 CHAPTER XI. When Arthur was king of Britain, and so reigned, it befell one wintertide he held at Camelot his Christmas feast, with all the nights of the round table, full fifteen days. All was joy then, in hall and chamber, and when the New Year came it was kept with great joy. Rich gifts were given, and many lords and ladies took their seats at the table, where Queen Gwynevere sat at the king's side, and a lady fairer of form might no one say he had ever before seen. But King Arthur would not eat, nor would he long sit, until he should have witnessed some wondrous adventure. The first course was served, with a blowing of trumpets, and before each two guests were set twelve dishes, and bright wine, for there was no want of anything. Scarcely had the first course commenced, when they rushed in at the hall door at night, the tallest on earth he must have been. His back and breast were broad, but his waist was small. He was clothed entirely in green, and his spurs were of bright gold. His saddle was embroidered with birds and flies, and the steed that he rode upon was green. Gaeli was the knight attired. His great beard, like a green bush, hung on his breast. His horse's mane was decked with golden threads, and its tail bound with a green band. Such a horse and such a knight were never before seen. It seemed that no man might endure the green knight's blows, but he carried neither spear nor shield. In one hand he held a holly-bow, and in the other an axe, the edge of which was as keen as a sharp razor, and the handle was encased in iron, curiously graven with green. Thus arrayed the green knight entered the hall, without saluting any one, and asked for the governor of the company, and looked about him for the most renowned of them. Much they marveled to see a man and a horse as green as grass. Never before had they seen such a sight as this. They were afraid to answer, and were as silent as if sleep had taken hold of them, some from fear, others from courtesy. King Arthur, who was never afraid, saluted the green knight and bade him welcome. The green knight said that he would not tarry. He was seeking the most valiant that he might prove him. He came in peace, but he had a halberd at home, and a helmet too. King Arthur assured him that he should not fail to find an opponent worthy of him. I seek no fight, said the knight. Here are only beardless children. Here is no man to match me. Still, if any be bold enough to strike a stroke for another, this axe shall be his, but I shall give him a stroke in return within a twelve month and a day. There kept all silent, while the knight rolled his red eyes about and bent his grisly green brows. Waving his beard awhile, he exclaimed, What, then, is this Arthur's court? For sooth the renown of the round table is overturned with the word of one man's speech. Arthur grew red for shame, and waxed as wroth as the wind. He assured the knight that no one was afraid of his great words, and seized the axe. The green knight, stroking his beard, awaited the blow, and with the dry countenance drew down his green coat. But thereupon Sergeiouin begged the king to let him undertake the blow. He asked permission to leave the table, saying it was not meat that Arthur should take the game, while so many bold knights sat upon bench. Although the weakest, he was quite ready to meet the green knight. The other knights, too, begged Arthur to give Gawain the game. Then the king gave Gawain, who was his nephew, his weapon, and told him to keep heart and hand steady. The green knight inquired the name of his opponent, and Sergeiouin told him his name, declaring that he was willing to give and receive a blow. It pleases me well, Sergeiouin, says the green knight, that I shall receive a blow from thy fist, but thou must swear that thou will seek me to receive the blow in return. Where shall I seek thee, says Sergeiouin, tell me thy name, and thy abode, and I will find thee. When thou hast smitten me, says the green knight, then tell I thee of my home and name, if I speak not at all, so much the better for thee. Take now, thy grim weapon, and let us see how thou strikeest. Gladly, sir, foresooth, quotes Sergeiouin. And now the green knight puts his long green locks aside, and lays bare his neck, and Sergeiouin strikes hard with the axe, and at one blow severs the head from the body. The head falls to the earth, and many treat it roughly, but the green knight never falters. He starts up, seizes his head, steps into the saddle, holding the wild ahead in his hand by the hair, and turns his horse about. Then low, the head lifts up its eyelids, and addresses Sergeiouin. Look, thou, be ready to go as thou hast promised, and seek till thou findest me. Get thee to the green chapel, there to receive a blow on New Year's morn. Fail thou never, come, or requerient be called. So saying, the green knight rides out of the hall, his head in his hand. And now Arthur addresses the queen. Dear Dame, be not dismayed. Such marvels well become the Christmas festival. I may now go to meet. Sergeiouin, hang up, thine axe. The king and his knights sit feasting at the board, with all manner of meat and minstrel sea, till day is in it. But beware, Sergeiouin, said the king at its end, lest thou fail to seek the adventure which thou hast taken in hand. PART II Like other years, the months and seasons of this year pass away full quickly, and never return. After Christmas comes lent, and spring sets in, and warm showers descend. Then the groves become green, and birds build and sing for joy of the summer that follows. Blossoms begin to bloom, and noble notes are heard in the woods. With the soft winds of summer, more beautiful grow the flowers, wet with dew drops. But then harvest approaches, and drives the dust about, and the leaves drop off the trees, the grass becomes gray, and all ripens and rots. At last, when the winter winds come round again, Sergeiouin thinks of his dread journey and his vow to the Green Knight. On all Hallow's Day, Arthur makes a feast for his nephew's sake. After meat, Sergeiouin thus speaks to his uncle. Now, Lige Lord, I ask leave of you, for I am bound on the morrow to seek the Green Knight. Many noble knights, the best of the court, counsel and comfort him, and much sorrow prevails in the hall, but Gaewin declares that he has nothing to fear. On the morn he asks for his arms. A carpet is spread on the floor, and he steps thereon. He is dubbed in a doublet of Tarsic silk and well-made hood. They set steel shoes on his feet, lap his legs in steel grieves, put on the steel haborgen, the well-burnished braces, elbow pieces, and gloves of plate. While overall is placed the coat armor. His spurs are then fixed, and his sword is attached to his side by a silken girdle. Thus attired, the knight hears mass, and afterwards takes leave of Arthur and his court. By that time his horse Grinnellet was ready, the harness of which glittered like the gleam of the sun. Then Sergeiouin sets his helmet upon his head, and the circle round it was decked with diamonds. And they give him his shield with the pentacle of pure gold devised by King Solomon as a token of truth. For it is called the Endless Knot, and well becomes the good Sergeiouin, and knight the truest of speech and the