Sir Gawayne and the Green Knight | Page 7

therein would estimate it more highly. For he who is girded
with this green lace cannot be wounded or slain by any man under heaven." The knight
thinks awhile, and it strikes him that this would be a "jewel for the jeopardy" that he had
to undergo at the Green Chapel. So he not only accepts the lace, but promises to keep the
possession of it a secret (ll. 1836-1865). By that time the lady had kissed him thrice, and

she then takes "her leave and leaves him there."
Gawayne rises, dresses himself in noble array, and conceals the "love lace" where he
might find it again. He then hies to mass, shrives him of his misdeeds, and obtains
absolution. On his return to the hall he solaces the ladies with comely carols and all kinds
of joy (ll. 1866-1892). The dark night came, and then the lord of the castle, having slain
the fox, returns to his "dear home," where he finds a fire brightly turning and his guest
amusing the ladies (ll. 1893-1927). Gawayne, in fulfilment of his agreement, kisses his
host thrice.[1] "By Christ," quoth the other knight, "ye have caught much bliss. I have
hunted all this day and nought have I got but the skin of this foul fox (the devil have the
goods!), and that is full poor for to pay for such precious things" (ll. 1928-1951).
After the usual evening's entertainment, Gawayne retires to rest. The next morning, being
New Year's day, is cold and stormy. Snow falls, and the dales are full of drift. Our knight
in his bed locks his eyelids, but full little he sleeps. By each cock that crows he knows the
hour, and before day-break he calls for his chamberlain, who quickly brings him his
armour (ll. 1952-2014). While Gawayne clothed himself in his rich weeds he forgot not
the "lace, the lady's gift," but with it doubly girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich
ornaments, "but to save himself when it behoved him to suffer," and as a safeguard
against sword or knife (ll. 2015-2046).
Having thanked his host and all the renowned assembly for the great kindness he had
experienced at their hands, "he steps into stirrups and strides aloft" (ll. 2047-2068).
The drawbridge is let down, and the broad gates unbarred and borne open upon both sides,
and the knight, after commending the castle to Christ, passes thereout and goes on his
way accompanied by his guide, that should teach him to turn to that place where he
should receive the much-dreaded blow. They climb over cliffs, where each hill had a hat
and a mist-cloak, until the next morn, when they find themselves on a full high hill
covered with snow. The servant bids his master remain awhile, saying, "I have brought
you hither at this time, and now ye are not far from that noted place that ye have so often
enquired after. The place that ye press to is esteemed full perilous, and there dwells a man
in that waste the worst upon earth, for he is stiff and stern and loves to strike, and greater
is he than any man upon middle-earth, and his body is bigger than the best four in
Arthur's house. He keeps the Green Chapel; there passes none by that place, however
proud in arms, that he does not 'ding him to death with dint of his hand.' He is a man
immoderate and 'no mercy uses,' for be it churl or chaplain that by the chapel rides, monk
or mass-priest, or any man else, it is as pleasant to him to kill them as to go alive himself.
Wherefore I tell thee truly, 'come ye there, ye be killed, though ye had twenty lives to
spend. He has dwelt there long of yore, and on field much sorrow has wrought. Against
his sore dints ye may not defend you' (ll. 2069-2117). Therefore, good Sir Gawayne, let
the man alone, and for God's sake go by some other path, and then I shall hie me home
again. I swear to you by
[Footnote 1: He only in part keeps to his covenant, as he holds back the love-lace.]
God and all His saints that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from any man."

Gawayne thanks his guide for his well-meant kindness, but declares that to the Green
Chapel he will go, though the owner thereof be "a stern knave," for God can devise
means to save his servants.
"Mary!" quoth the other, "since it pleases thee to lose thy life I will not hinder thee. Have
thy helmet on thy head, thy spear in thy hand, and ride down this path by yon rock-side,
till thou be brought to the bottom of