble -notes enough are heard in the fair woods.</p> -<p>After the season of summer, with the -soft winds, when zephyr breathes lightly -on seeds and herbs, joyous indeed is the -growth that waxes thereout when the dew -drips from the leaves beneath the blissful -glance of the bright sun. But then comes -harvest and hardens the grain, warning -it to wax ripe ere the winter. The drought -drives the dust on high, flying over the -face of the land; the angry wind of the -welkin wrestles with the sun; the leaves -fall from the trees and light upon the -ground, and all brown are the groves that -but now were green, and ripe is the fruit -that once was flower. So the year passes -into many yesterdays, and winter comes -again, as it needs no sage to tell us.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_21">21</div> -<h3 id="cs16">Sir Gawain bethinks him of his covenant</h3> -<p>When the Michaelmas moon was come -in with warnings of winter, Sir Gawain -bethought him full oft of his perilous -journey. Yet till All Hallows Day he -lingered with Arthur, and on that day -they made a great feast for the hero’s sake, -with much revel and richness of the Round -Table. Courteous knights and comely -ladies, all were in sorrow for the love of -that knight, and though they spake no -word of it many were joyless for his -sake.</p> -<p>And after meat, sadly Sir Gawain turned -to his uncle, and spake of his journey, and -said, “Liege lord of my life, leave from -you I crave. Ye know well how the matter -stands without more words, to-morrow am -I bound to set forth in search of the Green -Knight.”</p> -<p>Then came together all the noblest -knights, Ywain and Erec, and many another. -Sir Dodinel le Sauvage, Launcelot and -Lionel, and Lucan the Good, Sir Bors -and Sir Bedivere, valiant knights both, and -many another hero, with Sir Mador de la -Porte, and they all drew near, heavy at -heart, to take counsel with Sir Gawain. -Much sorrow and weeping was there in the -hall to think that so worthy a knight as -Gawain should wend his way to seek a -<span class="pb" id="Page_22">22</span> -deadly blow, and should no more wield his -sword in fight. But the knight made -ever good cheer, and said, “Nay, wherefore -should I shrink? What may a man -do but prove his fate?”</p> -<h3 id="cs17">The arming of Sir Gawain</h3> -<p>He dwelt there all that day, and on the -morn he arose and asked betimes for his -armour; and they brought it unto him on -this wise: first, a rich carpet was stretched -on the floor<a class="fn" id="fr_4" href="#fn_4">[4]</a> (and brightly did the gold gear -glitter upon it), then the knight stepped -on to it, and handled the steel; clad he was -in a doublet of silk, with a close hood, lined -fairly throughout. Then they set the steel -shoes upon his feet, and wrapped his legs -with greaves, with polished knee-caps -fastened with knots of gold. Then they -cased his thighs in cuisses closed with -thongs, and brought him the byrny of -bright steel rings sewn upon a fair stuff. -Well burnished braces they set on each arm -with good elbow-pieces, and gloves of mail, -and all the goodly gear that should shield -him in his need. And they cast over all -a rich surcoat, and set the golden spurs on -his heels, and girt him with a trusty sword -fastened with a silken bawdrick. When he -was thus clad his harness was costly, for -<span class="pb" id="Page_23">23</span> -the least loop or latchet gleamed with gold. -So armed as he was he hearkened Mass and -made his offering at the high altar. Then -he came to the king, and the knights of his -court, and courteously took leave of lords -and ladies, and they kissed him, and commended -him to Christ.</p> -<p>With that was Gringalet ready, girt -with a saddle that gleamed gaily with many -golden fringes, enriched and decked anew for -the venture. The bridle was all barred -about with bright gold buttons, and all the -covertures and trappings of the steed, the -crupper and the rich skirts, accorded with -the saddle; spread fair with the rich red -gold that glittered and gleamed in the rays -of the sun.</p> -<p>Then the knight called for his helmet, -which was well lined throughout, and set -it high on his head, and hasped it behind. -He wore a light kerchief over the vintail, -that was broidered and studded with fair -gems on a broad silken ribbon, with birds -of gay colour, and many a turtle and true-lover’s -knot interlaced thickly, even as -many a maiden had wrought them. But -the circlet which crowned his helmet was -yet more precious, being adorned with a -<span class="pb" id="Page_24">24</span> -device in diamonds. Then they brought -him his shield, which was of bright red, -with the pentangle painted thereon in -gleaming gold.<a class="fn" id="fr_5" href="#fn_5">[5]</a></p> -<h3 id="cs18">Wherefore Sir Gawain bare the pentangle</h3> -<p>And why that noble -prince bare the pentangle I am minded to -tell you, though my tale tarry thereby. It -is a sign that Solomon set ere-while, as -betokening truth; for it is a figure with -five points and each line overlaps the other, -and nowhere hath it beginning or end, so -that in English it is called “the endless -knot.” And therefore was it well suiting -to this knight and to his arms, since -Gawain was faithful in five and five-fold, -for pure was he as gold, void of all villainy -and endowed with all virtues. Therefore -he bare the pentangle on shield and surcoat -as truest of heroes and gentlest of -knights.</p> -<p>For first he was faultless in his five -senses; and his five fingers never failed -him; and all his trust upon earth was in -the five wounds that Christ bare on the -cross, as the Creed tells. And wherever -this knight found himself in stress of battle -he deemed well that he drew his strength -from the five joys which the Queen of -Heaven had of her Child. And for this -<span class="pb" id="Page_25">25</span> -cause did he bear an image of Our Lady -on the one half of his shield, that whenever -he looked upon it he might not lack for -aid. And the fifth five that the hero used -were frankness and fellowship above all, -purity and courtesy that never failed him, -and compassion that surpasses all; and in -these five virtues was that hero wrapped -and clothed. And all these, five-fold, were -linked one in the other, so that they had -no end, and were fixed on five points that -never failed, neither at any side were they -joined or sundered, nor could ye find -beginning or end. And therefore on his -shield was the knot shapen, red-gold upon -red, which is the pure pentangle. Now -was Sir Gawain ready, and he took his -lance in hand, and bade them all <i>Farewell</i>, -he deemed it had been for ever.</p> -<h3 id="cs19">How Sir Gawain went forth</h3> -<p>Then he smote the steed with his spurs, -and sprang on his way, so that sparks flew -from the stones after him. All that saw -him were grieved at heart, and said one to -the other, “By Christ, ’tis great pity that -one of such noble life should be lost! I’ -faith, ’twere not easy to find his equal upon -earth. The king had done better to have -wrought more warily. Yonder knight -<span class="pb" id="Page_26">26</span> -should have been made a duke; a gallant -leader of men is he, and such a fate had -beseemed him better than to be hewn in -pieces at the will of an elfish man, for mere -pride. Who ever knew a king to take -such counsel as to risk his knights on a -Christmas jest?” Many were the tears -that flowed from their eyes when that -goodly knight rode from the hall. He -made no delaying, but went his way swiftly, -and rode many a wild road, as I heard say -in the book.</p> -<h3 id="cs20">Of Sir Gawain’s journey</h3> -<p>So rode Sir Gawain through the realm of -Logres, on an errand that he held for no -jest. Often he lay companionless at night, -and must lack the fare that he liked. No -comrade had he save his steed, and none -save God with whom to take counsel. At -length he drew nigh to North Wales, and -left the isles of Anglesey on his left hand, -crossing over the fords by the foreland -over at Holyhead, till he came into the -wilderness of Wirral,<a class="fn" id="fr_6" href="#fn_6">[6]</a> that is loved neither -of God nor of man, and there he abode but -a little time. And ever he asked, as he -fared, of all whom he met, if they had -heard any tidings of a Green Knight in -the country thereabout, or of a Green -<span class="pb" id="Page_27">27</span> -Chapel? And all answered him, Nay, -never in their lives had they seen any man -of such a hue. And the knight wended -his way by many a strange road and many -a rugged path, and the fashion of his countenance -changed full often ere he saw the -Green Chapel.</p> -<p>Many a cliff did he climb in that unknown -land, where afar from his friends he rode as -a stranger. Never did he come to a stream -or a ford but he found a foe before him, -and that one so marvellous, so foul and fell, -that it behoved him to fight. So many -wonders did that knight behold that it -were too long to tell the tenth part of -them. Sometimes he fought with dragons -and wolves; sometimes with wild men that -dwelt in the rocks; another while with -bulls, and bears, and wild boars, or with -giants of the high moorland that drew near -to him. Had he not been a doughty knight, -enduring, and of well-proved valour, doubtless -he had been slain, for he was oft in -danger of death. Yet he cared not so much -for the strife, what he deemed worse was -when the cold clear water was shed from -the clouds, and froze ere it fell on the fallow -ground. More nights than enough he -<span class="pb" id="Page_28">28</span> -slept in his harness on the bare rocks, -near slain with the sleet, while the stream -leapt bubbling from the crest of the -hills, and hung in hard icicles over his -head.</p> -<p>Thus in peril and pain, and many a -hardship, the knight rode alone till Christmas -Eve, and in that tide he made his prayer to -the Blessed Virgin that she would guide -his steps and lead him to some dwelling. -On that morning he rode by a hill, and -came into a thick forest, wild and drear; -on each side were high hills, and thick -woods below them of great hoar oaks, a -hundred together, of hazel and hawthorn -with their trailing boughs intertwined, and -rough ragged moss spreading everywhere. -On the bare twigs the birds chirped piteously, -for pain of the cold. The knight -upon Gringalet rode lonely beneath them, -through marsh and mire, much troubled at -heart lest he should fail to see the service -of the Lord, who on that self-same night -was born of a Maiden for the cure of our -grief; and therefore he said, sighing, “I -beseech Thee, Lord, and Mary Thy gentle -Mother, for some shelter where I may hear -Mass, and Thy mattins at morn. This I -<span class="pb" id="Page_29">29</span> -ask meekly, and thereto I pray my Paternoster, -Ave, and Credo.” Thus he rode -praying, and lamenting his misdeeds, and -he crossed himself, and said, “May the -Cross of Christ speed me.”</p> -<h3 id="cs21">How Sir Gawain came to a fair castle on Christmas Eve</h3> -<p>Now that knight had crossed himself but -thrice ere he was aware in the wood of a -dwelling within a moat, above a lawn, on a -mound surrounded by many mighty trees -that stood round the moat. ’Twas the -fairest castle that ever a knight owned;<a class="fn" id="fr_7" href="#fn_7">[7]</a> -built in a meadow with a park all about it, -and a spiked palisade, closely driven, that -enclosed the trees for more than two miles. -The knight was ware of the hold from the -side, as it shone through the oaks. Then -he lifted off his helmet, and thanked Christ -and S. Julian that they had courteously -granted his prayer, and hearkened to his -cry. “Now,” quoth the knight, “I beseech -ye, grant me fair hostel.” Then he -pricked Gringalet with his golden spurs, -and rode gaily towards the great gate, and -came swiftly to the bridge end.</p> -<p>The bridge was drawn up and the gates -close shut; the walls were strong and -thick, so that they might fear no tempest. -The knight on his charger abode on the -<span class="pb" id="Page_30">30</span> -bank of the deep double ditch that surrounded -the castle. The walls were set -deep in the water, and rose aloft to a -wondrous height; they were of hard hewn -stone up to the corbels, which were adorned -beneath the battlements with fair carvings, -and turrets set in between with many a -loophole; a better barbican Sir Gawain -had never looked upon. And within he -beheld the high hall, with its tower and -many windows with carven cornices, and -chalk-white chimneys on the turreted roofs -that shone fair in the sun. And everywhere, -thickly scattered on the castle -battlements, were pinnacles, so many that -it seemed as if it were all wrought out of -paper, so white was it.</p> -<p>The knight on his steed deemed it fair -enough, if he might come to be sheltered -within it to lodge there while that the -Holy-day lasted. He called aloud, and soon -there came a porter of kindly countenance, -who stood on the wall and greeted this -knight and asked his errand.</p> -<p>“Good sir,” quoth Gawain, “wilt thou -go mine errand to the high lord of the -castle, and crave for me lodging?”</p> -<p>“Yea, by S. Peter,” quoth the porter. -<span class="pb" id="Page_31">31</span> -“In sooth I trow that ye be welcome to -dwell here so long as it may like ye.”</p> -<h3 id="cs22">How Sir Gawain was welcomed</h3> -<p>Then he went, and came again swiftly, -and many folk with him to receive the -knight. They let down the great drawbridge, -and came forth and knelt on their -knees on the cold earth to give him worthy -welcome. They held wide open the great -gates, and he greeted them courteously, -and rode over the bridge. Then men -came to him and held his stirrup while he -dismounted, and took and stabled his steed. -There came down knights and squires -to bring the guest with joy to the hall. -When he raised his helmet there were many -to take it from his hand, fain to serve him, -and they took from him sword and shield.</p> -<p>Sir Gawain gave good greeting to the -nobles and the mighty men who came to -do him honour. Clad in his shining -armour they led him to the hall, where a -great fire burnt brightly on the floor; and -the lord of the household came forth from -his chamber to meet the hero fitly. He -spake to the knight, and said: “Ye are -welcome to do here as it likes ye. All -that is here is your own to have at your -will and disposal.