fairest of form. He was found faultless in his five wits. The image of the virgin was depicted upon his shield, and courtesy he was never found wanting, and therefore was the Endless Knot fastened on his shield. And now Sergeiouin seizes his lance and bids all good day. He spurs his horse and goes on his way. All that saw him go mourned in their hearts, and declared that his equal was not to be found upon earth. It would have been better for him to have been a leader of men than to die by the hands of an elvish man. Meanwhile many a weary mile goes Sergeiouin. Now rides the knight through the realms of England. He has no companion but his horse, and no men does he see till he approaches north Wales. From hollyhead he passes into Wirral, where he finds but few that love God or man. He inquires after the green night of the green chapel, but can gain no tidings of him. His cheer oft changed before he found the chapel. Many a cliff he climbed over, many a Fordon stream he crossed, and everywhere he found a foe. It were too tedious to tell the tenth part of his adventures with serpents, wolves, and wild men, with bulls, bears, and boars. Had he not been both brave and good, doubtless he had been dead. The sharp winter was far worse than any war that ever troubled him. Thus in peril he travels till Christmas Eve, and on the mourn he finds himself in a deep forest, where were old oaks many a hundred, and many sad birds upon bear-twigs piped piteously for the cold. Through rough ways and deep mire he goes, that he may celebrate the birth of Christ, and blessing himself he says, Cross of Christ, speed me! Scarcely had he blessed himself thrice, than he saw a dwelling in the wood, set on a hill, the comliest castle that night ever owned, which shone as the sun through the bright oaks. Fourth with, Sergei when goes to the chief gate, and finds the drawbridge raised, and the gates fast shut. As he abides there on the bank, he observes the high walls of hard hewn stone, with battlements and towers and chalk-white chimneys, and bright and great warts round towers with their well-made capitals. O, thinks he, if only he might come within the cloister. Anon he calls, and soon there comes a porter to know the night's errand. Good sir, says Gawain, ask the High Lord of this house to grant me a lodging. You are welcome to dwell here as long as you like, replied the porter. Thereupon is the drawbridge let down, and the gate opened wide to receive him. And he enters, and his horse is well-stabled, and knights and squires bring Gawain into the hall. Many a one hastens to take his helmet and sword. The Lord of the castle bids him welcome, and they embrace each other. Gawain looks on his host, a big bold one he seemed. Beaver-hued was his broad beard, and his face as fell as the fire. The Lord then leads Gawain to a chamber, and assigns a page to wait upon him. And this bright bower was noble bedding. The curtains were of pure silk with golden hems, and tarsic tapestries covered the walls and floor. Here the knight doft his armour, and put on rich robes which well became him. And in troth a more comely knight than Sir Gawain was never seen. Then a chair was placed by the fireplace for him, and a mantle of fine linen, richly embroidered, thrown over him. A table, too, was brought in, and the knight, having washed, was invited to sit to meet. He was served with numerous dishes, with fish baked and broiled, or boiled and seasoned with spices. Full noble feast, and much mirth did he make as he ate and drink. Then Sir Gawain, in answer to his host, told him he was of Arthur's court, and when this was made known great was the joy in the hall. Each one said softly to his mate, Now we shall see courteous manners, and hear noble speech, for we have amongst us the father of all nurture. After dinner the company go to the chapel to hear the even song of the great season. The lord of the castle and Sir Gawain sit together during the service. When his wife, accompanied by her maids, left her seat after the service, she appeared even fairer than Gwynevere. An older dame led her by the hand, and very unlike they were. For if the young one was fair, the other was yellow, and had rough and wrinkled cheeks. The younger had a throat fairer than snow, the elder had black brows and bleared lips. With permission of the lord, Sir Gawain salutes the elder, and the younger courteously kisses and begs to be her servant. To the great hall then they go, where spices and wine are served. The lord takes off his hood and places it on a spear. He who makes most mirth that Christmas tide is to win it. On Christmas morn joy reigns in every dwelling in the world. So did it in the castle where Sir Gawain now abode. The lord and the old ancient wife sit together, and Sir Gawain sits by the wife of his host. But were too tedious to tell of the meat, the mirth, and the joy that abound it everywhere. Trumpets and horns give forth their merry notes, and great was the joy for three days. St. John's Day was the last day of the Christmas festival, and on the morrow many of the guests took their departure from the castle. Its lord thanked Sir Gawain for the honor and pleasure of his visit, and endeavored to keep him at his court. He desired also to know what had driven Sir Gawain from Arthur's court before the end of the Christmas holidays. Sir Gawain replied that a high errand and a hasty one had forced him to leave the court. Then he asked his host whether he had ever heard of the Green Chapel. For there he had to be on New Year's Day, and he would as leaf die as fail in his errand. The prince tells Sir Gawain he will teach him the way, and that the Green Chapel is not more than two miles from the castle. Then was Gawain glad, and he consented to tarry a while at the castle, and its lord and castellan rejoiced too, and sent to ask the ladies to come and entertain their guest. And he asked Sir Gawain to grant him one request, that he would keep his chamber on the morrow's mourn as he must be tired after his far travel. Meanwhile his host and the other men of the castle were to rise very early and go a-hunting. "'Whatsoever,' said his host, "'I win in the wood shall be yours, and whatever hat be yours at home I will as freely count as mine.' And he gave Sir Gawain in token a ring, which he was not to yield, no, not though it was thrice required of him by the fairest lady under heaven. To all this Sir Gawain gladly agreed, and so with much cheer a bargain was made between them, and as night drew on each went early to his bed. Part 3 Next mourn, full early before the day, all the folk of the castle up-rise and saddle their horses and trust their saddle-bags. The noble lord of the castle, too, arrays himself for riding, eats a-sop hastily, and goes to mass. Before daylight he and his men are on their horses. Then the hounds are called out and coupled. Three short notes are blown by the bugles, and a hundred hunters join in the chase. To their stations the deer stalkers go, and the hounds are cast off, and joyously the chase begins. Roused by the clamor the deer rush to the heights, but are soon driven back. The hearts and bucks are allowed to pass, but the hens and doves are driven back to the shade. As they fly they are shot by the bowmen. The