🧚 Opening, part 7

The virtue of the girdle1

“Now,” said the lady, “ye refuse this silk, for it is simple in itself, and so it seems, indeed; lo, it is small to look upon and less in cost, but whoso knew the virtue that is knit therein he would, peradventure, value it more highly.2 For whatever knight is girded with this green lace, while he bears it knotted about him there is no man under heaven can overcome him, for he may not be slain for any magic on earth.”3

How Sir Gawain took the girdle4

Then Gawain bethought him, and it came into his heart that this were a jewel for the jeopardy that awaited him when he came to the Green Chapel to seek the return blow—could he so order it that he should escape unslain, ’twere a craft worth trying.5 Then he bare with her chiding, and let her say her say, and she pressed the girdle on him and prayed him to take it, and he granted her prayer, and she gave it him with good will, and besought him for her sake never to reveal it but to hide it loyally from her lord; and the knight agreed that never should any man know it, save they two alone.6 He thanked her often and heartily, and she kissed him for the third time.7

Then she took her leave of him, and when she was gone Sir Gawain arose, and clad him in rich attire, and took the girdle, and knotted it round him, and hid it beneath his robes.8 Then he took his way to the chapel, and sought out a priest privily, and prayed him to teach him better how his soul might be saved when he should go hence; and there he shrived him, and showed his misdeeds, both great and small, and besought mercy and craved absolution; and the priest assoiled him, and set him as clean as if Doomsday had been on the morrow.9 And afterwards Sir Gawain made him merry with the ladies, with carols, and all kinds of joy, as never he did but that one day, even to nightfall; and all the men marvelled at him, and said that never since he came thither had he been so merry.10

The death of the fox11

Meanwhile the lord of the castle was abroad chasing the fox; awhile he lost him, and as he rode through a spinney he heard the hounds near at hand, and Reynard came creeping through a thick grove, with all the pack at his heels.12 Then the lord drew out his shining brand, and cast it at the beast, and the fox swerved aside for the sharp edge, and would have doubled back, but a hound was on him ere he might turn, and right before the horse’s feet they all fell on him, and worried him fiercely, snarling the while.13

Then the lord leapt from his saddle, and caught the fox from their jaws, and held it aloft over his head, and hallooed loudly, and the hunters hied them thither, blowing their horns; all that bare bugles blew them at once, and all the others shouted. ’14 Twas the merriest meeting that ever men heard, the clamour that was raised at the death of the fox.15 They rewarded the hounds, stroking them and rubbing their heads, and took Reynard and stripped him of his coat; then blowing their horns, they turned them homewards, for it was nigh nightfall.16

How Sir Gawain kept not all the covenant17

The lord was gladsome at his return, and found a bright fire on the hearth, and the knight beside it, the good Sir Gawain, who was in joyous mood for the pleasure he had had with the ladies.18 He wore a robe of blue, that reached even to the ground, and a surcoat richly furred, that became him well.19 A hood like to the surcoat fell on his shoulders, and all alike were done about with fur.20 He met the host in the midst of the floor, and jesting, he greeted him, and said, “Now shall I be first to fulfil our covenant which we made together when there was no lack of wine.”21 Then he embraced the knight, and kissed him thrice, as solemnly as he might.22

“Of a sooth,” quoth the other, “ye have good luck in the matter of this covenant, if ye made a good exchange!”23

“Yea, it matters naught of the exchange,” quoth Gawain, “since what I owe is swiftly paid.”24

“Marry,” said the other, “mine is behind, for I have hunted all this day, and naught have I got but this foul fox-skin, and that is but poor payment for three such kisses as ye have here given me.”25

“Enough,” quoth Sir Gawain, “I thank ye, by the Rood.”26

Then the lord told them of his hunting, and how the fox had been slain.27

With mirth and minstrelsy, and dainties at their will, they made them as merry as a folk well might till ’twas time for them to sever, for at last they must needs betake them to their beds.28 Then the knight took his leave of the lord, and thanked him fairly.29

“For the fair sojourn that I have had here at this high feast may the High King give ye honour.30 I give ye myself, as one of your servants, if ye so like; for I must needs, as ye know, go hence with the morn, and ye will give me, as ye promised, a guide to show me the way to the Green Chapel, an God will suffer me on New Year’s Day to deal the doom of my weird.”31

“By my faith,” quoth the host, “all that ever I promised, that shall I keep with good will.”32 Then he gave him a servant to set him in the way, and lead him by the downs, that he should have no need to ford the stream, and should fare by the shortest road through the groves; and Gawain thanked the lord for the honour done him.33 Then he would take leave of the ladies, and courteously he kissed them, and spake, praying them to receive his thanks, and they made like reply; then with many sighs they commended him to Christ, and he departed courteously from that folk.34 Each man that he met he thanked him for his service and his solace, and the pains he had been at to do his will; and each found it as hard to part from the knight as if he had ever dwelt with him.35

How Sir Gawain took leave of his host36

Then they led him with torches to his chamber, and brought him to his bed to rest.37 That he slept soundly I may not say, for the morrow gave him much to think on.38 Let him rest a while, for he was near that which he sought, and if ye will but listen to me I will tell ye how it fared with him thereafter.39

IV40

Now the New Year drew nigh, and the night passed, and the day chased the darkness, as is God’s will; but wild weather wakened therewith.41 The clouds cast the cold to the earth, with enough of the north to slay them that lacked clothing.42 The snow drave smartly, and the whistling wind blew from the heights, and made great drifts in the valleys.43 The knight, lying in his bed, listened, for though his eyes were shut he might sleep but little, and hearkened every cock that crew.44

He arose ere the day broke, by the light of a lamp that burned in his chamber, and called to his chamberlain, bidding him bring his armour and saddle his steed.45 The other gat him up, and fetched his garments, and robed Sir Gawain.46