🧚 Opening, part 2

The coming of the Green Knight1

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.2 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.3 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.4

The fashion of the knight5

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.6 Hose had he of the same green, and spurs of bright gold with silken fastenings richly worked; and all his vesture was verily green.7 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.8

Of the knight’s steed9

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.10 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.11

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.12 The lower part of his sleeves were fastened with clasps in the same wise as a king’s mantle.13 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.14 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.15 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.16

The arming of the knight17

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.18 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.19 The steel was set into a strong staff, all bound round with iron, even to the end, and engraved with green in cunning work.20 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.21

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?22 I would gladly look upon that hero, and have speech with him.”23 He cast his eyes on the knights, and mustered them up and down, striving ever to see who of them was of most renown.24

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.25 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.26 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.27 I deem it was not all for doubt, but some for courtesy that they might give ear unto his errand.28

Then Arthur beheld this adventure before his high daïs, and knightly he greeted him, for discourteous was he never.29 “Sir,” he said, “thou art welcome to this place—lord of this hall am I, and men call me Arthur.30 Light thee down, and tarry awhile, and what thy will is, that shall we learn after.”31

Of the knight’s challenge32

“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.33 The wisest and the worthiest of this world are they, and well proven in all knightly sports.34 And here, as I have heard tell, is fairest courtesy, therefore have I come hither as at this time.35 Ye may be sure by the branch that I bear here that I come in peace, seeking no strife.36 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.37 But if thou be as bold as all men tell thou wilt freely grant me the boon I ask.”38

And Arthur answered, “Sir Knight, if thou cravest battle here thou shalt not fail for lack of a foe.”39

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.40 Therefore I ask in this court but a Christmas jest, for that it is Yule-tide, and New Year, and there are many here.41 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.42 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.43 Then shalt thou give me the right to deal him another, the respite of a year from to-day shall he have.44 Now pledge me thy word, and let see whether any here dare say aught.”45

The silence of the knights46

Now if the knights had been astounded at the first, yet stiller were they all, high and low, when they had heard his words.47 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.48 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?49 Where are now your pride and your conquests, your wrath, and anger, and mighty words?50 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!”51