hounds and the hunters, with a loud cry, follow in pursuit, and those that escape the arrows are killed by the hounds. The lord waxes joyful in the chase, which last it till the approach of night. All this time surgay when lay a bed, and woke only to hear afar the bane of the hounds, and sow to doves again. But at length there befell a knock at his door, and damsel entered to bid him rise, and come to meet with her mistress. Straight away he arose, attired himself, put on his finger the fair ring that his host had given him, and descend it to greet the lady of the castle. Good-morrow, fair sir, says she, you are a late sleeper, I see. She tells him, with a laughing glance, that she doubts if he really be surgay when, that all the world worships. For he cares better to sleep than to hunt with the knights in the wood, or talk with the ladies and their bower. In good faith, quotes surgay when, save this ring on my finger, there is not I would not yield thee, and token of my service and thy courtesy. The lady told him, that if true courtesy were enclosed in himself, he would keep back nothing, no, not so much as a ring. But surgay when bethought him of his word to the lord of the castle, of his promise also to the green knight, he may not, he says, yield up his ring. But he will be for ever her true servant. We leave now the lady and surgay when, and turn to tell how the lord of the land and his men end their hunt and wood in heath. Of the killed aquari they make, and set about breaking the deer, and taking away the assay, or fat, and rend off the hide. When all is ready they feed the hounds, and then they make for home. Anon, surgay when, hearing them approach the castle, goes out to meet his host. Then the lord commands all his household to assemble, and the venison to be brought before him. He calls gay when, and asks him whether he does not deserve much praise for his success in the chase. When the knight has said that fairer venison he has not seen in winter, nay, not this seven year, his host doth bid him take the whole according to the agreement between the maid last night. Gay when gives the night a comely kiss in return, and his host desires to know if he too has gotten much wheel at home. Nay, says surgay when, ask me no more of that. Thereupon the lord of the castle laughed, and they went to supper where were dainties new enough and to spare. Anon they are sitting by the hearth, while wine is carried round, and again surgay when and his host renew their compact as before, and so they take leave of each other and hasten to bed. Scares have the cock cackled thrice on the morrow when the lord was up and again with his hunters and horns out and abroad, pursuing the chase. The hunters cheer on the hounds, which fall to the scent forty at once. People come together by the side of a cliff and look about on all sides beating the bushes. Out there rushes a fierce wild boar who fells three to the ground with the first thrust. Full quickly the hunters pursue him. However he attacks the hounds, causing them to yowl and yell. The bowmen send their arrows after this wild beast, but they glide off, shivered in pieces. Next with the blows he attacks the hunters. Then the lord of the land blows his bugle and pursues the boar. All this time surgay when lies a bed, as on the previous day, according to his promise, and again when he is summoned out of his late slumbers the lady of the castle twits him with his lack of courtesy. Sir, said she, if ye indeed be surgay when, me thinkest you would not have forgotten that which yesterday I taught. What is that, Quothee? That I taught you of giving, says she, yet you give not the ring as courtesy requires. Poor is the gift, he says, that is not given of free will. But then the lady takes a ring from her own finger and bids him to keep it. And I would hear from you, she says, some stories of beautiful dames, and of feats of arms, and the deeds that become true knights. Surgay when says he has no slight in the telling of such tales, and he may not take the ring she would give him, but he would forever be her servant. Meanwhile, the lord pursued the wild boar that bit the backs of his hounds asunder, and caused the stoutest of his hunters to start back. At last the beast was too exhausted to run any more, and entered a hole in a rock by the side of a brook, the froth foaming at his mouth. None durst approached him, so many had he torn with his tusks. The knight, seeing the boar at bay, alights from his horse, and seeks to attack him with his sword. The boar rushes out upon the man, who, aiming well, wounds him in the side, and the beast is killed by the hounds. Gawyn was there blowing of horns, and baying of hounds. One, wise in woodcraft, begins to unlace the boar, and hues off the head. Then he feeds his hounds, and the two halves of the carcass are next bound together, and hung upon a pole. The boar's head is now born before the lord of the castle, who hastens home. Gawyn is called upon, when the hunt returns, to receive the spoil, and the lord of the land is well pleased when he sees him, and shows him the wild boar, and tells him of its length and breadth. Such a brawn of a beast, Sir Gawyn says, he never has seen. To Gawyn then the wild boar is given, according to the covenant, and in return he kisses his host, who declares his guest to be the best he knows. Tables are raised aloft, cloths laid upon them, and wax and torches are lighted. With much mirth and glee supper is served in the hall. When they had long played in the hall, they went to the upper chamber, where they drank and discoursed. Sir Gawyn at length begs leave of his host to depart on the morrow, but his host swears to him that he must stay, and come to the green chapel on New Year's morn long before prime. So Gawyn consents to remain for another night, and fools still and softly he sleeps throughout it. Early in the morning the lord of the castle is up. After mass a morsel he takes with his men to break his fast. Then were they all mounted on their horses before the hall gates, and ready for the hunt. It was a clear, frosty morning when they rode off, and the hunters, dispersed by a wood side, came upon the track of a fox, which was followed up by the hounds. Now they get sight of the game, and pursue him through many a rough grove. The fox at last leaps over a spinning, and by a rugged path seeks to get clear from the hounds. He comes upon one of the hunting stations, where he is attacked by the dogs. However, he slips them, and makes again for the woods. Then was it fine sport to listen to the hounds, and the hallowing of the hunters. There the fox was threatened, and called a thief. But Reynard was wily, and led them far astray over break and spinny. Meanwhile, Ser Gawyn, left at home, soundly sleeps within his cumbly curtains. At length the lady of the castle, clothed in a rich mantle, comes to his chamber, opens a window, and reproaches him. Ah, man, how can't thou sleep? This morning is so clear. Ser Gawyn was dreaming of his forthcoming adventure at the Green Chapel when she aroused him, but he started up and greeted his fair visitor. Again, as she had done before, she desired some gift by which to remember him when he was gone. Now, sir, she entreats him. Now