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_32">32</div> -<p>“Gramercy!” quote Gawain, “may -Christ requite ye.”</p> -<p>As friends that were fain each embraced -the other; and Gawain looked on the knight -who greeted him so kindly, and thought -’twas a bold warrior that owned that burg.</p> -<p>Of mighty stature he was, and of high -age; broad and flowing was his beard, and -of a bright hue. He was stalwart of limb, -and strong in his stride, his face fiery red, -and his speech free: in sooth he seemed one -well fitted to be a leader of valiant men.</p> -<p>Then the lord led Sir Gawain to a -chamber, and commanded folk to wait -upon him, and at his bidding there came -men enough who brought the guest to a -fair bower. The bedding was noble, with -curtains of pure silk wrought with gold, -and wondrous coverings of fair cloth all -embroidered. The curtains ran on ropes -with rings of red gold, and the walls were -hung with carpets of Orient, and the same -spread on the floor. There with mirthful -speeches they took from the guest his -byrny and all his shining armour, and -brought him rich robes of the choicest in -its stead. They were long and flowing, -and became him well, and when he was -<span class="pb" id="Page_33">33</span> -clad in them all who looked on the hero -thought that surely God had never made a -fairer knight: he seemed as if he might be -a prince without peer in the field where -men strive in battle.</p> -<p>Then before the hearth-place, whereon -the fire burned, they made ready a chair -for Gawain, hung about with cloth and -fair cushions; and there they cast around -him a mantle of brown samite, richly -embroidered and furred within with costly -skins of ermine, with a hood of the same, -and he seated himself in that rich seat, and -warmed himself at the fire and was cheered -at heart. And while he sat thus the -serving men set up a table on trestles, and -covered it with a fair white cloth, and set -thereon salt-cellar, and napkin, and silver -spoons; and the knight washed at his will, -and set him down to meat.</p> -<p>The folk served him courteously with -many dishes seasoned of the best, a double -portion. All kinds of fish were there, -some baked in bread, some broiled on the -embers, some sodden, some stewed and -savoured with spices, with all sorts of -cunning devices to his taste. And often -he called it a feast, when they spake gaily -<span class="pb" id="Page_34">34</span> -to him all together, and said, “Now take -ye this penance, and it shall be for your -amendment.” Much mirth thereof did Sir -Gawain make.</p> -<h3 id="cs23">Sir Gawain tells his name</h3> -<p>Then they questioned that prince -courteously of whence he came; and he -told them that he was of the court of -Arthur, who is the rich royal King of the -Round Table, and that it was Gawain -himself who was within their walls, and -would keep Christmas with them, as the -chance had fallen out. And when the -lord of the castle heard those tidings he -laughed aloud for gladness, and all men in -that keep were joyful that they should be -in the company of him to whom belonged -all fame, and valour, and courtesy, and -whose honour was praised above that of all -men on earth. Each said softly to his -fellow, “Now shall we see courteous bearing, -and the manner of speech befitting -courts. What charm lieth in gentle speech -shall we learn without asking, since here -we have welcomed the fine father of -courtesy. God has surely shewn us His -grace since He sends us such a guest as -Gawain! When men shall sit and sing, -blithe for Christ’s birth, this knight shall -<span class="pb" id="Page_35">35</span> -bring us to the knowledge of fair manners, -and it may be that hearing him we may -learn the cunning speech of love.”</p> -<p>By the time the knight had risen from -dinner it was near nightfall. Then chaplains -took their way to the chapel, and -rang loudly, even as they should, for the -solemn evensong of the high feast. Thither -went the lord, and the lady also, and entered -with her maidens into a comely closet, and -thither also went Gawain. Then the lord -took him by the sleeve and led him to a -seat, and called him by his name, and told -him he was of all men in the world the -most welcome. And Sir Gawain thanked -him truly, and each kissed the other, and -they sat gravely together throughout the -service.</p> -<h3 id="cs24">The lady of the castle</h3> -<p>Then was the lady fain to look upon -that knight; and she came forth from her -closet with many fair maidens. The fairest -of ladies was she in face, and figure, and -colouring, fairer even than Guinevere, so -the knight thought. She came through -the chancel to greet the hero, another lady -held her by the left hand, older than she, -and seemingly of high estate, with many -nobles about her. But unlike to look upon -<span class="pb" id="Page_36">36</span> -were those ladies, for if the younger were -fair, the elder was yellow. Rich red were -the cheeks of the one, rough and wrinkled -those of the other; the kerchiefs of the -one were broidered with many glistening -pearls, her throat and neck bare, and -whiter than the snow that lies on the hills; -the neck of the other was swathed in a -gorget, with a white wimple over her black -chin. Her forehead was wrapped in silk -with many folds, worked with knots, so -that naught of her was seen save her black -brows, her eyes, her nose, and her lips, -and those were bleared, and ill to look -upon. A worshipful lady in sooth one -might call her! In figure was she short -and broad, and thickly made—far fairer to -behold was she whom she led by the hand.</p> -<p>When Gawain beheld that fair lady, who -looked at him graciously, with leave of the -lord he went towards them, and, bowing -low, he greeted the elder, but the younger -and fairer he took lightly in his arms, and -kissed her courteously, and greeted her in -knightly wise. Then she hailed him as -friend, and he quickly prayed to be counted -as her servant, if she so willed. Then they -took him between them, and talking, led -<span class="pb" id="Page_37">37</span> -him to the chamber, to the hearth, and -bade them bring spices, and they brought -them in plenty with the good wine that -was wont to be drunk at such seasons. -Then the lord sprang to his feet and bade -them make merry, and took off his hood, -and hung it on a spear, and bade him win -the worship thereof who should make most -mirth that Christmas-tide. “And I shall -try, by my faith, to fool it with the best, by -the help of my friends, ere I lose my -raiment.” Thus with gay words the lord -made trial to gladden Gawain with jests -that night, till it was time to bid them -light the tapers, and Sir Gawain took leave -of them and gat him to rest.</p> -<h3 id="cs25">Of the Christmas feast</h3> -<p>In the morn when all men call to mind -how Christ our Lord was born on earth to -die for us, there is joy, for His sake, in all -dwellings of the world; and so was there -here on that day. For high feast was held, -with many dainties and cunningly cooked -messes. On the daïs sat gallant men, clad -in their best. The ancient dame sat on -the high seat, with the lord of the castle -beside her. Gawain and the fair lady sat -together, even in the midst of the board, -when the feast was served; and so throughout -<span class="pb" id="Page_38">38</span> -all the hall each sat in his degree, and -was served in order. There was meat, -there was mirth, there was much joy, so -that to tell thereof would take me too long, -though peradventure I might strive to -declare it. But Gawain and that fair lady -had much joy of each other’s company -through her sweet words and courteous -converse. And there was music made -before each prince, trumpets and drums, -and merry piping; each man hearkened -his minstrel, and they too hearkened -theirs.</p> -<h3 id="cs26">How the feast came to an end but Gawain abode at the castle</h3> -<p>So they held high feast that day and the -next, and the third day thereafter, and the -joy on S. John’s Day was fair to hearken, -for ’twas the last of the feast, and the -guests would depart in the grey of the -morning. Therefore they awoke early, -and drank wine, and danced fair carols, and -at last, when it was late, each man took his -leave to wend early on his way. Gawain -would bid his host farewell, but the lord -took him by the hand, and led him to his -own chamber beside the hearth, and there -he thanked him for the favour he had -shown him in honouring his dwelling at -that high season, and gladdening his castle -<span class="pb" id="Page_39">39</span> -with his fair countenance. “I wis, sir, -that while I live I shall be held the worthier -that Gawain has been my guest at God’s -own feast.”</p> -<p>“Gramercy, sir,” quoth Gawain, “in -good faith, all the honour is yours, may the -High King give it ye, and I am but at -your will to work your behest, inasmuch as -I am beholden to ye in great and small by -rights.”</p> -<p>Then the lord did his best to persuade the -knight to tarry with him, but Gawain -answered that he might in no wise do so. -Then the host asked him courteously what -stern behest had driven him at the holy -season from the king’s court, to fare all -alone, ere yet the feast was ended?</p> -<p>“Forsooth,” quoth the knight, “ye say -but the truth: ’tis a high quest and a -pressing that hath brought me afield, for I -am summoned myself to a certain place, -and I know not whither in the world I may -wend to find it; so help me Christ, I -would give all the kingdom of Logres an -I might find it by New Year’s morn. -Therefore, sir, I make request of ye that -ye tell me truly if ye ever heard word of -the Green Chapel, where it may be found, -<span class="pb" id="Page_40">40</span> -and the Green Knight that keeps it. For -I am pledged by solemn compact sworn -between us to meet that knight at the New -Year if so I were on life; and of that same -New Year it wants but little—I’ faith, I -would look on that hero more joyfully than -on any other fair sight! Therefore, by -your will, it behoves me to leave ye, for I -have but barely three days, and I would as -fain fall dead as fail of mine errand.”</p> -<p>Then the lord quoth, laughing, “Now -must ye needs stay, for I will show ye -your goal, the Green Chapel, ere your -term be at an end, have ye no fear! But -ye can take your ease, friend, in your bed, -till the fourth day, and go forth on the first -of the year, and come to that place at mid-morn -to do as ye will. Dwell here till -New Year’s Day, and then rise and set -forth, and ye shall be set in the way; ’tis not -two miles hence.”</p> -<p>Then was Gawain glad, and he laughed -gaily. “Now I thank ye for this above -all else. Now my quest is achieved I will -dwell here at your will, and otherwise do as -ye shall ask.”</p> -<p>Then the lord took him, and set him -beside him, and bade the ladies be fetched -<span class="pb" id="Page_41">41</span> -for their greater pleasure, tho’ between -themselves they had solace. The lord, for -gladness, made merry jest, even as one who -wist not what to do for joy; and he cried -aloud to the knight, “Ye have promised to -do the thing I bid ye: will ye hold to this -behest, here, at once?”</p> -<p>“Yea, forsooth,” said that true knight, -“while I abide in your burg I am bound -by your behest.”</p> -<p>“Ye have travelled from far,” said the -host, “and since then ye have waked with -me, ye are not well refreshed by rest and -sleep, as I know. Ye shall therefore abide -in your chamber, and lie at your ease to-morrow -at Mass-tide, and go to meat when -ye will with my wife, who shall sit with -ye, and comfort ye with her company -till I return; and I shall rise early and go -forth to the chase.” And Gawain agreed -to all this courteously.</p> -<h3 id="cs27">Sir Gawain makes a covenant with his host</h3> -<p>“Sir knight,” quoth the host, “we will -make a covenant. Whatsoever I win in -the wood shall be yours, and whatever may -fall to your share, that shall ye exchange for -it. Let us swear, friend, to make this -exchange, however our hap may be, for -worse or for better.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_42">42</div> -<p>“I grant ye your will,” quoth Gawain -the good; “if ye list so to do, it liketh me -well.”</p> -<p>“Bring hither the wine-cup, the bargain -is made,” so said the lord of that castle. -They laughed each one, and drank of the -wine, and made merry, these lords and -ladies, as it pleased them. Then with gay -talk and merry jest they arose, and stood, -and spoke softly, and kissed courteously, -and took leave of each other. With burning -torches, and many a serving man, was -each led to his couch; yet ere they -gat them to bed the old lord oft -repeated their covenant, for -he knew well how to -make sport.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_43">43</div> -<h2 id="c3"><span class="small">III</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p05.jpg" id="ncfig4" alt="Illustrated drop-cap" width="600" height="345" /> -</div> -<h3 id="cs28">The first day’s hunting</h3> -<p>Full early, ere daylight, -the folk rose up; the -guests who would depart -called their grooms, and -they made them ready, and saddled the -steeds, tightened up the girths, and trussed -up their mails. The knights, all arrayed -for riding, leapt up lightly, and took their -bridles, and each rode his way as pleased -him best.</p> -<p>The lord of the land was not the last. -Ready for the chase, with many of his -men, he ate a sop hastily when he had -heard Mass, and then with blast of the bugle -fared forth to the field.<a class="fn" id="fr_8" href="#fn_8">[8]</a> He and his nobles -were to horse ere daylight glimmered upon -the earth.</p> -<p>Then the huntsmen coupled their hounds, -unclosed the kennel door, and called them -<span class="pb" id="Page_44">44</span> -out. They blew three blasts gaily on the -bugles, the hounds bayed fiercely, and they -that would go a-hunting checked and chastised -them. A hundred hunters there were -of the best, so I have heard tell. Then the -trackers gat them to the trysting-place and -uncoupled the hounds, and the forest rang -again with their gay blasts.