From: Subject: from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight Date: Mon, 12 Oct 2009 15:13:33 -0400 MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/html; charset="Windows-1252" Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable Content-Location: http://www.nexuslearning.net/books/Elements_of_Lit_Course6/Middle_Ages/Sir%20Gawain.htm X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V6.00.2900.5579 from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

from Sir Gawain and the Green=20 Knight 

translated by John=20 Gardner 

            He = put his=20 spurs to Gringolet, plunged down the=20 path, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Shoved through the heavy thicket grown up by the=20 woods 
         &nbs= p; =20 And rode down the steep slope to the floor of the=20 valley; 
         &n= bsp; =20 He looked around him then=97a strange, wild=20 place, 
5         And = not a sign=20 of a chapel on any=20 side 
          = ; =20 But only steep, high banks surrounding=20 him, 
          = ; =20 And great, rough knots of rock and rugged=20 crags 
         &nbs= p; =20 That scraped the passing clouds, as it seemed to=20 him. 
          = ; =20 He heaved at the heavy reins to hold back his=20 horse 
10         And = squinted=20 in every direction in search of the=20 Chapel, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And still he saw nothing except=97and this was=20 strange=97 
         = ;  =20 A small green hill all alone, a sort of=20 barrow, 
         &n= bsp; =20 A low, smooth bulge on the bank of the brimming=20 creek 
         &nbs= p; =20 That flowed from the foot of a=20 waterfall, 
15         = And the=20 water in the pool was bubbling as if it were=20 boiling. 
         &= nbsp; =20 Sir Gawain urged Gringolet on till he came to the=20 mound 
         &nbs= p; =20 And lightly dismounted and made the reins=20 secure 
         &nb= sp; =20 On the great, thick limb of a gnarled and ancient=20 tree; 
         &nbs= p; =20 Then he went up to the barrow and walked all around=20 it, 
20         = Wondering in his=20 wits what on earth it might=20 be. 
          =  =20 It had at each end and on either side an=20 entrance, 
         =   =20 And patches of grass were growing all over the=20 thing, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And all the inside was hollow=97an old, old=20 cave 
          = ; =20 Or the cleft of some ancient crag, he couldn=92t tell=20 which 
25         &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;=20 it=20 was.
           = ;            =              = =93Whoo, Lord!=94 thought the=20 knight, 
         &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p; =20 =93Is this the fellow=92s=20 place? 
         &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ; =20 Here the Devil=20 might 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =  =20 Recite his midnight=20 mass. 
30         = =93Dear God,=94=20 thought Gawain, =93the place is deserted=20 enough! 
         &n= bsp; =20 And it=92s ugly enough, all overgrown with=20 weeds! 
         &nb= sp; =20 Well might it amuse that marvel of=20 green 
         &nbs= p; =20 To do his devotions here, in his devilish=20 way! 
          = ; =20 In my five senses I fear it=92s the Fiend=20 himself 
35        Who=92s = brought me=20 to meet him here to murder=20 me. 
          =  =20 May fire and fury befall this fiendish=20 Chapel, 
         &n= bsp; =20 As cursed a kirk as I ever yet came=20 across!=94 
         = ;  =20 With his helmet on his head and his lance in=20 hand 
          = ; =20 He leaped up onto the roof of the rock-walled=20 room 
40        And, high on = that=20 hill, he heard, from an echoing=20 rock 
          = ; =20 Beyond the pool, on the hillside, a horrible=20 noise. 
         &nb= sp; =20 Brrrack! It clattered in the cliffs as if to cleave=20 them, 
         &nbs= p; =20 A sound like a grindstone grinding on a=20 scythe! 
         &n= bsp; =20 Brrrack! It whirred and rattled like water on a mill=20 wheel! 
45        = Brrrrrack!=20 It rushed and rang till your blood ran=20 cold. 
         &nbs= p; =20 And then: =93Oh God,=94 thought Gawain, =93it grinds, I=20 think, 
         &nb= sp; =20 For me=97a blade prepared for the blow I must take =20
           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;            =           =20 as my=20 right! 
         &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;       =20 God=92s will be done! But=20 here! 
50         &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;   =20 He may well get his=20 knight, 
         &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;       =20 But still, no use in=20 fear; 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =        =20 I won=92t fall dead of=20 fright!=94 
         = ;  =20 And then Sir Gawain roared in a ringing=20 voice, 
         &nb= sp; =20 =93Where is the hero who swore he=92d be here to meet=20 me? 
55         Sir = Gawain the=20 Good is come to the Green=20 Chapel! 
         &n= bsp; =20 If any man would meet me, make it=20 now, 
          = ; =20 For it=92s now or never, I=92ve no wish to dawdle here=20 long.=94 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93Stay there!=94 called someone high above his=20 head, 
         &nbs= p; =20 =93I=92ll pay you promptly all that I promised=20 before.=94 
60         = But still=20 he went on with that whetting noise a=20 while, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Turning again to his grinding before he=92d come=20 down. 