before thy departing, do me this courtesy. Ser Gawyn tells her that she is worthy of a far better gift than he can bestow. He has no men laden with trunks containing precious things. Thereupon, again, the lady of the castle offers him a gold ring, but he refuses to accept it, as he has none that he is free to give and return. Very sorrowful was she on account of his refusal. She takes off her green girdle and beseeches him to take it. Gawyn again refuses to accept anything but promises, ever and hot and in cold, to be her true servant. Do you refuse it, says the lady, because it is simple? Who so knew the virtues that it possesses would highly prize it? For he who has girded it with this green girdle cannot be wounded or slain. Thereupon, Ser Gawyn thinks of his adventure at the Green Chapel, and when she again earnestly presses him to take the girdle, he consents not only to take it, but to keep the possession of it a secret. Then she takes her leave. Gawyn hides the girdle, and then hides to the chapel, and asks pardon for any misdeeds he has ever done. When he returns to the hall, he makes himself so merry among the ladies, with comely songs and carols, that they said, This night was so merry never before, since hither he came to the castle. Meanwhile, the lord of the castle was still in the field. He had already slain the fox. He had spied rain on coming through a rough grove, and tried to strike him with his sword. But the fox was seized by one of the hounds. The rest of the hunters hastened thither, with horns full many, for it was the merriest meat that ever was heard. And carrying the fox's skin and brush, they all ride home. The lord at last alights at his dear home, where he finds Ser Gawyn amusing the ladies. The night comes forward and welcomes his host, and according to Covenant kisses him thrice. My faith, says the other, ye have had much bliss. I have hunted all day, and have got nothing but the skin of this foul fox, a poor reward for three such kisses. He then tells him how the fox was slain, and with much mirth and menstrualcy they made merry until the time came for them to part. Gawyn takes leave of his host, and thanks him for his happy sojourn. He asks for a man to teach him the way to the green chapel. A servant has assigned him, and then he takes leave of the ladies, kissing them sorrowfully. They commend him to Christ. He then departs, thanking each one he meets for his service and solace. He retires to rest, but sleeps little, for much has he to think of on the morrow. Let him lie there, and be still awhile, and I will tell what next befell him. PART IV Now New Year's Day has drawn nigh, and the weather is stormy. Snow falls, and the dale is full of deep drift. Gawyn in his bed hears each cock that crows. He calls for the chamberlain, and bids him bring his armor. Men knock off the rest from his rich hebergen, and the night then calls for his steed. While he clothed himself in his rich garments, he forgot not the girdle, the lady's gift, but with it doubly girded his loins. He wore it not for its rich ornaments, but to save himself when it behoved him to suffer. All the people of the castle he thanked fool oft, and then was his steed grinna let arrayed, fool ready to prick on. Sir Gawyn returns thanks for the honor and kindness shown to him by all, and then he steps into the saddle from the mountain stone, and says, This castle to Christ I commend, may he give it ever good chance. Therewith the castle gates are opened, and the night rides forth, and goes on his way, accompanied by his guide. They ride by rocky ways and cliffs, where each hill wore a hat of cloud and a mist cloak, and when it is full daylight they find themselves on a hill full high. In his guide Bade Sir Gawyn abide, saying, I have brought you hither, and ye are not now far from the appointed place. Full perilous is it esteemed, its lord is fierce and stern, his body is bigger than the best four in King Arthur's house. None passes by the green chapel, that he does not ding to death with dint of his hand, for be it churl or chaplain, hunk, mass priest, or any man else he kills them all. He has lived there long, and against his sword dents ye may not defend you. Wherefore, good Sir Gawyn, let this man alone, and go by some other region, and I swear faithfully that I will never say that ever ye attempted to flee from any man. Gawyn replies that to shun this danger would mark him as a coward knight. To the chapel, therefore, he will go, though the Lord thereof were the cruelest and strongest of men. Full well, says he, can God devise how to save his true servants? Mary, quote the other, since it pleases thee to lose thy life, take thy helmet on thy head, and thy spear in thy hand, and ride down this path by young rockside, till thou come to the bottom of the valley. Look a little to the left, and thou shalt see the chapel itself, and the man that guards it. Having thus spoken, the guide takes leave of the night. By God's grace, says Sir Gawyn, I will neither weep nor groan. To God's will I am full ready to bow. So on he rides through the dale, and eagerly looks about him. He sees, however, no sign of arresting place, but only high and steep banks. No chapel can he discern anywhere. At last he sees a hill by the side of a stream. Thither he goes, alights, and fastens his horse to the branch of a tree. He walks round the hill, looking for the chapel, debating with himself what it might be, and at last he comes upon an old cave in the crag. Truly he reflects a wild place is here, a fitting place for the green night to make his devotions in evil fashion. If this be the chapel, it is the most cursed kirk that ever I saw. But with that he hears a loud noise from beyond the brook. It clattered like the grinding of a scythe on a grindstone, and word like a mill-stream. Though my life I forego, says Gawyn, no noise shall terrify me. And he cried aloud, Who dwells here, and will hold discourse with me. Then he heard a loud voice commanding him to abide where he stood, and soon there came out of a hole with a fell weapon. A Danish ax, quite new, the green night clothed just as Gawyn saw him long before. When he reached the stream he leapt over it, and striding on he met Sir Gawyn without the least obeisance. God preserve thee, he says, as a true night thou hast timed thy travel, thou knowest the covenant between us, that on New Year's Day I should return thy blow. Here we are alone. Have off thy helmet, and take thy pay at once. By my faith, quotes Sir Gawyn, I shall not begrudge thee thy will. Then he shows his bare neck, and appears undaunted. The green night seizes his grim weapon, and with all his force raises it aloft. As it came gliding down Sir Gawyn shrank a little with his shoulders. Then the other reproved him, saying, Thou art not that Gawyn that is so good esteemed, for thou fleeest for fear before thou feelest harm. I never flinched when thou struckest. My head flew to my foot, yet I never fled. Wherefore I ought to be called the better man. I flinched once, says Gawyn, but will know more. Bring me to the point, deal me my death-blow at once. Have at thee, then, says the other, and with that prepares to aim the fatal blow. Gawyn never flinches, but stands as still as a stone. Now, says