</p> -<p>At the first sound of the hunt the game -quaked for fear, and fled, trembling, along -the vale. They betook them to the heights, -but the liers in wait turned them back with -loud cries; the harts they let pass them, -and the stags with their spreading antlers, -for the lord had forbidden that they should -be slain, but the hinds and the does they -turned back, and drave down into the -valleys. Then might ye see much shooting -of arrows. As the deer fled under the -boughs a broad whistling shaft smote and -wounded each sorely, so that, wounded and -bleeding, they fell dying on the banks. -The hounds followed swiftly on their tracks, -and hunters, blowing the horn, sped after -them with ringing shouts that well-nigh -burst the cliffs asunder. What game escaped -those that shot was run down at the outer -ring. Thus were they driven on the hills, -<span class="pb" id="Page_45">45</span> -and harassed at the waters, so well did the -men know their work, and the greyhounds -were so great and swift that they ran them -down as fast as the hunters could slay them. -Thus the lord passed the day in mirth and -joyfulness, even to nightfall.</p> -<h3 id="cs29">How the lady of the castle came to Sir Gawain</h3> -<p>So the lord roamed the woods, and -Gawain, that good knight, lay ever a-bed, -curtained about, under the costly coverlet, -while the daylight gleamed on the walls. -And as he lay half slumbering, he heard a -little sound at the door, and he raised his -head, and caught back a corner of the -curtain, and waited to see what it might -be. It was the lovely lady, the lord’s wife; -she shut the door softly behind her, and -turned towards the bed; and Gawain laid -him down softly and made as if he slept. -And she came lightly to the bedside, within -the curtain, and sat herself down beside -him, to wait till he wakened. The knight -lay there awhile, and marvelled within himself -what her coming might betoken; and -he said to himself, “’Twere more seemly -if I asked her what hath brought her -hither.” Then he made feint to waken, -and turned towards her, and opened his -eyes as one astonished, and crossed himself; -<span class="pb" id="Page_46">46</span> -and she looked on him laughing, with her -cheeks red and white, lovely to behold.</p> -<p>“Good morrow, Sir Gawain,” said that -fair lady; “ye are but a careless sleeper, -since one can enter thus. Now are ye -taken unawares, and lest ye escape me I -shall bind you in your bed; of that be ye -assured!” Laughing, she spake these -words.</p> -<p>“Good morrow, fair lady,” quoth Gawain -blithely. “I will do your will, as it likes -me well. For I yield me readily, and pray -your grace, and that is best, by my faith, -since I needs must do so.” Thus he jested -again, laughing. “But an ye would, fair -lady, grant me this grace that ye pray your -prisoner to rise. I would get me from bed, -and array me better, then could I talk with -ye in more comfort.”</p> -<p>“Nay, forsooth, fair sir,” quoth the -lady, “ye shall not rise, I will rede ye -better. I shall keep ye here, since ye can -do no other, and talk with my knight -whom I have captured. For I know well -that ye are Sir Gawain, whom all the world -worships, wheresoever ye may ride. Your -honour and your courtesy are praised by -lords and ladies, by all who live. Now ye -<span class="pb" id="Page_47">47</span> -are here and we are alone, my lord and his -men are afield; the serving men in their -beds, and my maidens also, and the door -shut upon us. And since in this hour I -have him that all men love, I shall use my -time well with speech, while it lasts. Ye -are welcome to my company, for it behoves -me in sooth to be your servant.”</p> -<p>“In good faith,” quoth Gawain, “I -think me that I am not he of whom ye -speak, for unworthy am I of such service -as ye here proffer. In sooth, I were glad if -I might set myself by word or service to -your pleasure; a pure joy would it be -to me!”</p> -<p>“In good faith, Sir Gawain,” quoth the -gay lady, “the praise and the prowess that -pleases all ladies I lack them not, nor hold -them light; yet are there ladies enough -who would liever now have the knight in -their hold, as I have ye here, to dally with -your courteous words, to bring them comfort -and to ease their cares, than much of -the treasure and the gold that are theirs. -And now, through the grace of Him who -upholds the heavens, I have wholly in my -power that which they all desire!”</p> -<p>Thus the lady, fair to look upon, -<span class="pb" id="Page_48">48</span> -made him great cheer, and Sir Gawain, -with modest words, answered her again: -“Madam,” he quoth, “may Mary requite -ye, for in good faith I have found in ye a -noble frankness. Much courtesy have -other folk shown me, but the honour they -have done me is naught to the worship of -yourself, who knoweth but good.”</p> -<p>“By Mary,” quoth the lady, “I think -otherwise; for were I worth all the women -alive, and had I the wealth of the world in -my hand, and might choose me a lord to -my liking, then, for all that I have seen in -ye, Sir Knight, of beauty and courtesy -and blithe semblance, and for all that I -have hearkened and hold for true, there -should be no knight on earth to be chosen -before ye!”</p> -<p>“Well I wot,” quoth Sir Gawain, “that -ye have chosen a better; but I am proud -that ye should so prize me, and as your -servant do I hold ye my sovereign, and -your knight am I, and may Christ reward -ye.”</p> -<p>So they talked of many matters till mid-morn -was past, and ever the lady shewed -her love to him, and the knight turned her -speech aside. For though she were the -<span class="pb" id="Page_49">49</span> -brightest of maidens, yet had he forborne -to shew her love for the danger that awaited -him, and the blow that must be given -without delay.</p> -<p>Then the lady prayed her leave from -him, and he granted it readily. And she -gave him good-day, with laughing glance, -but he must needs marvel at her words:</p> -<p>“Now He that speeds fair speech reward -ye this disport; but that ye be Gawain my -mind misdoubts me greatly.”</p> -<p>“Wherefore?” quoth the knight quickly, -fearing lest he had lacked in some courtesy.</p> -<p>And the lady spake: “So true a knight -as Gawain is holden, and one so perfect in -courtesy, would never have tarried so long -with a lady but he would of his courtesy -have craved a kiss at parting.”</p> -<h3 id="cs30">How the lady kissed Sir Gawain</h3> -<p>Then quoth Gawain, “I wot I will do -even as it may please ye, and kiss at your -commandment, as a true knight should -who forbears to ask for fear of displeasure.”</p> -<p>At that she came near and bent down -and kissed the knight, and each commended -the other to Christ, and she went -forth from the chamber softly.</p> -<p>Then Sir Gawain arose and called his -chamberlain and chose his garments, and -<span class="pb" id="Page_50">50</span> -when he was ready he gat him forth to -Mass, and then went to meat, and made -merry all day till the rising of the moon, -and never had a knight fairer lodging than -had he with those two noble ladies, the -elder and the younger.</p> -<p>And ever the lord of the land chased the -hinds through holt and heath till eventide, -and then with much blowing of bugles and -baying of hounds they bore the game -homeward; and by the time daylight was -done all the folk had returned to that fair -castle. And when the lord and Sir Gawain -met together, then were they both well -pleased. The lord commanded them all to -assemble in the great hall, and the ladies to -descend with their maidens, and there, -before them all, he bade the men fetch in -the spoil of the day’s hunting, and he -called unto Gawain, and counted the tale -of the beasts, and showed them unto him, -and said, “What think ye of this game, Sir -Knight? Have I deserved of ye thanks for -my woodcraft?”</p> -<p>“Yea, I wis,” quoth the other, “here is -the fairest spoil I have seen this seven year -in the winter season.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_51">51</div> -<h3 id="cs31">How the covenant was kept</h3> -<p>“And all this do I give ye, Gawain,” -quoth the host, “for by accord of covenant -ye may claim it as your own.”</p> -<p>“That is sooth,” quoth the other, “I -grant you that same; and I have fairly -won this within walls, and with as good -will do I yield it to ye.” With that he -clasped his hands round the lord’s neck and -kissed him as courteously as he might. -“Take ye here my spoils, no more have I -won; ye should have it freely, though it -were greater than this.”</p> -<p>“’Tis good,” said the host, “gramercy -thereof. Yet were I fain to know where -ye won this same favour, and if it were by -your own wit?”</p> -<p>“Nay,” answered Gawain, “that was -not in the bond. Ask me no more: ye -have taken what was yours by right, be -content with that.”</p> -<p>They laughed and jested together, and -sat them down to supper, where they were -served with many dainties; and after -supper they sat by the hearth, and wine -was served out to them; and oft in their -jesting they promised to observe on the -morrow the same covenant that they had -made before, and whatever chance might -betide to exchange their spoil, be it much -<span class="pb" id="Page_52">52</span> -or little, when they met at night. Thus -they renewed their bargain before the -whole court, and then the night-drink was -served, and each courteously took leave of -the other and gat him to bed.</p> -<h3 id="cs32">Of the second day’s hunting</h3> -<p>By the time the cock had crowed thrice -the lord of the castle had left his bed; -Mass was sung and meat fitly served. The -folk were forth to the wood ere the day -broke, with hound and horn they rode over -the plain, and uncoupled their dogs among -the thorns. Soon they struck on the scent, -and the hunt cheered on the hounds who -were first to seize it, urging them with -shouts. The others hastened to the cry, -forty at once, and there rose such a clamour -from the pack that the rocks rang again. -The huntsmen followed hard after with -shouting and blasts of the horn; and the -hounds drew together to a thicket betwixt -the water and a high crag in the cliff -beneath the hillside. As the rough rocks -were ill for riding the huntsmen sprang -to earth and hastened on foot, and cast -about round the hill and the thicket. -The knights wist well what beast was -within, and would drive him forth with -the bloodhounds. And as they beat the -<span class="pb" id="Page_53">53</span> -bushes, suddenly over the beaters there -rushed forth a wondrous great and fierce -boar, long since had he left the herd to -roam by himself. Grunting, he cast many -to the ground, and fled forth at his best -speed, without more mischief. The men -hallooed loudly and cried, “<i>Hay! Hay!</i>” -and blew the horns to urge on the hounds, -and rode swiftly after the boar. Many a -time did he turn to bay and tare the -hounds, and they yelped, and howled -shrilly. Then the men made ready their -arrows and shot at him, but the points -were turned on his thick hide, and the -barbs would not bite upon him, for the -shafts shivered in pieces, and the head but -leapt again wherever it hit.</p> -<p>But when the boar felt the stroke of -the arrows he waxed mad with rage, and -turned on the hunters and tare many, so -that, affrighted, they fled before him. But -the lord on a swift steed pursued him, -blowing his bugle; as a gallant knight he -rode through the woodland chasing the -boar till the sun grew low.</p> -<p>So did the hunters this day, while Sir -Gawain lay in his bed lapped in rich gear; -and the lady forgat not to salute him, for -<span class="pb" id="Page_54">54</span> -early was she at his side, to cheer his -mood.</p> -<h3 id="cs33">Of the lady and Sir Gawain</h3> -<p>She came to the bedside and looked on -the knight, and Gawain gave her fit -greeting, and she greeted him again with -ready words, and sat her by his side and -laughed, and with a sweet look she spoke -to him:</p> -<p>“Sir, if ye be Gawain, I think it a -wonder that ye be so stern and cold, and -care not for the courtesies of friendship, -but if one teach ye to know them ye cast -the lesson out of your mind. Ye have -soon forgotten what I taught ye yesterday, -by all the truest tokens that I knew!”</p> -<p>“What is that?” quoth the knight. -“I trow I know not. If it be sooth that -ye say, then is the blame mine own.”</p> -<p>“But I taught ye of kissing,” quoth the -fair lady. “Wherever a fair countenance is -shown him, it behoves a courteous knight -quickly to claim a kiss.”</p> -<p>“Nay, my dear,” said Sir Gawain, -“cease that speech; that durst I not do -lest I were denied, for if I were forbidden -I wot I were wrong did I further entreat.”</p> -<p>“I’ faith,” quoth the lady merrily, “ye -may not be forbid, ye are strong enough to -<span class="pb" id="Page_55">55</span> -constrain by strength an ye will, were any -so discourteous as to give ye denial.”</p> -<p>“Yea, by Heaven,” said Gawain, “ye -speak well; but threats profit little in the -land where I dwell, and so with a gift that -is given not of good will! I am at your -commandment to kiss when ye like, to take -or to leave as ye list.”</p> -<p>Then the lady bent her down and -kissed him courteously.</p> -<h3 id="cs34">How the lady strove to beguile Sir Gawain with words of love</h3> -<p>And as they spake together she said, -“I would learn somewhat from ye, an ye -would not be wroth, for young ye are and -fair, and so courteous and knightly as ye -are known to be, the head of all chivalry, -and versed in all wisdom of love and war—’tis -ever told of true knights how they -adventured their lives for their true love, -and endured hardships for her favours, and -avenged her with valour, and eased her -sorrows, and brought joy to her bower; -and ye are the fairest knight of your time, -and your fame and your honour are everywhere, -yet I have sat by ye here twice, -and never a word have heard of love! -Ye who are so courteous and skilled in -such lore ought surely to teach one so -young and unskilled some little craft of -<span class="pb" id="Page_56">56</span> -true love! Why are ye so unlearned who -art otherwise so famous? Or is it that -ye deem me unworthy to hearken to your -teaching? For shame, Sir Knight! I -come hither alone and sit at your side to -learn of ye some skill; teach me of your -wit, while my lord is from home.”