Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. Pearl Poet

the table,

       and Ywain, Urien’s son, ate by himself.

       These were placed on the dais and honorably served,

       and after them many a good man at the side tables.

       Then the first course came in with blare of trumpets,

       which were hung with many a bright banner.

       A new noise of kettle-drums with the noble pipes,

       wild and stirring melodies wakened the echoes;

       that many a heart heaved full high at their tones.

       Dainties of precious meats followed,

       foison of fresh viands, and on so many dishes

       that it was difficult to find place before the people

       to set on the cloth the silver that held the several courses.

       Each man as he himself preferred partook without hesitation.

       Every two⁵ had twelve dishes between them, good beer and bright wine both.

      7.

      Now will I tell you no more of their service,

       for everybody must well understand that there was no

       lack of opportunity for the people to take their food.⁶ Another noise full new suddenly drew nigh, for scarcely had the music ceased a moment, and the first course been properly served in the court, than there burst in at the hall door an awesome being, in height one of the tallest men in the world; from the neck to the waist so square and so thick was he, and his loins and his limbs so long and so great, that half giant I believed him to have been, or, at any rate, the largest of men, and withal the handsomest in spite of his bulk, that ever rode; for though his back and breast were so vast, yet his belly and waist were properly slim; and all his form according, full fairly shaped. At the hue of his noble face men wondered; he carried himself in hostile fashion and was entirely green.

      8.

      All green was this man and his clothing;

       a straight coat sat tight to his sides;

       a fair mantle above, adorned within;

       the lining showed, with costly trimming of shining white fur;

       and such his hood also, that was caught back

       from his locks and lay on his shoulders,

       the hem well stretched;⁷ hose of the same green, that clung to his calf; and clean spurs under, of bright gold upon silk bands richly barred, and shoes⁸ on his shanks as the hero rides. And all his vesture verily was clean verdure, both the bars of his belt, and the other beauteous stones that were set in fine array about himself and his saddle, worked on silk. It would be too difficult to tell the half of the trifles that were embroidered there, with birds and flies, with gay gauds of green, — the good over in the middle; the pendants of the poitrel, the proud crupper, the bits, — and all the metal was enamelled; the stirrups that he stood on were coloured the same, and his saddle bow likewise, and his fine reins⁹ that glimmered and glinted all of green stones. The horse that he rode on was of the same colour too, a green horse, great and thick, a steed full stiff to guide, in gay embroidered bridle, and one right dear to his master.

      9.

      This hero was splendidly dressed in green;

       and the hair of his head matched that of his horse;¹⁰ fair flowing locks enfolded his shoulders; a beard as big as a bush hung over his breast; and it, together with his splendid hair that reached from his head, was trimmed evenly all round above his elbows, so that half his arms were caught thereunder in the manner of a king’s hood,¹¹ that covers his neck. The mane of that great horse was much like it, very curly and combed, with knots full many folded in with gold wire about the fair green, — always one knot of the hair, another of gold. The tail and the forelock were twined in the same way, and both bound with a band of bright green, set with full precious stones the whole length of the dock, and then tied up with a thong in a tight knot; where rang many bells full bright of burnished gold. Such a steed in the world, such a hero as rides him, was never beheld in that hall before that time. His glances were like bright lightning, so said all that saw him. It seemed as if no man could endure under his blows.

      10.

      He had neither helm nor hauberk,

       nor gorget, armour nor breastplate,

       nor shaft nor shield to guard or to smite;

       but in his one hand he had a holly twig,

       that is greenest when groves are bare,

       and an axe in his other,

       a huge and prodigious one,

       a weapon merciless almost beyond description;

       the head had the vast length of an ellyard,

       the blade all of green steel and of beaten gold;

       the bit¹² brightly burnished, with a broad edge, as well shaped for cutting as sharp razors. The stern warrior gripped it by¹³ the steel of its stout staff, which was wound with iron to the end of the wood and all engraven with green in beauteous work. A lace was lapped about it, that was fastened at the head, and tied up often along the helve, with many precious tassels attached on rich embroidered buttons of the bright green. This hero turns him in and enters the hall, riding straight to the high dais, fearless of mischief. He greeted never a one, but looked loftily about, and the first word that he uttered was: "Where is the governor of this company? Gladly I would see that hero and speak with him." He cast his eye on the knights and rode fiercely up and down, stopped and gan ponder who was there the most renowned.

      11.

      All gazed fixedly on the man,

       for everybody marvelled what it might mean,

       that a knight and a horse could have such a colour:

       as green grown as the grass, and greener, it seemed;

       shining brighter than green enamel on gold.

       All were amazed who stood there,

       and stalked nearer to him,

       with all the wonder in the world what he would do;

       for many marvels had they seen, but such never before.

       Therefore for phantom and faery the folk there deemed it;

       and for that reason many a noble warrior was slow to answer,

       and all were astonished at his voice and sat stone still

       in a deep silence through the rich hall.

       Their voices¹⁴ sank as though they had suddenly fallen asleep. I deem, however, that it was not all for fear, but somewhat for courtesy. But now let him to whom all defer undertake the wight.

      12.

      Then Arthur before the high dais beheld that adventure,

       and saluted the stranger properly,

       for never was he afraid, and said,

       "Sir, welcome indeed to this place.

       I am called Arthur, the head of this hostel.