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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. 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