</p> -<p>“In good faith,” quoth Gawain, “great -is my joy and my profit that so fair a lady as -ye are should deign to come hither, and -trouble ye with so poor a man, and make -sport with your knight with kindly countenance, -it pleaseth me much. But that I, in -my turn, should take it upon me to tell of -love and such like matters to ye who know -more by half, or a hundred fold, of such -craft than I do, or ever shall in all my lifetime, -by my troth ’twere folly indeed! I -will work your will to the best of my -might as I am bounden, and evermore will -I be your servant, so help me Christ!”</p> -<p>Then often with guile she questioned -that knight that she might win him to woo -her, but he defended himself so fairly that -none might in any wise blame him, and -naught but bliss and harmless jesting was -there between them. They laughed and -talked together till at last she kissed him, -<span class="pb" id="Page_57">57</span> -and craved her leave of him, and went her -way.</p> -<h3 id="cs35">How the boar was slain</h3> -<p>Then the knight arose and went forth -to Mass, and afterward dinner was served, -and he sat and spake with the ladies all -day. But the lord of the castle rode ever -over the land chasing the wild boar, that -fled through the thickets, slaying the best -of his hounds and breaking their backs in -sunder; till at last he was so weary he -might run no longer, but made for a hole -in a mound by a rock. He got the mound -at his back and faced the hounds, whetting -his white tusks and foaming at the mouth. -The huntsmen stood aloof, fearing to draw -nigh him; so many of them had been -already wounded that they were loth to be -torn with his tusks, so fierce he was and -mad with rage. At length the lord himself -came up, and saw the beast at bay, and the -men standing aloof. Then quickly he -sprang to the ground and drew out a bright -blade, and waded through the stream to the -boar.</p> -<p>When the beast was ware of the knight -with weapon in hand, he set up his bristles -and snorted loudly, and many feared for -their lord lest he should be slain. Then -<span class="pb" id="Page_58">58</span> -the boar leapt upon the knight so that -beast and man were one atop of the other -in the water; but the boar had the worst -of it, for the man had marked, even as he -sprang, and set the point of his brand to the -beast’s chest, and drove it up to the hilt, so -that the heart was split in twain, and the -boar fell snarling, and was swept down by -the water to where a hundred hounds seized -on him, and the men drew him to shore -for the dogs to slay.</p> -<p>Then was there loud blowing of horns -and baying of hounds, the huntsmen smote -off the boar’s head, and hung the carcase -by the four feet to a stout pole, and so -went on their way homewards. The head -they bore before the lord himself, who had -slain the beast at the ford by force of his -strong hand.</p> -<p>It seemed him o’er long ere he saw Sir -Gawain in the hall, and he blew a blast on -his horn to let all men know that he was -come again to take his part in the covenant. -And when he saw Gawain the lord laughed -aloud, and bade them call the ladies and the -household together, and he showed them -the game, and told them the tale, how -they had hunted the wild boar through the -<span class="pb" id="Page_59">59</span> -woods, and of his length and breadth and -height; and Sir Gawain commended his -deeds and praised him for his valour, well -proven, for so mighty a beast had he never -seen before.</p> -<h3 id="cs36">The keeping of the covenant</h3> -<p>Then they handled the huge head, and -the lord said aloud, “Now, Gawain, this -game is your own by sure covenant, as ye -right well know.”</p> -<p>“’Tis sooth,” quoth the knight, “and -as truly will I give ye all I have gained.” -He took the host round the neck, and -kissed him courteously twice. “Now are -we quits,” he said, “this eventide, of all -the covenants that we made since I came -hither.”</p> -<p>And the lord answered, “By S. Giles, ye -are the best I know; ye will be rich in a -short space if ye drive such bargains!”</p> -<p>Then they set up the tables on trestles, -and covered them with fair cloths, and lit -waxen tapers on the walls. The knights -sat and were served in the hall, and much -game and glee was there round the hearth, -with many songs, both at supper and after; -songs of Christmas, and new carols, with -all the mirth one may think of. And ever -that lovely lady sat by the knight, and -<span class="pb" id="Page_60">60</span> -with still stolen looks made such feint of -pleasing him, that Gawain marvelled -much, and was wroth with himself, but -he could not for his courtesy return her -fair glances, but dealt with her cunningly, -however she might strive to wrest the thing.</p> -<p>When they had tarried in the hall so -long as it seemed them good, they turned -to the inner chamber and the wide hearth-place, -and there they drank wine, and the -host proffered to renew the covenant for -New Year’s Eve; but the knight craved -leave to depart on the morrow, for it was -nigh to the term when he must fulfil his -pledge. But the lord would withhold him -from so doing, and prayed him to tarry, -and said,</p> -<p>“As I am a true knight I swear my -troth that ye shall come to the Green -Chapel to achieve your task on New Year’s -morn, long before prime. Therefore abide -ye in your bed, and I will hunt in this -wood, and hold ye to the covenant to -exchange with me against all the spoil I -may bring hither. For twice have I tried -ye, and found ye true, and the morrow -shall be the third time and the best. Make -we merry now while we may, and think -<span class="pb" id="Page_61">61</span> -on joy, for misfortune may take a man -whensoever it wills.”</p> -<p>Then Gawain granted his request, and -they brought them drink, and they gat -them with lights to bed.</p> -<h3 id="cs37">Of the third day’s hunting</h3> -<p>Sir Gawain lay and slept softly, but the -lord, who was keen on woodcraft, was -afoot early. After Mass he and his men -ate a morsel, and he asked for his steed; -all the knights who should ride with him -were already mounted before the hall gates.</p> -<p>’Twas a fair frosty morning, for the sun -rose red in ruddy vapour, and the welkin -was clear of clouds. The hunters scattered -them by a forest side, and the rocks rang -again with the blast of their horns. Some -came on the scent of a fox, and a hound -gave tongue; the huntsmen shouted, and -the pack followed in a crowd on the trail. -The fox ran before them, and when they -saw him they pursued him with noise and -much shouting, and he wound and turned -through many a thick grove, often cowering -and hearkening in a hedge. At last by a -little ditch he leapt out of a spinney, stole -away slily by a copse path, and so out of -the wood and away from the bounds. But -he went, ere he wist, to a chosen tryst, -<span class="pb" id="Page_62">62</span> -and three started forth on him at once, so -he must needs double back, and betake him -to the wood again.</p> -<p>Then was it joyful to hearken to the -hounds; when all the pack had met -together and had sight of their game they -made as loud a din as if all the lofty cliffs -had fallen clattering together. The huntsmen -shouted and threatened, and followed -close upon him so that he might scarce -escape, but Reynard was wily, and he -turned and doubled upon them, and led the -lord and his men over the hills, now on -the slopes, now in the vales, while the -knight at home slept through the cold -morning beneath his costly curtains.</p> -<h3 id="cs38">How the lady came for the third time to Sir Gawain</h3> -<p>But the fair lady of the castle rose -betimes, and clad herself in a rich mantle -that reached even to the ground, and was -bordered and lined with costly furs. On -her head she wore no golden circlet, but a -network of precious stones, that gleamed -and shone through her tresses in clusters of -twenty together. Thus she came into the -chamber and set open a window, and called -to him gaily, “Sir Knight, how may ye -sleep? The morning is so fair.”</p> -<p>Sir Gawain was deep in slumber, and in -<span class="pb" id="Page_63">63</span> -his dream he vexed him much for the -destiny that should befall him on the -morrow, when he should meet the knight -at the Green Chapel, and abide his blow; -but when the lady spake he heard her, and -came to himself, and roused from his dream -and answered swiftly. The lady came -laughing, and kissed him courteously, and -he welcomed her fittingly with a cheerful -countenance. He saw her so glorious and -gaily dressed, so faultless of features and -complexion, that it warmed his heart to -look upon her.</p> -<p>They spake to each other smiling, and -all was bliss and good cheer between them. -They exchanged fair words, and much -happiness was therein, yet was there a gulf -between them, and she might win no more -of her knight, for that gallant prince -watched well his words—he would neither -take her love, nor frankly refuse it. He -cared for his courtesy, lest he be deemed -churlish, and yet more for his honour lest -he be traitor to his host. “God forbid,” -quoth he to himself, “that it should so -befall.” Thus with courteous words did -he set aside all the special speeches that -came from her lips.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_64">64</div> -<p>Then spake the lady to the knight, “Ye -deserve blame if ye hold not that lady who -sits beside ye above all else in the world, if -ye have not already a love whom ye hold -dearer, and like better, and have sworn -such firm faith to that lady that ye care not -to loose it—as I scarce may believe. And -now I pray ye straitly that ye tell me that -in truth, and hide it not.”</p> -<p>And the knight answered, “By S. John” -(and he smiled as he spake) “no such love -have I, nor do I think to have yet awhile.”</p> -<p>“That is the worst word I may hear,” -quoth the lady, “but in sooth I have mine -answer; kiss me now courteously, and I -will go hence; I can but mourn as a -maiden that loves much.”</p> -<p>Sighing, she stooped down and kissed -him, and then she rose up and spake as she -stood, “Now, dear, at our parting do me -this grace: give me some gift, if it were -but thy glove, that I may bethink me of -my knight, and lessen my mourning.”</p> -<h3 id="cs39">The lady would fain have a parting gift from Gawain</h3> -<p>“Now, I wis,” quoth the knight, “I -would that I had here but the least thing -that I possess on earth that I might leave -ye as love-token, great or small, for ye have -deserved forsooth more reward than I -<span class="pb" id="Page_65">65</span> -might give ye. But it is not to your -honour to have at this time a glove for -reward as gift from Gawain, and I am here -on a strange errand, and have no man with -me, nor mails with goodly things—that -mislikes me much, lady, at this time; but -each man must fare as he is taken, if for -sorrow and ill.”</p> -<h3 id="cs40">She would give him her ring</h3> -<p>“Nay, knight highly honoured,” quoth -that lovesome lady, “though I have naught -of yours, yet shall ye have somewhat of -mine.” With that she reached him a -ring of red gold with a sparkling stone -therein, that shone even as the sun (wit -ye well, it was worth many marks); but -the knight refused it, and spake readily,</p> -<p>“I will take no gift, lady, at this time. -I have none to give, and none will I take.”</p> -<p>She prayed him to take it, but he refused -her prayer, and sware in sooth that he -would not have it.</p> -<h3 id="cs41">Or her girdle</h3> -<p>The lady was sorely vexed, and said, -“If ye refuse my ring as too costly, that -ye will not be so highly beholden to me, I -will give ye my girdle<a class="fn" id="fr_9" href="#fn_9">[9]</a> as a lesser gift.” -With that she loosened a lace that was -fastened at her side, knit upon her kirtle -under her mantle. It was wrought of -<span class="pb" id="Page_66">66</span> -green silk, and gold, only braided by the -fingers, and that she offered to the knight, -and besought him though it were of little -worth that he would take it, and he said -nay, he would touch neither gold nor gear -ere God give him grace to achieve the -adventure for which he had come hither. -“And therefore, I pray ye, displease ye -not, and ask me no longer, for I may not -grant it. I am dearly beholden to ye for -the favour ye have shown me, and ever, in -heat and cold, will I be your true servant.”</p> -<h3 id="cs42">The virtue of the girdle</h3> -<p>“Now,” said the lady, “ye refuse this -silk, for it is simple in itself, and so it -seems, indeed; lo, it is small to look upon -and less in cost, but whoso knew the virtue -that is knit therein he would, peradventure, -value it more highly. For whatever -knight is girded with this green lace, while -he bears it knotted about him there is no -man under heaven can overcome him, for -he may not be slain for any magic on -earth.”</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_67">67</div> -<h3 id="cs43">How Sir Gawain took the girdle</h3> -<p>Then Gawain bethought him, and it -came into his heart that this were a jewel -for the jeopardy that awaited him when he -came to the Green Chapel to seek the -return blow—could he so order it that he -should escape unslain, ’twere a craft worth -trying. Then he bare with her chiding, -and let her say her say, and she pressed the -girdle on him and prayed him to take it, -and he granted her prayer, and she gave it -him with good will, and besought him for -her sake never to reveal it but to hide it -loyally from her lord; and the knight -agreed that never should any man know it, -save they two alone. He thanked her -often and heartily, and she kissed him for -the third time.</p> -<p>Then she took her leave of him, and -when she was gone Sir Gawain arose, and -clad him in rich attire, and took the girdle, -and knotted it round him, and hid it -beneath his robes. Then he took his way -to the chapel, and sought out a priest -privily, and prayed him to teach him better -how his soul might be saved when he -should go hence; and there he shrived -him, and showed his misdeeds, both great -and small, and besought mercy and craved -absolution; and the priest assoiled him, -and set him as clean as if Doomsday had -been on the morrow. And afterwards Sir -Gawain made him merry with the ladies, -with carols, and all kinds of joy, as never -<span class="pb" id="Page_68">68</span> -he did but that one day, even to nightfall; -and all the men marvelled at him, and -said that never since he came thither had -he been so merry.