Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight | Page 6

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Gawayne, "so try me no more." After much laughing on both sides they proceed to
supper, and afterwards, while the choice wine is being carried round, Gawayne and his
host renew their agreement. Late at night they take leave of each other and hasten to their
beds. "By the time that the cock had crowed and cackled thrice" the lord was up, and
after "meat and mass" were over the hunters make for the woods, where they give chase
to a wild boar who had grown old and mischievous (ll. 1395-1467).
While the sportsmen are hunting this "wild swine" our lovely knight lies in his bed. He is
not forgotten by the lady, who pays him an early visit, seeking to make further trial of his
virtues. She sits softly by his side and tells him that he has forgotten what she taught him
the day before (ll. 1468-1486). "I taught you of kissing," says she; "that becomes every
courteous knight." Gawayne says that he must not take that which is forbidden him. The
lady replies that he is strong enough to enforce his own wishes. Our knight answers that
every gift not given with a good will is worthless. His fair visitor then enquires how it is
that he who is so skilled in the true sport of love and so renowned a knight, has never
talked to her of love (ll. 1487-1524). "You ought," she says, "to show and teach a young

thing like me some tokens of true-love's crafts; I come hither and sit here alone to learn of
you some game; do teach me of your wit while my lord is from home." Gawayne replies
that he cannot undertake the task of expounding true-love and tales of arms to one who
has far more wisdom than he possesses. Thus did our knight avoid all appearance of evil,
though sorely pressed to do what was wrong (ll. 1525-1552). The lady, having bestowed
two kisses upon Sir Gawayne, takes her leave of him (ll. 1553-1557).
At the end of the day the lord of the castle returns home with the shields and head of the
wild boar. He shows them to his guest, who declares that "such a brawn of a beast, nor
such sides of a swine," he never before has seen. Gawayne takes possession of the spoil
according to covenant, and in return he bestows two kisses upon his host, who declares
that his guest has indeed been rich with "such chaffer" (ll. 1558-1647).
After much persuasion, Gawayne consents to stop at the castle another day (ll.
1648-1685). Early on the morrow the lord and his men hasten to the woods, and come
upon the track of a fox, the hunting of which affords them plenty of employment and
sport (ll. 1686-1730). Meanwhile our good knight sleeps soundly within his comely
curtains. He is again visited by the lady of the castle. So gaily was she attired, and so
"faultless of her features," that great joy warmed the heart of Sir Gawayne. With soft and
pleasant smiles "they smite into mirth," and are soon engaged in conversation. Had not
Mary thought of her knight, he would have been in great peril (ll. 1731-1769). So sorely
does the fair one press him with her love, that he fears lest he should become a traitor to
his host. The lady enquires whether he has a mistress to whom he has plighted his troth.
The knight swears by St John that he neither has nor desires one. This answer causes the
dame to sigh for sorrow, and telling him that she must depart, she asks for some gift, if it
were only a glove, by which she might "think on the knight and lessen her grief" (ll.
1770-1800). Gawayne assures her that he has nothing worthy of her acceptance; that he is
on an "uncouth errand," and therefore has "no men with no mails containing precious
things," for which he is truly sorry.
Quoth that lovesome (one)--
"Though I had nought of yours,
Yet should ye have of mine.
Thus saying, she offers him a rich ring of red gold "with a shining stone standing aloft,"
that shone like the beams of the bright sun. The knight refused the gift, as he had nothing
to give in return. "Since ye refuse my ring," says the lady, "because it seems too rich, and
ye would not be beholden to me, I shall give you my girdle that is less valuable" (ll.
1801-1835). But Gawayne replies that he will not accept gold or reward of any kind,
though "ever in hot and in cold" he will be her true servant.
"Do ye refuse it," asks the lady, "because it seems simple and of little value? Whoso
knew the virtues that are knit