         &nbs= p; =20 At last, from a hole by a rock he came out into=20 sight, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Came plunging out of his den with a terrible=20 weapon, 
         &n= bsp; =20 A huge new Danish ax to deliver his blow=20 with, 
65         With a = vicious=20 swine of a bit bent back to the=20 handle, 
         &n= bsp; =20 Filed to a razor=92s edge and four foot=20 long, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Not one inch less by the length of that gleaming=20 lace. 
         &nbs= p; =20 The great Green Knight was garbed as=20 before, 
         &n= bsp; =20 Face, legs, hair, beard, all as before but for=20 this: 
70         That = now he=20 walked the world on his own two=20 legs, 
         &nbs= p; =20 The ax handle striking the stone like a=20 walking-stave. 
        &= nbsp;  =20 When the knight came down to the water he would not=20 wade 
          = ; =20 But vaulted across on his ax, then with awful=20 strides 
         &n= bsp; =20 Came fiercely over the field filled all=20 around 
75         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;         =20 with=20 snow. 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =      =20 Sir Gawain met him=20 there 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =      =20 And bowed=97but none too=20 low! 
          = ;            =             &= nbsp;    =20 Said the other, =93I see, sweet=20 sir, 
          = ;            =             &= nbsp;    =20 You go where you say you=92ll=20 go! 
80         = =93Gawain,=94 the=20 Green Knight said, =93may God be your=20 guard! 
         &nb= sp; =20 You=92re very welcome indeed, sir, here at my=20 place; 
         &nb= sp; =20 You=92ve timed your travel, my friend, as a true man=20 should. 
         &n= bsp; =20 You recall the terms of the contract drawn up between=20 us: 
          =  =20 At this time a year ago you took your=20 chances, 
85        And I=92m = pledged=20 now, this New Year, to make you my=20 payment. 
         &= nbsp; =20 And here we are in this valley, all=20 alone, 
         &nb= sp; =20 And no man here to part us, proceed as we=20 may; 
          = ; =20 Heave off your helmet then, and have here your=20 pay; 
          = ; =20 And debate no more with me than I did=20 then 
90        When you = severed my=20 head from my neck with a single=20 swipe.=94 
         =   =20 =93Never fear,=94 said Gawain, =93by God who=20 gave 
          = ; =20 Me life, I=92ll raise no complaint at the grimness of=20 it; 
          =  =20 But take your single stroke, and I=92ll stand=20 still 
         &nbs= p; =20 And allow you to work as you like and not=20 oppose 
95         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;      =20 you=20 here.=94 
         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;     =20 He bowed toward the=20 ground 
         &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;     =20 And let his skin show=20 clear; 
         &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;     =20 However his heart might=20 pound, 
         &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;     =20 He would not show his fear. 
100     Quickly = then=20 the man in the green made=20 ready, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Grabbed up his keen-ground ax to strike Sir=20 Gawain; 
         &n= bsp; =20 With all the might in his body he bore it=20 aloft 
         &nbs= p; =20 And sharply brought it down as if to slay=20 him; 
          = ; =20 Had he made it fall with the force he first=20 intended 
105     He would have stretched = out the=20 strongest man on=20 earth. 
         &nb= sp; =20 But Sir Gawain cast a side glance at the=20 ax 
          &= nbsp;=20 As it glided down to give him his Kingdom=20 Come, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And his shoulders jerked away from the iron a=20 little, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And the Green Knight caught the handle, holding it=20 back, 
110     And mocked the prince with = many a=20 proud=20 reproof: 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93You can=92t be Gawain,=94 he said, =93who=92s thought so=20 good, 
         &nbs= p; =20 A man who=92s never been daunted on hill or=20 dale! 
         &nbs= p; =20 For look how you flinch for fear before anything=92s=20 felt! 
         &nbs= p; =20 I never heard tell that Sir Gawain was ever a=20 coward! 
115     I never moved a = muscle when=20 you came=20 down; 
         &nbs= p; =20 In Arthur=92s hall I never so much as=20 winced. 
         &n= bsp; =20 My head fell off at my feet, yet I never=20 flickered; 
         = ;  =20 But you! You tremble at heart before you=92re=20 touched! 
         &= nbsp; =20 I=92m bound to be called a better man than you,=20 then, 
120         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;      =20 my=20 lord.=94 
         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;     =20 Said Gawain, =93I shied=20 once: 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =      =20 No more. You have my=20 word. 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =      =20 But if my head falls to the=20 stones 
         &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;     =20 It cannot be restored. 
125     =93But be = brisk, man,=20 by your faith, and come to the=20 point! 