</p> -<h3 id="cs44">The death of the fox</h3> -<p>Meanwhile the lord of the castle was -abroad chasing the fox; awhile he lost -him, and as he rode through a spinney he -heard the hounds near at hand, and Reynard -came creeping through a thick grove, -with all the pack at his heels. Then the -lord drew out his shining brand, and cast -it at the beast, and the fox swerved aside -for the sharp edge, and would have doubled -back, but a hound was on him ere he -might turn, and right before the horse’s -feet they all fell on him, and worried him -fiercely, snarling the while.</p> -<p>Then the lord leapt from his saddle, and -caught the fox from their jaws, and held it -aloft over his head, and hallooed loudly, -and the hunters hied them thither, blowing -their horns; all that bare bugles blew -them at once, and all the others shouted. -’Twas the merriest meeting that ever -men heard, the clamour that was raised at -the death of the fox. They rewarded the -hounds, stroking them and rubbing their -heads, and took Reynard and stripped him -<span class="pb" id="Page_69">69</span> -of his coat; then blowing their horns, -they turned them homewards, for it was -nigh nightfall.</p> -<h3 id="cs45">How Sir Gawain kept not all the covenant</h3> -<p>The lord was gladsome at his return, -and found a bright fire on the hearth, -and the knight beside it, the good Sir -Gawain, who was in joyous mood for the -pleasure he had had with the ladies. He -wore a robe of blue, that reached even to -the ground, and a surcoat richly furred, -that became him well. A hood like to -the surcoat fell on his shoulders, and all -alike were done about with fur. He met -the host in the midst of the floor, and -jesting, he greeted him, and said, “Now -shall I be first to fulfil our covenant which -we made together when there was no lack -of wine.” Then he embraced the knight, -and kissed him thrice, as solemnly as he -might.</p> -<p>“Of a sooth,” quoth the other, “ye -have good luck in the matter of this -covenant, if ye made a good exchange!”</p> -<p>“Yea, it matters naught of the exchange,” -quoth Gawain, “since what I -owe is swiftly paid.”</p> -<p>“Marry,” said the other, “mine is -behind, for I have hunted all this day, and -<span class="pb" id="Page_70">70</span> -naught have I got but this foul fox-skin, -and that is but poor payment for three -such kisses as ye have here given me.”</p> -<p>“Enough,” quoth Sir Gawain, “I thank -ye, by the Rood.”</p> -<p>Then the lord told them of his hunting, -and how the fox had been slain.</p> -<p>With mirth and minstrelsy, and dainties -at their will, they made them as merry as -a folk well might till ’twas time for them -to sever, for at last they must needs betake -them to their beds. Then the knight -took his leave of the lord, and thanked him -fairly.</p> -<p>“For the fair sojourn that I have had -here at this high feast may the High King -give ye honour. I give ye myself, as one -of your servants, if ye so like; for I must -needs, as ye know, go hence with the -morn, and ye will give me, as ye promised, -a guide to show me the way to the Green -Chapel, an God will suffer me on New -Year’s Day to deal the doom of my weird.”</p> -<p>“By my faith,” quoth the host, “all -that ever I promised, that shall I keep -with good will.” Then he gave him a -servant to set him in the way, and lead -him by the downs, that he should have no -<span class="pb" id="Page_71">71</span> -need to ford the stream, and should fare by -the shortest road through the groves; and -Gawain thanked the lord for the honour -done him. Then he would take leave of -the ladies, and courteously he kissed them, -and spake, praying them to receive his -thanks, and they made like reply; then -with many sighs they commended him to -Christ, and he departed courteously from -that folk. Each man that he met he -thanked him for his service and his solace, -and the pains he had been at to do his -will; and each found it as hard to part -from the knight as if he had ever dwelt -with him.</p> -<h3 id="cs46">How Sir Gawain took leave of his host</h3> -<p>Then they led him with torches to his -chamber, and brought him to his bed to -rest. That he slept soundly I may not -say, for the morrow gave him much -to think on. Let him rest a while, -for he was near that which he -sought, and if ye will but -listen to me I will tell -ye how it fared with -him thereafter.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_72">72</div> -<h2 id="c4"><span class="small">IV</span></h2> -<div class="img"> -<img src="images/p06.jpg" id="ncfig5" alt="Illustrated drop-cap" width="600" height="339" /> -</div> -<p>Now the New Year drew -nigh, and the night -passed, and the day chased -the darkness, as is God’s -will; but wild weather wakened therewith. -The clouds cast the cold to the -earth, with enough of the north to slay -them that lacked clothing. The snow -drave smartly, and the whistling wind blew -from the heights, and made great drifts -in the valleys. The knight, lying in his -bed, listened, for though his eyes were shut -he might sleep but little, and hearkened -every cock that crew.</p> -<p>He arose ere the day broke, by the light -of a lamp that burned in his chamber, and -called to his chamberlain, bidding him bring -his armour and saddle his steed. The other -gat him up, and fetched his garments, and -robed Sir Gawain.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_73">73</div> -<h3 id="cs47">The robing of Sir Gawain</h3> -<p>First he clad him in his clothes to keep -off the cold, and then in his harness, which -was well and fairly kept. Both hauberk -and plates were well burnished, the rings -of the rich byrny freed from rust, and all as -fresh as at first, so that the knight was fain -to thank them. Then he did on each -piece, and bade them bring his steed, while -he put the fairest raiment on himself; his -coat with its fair cognizance, adorned with -precious stones upon velvet, with broidered -seams, and all furred within with costly -skins. And he left not the lace, the lady’s -gift, that Gawain forgot not, for his own -good. When he had girded on his sword -he wrapped the gift twice about him, -swathed around his waist. The girdle of -green silk set gaily and well upon the royal -red cloth, rich to behold, but the knight -ware it not for pride of the pendants, -polished though they were, with fair gold -that gleamed brightly on the ends, but to -save himself from sword and knife, when -it behoved him to abide his hurt without -question. With that the hero went forth, -and thanked that kindly folk full often.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_74">74</div> -<h3 id="cs48">How Sir Gawain went forth from the castle</h3> -<p>Then was Gringalet ready, that was -great and strong, and had been well cared -for and tended in every wise; in fair condition -was that proud steed, and fit for a -journey. Then Gawain went to him, and -looked on his coat, and said by his sooth, -“There is a folk in this place that thinketh -on honour; much joy may they have, and -the lord who maintains them, and may all -good betide that lovely lady all her life -long. Since they for charity cherish a -guest, and hold honour in their hands, may -He who holds the heaven on high requite -them, and also ye all. And if I might live -anywhile on earth, I would give ye full -reward, readily, if so I might.” Then he -set foot in the stirrup and bestrode his -steed, and his squire gave him his shield, -which he laid on his shoulder. Then he -smote Gringalet with his golden spurs, and -the steed pranced on the stones and would -stand no longer.</p> -<p>By that his man was mounted, who bare -his spear and lance, and Gawain quoth, -“I commend this castle to Christ, may He -give it ever good fortune.” Then the -drawbridge was let down, and the broad -gates unbarred and opened on both sides; -the knight crossed himself, and passed -through the gateway, and praised the -<span class="pb" id="Page_75">75</span> -porter, who knelt before the prince, and -gave him good-day, and commended him -to God. Thus the knight went on his -way with the one man who should guide -him to that dread place where he should -receive rueful payment.</p> -<p>The two went by hedges where the -boughs were bare, and climbed the cliffs -where the cold clings. Naught fell from -the heavens, but ’twas ill beneath them; -mist brooded over the moor and hung on -the mountains; each hill had a cap, a -great cloak, of mist. The streams foamed -and bubbled between their banks, dashing -sparkling on the shores where they shelved -downwards. Rugged and dangerous was -the way through the woods, till it was time -for the sun-rising. Then were they on a -high hill; the snow lay white beside them, -and the man who rode with Gawain drew -rein by his master.</p> -<h3 id="cs49">The squire’s warning</h3> -<p>“Sir,” he said, “I have brought ye -hither, and now ye are not far from the -place that ye have sought so specially. -But I will tell ye for sooth, since I know -ye well, and ye are such a knight as I well -love, would ye follow my counsel ye would -fare the better.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_76">76</div> -<h3 id="cs50">Of the knight of the Green Chapel</h3> -<p>“The place whither ye go -is accounted full perilous, for he who liveth -in that waste is the worst on earth, for he -is strong and fierce, and loveth to deal -mighty blows; taller is he than any man -on earth, and greater of frame than any four -in Arthur’s court, or in any other. And -this is his custom at the Green Chapel: -there may no man pass by that place, however -proud his arms, but he does him to -death by force of his hand, for he is a -discourteous knight, and shews no mercy. -Be he churl or chaplain who rides by that -chapel, monk or mass-priest, or any man -else, he thinks it as pleasant to slay them -as to pass alive himself. Therefore, I tell -ye, as sooth as ye sit in saddle, if ye come -there and that knight know it, ye shall be -slain, though ye had twenty lives; trow -me that truly! He has dwelt here full -long and seen many a combat; ye may -not defend ye against his blows. Therefore, -good Sir Gawain, let the man be, and -get ye away some other road; for God’s -sake seek ye another land, and there may -Christ speed ye! And I will hie me home -again, and I promise ye further that I will -swear by God and the saints, or any other -oath ye please, that I will keep counsel -<span class="pb" id="Page_77">77</span> -faithfully, and never let any wit the tale -that ye fled for fear of any man.”</p> -<h3 id="cs51">Sir Gawain is none dismayed</h3> -<p>“Gramercy,” quoth Gawain, but ill -pleased. “Good fortune be his who -wishes me good, and that thou wouldst -keep faith with me I well believe; but -didst thou keep it never so truly, an I -passed here and fled for fear as thou sayest, -then were I a coward knight, and might -not be held guiltless. So I will to the -chapel let chance what may, and talk with -that man, even as I may list, whether for -weal or for woe as fate may have it. Fierce -though he may be in fight, yet God knoweth -well how to save His servants.”</p> -<p>“Well,” quoth the other, “now that ye -have said so much that ye will take your -own harm on yourself, and ye be pleased to -lose your life, I will neither let nor keep ye. -Have here your helm and the spear in your -hand, and ride down this same road beside -the rock till ye come to the bottom of the -valley, and there look a little to the left -hand, and ye shall see in that vale the -chapel, and the grim man who keeps it. -Now fare ye well, noble Gawain; for all -the gold on earth I would not go with ye -nor bear ye fellowship one step further.” -<span class="pb" id="Page_78">78</span> -With that the man turned his bridle into -the wood, smote the horse with his spurs -as hard as he could, and galloped off, leaving -the knight alone.</p> -<p>Quoth Gawain, “I will neither greet -nor groan, but commend myself to God, -and yield me to His will.”</p> -<p>Then the knight spurred Gringalet, and -rode adown the path close in by a bank -beside a grove. So he rode through the -rough thicket, right into the dale, and -there he halted, for it seemed him wild -enough. No sign of a chapel could he see, -but high and burnt banks on either side and -rough rugged crags with great stones above. -An ill-looking place he thought it.</p> -<p>Then he drew in his horse and looked -around to seek the chapel, but he saw none -and thought it strange. Then he saw as -it were a mound on a level space of land -by a bank beside the stream where it ran -swiftly, the water bubbled within as if -boiling. The knight turned his steed to -the mound, and lighted down and tied the -rein to the branch of a linden; and he -turned to the mound and walked round it, -questioning with himself what it might be. -It had a hole at the end and at either side, -<span class="pb" id="Page_79">79</span> -and was overgrown with clumps of grass, -and it was hollow within as an old cave or -the crevice of a crag; he knew not what -it might be.</p> -<h3 id="cs52">The finding of the chapel</h3> -<p>“Ah,” quoth Gawain, “can this be the -Green Chapel? Here might the devil say -his mattins at midnight! Now I wis -there is wizardry here. ’Tis an ugly -oratory, all overgrown with grass, and -’twould well beseem that fellow in green to -say his devotions on devil’s wise. By my -five wits, ’tis the foul fiend himself who -hath set me this tryst, to destroy me here! -This is a chapel of mischance: ill-luck -betide it, ’tis the cursedest kirk that ever I -came in!”</p> -<p>Helmet on head and lance in hand, he -came up to the rough dwelling, when he -heard over the high hill beyond the brook, -as it were in a bank, a wondrous fierce -noise, that rang in the cliff as if it would -cleave asunder. ’Twas as if one ground a -scythe on a grindstone, it whirred and -whetted like water on a mill-wheel and -rushed and rang, terrible to hear.</p> -<p>“By God,” quoth Gawain, “I trow -that gear is preparing for the knight who -will meet me here. Alas! naught may -<span class="pb" id="Page_80">80</span> -help me, yet should my life be forfeit, I -fear not a jot!” With that he called -aloud. “Who waiteth in this place to -give me tryst? Now is Gawain come -hither: if any man will aught of him let -him hasten hither now or never.”