Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight | Page 3

request!" Arthur seizes the
axe, grasps the handle, and sternly brandishes it about, while the Green Knight, with a
stern cheer and a dry countenance, stroking his beard and drawing down his coat, awaits
the blow (ll. 314-335). Sir Gawayne, the nephew of the king, beseeches his uncle to let
him undertake the encounter; and, at the earnest entreaty of his nobles, Arthur consents
"to give Gawayne the game" (ll. 336-365).
Sir Gawayne then takes possession of the axe, but, before the blow is dealt, the Green
Knight asks the name of his opponent. "In good faith," answers the good knight,
"Gawayne I am called, that bids thee to this buffet, whatever may befall after, and at this
time twelvemonth will take from thee another, with whatever weapon thou wilt, and with
no wight else alive." "By Gog," quoth the Green Knight, "it pleases me well that I shall

receive at thy fist that which I have sought here--moreover thou hast truly rehearsed the
terms of the covenant,--but thou shalt first pledge me thy word that thou wilt seek me
thyself, wheresoever on earth thou believest I may be found, and fetch thee such wages as
thou dealest me to-day before this company of doughty ones." "Where should I seek
thee?" replies Gawayne, "where is thy place? I know not thee, thy court, or thy name. I
wot not where thou dwellest, but teach me thereto, tell me how thou art called, and I shall
endeavour to find thee,--and that I swear thee for truth and by my sure troth." "That is
enough in New Year," says the groom in green, "if I tell thee when I have received the
tap. When thou hast smitten me, then smartly I will teach thee of my house, my home,
and my own name, so that thou mayest follow my track and fulfil the covenant between
us. If I spend no speech, then speedest thou the better, for then mayest thou remain in thy
own land and seek no further; but cease thy talking[1] (ll. 366-412). Take now thy grim
tool to thee and let us see how thou knockest." "Gladly, sir, for sooth," quoth Gawayne,
and his axe he brandishes.
[Footnote 1: This, I think, is the true explanation of slokes.]
The Green Knight adjusts himself on the ground, bends slightly his head, lays his long
lovely locks over his crown, and lays bare his neck for the blow. Gawayne then gripped
the axe, and, raising it on high, let it fall quickly upon the knight's neck and severed the
head from the body. The fair head fell from the neck to the earth, and many turned it
aside with their feet as it rolled forth. The blood burst from the body, yet the knight never
faltered nor fell; but boldly he started forth on stiff shanks and fiercely rushed forward,
seized his head, and lifted it up quickly. Then he runs to his horse, the bridle he catches,
steps into his stirrups and strides aloft. His head by the hair he holds in his hands, and sits
as firmly in his saddle as if no mishap had ailed him, though headless he was (ll.
413-439). He turned his ugly trunk about--that ugly body that bled,--and holding the head
in his hand, he directed the face toward the "dearest on the dais." The head lifted up its
eyelids and looked abroad, and thus much spoke with its mouth as ye may now hear:
"Loke, Gawayne, thou be prompt to go as thou hast promised, and seek till thou find me
according to thy promise made in the hearing of these knights. Get thee to the Green
Chapel, I charge thee, to fetch such a dint as thou hast dealt, to be returned on New Year's
morn. As the Knight of the Green Chapel I am known to many, wherefore if thou seekest
thou canst not fail to find me. Therefore come, or recreant be called." With a fierce start
the reins he turns, rushes out of the hall-door, his head in his hand, so that the fire of the
flint flew from the hoofs of his foal. To what kingdom he belonged knew none there, nor
knew they from whence he had come. What then?
"The king and Gawayne there
At that green (one) they laugh and grin."
Though Arthur wondered much at the marvel, he let no one see that he was at all troubled
about it, but full loudly thus spake to his comely queen with courteous speech:
"Dear dame, to-day be never dismayed, well happens such craft at Christmas time. I may
now proceed to meat, for I cannot deny that I have witnessed a wondrous adventure this
day" (ll. 440-475).

He looked upon Sir Gawayne and said, "Now, sir, hang up