the green night, I must strike thee, since thy heart is whole. Strike on, says the other. Then the green night makes ready to strike, and lets fall his axe on the bare neck of Sir Gawyn. The sharp weapon pierced the flesh so that the blood flowed. When Gawyn saw the blood on the snow, he unsheathed his sword, and thus he spake. Cease, man, of thy blow. If thou givest me any more, blow for blow shall I requite thee. We agreed only upon one stroke. The green night rested on his axe, looked at Sir Gawyn, who appeared bold and fearless, and addressed him as follows. Green night, be not so wroth. I promise thee a stroke, and thou hast it. Be satisfied. I could have dealt worse with thee. I menaced thee first with one blow for the covenant between us on the first night. Another I aimed at thee because of the second night. A true man should restore fully, and then he need fear no harm. Thou failed at the third time, and therefore take thee that stroke for my girdle, woven by my wife, thou wearest. I know thy secret, and my wife's gift to thee, for I sent her to try thee, and faultless I found thee. But yet thou sinnest a little, since thou tookest the girdle to save thy skin, and for love of thy life. Sir Gawyn stands there confounded before the green night. Cursed, he says, be cowardice and covetousness both. Then he takes off the girdle, and throws it to the green night, and confesses himself to have been guilty of untruth. Then the other, laughing, thus spoke, thou art confessed so clean that I hold thee as free, as if thou hadst never been guilty. I give thee, Sir Gawyn, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of thy adventure at the green chapel. Come again to my castle, and abide there for the remainder of the New Year's festival. Nay, forsooth, says Gawyn. I have sojourned sadly, but bliss betide thee. Commend me to your comely wife, who beguiled me. But though I be now beguiled, me thinks I should be excused. God reward you for your girdle. I will wear it in remembrance of my fault, and when pride shall prick me, one look upon this green band shall abate it. But tell me your right name, and I shall have done. The Green Knight replies, I am called Bernlach de Hout Desert, through the might of Morgan Lafay, the pupil of Merlin. She contain even the haughtiest. It was she who caused me to test the renown of the round-table, hoping to grieve Queen Gwynevere, and cause her death through fear. Morgan Lafay is even thine aunt. Therefore come to her, and make merry in my house. But Sir Gawyn refused to return with the Green Knight. He bade him a courteous farewell, and then he turned Gwynevere's head again toward Arthur's hall. By wild ways and lonely places did he ride. Sometimes he harbored in a house by night, and sometimes he had to shift under the trees. The wound in his neck became whole, but he still carried about him the belt and token of his fault. Thus Sir Gawyn comes again at last to the court of King Arthur, and great was the joy of them all to see him. The King and his knights asked him concerning his journey, and Gawyn tells them of his adventures, and of the Green Knight's castle and the Lady, and, lastly, of the girdle that he wore. He showed them the cut in his neck, and as he groaned for grief and shame, the blood rushed to his face. Lo, says he, handling the green girdle, this is the band of blame, a token of my cowardice and covetousness. I must need wear it as long as I live. The King comforts the Knight, and all the court too. Each Knight of the Brotherhood agrees to wear a bright green belt for Gawyn's sake, whoever more honoured it. CHAPTER XII Once upon a time, a great while ago, when men did eat and drink less, and were more honest, and knew no navery, there was want to walk many harmless spirits called fairies, dancing in brave orders in fairy rings on green hills with sweet music. Sometimes they were invisible, and sometimes took diverse shapes. Many mad pranks would they play, as pinching of untidy damsels black and blue, and misplacing things in ill-ordered houses, but lovingly would they use good girls, giving them silver and other pretty toys, which they would leave for them. Sometimes in their shoes, other times in their pockets, sometimes in bright basins and other clean vessels. Now it chants that in those happy days a babe was born, in a house to which the fairies did like well to repair. This babe was a boy, and the fairies, to show their pleasure, brought many pretty things thither, coverlets and delicate linen for his cradle, and capons, woodcock, and quail for the christening, at which there was so much good cheer that the clerk had almost forgot to say the babe's name. Robin Goodfellow. So much for the birth and christening of little Robin. When Robin was grown to six years of age, he was so navish that all the neighbors did complain of him. For no sooner was his mother's back turned, but he was in one navish action or another, so that his mother was constrained to avoid the complaints, to take him with her to market or wheresoever she went or rode. But this helped little or nothing, for if he rode before her, then he would make mouths and ill-favored faces at those he met. If he rode behind her, then he would clap his hand on the tail, so that his mother was weary of the many complaints that came against him. Yet knew she not how to beat him justly for it, because she never saw him do that which was worthy blows. The complaints were daily so renewed that his mother promised him a whipping. Robin did not like that cheer, and therefore, to avoid it, he ran away and left his mother a sorrowing for him. After Robin had traveled a good day's journey from his mother's house, he sat down, and being weary he fell asleep. No sooner had Slumber closed his eyelids, but he thought he saw many goodly proper little personages in antique measures tripping about him, and with all he heard such music, and he thought that Orpheus, that famous Greek fiddler, had he been alive, compared to one of these, had been but a poor musician. As delights commonly last not long, so did those end sooner than Robin would willingly they should have done, and for very grief he awakened, and found by him lying a scroll wherein was written these lines following in golden letters. Robin, my only son in air, how to live take thou no care, by nature thou hast cunning shifts, which I'll increase with other gifts. Wish what thou wilt, thou shall it have, and for to fetch both fool and knave, thou hast the power to change thy shape, to horse, to hog, to dog, to ape. Transform thus by any means, see none thou harps'd but knaves and queens, but love thou those that can honest be, and help them in necessity. Do thus and all the world shall know, the pranks of Robin Goodfellow, for by that name thou shalt call be to age's last posterity, and if thou keep my just command one day thou shalt see Fairyland. Robin, having read this, was very joyful, yet longed he to know whether he had the power or not, and to try it he wished for some meat. Presently a fine dish of roast veal was before him, then wished he for plum pudding, he straight away had it. This liked him well, and because he was weary he wished himself a horse. No sooner was his wish ended, but he was changed