</p> -<h3 id="cs53">The coming of the Green Knight</h3> -<p>“Stay,” quoth one on the bank above -his head, “and ye shall speedily have that -which I promised ye.” Yet for a while -the noise of whetting went on ere he -appeared, and then he came forth from a -cave in the crag with a fell weapon, a -Danish axe newly dight, wherewith to -deal the blow. An evil head it had, four -feet large, no less, sharply ground, and -bound to the handle by the lace that -gleamed brightly. And the knight himself -was all green as before, face and foot, locks -and beard, but now he was afoot. When -he came to the water he would not wade -it, but sprang over with the pole of his axe, -and strode boldly over the brent that was -white with snow.</p> -<p>Sir Gawain went to meet him, but he -made no low bow. The other said, “Now, -fair sir, one may trust thee to keep tryst. -Thou art welcome, Gawain, to my place. -Thou hast timed thy coming as befits a -<span class="pb" id="Page_81">81</span> -true man. Thou knowest the covenant -set between us: at this time twelve months -agone thou didst take that which fell to -thee, and I at this New Year will readily -requite thee. We are in this valley, verily -alone, here are no knights to sever us, do -what we will. Have off thy helm from -thine head, and have here thy pay; make -me no more talking than I did then when -thou didst strike off my head with one -blow.”</p> -<p>“Nay,” quoth Gawain, “by God that -gave me life, I shall make no moan whatever -befall me, but make thou ready for the -blow and I shall stand still and say never a -word to thee, do as thou wilt.”</p> -<p>With that he bent his head and shewed -his neck all bare, and made as if he had no -fear, for he would not be thought a-dread.</p> -<h3 id="cs54">How Sir Gawain failed to stand the blow</h3> -<p>Then the Green Knight made him -ready, and grasped his grim weapon to -smite Gawain. With all his force he bore -it aloft with a mighty feint of slaying him: -had it fallen as straight as he aimed he -who was ever doughty of deed had been slain -by the blow. But Gawain swerved aside -as the axe came gliding down to slay him -as he stood, and shrank a little with the -<span class="pb" id="Page_82">82</span> -shoulders, for the sharp iron. The other -heaved up the blade and rebuked the prince -with many proud words:</p> -<h3 id="cs55">Of the Green Knight’s reproaches</h3> -<p>“Thou art not Gawain,” he said, “who -is held so valiant, that never feared he man -by hill or vale, but <i>thou</i> shrinkest for fear -ere thou feelest hurt. Such cowardice did -I never hear of Gawain! Neither did <i>I</i> -flinch from thy blow, or make strife in -King Arthur’s hall. My head fell to my -feet, and yet I fled not, but thou didst -wax faint of heart ere any harm befell. -Wherefore must I be deemed the braver -knight.”</p> -<p>Quoth Gawain, “I shrank once, but so -will I no more, though an <i>my</i> head fall on -the stones I cannot replace it. But haste, -Sir Knight, by thy faith, and bring me to -the point, deal me my destiny, and do it out -of hand, for I will stand thee a stroke and -move no more till thine axe have hit me—my -troth on it.”</p> -<p>“Have at thee, then,” quoth the other, -and heaved aloft the axe with fierce mien, -as if he were mad. He struck at him -fiercely but wounded him not, withholding -his hand ere it might strike him.</p> -<p>Gawain abode the stroke, and flinched -<span class="pb" id="Page_83">83</span> -in no limb, but stood still as a stone or the -stump of a tree that is fast rooted in the -rocky ground with a hundred roots.</p> -<p>Then spake gaily the man in green, “So -now thou hast thine heart whole it behoves -me to smite. Hold aside thy hood that -Arthur gave thee, and keep thy neck thus -bent lest it cover it again.”</p> -<p>Then Gawain said angrily, “Why talk -on thus? Thou dost threaten too long. -I hope thy heart misgives thee.”</p> -<h3 id="cs56">How the Green Knight dealt the blow</h3> -<p>“For sooth,” quoth the other, “so -fiercely thou speakest I will no longer let -thine errand wait its reward.” Then he -braced himself to strike, frowning with lips -and brow, ’twas no marvel that he who -hoped for no rescue misliked him. He -lifted the axe lightly and let it fall with the -edge of the blade on the bare neck. Though -he struck swiftly it hurt him no more than -on the one side where it severed the skin. -The sharp blade cut into the flesh so that -the blood ran over his shoulder to the ground. -And when the knight saw the blood staining -the snow, he sprang forth, swift-foot, -more than a spear’s length, seized his -helmet and set it on his head, cast his -shield over his shoulder, drew out his bright -<span class="pb" id="Page_84">84</span> -sword, and spake boldly (never since he -was born was he half so blithe), “Stop, Sir -Knight, bid me no more blows. I have -stood a stroke here without flinching, and -if thou give me another, I shall requite -thee, and give thee as good again. By the -covenant made betwixt us in Arthur’s hall -but one blow falls to me here. Halt, -therefore.”</p> -<h3 id="cs57">Of the three covenants</h3> -<p>Then the Green Knight drew off from -him, and leaned on his axe, setting the -shaft on the ground, and looked on Gawain -as he stood all armed and faced him fearlessly—at -heart it pleased him well. Then -he spake merrily in a loud voice, and said -to the knight, “Bold sir, be not so fierce, -no man here hath done thee wrong, nor -will do, save by covenant, as we made -at Arthur’s court. I promised thee a blow -and thou hast it—hold thyself well paid! -I release thee of all other claims. If I had -been so minded I might perchance have -given thee a rougher buffet. First I -menaced thee with a feigned one, and hurt -thee not for the covenant that we made in -the first night, and which thou didst hold -truly. All the gain didst thou give me as -a true man should. The other feint I -<span class="pb" id="Page_85">85</span> -proffered thee for the morrow: my fair wife -kissed thee, and thou didst give me her -kisses—for both those days I gave thee two -blows without scathe—true man, true -return. But the third time thou didst fail, -and therefore hadst thou that blow. For -’tis my weed thou wearest, that same woven -girdle, my own wife wrought it, that do I -wot for sooth. Now know I well thy -kisses, and thy conversation, and the -wooing of my wife, for ’twas mine own -doing. I sent her to try thee, and in sooth -I think thou art the most faultless knight -that ever trode earth. As a pearl among -white peas is of more worth than they, so -is Gawain, i’ faith, by other knights. But -thou didst lack a little, Sir Knight, and -wast wanting in loyalty, yet that was for -no evil work, nor for wooing neither, but -because thou lovedst thy life—therefore I -blame thee the less.”</p> -<h3 id="cs58">The shame of Sir Gawain</h3> -<p>Then the other stood a great while still, -sorely angered and vexed within himself; -all the blood flew to his face, and he shrank -for shame as the Green Knight spake; and -the first words he said were, “Cursed be -ye, cowardice and covetousness, for in ye -is the destruction of virtue.” Then he -<span class="pb" id="Page_86">86</span> -loosed the girdle, and gave it to the knight. -“Lo, take there the falsity, may foul befall -it! For fear of thy blow cowardice bade -me make friends with covetousness and -forsake the customs of largess and loyalty, -which befit all knights. Now am I faulty -and false and have been afeard: from -treachery and untruth come sorrow and -care. I avow to thee, Sir Knight, that I -have ill done; do then thy will. I shall be -more wary hereafter.”</p> -<p>Then the other laughed and said gaily, -“I wot I am whole of the hurt I had, and -thou hast made such free confession of thy -misdeeds, and hast so borne the penance of -mine axe-edge, that I hold thee absolved -from that sin, and purged as clean as if -thou hadst never sinned since thou wast -born. And this girdle that is wrought with -gold and green, like my raiment, do I give -thee, Sir Gawain, that thou mayest think -upon this chance when thou goest forth -among princes of renown, and keep this -for a token of the adventure of the Green -Chapel, as it chanced between chivalrous -knights. And thou shalt come again with -me to my dwelling and pass the rest of this -feast in gladness.” Then the lord laid -<span class="pb" id="Page_87">87</span> -hold of him, and said, “I wot we shall soon -make peace with my wife, who was thy -bitter enemy.”</p> -<h3 id="cs59">How Sir Gawain would keep the girdle</h3> -<p>“Nay, forsooth,” said Sir Gawain and -seized his helmet and took it off swiftly, -and thanked the knight: “I have fared -ill, may bliss betide thee, and may He who -rules all things reward thee swiftly. Commend -me to that courteous lady, thy fair -wife, and to the other my honoured ladies, -who have beguiled their knight with skilful -craft. But ’tis no marvel if one be made -a fool and brought to sorrow by women’s -wiles, for so was Adam beguiled, and many -a mighty man of old, Samson, and David, -and Solomon—if one might love a woman -and believe her not, ’twere great gain! -And since all they were beguiled by women, -methinks ’tis the less blame to me that I -was misled! But as for thy girdle, that -will I take with good will, not for gain of -the gold, nor for samite, nor silk, nor the -costly pendants, neither for weal nor for -worship, but in sign of my frailty. I shall -look upon it when I ride in renown and -remind myself of the fault and faintness of -the flesh; and so when pride uplifts me -for prowess of arms, the sight of this lace -<span class="pb" id="Page_88">88</span> -shall humble my heart. But one thing -would I pray, if it displease thee not: since -thou art lord of yonder land wherein I -have dwelt, tell me what thy rightful name -may be, and I will ask no more.”</p> -<h3 id="cs60">How the marvel was wrought</h3> -<p>“That will I truly,” quoth the other. -“Bernlak de Hautdesert am I called in -this land. Morgain le Fay dwelleth in mine -house,<a class="fn" id="fr_10" href="#fn_10">[10]</a> and through knowledge of clerkly -craft hath she taken many. For long time -was she the mistress of Merlin, who knew -well all you knights of the court. Morgain -the goddess is she called therefore, and -there is none so haughty but she can bring -him low. She sent me in this guise to -yon fair hall to test the truth of the renown -that is spread abroad of the valour of the -Round Table. She taught me this marvel -to betray your wits, to vex Guinevere and -fright her to death by the man who spake -with his head in his hand at the high table. -That is she who is at home, that ancient -lady, she is even thine aunt, Arthur’s half-sister, -the daughter of the Duchess of -Tintagel, who afterward married King -Uther. Therefore I bid thee, knight, -come to thine aunt, and make merry in -thine house; my folk love thee, and I wish -<span class="pb" id="Page_89">89</span> -thee as well as any man on earth, by my -faith, for thy true dealing.”</p> -<p>But Sir Gawain said nay, he would in -no wise do so; so they embraced and -kissed, and commended each other to the -Prince of Paradise, and parted right there, -on the cold ground. Gawain on his steed -rode swiftly to the king’s hall, and the -Green Knight got him whithersoever he -would.</p> -<h3 id="cs61">How Sir Gawain came again to Camelot</h3> -<p>Sir Gawain, who had thus won grace -of his life, rode through wild ways on -Gringalet; oft he lodged in a house, and -oft without, and many adventures did he -have and came off victor full often, as at -this time I cannot relate in tale. The -hurt that he had in his neck was healed, -he bare the shining girdle as a baldric -bound by his side, and made fast with a -knot ’neath his left arm, in token that he -was taken in a fault—and thus he came in -safety again to the court.</p> -<p>Then joy awakened in that dwelling -when the king knew that the good Sir -Gawain was come, for he deemed it gain. -King Arthur kissed the knight, and the -queen also, and many valiant knights sought -to embrace him. They asked him how he -<span class="pb" id="Page_90">90</span> -had fared, and he told them all that had -chanced to him—the adventure of the -chapel, the fashion of the knight, the love -of the lady—at last of the lace. He showed -them the wound in the neck which he won -for his disloyalty at the hand of the knight, -the blood flew to his face for shame as he -told the tale.</p> -<h3 id="cs62">Sir Gawain makes confession of his fault</h3> -<p>“Lo, lady,” he quoth, and handled the -lace, “this is the bond of the blame that I -bear in my neck, this is the harm and the -loss I have suffered, the cowardice and -covetousness in which I was caught, the -token of my covenant in which I was taken. -And I must needs wear it so long as I live, -for none may hide his harm, but undone it -may not be, for if it hath clung to thee -once, it may never be severed.”</p> -<h3 id="cs63">The knights wear the lace in honour of Gawain</h3> -<p>Then the king comforted the knight, -and the court laughed loudly at the tale, and -all made accord that the lords and the ladies -who belonged to the Round Table, each hero -among them, should wear bound about him -a baldric of bright green<a class="fn" id="fr_11" href="#fn_11">[11]</a> for the sake of Sir -Gawain. And to this was agreed all the -honour of the Round Table, and he who -ware it was honoured the more thereafter, -as it is testified in the best book of romance.</p> -<div class="pb" id="Page_91">91</div> -<h3 id="cs64">The end of the tale</h3> -<p>That in Arthur’s days this adventure befell, -the book of Brutus bears witness. For -since that bold knight came hither -first, and the siege and the -assault were ceased at -Troy, I wis</p> -<div class="b small"> -<div class="verse"> -<p class="t0">Many a venture herebefore</p> -<p class="t">Hath fallen such as this:</p> -<p class="t0">May He that bare the crown of thorn</p> -<p class="t">Bring us unto His bliss.</p> -</div> -<p class="tbcenter"><i class="larger">Amen</i></p> -</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_93">93</div> -<h2 id="c5"><span class="small">Notes</span></h2> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_0" href="#fr_0">[0]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 2.