🧚 Opening, part 4 · page 2

When Gawain beheld that fair lady, who looked at him graciously, with leave of the lord he went towards them, and, bowing low, he greeted the elder, but the younger and fairer he took lightly in his arms, and kissed her courteously, and greeted her in knightly wise.57 Then she hailed him as friend, and he quickly prayed to be counted as her servant, if she so willed.58 Then they took him between them, and talking, led him to the chamber, to the hearth, and bade them bring spices, and they brought them in plenty with the good wine that was wont to be drunk at such seasons.59 Then the lord sprang to his feet and bade them make merry, and took off his hood, and hung it on a spear, and bade him win the worship thereof who should make most mirth that Christmas-tide.60 “And I shall try, by my faith, to fool it with the best, by the help of my friends, ere I lose my raiment.”61 Thus with gay words the lord made trial to gladden Gawain with jests that night, till it was time to bid them light the tapers, and Sir Gawain took leave of them and gat him to rest.62

Of the Christmas feast63

In the morn when all men call to mind how Christ our Lord was born on earth to die for us, there is joy, for His sake, in all dwellings of the world; and so was there here on that day.64 For high feast was held, with many dainties and cunningly cooked messes.65 On the daïs sat gallant men, clad in their best.66 The ancient dame sat on the high seat, with the lord of the castle beside her.67 Gawain and the fair lady sat together, even in the midst of the board, when the feast was served; and so throughout all the hall each sat in his degree, and was served in order.68 There was meat, there was mirth, there was much joy, so that to tell thereof would take me too long, though peradventure I might strive to declare it.69 But Gawain and that fair lady had much joy of each other’s company through her sweet words and courteous converse.70 And there was music made before each prince, trumpets and drums, and merry piping; each man hearkened his minstrel, and they too hearkened theirs.71

How the feast came to an end but Gawain abode at the castle72

So they held high feast that day and the next, and the third day thereafter, and the joy on S. John’s Day was fair to hearken, for ’twas the last of the feast, and the guests would depart in the grey of the morning.73 Therefore they awoke early, and drank wine, and danced fair carols, and at last, when it was late, each man took his leave to wend early on his way.74 Gawain would bid his host farewell, but the lord took him by the hand, and led him to his own chamber beside the hearth, and there he thanked him for the favour he had shown him in honouring his dwelling at that high season, and gladdening his castle with his fair countenance.75 “I wis, sir, that while I live I shall be held the worthier that Gawain has been my guest at God’s own feast.”76

“Gramercy, sir,” quoth Gawain, “in good faith, all the honour is yours, may the High King give it ye, and I am but at your will to work your behest, inasmuch as I am beholden to ye in great and small by rights.”77

Then the lord did his best to persuade the knight to tarry with him, but Gawain answered that he might in no wise do so.78 Then the host asked him courteously what stern behest had driven him at the holy season from the king’s court, to fare all alone, ere yet the feast was ended?79

“Forsooth,” quoth the knight, “ye say but the truth: ’tis a high quest and a pressing that hath brought me afield, for I am summoned myself to a certain place, and I know not whither in the world I may wend to find it; so help me Christ, I would give all the kingdom of Logres an I might find it by New Year’s morn.80 Therefore, sir, I make request of ye that ye tell me truly if ye ever heard word of the Green Chapel, where it may be found, and the Green Knight that keeps it.81 For I am pledged by solemn compact sworn between us to meet that knight at the New Year if so I were on life; and of that same New Year it wants but little—I’ faith, I would look on that hero more joyfully than on any other fair sight!82 Therefore, by your will, it behoves me to leave ye, for I have but barely three days, and I would as fain fall dead as fail of mine errand.”83

Then the lord quoth, laughing, “Now must ye needs stay, for I will show ye your goal, the Green Chapel, ere your term be at an end, have ye no fear!84 But ye can take your ease, friend, in your bed, till the fourth day, and go forth on the first of the year, and come to that place at mid-morn to do as ye will.85 Dwell here till New Year’s Day, and then rise and set forth, and ye shall be set in the way; ’tis not two miles hence.”86

Then was Gawain glad, and he laughed gaily.87 “Now I thank ye for this above all else.88 Now my quest is achieved I will dwell here at your will, and otherwise do as ye shall ask.”89

Then the lord took him, and set him beside him, and bade the ladies be fetched for their greater pleasure, tho’ between themselves they had solace.90 The lord, for gladness, made merry jest, even as one who wist not what to do for joy; and he cried aloud to the knight, “Ye have promised to do the thing I bid ye: will ye hold to this behest, here, at once?”91

“Yea, forsooth,” said that true knight, “while I abide in your burg I am bound by your behest.”92

“Ye have travelled from far,” said the host, “and since then ye have waked with me, ye are not well refreshed by rest and sleep, as I know.93 Ye shall therefore abide in your chamber, and lie at your ease to-morrow at Mass-tide, and go to meat when ye will with my wife, who shall sit with ye, and comfort ye with her company till I return; and I shall rise early and go forth to the chase.”94 And Gawain agreed to all this courteously.95