into as fine a nag as you need see, and leapt and curvey'd and nimbly as if he had been in a stable at rack and manger a full month. Then he wished himself a black dog, and he was so, then a green tree, and he was so. So from one thing to another till he was quite sure that he could change himself to anything whatsoever he liked. Thereupon, full of delight at his new powers, Robin Goodfellow set out, eager to put them to the test. As he was crossing a field, he met with a red-faced Carter's clown, and called to him to stop. "'Friend,' quilf he, "'what is a clock?' "'A thing,' answered the clown, "'that shows the time of day.' "'Why, then,' said Robin Goodfellow, "'be thou a clock, and tell me what time of the day it is.' "'I owe thee not so much service,' answered the clown again, "'but because thou shall think thyself beholden to me, know that it is the same time of the day as it was yesterday at this time!' These shrewd answers vexed Robin Goodfellow, so that in himself he vowed to be revenged of the clown, which he did in this manner. Robin Goodfellow turned himself into a bird, and followed this fellow who was going into a field a little from that place to catch a horse that was at grass. The horse, being wild, ran over dyke and hedge, and the fellow after, but to little purpose, for the horse was too swift for him. One was glad for this occasion, for now or never was the time to have his revenge. Presently, Robin shaped himself exactly like the horse that the clown followed, and so stood right before him. Then the clown took hold of the horse's mane, and got on his back, but he had not ridden far when, with a stumble, Robin hurled his rider over his head, so that he almost broke his neck, but then again he stood still, and let the clown mount him once more. By the way, which the clown now would ride, was a great pond of water, of a good depth, which covered the road. No sooner did he ride into the very middle of the pond than Robin Goodfellow turned himself into a fish, and so left him with nothing but the pack saddle on which he was riding betwixt his legs. Meanwhile, the fish swiftly swam to the bank, and then Robin, changed to a naughty boy again, ran away laughing, leaving the poor clown half-drowned and covered with mud. As Robin took his way along the green-hedged side, he fell to singing. And can the doctor make sick men well? And can the gypsy a fortune tell, without lily-dur-mander or cockle-shell, with sweet briar and bonfire and strawberry wine and columbine? And when he had sung this over, he fell to wondering what he should next turn himself into. Then as he saw the smoke rise from the chimneys of the next town, he thought to himself, it would be to him great spore to walk the streets with a broom on his shoulder and cry, Chimney-sweep. But when presently Robin did this, and one did call him, then did Robin run away laughing. Next he set about to counterfeit a lame-bagger, begging very pitifully. But when a stout chandler came out of his shop to give Robin an alms, again he skipped off nimbly laughing as his naughty manor was. That same night he did knock at many men's doors, and when the servants came out he blew out their candle, and straight away vanished in the dark street with his ha-ho-ho. All these mirthful tricks did Robin play, that day and night, and in these humours of his he had many pretty songs, one of which I will sing as perfect as I can. He's singin' in his chimneysweepers' humour at the tune of, I have been a fiddler these fifteen years. Like I am from head to foot, and all doth come by Chimney-soot, then maidens come and cherish him that makes your chimneys neat and trim. But it befell that, on the very next night of his playing the Chimney-sweep, Robin had a summons from the land where there are no chimneys. For King Oberon, seeing Robin Goodfellow do so many merry tricks, called him out of his bed with these words, saying, Robin, my son, come quickly rise, first stretch, then yawn, and rub your eyes, for thou must go with me to-night, and taste of fairy lands to light. Robin, hearing this, rose and went to him. There were, with King Oberon, many fairies, all attired in green. All these, with King Oberon, did welcome Robin Goodfellow into their company. Oberon took Robin by the hand, and led him in a fair dance. The musician had an excellent bagpipe made of a wren's quill and the skin of a greenland fly. This pipe was so shrill and so sweet that a Scottish pipe compared to it, it would no more come nearer than a Jew's harp death to an Irish harp. As they had danced, King Oberon said to Robin, When are you here, the piper blow, round and round the fairies go, and nightly you must with us dance in meadows where the moonbeams glance, and make the circle hand in hand, that is the law of fairy land, where thou shalt see what no man knows, while sleep the eyes of men doth close. So marched they, with their piper before, to the fairy land. There did King Oberon show Robin Goodfellow many secrets which he never did open to the world, and there, in fairy land, doth Robin Goodfellow abide now, this many a long year. Chapter 13 of English Fairy Tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information, or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Coming by Melissa Jane, Memphis, Tennessee. English Fairy Tales by Ernest Ries. The Princess of Colchester. Long ago, the reigned king who kept his court at Colchester. In the midst of all his glory, his queen died, leaving behind her an only daughter, about 15 years of age. This little lady, from her courtly carriage, beauty, and affability, was the wonder of all that knew her. But as covetousness is the root of all evil, so it happened here. The king, hearing of a rich dame, who had an only daughter, for the sake of her riches, had a mind to marry her. And though she was old, ugly, hook-nosed, and humpbacked, yet all this could not deter him from doing so. Her daughter was a yellow dowdy, full of envy and ill nature, and in short, was much of the same mold as her mother. This signified nothing. For in a few weeks, the king, attended by the nobility and gentry, had brought his new queen home to his palace. She had not been long in the court before she set the king against his own beautiful daughter by false reports and evil tales. The young princess, having lost her father's love, grew weary of the court. And one day, meeting with her father in the garden, she desired him, with tears in her eyes, to give her a small pittance, and she would go and seek her fortune, to which the king consented, and ordered her mother-in-law to make up a small sum according to her discretion. She went to the queen, who gave her a canvas bag of brown bread and hard cheese with a bottle of beer, though this was but a very pitiful dowry for a king's daughter. She took it, returned things, and proceeded on her journey, passing through groves, woods, and valleys. Until at length, she saw an old man sitting on a stone at the mouth of a cave. Good morrow, fair maiden, he said, wither away so fast. Aged, father, said she, I am going to seek my fortune. What hast thou in thy bag and bottle? In my bag I have bread and cheese, and in my bottle good small beer. Will you please to partake of either? Yes, said