</span>—<i>Carol.</i> Dance accompanied by song. Often mentioned in -old romances.</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_1" href="#fr_1">[1]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 4.</span>—<i>Agravain</i>, “<i>à la dure main</i>.” This characterisation -of Gawain’s brother seems to indicate that -there was a French source at the root of this story. The -author distinctly tells us more than once that the tale, as -he tells it, was written <i>in a book</i>. M. Gaston Paris thinks -that the direct source was an Anglo-Norman poem, now -lost.</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_2" href="#fr_2">[2]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 10.</span>—<i>If any in this hall holds himself so hardy.</i> -This, the main incident of the tale, is apparently of very -early date. The oldest version we possess is that found in -the Irish tale of the <i>Fled Bricrend</i> (Bricriu’s feast), where -the hero of the tale is the Irish champion, Cuchulinn. -Two mediæval romances, the <i>Mule sans Frein</i> (French) -and <i>Diu Krône</i> (German), again attribute it to Gawain; -while the continuator of Chrétien de Troye’s <i>Conte del -Graal</i> gives as hero a certain Carados, whom he represents -as Arthur’s nephew; and the prose <i>Perceval</i> has Lancelot. -So far as the mediæval versions are concerned, the original -hero is undoubtedly Gawain; and our poem gives the -fullest and most complete form of the story we possess. -In the Irish version the magician is a <i>giant</i>, and the -abnormal size and stature of the Green Knight is, in all -probability, the survival of a primitive feature. His -curious <i>colour</i> is a trait found nowhere else. In <i>Diu Krône</i> -<div class="pb" id="Page_94">94</div> -we are told that the challenger changes shapes in a terrifying -manner, but no details are given.</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_3" href="#fr_3">[3]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 19.</span>—<i>For Yule was over-past.</i> This passage, -descriptive of the flight of the year, should be especially -noticed. Combined with other passages—the description -of Gawain’s journey, the early morning hunts, the dawning -of New Year’s Day, and the ride to the Green Chapel—they -indicate a knowledge of Nature, and an observant eye -for her moods, uncommon among mediæval poets. It is -usual enough to find graceful and charming descriptions of -spring and early summer—an appreciation of <i>May</i> in -especial, when the summer courts were held, is part of the -stock-in-trade of mediæval romancers—but a sympathy -with the year in all its changes is far rarer, and certainly -deserves to be specially reckoned to the credit of this -nameless writer.</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_4" href="#fr_4">[4]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 22.</span>—<i>First a rich carpet was stretched on the -floor.</i> The description of the arming of Gawain is rather -more detailed in the original, but some of the minor -points are not easy to understand, the identification of -sundry of the pieces of armour being doubtful.</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_5" href="#fr_5">[5]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 24.</span>—<i>The pentangle painted thereupon in gleaming -gold.</i> I do not remember that the pentangle is elsewhere -attributed to Gawain. He often bears a red shield; but -the blazon varies. Indeed, the heraldic devices borne by -Arthur’s knights are distractingly chaotic—their legends -are older than the science of heraldry, and no one has -done for them the good office that the compiler of the -Thidrek Saga has rendered to his Teutonic heroes.</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_6" href="#fr_6">[6]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 26.</span>—<i>The Wilderness of Wirral.</i> This is in -Cheshire. Sir F. Madden suggests that the forest which -forms the final stage of Gawain’s journey is that of -Inglewood, in Cumberland. The geography here is far -clearer than is often the case in such descriptions.</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_7" href="#fr_7">[7]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 29.</span>—<i>’Twas the fairest castle that ever a knight -owned.</i> Here, again, I have omitted some of the details of -the original, the architectural terms lacking identification.</div> -<div class="pb" id="Page_95">95</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_8" href="#fr_8">[8]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 43.</span>—<i>With blast of the bugle fared forth to the -field.</i> The account of each day’s hunting contains a -number of obsolete terms and details of woodcraft, not -given in full. The meaning of some has been lost, and -the minute description of skinning and dismembering the -game would be distinctly repulsive to the general reader. -They are valuable for a student of the history of the -English sport, but interfere with the progress of the story. -The fact that the author devotes so much space to them -seems to indicate that he lived in the country and was -keenly interested in field sports. (Gottfried von Stressbourg’s -<i>Tristan</i> contains a similar and almost more detailed -description.)</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_9" href="#fr_9">[9]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 65.</span>—<i>I will give thee my girdle.</i> This magic -girdle, which confers invulnerability on its owner, is a -noticeable feature of our story. It is found nowhere else -in this connection, yet in other romances we find that -Gawain possesses a girdle with similar powers (cf., my -<i>Legend of Sir Gawain</i>, Chap. IX.). Such a talisman was -also owned by Cuchulinn, the Irish hero, who has many -points of contact with Gawain. It seems not improbable -that this was also an old feature of the story. I have -commented, in the Introduction, on the lady’s persistent -wooing of Gawain, and need not repeat the remarks here. -The Celtic <i>Lay of the Great Fool</i> (<i>Amadan Mor</i>) presents -some curious points of contact with our story, which may, -however, well be noted here. In the <i>Lay</i> the hero is -mysteriously deprived of his legs, through the draught from -a cup proffered by a <i>Gruagach</i> or magician. He comes to -a castle, the lord of which goes out hunting, leaving his -wife in the care of the Great Fool, who is to allow no -man to enter. He falls asleep, and a young knight arrives -and kisses the host’s wife. The Great Fool, awaking, -refuses to allow the intruder to depart; and, in spite of -threats and blandishments, insists on detaining him till the -husband returns. Finally, the stranger reveals himself as -the host in another shape; he is also the <i>Gruagach</i>, who -<div class="pb" id="Page_96">96</div> -deprived the hero of his limbs, and the Great Fool’s -brother. He has only intended to test the <i>Amadan Mor’s</i> -fidelity. A curious point in connection with this story is -that it possesses a prose opening which shows a marked -affinity with the “Perceval” <i>enfances</i>. That the Perceval -and Gawain stories early became connected is certain, but -what is the precise connection between them and the -Celtic <i>Lay</i> is not clear. <i>In its present form</i> the latter is -certainly posterior to the Grail romances, but it is quite -possible that the matter with which it deals represents a -tradition older than the Arthurian story.</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_10" href="#fr_10">[10]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 88.</span>—<i>Morgain le Fay, who dwelleth in my house.</i> -The enmity between Morgain le Fay and Guinevere, -which is here stated to have been the <i>motif</i> of the -enchantment, is no invention of the author, but is found -in the <i>Merlin</i>, probably the earliest of the Arthurian <i>prose</i> -romances. In a later version of our story, a poem, written -in ballad form, and contained in the “Percy” MS., -Morgain does not appear; her place is taken by an old -witch, mother to the lady, but the enchantment is still -due to her spells. In this later form the knight bears the -curious name of <i>Sir Bredbeddle</i>. That given in our -romance, <i>Bernlak de Hautdesert</i>, seems to point to the -original French source of the story. (It is curious that -Morgain should here be represented as extremely old, -while Arthur is still in his first youth. There is evidently -a discrepancy or misunderstanding of the source here.)</div> -<div class="fndef"><a class="fn" id="fn_11" href="#fr_11">[11]</a>. <span class="sc">Page 90.</span>—<i>A baldric of bright green, for sake of Sir -Gawain.</i>—The later version connects this <i>lace</i> with that -worn by the knights of the Bath; but this latter was -<i>white</i>, not <i>green</i>. The knights wore it on the left shoulder -till they had done some gallant deed, or till some noble -lady took it off for them.</div> -<p class="tbcenter"><span class="smaller">Printed by <span class="sc">Ballantyne, Hanson <i>&</i> Co.</span> -<br />London & Edinburgh</span></p> -<h2 id="trnotes">Transcriber’s Notes</h2> -<ul> -<li>Silently corrected a few typos.</li> -<li>Retained publication information from the printed edition: this eBook is public-domain in the country of publication.</li> -<li>In the text versions only, text in italics is delimited by _underscores_.</li> -<li>Created a Table of Contents based on the sidenotes.</li> -</ul> -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. Special rules, set forth in the General Terms of Use part -of this license, apply to copying and distributing Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG™ -concept and trademark. Project Gutenberg is a registered trademark, -and may not be used if you charge for an eBook, except by following -the terms of the trademark license, including paying royalties for use -of the Project Gutenberg trademark. If you do not charge anything for -copies of this eBook, complying with the trademark license is very -easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose such as creation -of derivative works, reports, performances and research. Project -Gutenberg eBooks may be modified and printed and given away--you may -do practically ANYTHING in the United States with eBooks not protected -by U.S. copyright law. Redistribution is subject to the trademark -license, especially commercial redistribution. -</div> - -<div style='margin:0.83em 0; font-size:1.1em; text-align:center'>START: FULL LICENSE<br /> -<span style='font-size:smaller'>THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE<br /> -PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK</span> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -To protect the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting the free -distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work -(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg”), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full -Project Gutenberg™ License available with this file or online at -www.gutenberg.org/license. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg™ -electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to -and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property -(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all -the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or -destroy all copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in your -possession. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a -Project Gutenberg™ electronic work and you do not agree to be bound -by the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person -or entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.B. “Project Gutenberg” is a registered trademark. It may only be -used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who -agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few -things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See -paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project -Gutenberg™ electronic works if you follow the terms of this -agreement and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works. See paragraph 1.E below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation (“the -Foundation” or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection -of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works. Nearly all the individual -works in the collection are in the public domain in the United -States. If an individual work is unprotected by copyright law in the -United States and you are located in the United States, we do not -claim a right to prevent you from copying, distributing, performing, -displaying or creating derivative works based on the work as long as -all references to Project Gutenberg are removed. Of course, we hope -that you will support the Project Gutenberg™ mission of promoting -free access to electronic works by freely sharing Project Gutenberg™ -works in compliance with the terms of this agreement for keeping the -Project Gutenberg™ name associated with the work. You can easily -comply with the terms of this agreement by keeping this work in the -same format with its attached full Project Gutenberg™ License when -you share it without charge with others. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern -what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are -in a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, -check the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this -agreement before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, -distributing or creating derivative works based on this work or any -other Project Gutenberg™ work. The Foundation makes no -representations concerning the copyright status of any work in any -country other than the United States. