🧚 Opening, part 6

Sir Gawain saw many an unfriendly countenance turned towards him.1 They straitly prayed their lord that he would make the knight known to them; how he came thither; who he was, whence he came, and whither he went, and what might be his name?2

Then spake the host: "He is my guest, and he hath my safe conduct, good and fast, the while he is within; and be ye sure of this, that if any wrong him by word or deed, he shall rue it in such wise that it shall cost him goods and life.3 Nor will I change for prayer of man or woman.4 My surety that I will hold to every guest standeth so fast that no word I have spoken shall be broken with my knowledge or my will.5 Have patience and hold ye still, on peril of your lives and goods.6 I know so good counsel withal that I may speedily be ware of him who hath wrought this deed."7

Then he called together his folk to one side of the hall, and said that his oath and his safe conduct might in no wise be broken, for his son were thereby but ill-avenged, valiant knight though he was.8 He might well rue it if he slew his guest, for thereof should he have great shame wherever men told the tale. "9 I shall avenge him more discreetly, if I be well-assured of the truth that my guest hath indeed wrought this murder and this great outrage."10

He spake further to his folk: "Now do ye all my bidding.11 Ye shall abide here within this hall; no man shall follow me a foot, but do ye even as I command.12 I will lead my guest without, and ye shall close the door behind us.13 Doth the dead man cease to bleed, then shall we all be well-assured that he hath done the deed; and thereafter shall I take counsel how I may avenge my son, fittingly, and without shame."14 Then all agreed to his counsel, and held their peace.15

Thus came the host to where Sir Gawain stood, and spake: "Sir Knight, be not wroth that my folk entreat ye not better.16 We are in grief, as ye see, and therefore are ye the worse served.17 Now shall ye come with me, and I shall amend what hath here been lacking.18 My folk and my household make great lamentation, as ye see, and I with them.19 Now come with me, and tarry not; I will lead ye hence where ye may be at ease, and sleep softly till the daylight.20 Here would we make our moan."21

Sir Gawain thought within himself he was sorely over-matched within those (to be bare of weapons 'tis a heavy blow at need), and he knew well that the folk looked on him with unfriendly eyes, and that none were on his side, that might be seen from their mien; and therefore he thought within himself that there was no better counsel save to put himself in his host's grace, and do that which he bade him.22 He had no weapon upon him, and there were within of his host's folk full five hundred men whom he saw to be armed.23 Thus he went his way with his host, whether the adventure should turn to his harm or to his helping.24 The lord of the castle led him through the doorway, and his men locked it as they went forth.25

Then quoth the lord of those within: "Sir Knight and dear guest, I will that ye be right well entreated here within this night."26 He led him to a strong tower, wherein were fair beds.27 He bade them bear tapers before them, and all that he knew or could in any wise deem needful for Sir Gawain, his guest.28 The host, sorely mourning, bade them pour out clear wine, and make ready a fair couch whereon he might sleep even as he had the will thereto.29 He left with him squires enow, and turned him again to the castle.30

Then did they bear the dead man from where he lay, his wounds were stanched, and bled no whit.31 Then said all who saw it it booted not to seek another man, they were well assured 'twas their guest had slain him.32 The word ran through the hall; and the host turned him again to where he had left his guest, as if he marked naught.33 He made no sign to his folk, but locked the door of the tower so fast that none might come therein to Sir Gawain to do him harm, nor overpower him, so safely was he in his keeping.34 Also, I tell ye, he himself kept the keys of the strong tower wherein he had locked his guest.35 He would bethink him what 'twere best to do ere he let him be slain or maimed; thus did he hold him within his fortress.36

What might Sir Gawain do?37 He must even abide his fate; he had come thither as guest, and now was he locked in a strong tower, within many doors, and in a strange place withal.38 He was bare of arms, and had he revealed himself and demanded his weapons they had scarce given them to him; rather had they slain him, and drawn blood-guiltiness upon themselves had not God protected him.39

Thus was Sir Gawain a captive, and knew not what he might do. '40 Twixt constraint and ill-fortune the night seemed to him over long; though he feared him no whit yet he deemed his end was come.41 He knew well that the folk were evil-disposed and bare malice and rancour towards him for the sake of the dead man who lay there, in that they had seen his wounds bleed afresh, and had thereby known his slayer.42 Thus was his heart sorely troubled.43

Now leave we speaking of Sir Gawain.44 The host was within the hall, with his folk until daylight; with sorrow and lamentation did they pass the night, bemoaning their bitter loss.45 For though the knight had well deserved his death yet had he there many friends who lamented the loss that they had thereby suffered.46 They were loth to own that he was evil and cruel of heart.47

So soon as they saw the fair day light the host took counsel with his folk that they might advise him well by what means, and in what way, they might avenge themselves for their heavy loss.48 Said the host, their lord, did he let the guest, whom he held there captive, and who had smitten his son to death, depart in safety, "Men would say I were but a coward, and durst not avenge myself, and would speak scorn of me; so many have seen how the matter fell out that it may not well remain hidden.49 Yet should I slay my guest then from henceforward would they cry shame upon me in every land where the tale be told."50

Thus was he of two minds, and thought in his heart that to save himself from shame 'twere best to let his guest depart so soon as he arose, armed in all points as he came thither, and harm him in no wise, but bring him, unhurt by any man, without the borders of his land and his safe conduct, and there bid him farewell and return hither; while that his friends, who would fain see him avenged, waylaid Sir Gawain, and wrought their will upon him, and, if they would, slew him.51 Or if they took him captive they might deal with him as they thought best, either by burning him in the fire, to cool their rage, or by breaking him upon the wheel--as might seem best to them at the time. "52 Thus shall I put the shame from me, that neither near nor afar, now or henceforward, men make scorn of me.53 This seemeth to me the wisest rede in this matter, howsoe'er it stand!"54