         &nb= sp; =20 Deal out my doom if you can, and do it at=20 once, 
         &nbs= p; =20 For I=92ll stand for one good stroke, and I=92ll start no=20 more 
          = ; =20 Until your ax has hit=97and that I=20 swear.=94 
         =   =20 =93Here goes, then,=94 said the other, and heaves it=20 aloft 
130     And stands there waiting, = scowling=20 like a=20 madman; 
         &n= bsp; =20 He swings down sharp, then suddenly stops=20 again, 
         &nb= sp; =20 Holds back the ax with his hand before it can=20 hurt, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And Gawain stands there stirring not even a=20 nerve; 
         &nb= sp; =20 He stood there still as a stone or the stock of a=20 tree 
135     That=92s wedged in rocky = ground by a=20 hundred=20 roots. 
         &nb= sp; =20 O, merrily then he spoke, the man in=20 green: 
         &nb= sp; =20 =93Good! You=92ve got your heart back! Now I can hit=20 you. 
          = ; =20 May all that glory the good King Arthur gave=20 you 
          =  =20 Prove efficacious now=97if it ever = can=97 
140     And=20 save your neck.=94 In rage Sir Gawain=20 shouted, 
         &= nbsp; =20 =93Hit me, hero! I=92m right up to here with your=20 threats! 
         &= nbsp; =20 Is it you that=92s the cringing coward after=20 all?=94 
         &n= bsp; =20 =93Whoo!=94 said the man in green, =93he=92s wrathful,=20 too! 
          = ; =20 No pauses, then; I=92ll pay up my pledge at=20 once, 
145         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;  =20 I=20 vow!=94 
         &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p; =20 He takes his stride to=20 strike 
         &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ; =20 And lifts his lip and=20 brow; 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =  =20 It=92s not a thing Gawain can=20 like, 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =  =20 For nothing can save him=20 now! 
          = ; =20 He raises that ax up lightly and flashes it=20 down, 
         &nbs= p; =20 And that blinding bit bites in at the knight=92s bare=20 neck=97 
         &n= bsp; =20 But hard as he hammered it down, it hurt him no=20 more 
          = ; =20 Than to nick the nape of his neck, so it split the=20 skin; 
         &nbs= p; =20 The sharp blade slit to the flesh through the shiny=20 hide, 
155     And red blood shot to his = shoulders=20 and spattered the=20 ground. 
         &n= bsp; =20 And when Gawain saw his blood where it blinked in the=20 snow 
          = ; =20 He sprang from the man with a leap to the length of a=20 spear; 
         &nb= sp; =20 He snatched up his helmet swiftly and slapped it=20 on, 
          =  =20 Shifted his shield into place with a jerk of his=20 shoulders, 
160     And snapped his sword = out faster=20 than sight; said=20 boldly=97 
         =   =20 And, mortal born of his mother that he=20 was, 
          = ; =20 There was never on earth a man so happy by=20 half=97 
         &n= bsp; =20 =93No more strokes, my friend; you=92ve had your=20 swing! 
         &nb= sp; =20 I=92ve stood one swipe of your ax without=20 resistance; 
165     If you offer me any = more, I=92ll=20 repay you at=20 once 
          = ; =20 With all the force and fire I=92ve got=97as=20 you 
          =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;    =20 will=20 see. 
          = ;            =          =20 I take one stroke, that=92s=20 all, 
          = ;            =          =20 For that was the compact=20 we 
170         &nbs= p;            = ;  =20 Arranged in Arthur=92s=20 hall; 
         &nbs= p;            = ;         =20 But now, no more for=20 me!=94 
         &nb= sp; =20 The Green Knight remained where he stood, relaxing on his=20 ax=97 
         &nbs= p; =20 Settled the shaft on the rocks and leaned on the sharp=20 end=97 
         &nb= sp; =20 And studied the young man standing there, shoulders=20 hunched, 
175     And considered that = staunch and=20 doughty stance he=20 took, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Undaunted yet, and in his heart he liked=20 it; 
          =  =20 And then he said merrily, with a mighty=20 voice=97 
         &= nbsp; =20 With a roar like rushing wind he reproved the=20 knight=97 
         =   =20 =93Here, don=92t be such an ogre on your=20 ground! 
180      Nobody here has = behaved with=20 bad manners toward=20 you 
          =  =20 Or done a thing except as the contract=20 said. 
         &nbs= p; =20 I owed you a stroke, and I=92ve struck; consider=20 yourself 
         &= nbsp; =20 Well paid. And now I release you from all further=20 duties. 