he, with all my heart. With that, the lady pulled out her provisions, and bade him eat and welcome. He did so, and gave her many thanks, and then he said to her, there is a thick, thorny hedge before you, which will appear impassable, but take this wand in your hand, strike three times, and say, pray hedge, let me come through, and it will open immediately. Then, a little further, you will find a well, sit down on the brink of it, and there will come up three golden hedge, which will speak, and whatever they require, that do. Thinking she would, she took her leave of him. Coming to the hedge, she pursued the old man's directions. It opened, and gave her a passage. Then, coming to the well, she had no sooner sat down, than a golden head came up, singing, wash me and calm me down softly. Yes, said she, and putting forth her hand with a silver comb, performed the office, placing it upon a primrose bank. Then came up a second, and a third head, saying the same as the former. And again, she complied, and then, pulling out her provisions, ate her dinner. Then said the heads, one to another. What shall we do for this lady, who hath used us so kindly? The first said, I will add such grace to her beauty, I shall charm the most powerful prince in the world. The second said, I will endow her with fragrance. Such as shall far exceed the sweetest flowers. The third said, my gift shall be none of the least, for, as she is a king's daughter, I'll make her so fortunate that she shall become queen to the greatest prince that reigns. This done, at their request, she let them down into the well again, and so proceeded on her journey. She had not traveled long before she saw a king hunting in the park with his nobles. She would have shunned him, but the king, having caught a sight of her, approached, and what with her beauty and grace, was so powerfully charmed that he fell in love with her at sight. Forthwith he offered her the finest horse and his train to ride upon, and so, bringing her to his palace, he there caused her to be clothed in the most magnificent manner with white and gold raiment. This being ended, when the king heard that she was the king of Colchester's daughter, he ordered some chariots to be got ready that he might pay her father a visit. The chariot in which the king and queen rode was adorned with rich gems and ornaments of gold. Her father was at first astonished that his daughter had been so fortunate as she was, till the young king made him sensible of all that happened. Great was the joy at court amongst all, with the exception of the queen and her ill-natured daughter, who were ready to burst with malice and envy of her happiness, and the greater was their madness because she was now above them all. Great rejoicings with feasting and dancing continued many days. Then, at length, with the dowry her father gave her, they returned home. The evil-minded sister-in-law, perceiving that her sister was so happy in seeking her fortune, would needs do the same. So, disclosing her mind to her mother, all preparations were made, and she was furnished not only with rich apparel, but sugar, almonds, and sweetmeats in great quantities and a large bottle of Malaga sac. Thus provided, she went the same road as her sister, and coming near the cave, the old man said, Young woman, wither so fast. What is that to you, said she. Then, said he, what have you in your bag and bottle? She answered, good things which you shall not be troubled with. Won't you give me some, said he. No, not a bit, nor a drop, unless it would choke you. The old man frowned, saying, evil fortune attend thee. Going on, she came to the hedge, through which she aspired a gap and thought to pass through it. But going in, the hedge closed, and the thorns ran into her flesh, so that it was with great difficulty that she got out. Being now in a most sad condition, she searched for water to wash herself, and looking round, she saw the well. She sat down on the brink of it, and one of the heads came up, saying, wash me, and lay me down softly. But she banged it with her bottle, saying, take this for your washing. Then the second and third heads came up, and met with no better treatment than the first, whereupon the heads consulted among themselves what evils to plague her with for such usage. The first said, let her be struck with leprosy. The second, let her hair turn into pack thread. The third bestowed on her for a husband, but a poor country cobbler. This done, she went on till she came to a town, and it being market day, the people looked at her, and seeing such a leper's face all fled, but a poor country cobbler. Now, not long before he had mended the shoes of an old hermit, who, having no money, gave him a box of ointment for the cure of the leprosy. So the cobbler, having a mind to do an act of charity, went up to her and asked her who she was. I am, said she, the king of Colchester's daughter-in-law. Well, said the cobbler, I restore you to your natural compaction and make a sound cure of you. Will you take me for a husband? Yes, friend, replied she, with all my heart. With this, the cobbler applied his ointment, and it worked a cure in a few weeks. After which, they were married, and so set forth for the court at Colchester. When the queen understood her dear daughter had married nothing but a poor cobbler, she fell into fits of rage and hanged herself in wrath. The king gave the cobbler a hundred pounds to quit the court with his lady and take her to a remote part of the kingdom. There he lived many years, mending shoes, his wife spinning thread, and I hope she made him happy. End of chapter 13, recording by Melissa Jane, Memphis, Tennessee. Chapter 14 of English Fairy Tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. English Fairy Tales by Ernest Riz. Lazy Jack, a story without a moral. Once upon a time there was a boy whose name was Jack, and he lived with his mother on a dreary common. They were very poor, and the old woman got her living by spinning. But Jack was so lazy that he would do nothing but bask in the sun in the hot weather and sit by the corner of the hearth in the wintertime. His mother could not persuade him to do anything for her and was obliged at last to tell him that if he did not begin to work for his porridge, she would turn him out to get his living as he could. This threat at length roused Jack, and he went out and hired himself for the day to a farmer for a penny. But as he was coming home, never having had any money before, he lost it in passing over a brook. You stupid boy, said his mother, you should have put it in your pocket. I'll do so another time, replied Jack. The next day Jack went out again and hired himself to a cowkeeper who gave him a jar of milk for his day's work. Jack took the jar and put it into the large pocket of his jacket, spilling it all along before he could get home. Dear me, said the old woman, you should have carried it on your head. I'll do so another time, replied Jack. The following day Jack hired himself again to a farmer who agreed to give him a cream cheese for his services. In the evening, Jack took the cheese and went home with it on his head. By the time he got home, the cheese was completely spoiled, part of it being lost and part melted in