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other -immediate access to, the full Project Gutenberg™ License must appear -prominently whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg™ work (any work -on which the phrase “Project Gutenberg” appears, or with which the -phrase “Project Gutenberg” is associated) is accessed, displayed, -performed, viewed, copied or distributed: -</div> - -<blockquote> - <div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> - This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most - other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions - whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms - of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online - at <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you - are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws - of the country where you are located before using this eBook. - </div> -</blockquote> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is -derived from texts not protected by U.S. copyright law (does not -contain a notice indicating that it is posted with permission of the -copyright holder), the work can be copied and distributed to anyone in -the United States without paying any fees or charges. If you are -redistributing or providing access to a work with the phrase “Project -Gutenberg” associated with or appearing on the work, you must comply -either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 or -obtain permission for the use of the work and the Project Gutenberg™ -trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg™ electronic work is posted -with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution -must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any -additional terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms -will be linked to the Project Gutenberg™ License for all works -posted with the permission of the copyright holder found at the -beginning of this work. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg™ -License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this -work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg™. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this -electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without -prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with -active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project -Gutenberg™ License. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, -compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including -any word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access -to or distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg™ work in a format -other than “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other format used in the official -version posted on the official Project Gutenberg™ website -(www.gutenberg.org), you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense -to the user, provide a copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means -of obtaining a copy upon request, of the work in its original “Plain -Vanilla ASCII” or other form. Any alternate format must include the -full Project Gutenberg™ License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, -performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg™ works -unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing -access to or distributing Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -provided that: -</div> - -<div style='margin-left:0.7em;'> - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from - the use of Project Gutenberg™ works calculated using the method - you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is owed - to the owner of the Project Gutenberg™ trademark, but he has - agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments must be paid - within 60 days following each date on which you prepare (or are - legally required to prepare) your periodic tax returns. Royalty - payments should be clearly marked as such and sent to the Project - Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the address specified in - Section 4, “Information about donations to the Project Gutenberg - Literary Archive Foundation.” - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies - you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he - does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg™ - License. You must require such a user to return or destroy all - copies of the works possessed in a physical medium and discontinue - all use of and all access to other copies of Project Gutenberg™ - works. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of - any money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the - electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of - receipt of the work. - </div> - - <div style='text-indent:-0.7em'> - • You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free - distribution of Project Gutenberg™ works. - </div> -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work or group of works on different terms than -are set forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing -from the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the manager of -the Project Gutenberg™ trademark. Contact the Foundation as set -forth in Section 3 below. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable -effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread -works not protected by U.S. copyright law in creating the Project -Gutenberg™ collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may -contain “Defects,” such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate -or corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other -intellectual property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or -other medium, a computer virus, or computer codes that damage or -cannot be read by your equipment. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the “Right -of Replacement or Refund” described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project -Gutenberg™ trademark, and any other party distributing a Project -Gutenberg™ electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all -liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal -fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT -LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE -PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE -TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE -LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR -INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH -DAMAGE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a -defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can -receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a -written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you -received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium -with your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you -with the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in -lieu of a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person -or entity providing it to you may choose to give you a second -opportunity to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If -the second copy is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing -without further opportunities to fix the problem. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth -in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you ‘AS-IS’, WITH NO -OTHER WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT -LIMITED TO WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied -warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of -damages. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement -violates the law of the state applicable to this agreement, the -agreement shall be interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or -limitation permitted by the applicable state law. The invalidity or -unenforceability of any provision of this agreement shall not void the -remaining provisions. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the -trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone -providing copies of Project Gutenberg™ electronic works in -accordance with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the -production, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg™ -electronic works, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, -including legal fees, that arise directly or indirectly from any of -the following which you do or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this -or any Project Gutenberg™ work, (b) alteration, modification, or -additions or deletions to any Project Gutenberg™ work, and (c) any -Defect you cause. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg™ -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ is synonymous with the free distribution of -electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of -computers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It -exists because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations -from people in all walks of life. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the -assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg™’s -goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg™ collection will -remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project -Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure -and permanent future for Project Gutenberg™ and future -generations. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation and how your efforts and donations can help, see -Sections 3 and 4 and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non-profit -501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the -state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal -Revenue Service. The Foundation’s EIN or federal tax identification -number is 64-6221541. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by -U.S. federal laws and your state’s laws. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation’s business office is located at 809 North 1500 West, -Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887. Email contact links and up -to date contact information can be found at the Foundation’s website -and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ depends upon and cannot survive without widespread -public support and donations to carry out its mission of -increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be -freely distributed in machine-readable form accessible by the widest -array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations -($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt -status with the IRS. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating -charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United -States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a -considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up -with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations -where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To SEND -DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any particular state -visit <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org/donate/">www.gutenberg.org/donate</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we -have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition -against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who -approach us with offers to donate. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make -any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from -outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Please check the Project Gutenberg web pages for current donation -methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other -ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations. To -donate, please visit: www.gutenberg.org/donate -</div> - -<div style='display:block; font-size:1.1em; margin:1em 0; font-weight:bold'> -Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg™ electronic works -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project -Gutenberg™ concept of a library of electronic works that could be -freely shared with anyone. For forty years, he produced and -distributed Project Gutenberg™ eBooks with only a loose network of -volunteer support. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Project Gutenberg™ eBooks are often created from several printed -editions, all of which are confirmed as not protected by copyright in -the U.S. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not -necessarily keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper -edition. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Most people start at our website which has the main PG search -facility: <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -This website includes information about Project Gutenberg™, -including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary -Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to -subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. -</div> - -</div> -</body> -</html> diff --git a/old/66084-h/images/cover.jpg b/old/66084-h/images/cover.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 4bb658d..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h/images/cover.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66084-h/images/p02.jpg b/old/66084-h/images/p02.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 81377ad..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h/images/p02.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66084-h/images/p03.jpg b/old/66084-h/images/p03.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index c81df64..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h/images/p03.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66084-h/images/p04.jpg b/old/66084-h/images/p04.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 0d41739..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h/images/p04.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66084-h/images/p05.jpg b/old/66084-h/images/p05.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index b0fc8b3..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h/images/p05.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66084-h/images/p06.jpg b/old/66084-h/images/p06.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 5f202c9..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h/images/p06.jpg +++ /dev/null diff --git a/old/66084-h/images/spine.jpg b/old/66084-h/images/spine.jpg Binary files differdeleted file mode 100644 index 3b0a5cc..0000000 --- a/old/66084-h/images/spine.jpg +++ /dev/null |