         &n= bsp; =20 If I=92d cared to hustle, it may be, perchance, that I=20 might 
185     Have hit somewhat harder, and = then=20 you might well be=20 cross! 
         &nb= sp; =20 The first time I lifted my ax it was lighthearted=20 sport, 
         &nb= sp; =20 I merely feinted and made no mark, as was=20 right, 
         &nb= sp; =20 For you kept our pact of the first night with=20 honor 
         &nbs= p; =20 And abided by your word and held yourself true to=20 me, 
190     Giving me all you owed as a = good man=20 should. 
         &n= bsp; =20 I feinted a second time, friend, for the=20 morning 
         &n= bsp; =20 You kissed my pretty wife twice and returned me the=20 kisses; 
         &n= bsp; =20 And so for the first two days, mere feints, nothing=20 more 
          = ;            =             &= nbsp;    =20 severe. 
195         = ;            =    =20 A man who=92s true to his=20 word, 
         &nbs= p;            = ;         =20 There=92s nothing he needs to=20 fear; 
         &nbs= p;            = ;         =20 You failed me, though, on the=20 third 
         &nbs= p;            = ;         =20 Exchange, so I=92ve tapped you=20 here. 
         &nbs= p; =20 That sash you wear by your scabbard belongs to=20 me; 
200     My own wife gave it to you, as = I ought=20 to=20 know. 
         &nbs= p; =20 I know, too, of your kisses and all your=20 words 
         &nbs= p; =20 And my wife=92s advances, for I myself arranged=20 them. 
         &nbs= p; =20 It was I who sent her to test you. I=92m=20 convinced 
         =   =20 You=92re the finest man that ever walked this=20 earth. 
205     As a pearl is of greater = price than=20 dry white=20 peas, 
         &nbs= p; =20 So Gawain indeed stands out above all other=20 knights. 
         &= nbsp; =20 But you lacked a little, sir; you were less than=20 loyal; 
         &nb= sp; =20 But since it was not for the sash itself or for=20 lust 
          = ; =20 But because you loved your life, I blame you=20 less.=94 
210     Sir Gawain stood in a = study a long,=20 long=20 while, 
         &nb= sp; =20 So miserable with disgrace that he wept=20 within, 
         &n= bsp; =20 And all the blood of his chest went up to his=20 face 
          = ; =20 And he shrank away in shame from the man=92s gentle=20 words. 
         &nb= sp; =20 The first words Gawain could find to say were=20 these: 
215     =93Cursed be cowardice and=20 covetousness=20 both, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Villainy and vice that destroy all=20 virtue!=94 
         = ;  =20 He caught at the knots of the girdle and loosened=20 them 
          = ; =20 And fiercely flung the sash at the Green=20 Knight. 
         &n= bsp; =20 =93There, there=92s my fault! The foul fiend vex=20 it! 
220     Foolish cowardice taught me, = from fear=20 of your=20 stroke, 
         &n= bsp; =20 To bargain, covetous, and abandon my=20 kind, 
         &nbs= p; =20 The selflessness and loyalty suitable in=20 knights; 
         &= nbsp; =20 Here I stand, faulty and false, much as I=92ve feared=20 them, 
         &nbs= p; =20 Both of them, untruth and treachery; may they see=20 sorrow 
225         =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;      =20 and=20 care! 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =      =20 I can=92t deny my=20 guilt; 
         &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;            = ;     =20 My works shine none too=20 fair! 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =      =20 Give me your good=20 will 
          = ;            =             &= nbsp;    =20 And henceforth I=92ll beware.=94 
230     At = that, the=20 Green Knight laughed, saying=20 graciously, 
        &nbs= p;  =20 =93Whatever harm I=92ve had, I hold it=20 amended 
         &n= bsp; =20 Since now you=92re confessed so clean, acknowledging=20 sins 
          = ; =20 And bearing the plain penance of my=20 point; 
         &nb= sp; =20 I consider you polished as white and as perfectly=20 clean 
235     As if you had never fallen = since=20 first you were=20 born. 
         &nbs= p; =20 And I give you, sir, this gold-embroidered=20 girdle, 
         &n= bsp; =20 For the cloth is as green as my gown. Sir Gawain,=20 think 
         &nbs= p; =20 On this when you go forth among great=20 princes; 
         &= nbsp; =20 Remember our struggle here; recall to your=20 mind 
240     This rich token. Remember the = Green=20 Chapel. 
         &n= bsp; =20 And now, come on, let=92s both go back to my=20 castle 
         &nb= sp; =20 And finish the New Year=92s revels with feasting and=20 joy, 
          = ;            =             &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;=20 not=20 strife, 
         &n= bsp;           &nb= sp;           &nbs= p;     =20 I beg you,=94 said the=20 lord, 
245         &= nbsp;           &n= bsp;          =20 And said, =93As for my=20 wife, 
         &nbs= p;            = ;            =      =20 She=92ll be your friend, no=20 more 
          = ;            =             &= nbsp;    =20 A threat against your life.=94

 

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