his hair. You stupid lout, said his mother, you should have carried it very carefully in your hands. I'll do so another time, replied Jack. The day after this, Jack again went out and hired himself to a baker who would give him nothing for his work but a large tomcat. Jack took the cat and began carrying it very carefully in his hands, but in a short time, but he scratched him so much that he was compelled to let it go. When he got home, his mother said to him, you silly fellow, you should have tied it with a string and dragged it along after you. I'll do so another time, said Jack. The next day, Jack hired himself to a butcher who rewarded his laborers with a handsome present of a shoulder of mutton. Jack took the mutton, tied it to a string and trailed it along after him in the dirt so that by the time he got home, the meat was completely spoiled. His mother was this time quite out of patience with him, for the next day was Sunday and she was obliged to content herself with cabbage for her dinner. You niny hammer, said she to her son, you should have carried it on your shoulder. I'll do so another time, replied Jack. On the Monday, Jack went once more and hired himself to a cattle keeper who gave him a donkey for his trouble. Although Jack was very strong, he found some difficulty in hoisting the donkey on his shoulders, but at last he managed it and began walking home with his prize. Now it happened that in the course of this journey there lived a rich man with his only daughter, a beautiful girl, but unfortunately deaf and dumb. She had never laughed in her life and the doctor said she would never recover till somebody made her laugh. Many tried without success and at last the father, in despair, offered to marry her to the first man who could make her laugh. This young lady happened to be looking out of the window when Jack was passing with the donkey on his shoulders, the legs sticking up in the air and the sight was so comical and strange that she burst out into a great fit of laughter and immediately recovered her speech and hearing. Her father was overjoyed and fulfilled his promise by marrying her to Jack, who was thus made a rich man for life. They lived in a large house and Jack's mother lived with them in great happiness until she died. End of chapter 14. Chapter 15 of English Fairy Tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by Christopher Orem. English Fairy Tales by Ernest Ries. The Giant of St. Michael's. When King Arthur was king of this realm, it befell at one time that he departed and entered into the sea at Sandwich with all his army, with a great multitude of ships, galleys, and dromans sailing on the sea. And as the king lay in his cabin in the ship, he fell in a slumbering and dreamed a marvelous stream. It seemed that a dreadful dragon did drown much of his people and he came flying out of the west and his head was enameled with azure and his shoulders shone as gold. His body like males of a marvelous hue, his tail full of tatters, his feet full of fine sable, and his claws like fine gold. And an hideous flame of fire flew out of his mouth like as the land and water had flamed all of fire. After him there came out of the Orient a grimly bore, all black, sailing in a cloud, and his paws as big as a post. He was rugged looking, roughly. He was the foulest beast that ever man saw. He roared and roamed so hideously that it was marvel to hear. Then the dreadful dragon advanced him and came in the wind like a falcon, giving great strokes on the bore. And the bore hit him again with his grisly tusks that his breast was all bloody and that the hot blood made all the sea red of his blood. Then the dragon flew away all on in heights and came down with such a suave and smote the bore on the ridge which was 10 foot large from the foot to the tail and smote the bore all to powder, both flush and bones, that it flittered all abroad on the sea. And therewith the king awoke Anon and was sore abashed of his dream and sent Anon for a wise man commanding to tell him the meaning of his dream. Sir, said the wise man, the dragon that thou dreamst of betokeneth thine own person that sails here and the color of his wings be thy realms thou that hast won and his tail which is all to tattered signified the noble knights of the round table and the bore that the dragon slew coming from the clouds either betokeneth some tyrant that tormented the people or else that thou art like to fight with some giant thyself, being horrible and abominable whose peer you never saw in your days. Wherefore of this dreadful dream doubt thee nothing but as a conqueror come forth thyself. Then after this they soon had sight of land and when they were there, a husband men of that country came and hold him, there was a great giant which had slain, murdered, and avoured much people of the country and had been sustained seven years with the children of the commons of that land in so much that all the children be all slain and destroyed. And now, late, said this countryman, he hath taken the Duchess of Brittany as she rode with her train and hath led her to his lodgings which is in a mountain for to keep her to her life's end. And many people followed her more than 500 but all they might not rescue her but they left her shrieking and crying lamentably wherefore I suppose he hath slain her. Now, as thou art a rightful king have pity on this lady and revenge us all as thou art a noble conqueror. Alas, said King Arthur, this is a great mischief. I had rather than the best realm that I have that I had been a furlong way to for him for to have rescued that lady. Can't thou bring me where this giant haunteth? Yes, sir, said the good man. Lo, yonder where as thou seest those two great fires, there thou shalt find him and more treasure than I suppose is in all France. When the king had understood this piteous case he returned into his tent. Then he called unto him, sir Kay and sir Bedivere and commanded them secretly to make ready horse and harness for himself and them twain for after even song he would ride on pilgrimage with them two only unto St. Michael's Mount and then anon he made ready and armed him at all points and took his horse and his shield and so they three departed thence and rode forth as fast as ever they might till that they came unto the foot of the mount. And there they alighted and the king commanded them to tarry there for he would himself go up into that mount. And so he ascended up into that hill till he came to a great fire and there he found a careful widow wringing her hands and making great sorrow sitting by a grave new maid. King Arthur saluted her and demanded of her wherefore she made such lamentation to whom she answered and said, so knight speak soft for yonder is a demon if he hear thee speak he will come and destroy thee. I hold thee unhappy. What does thou hear in this mountain for if ye were such fifty as ye be ye were not able to make resistance against this devil. Here lieth a duchess dead. The witch was the fairest of all the world wife to Sir Howell Duke of Brittany. He hath murdered her. Dame said the king I come from the noble conqueror King Arthur for to treat with that tyrant for his liege people fire upon such treaties said the widow he senteth not by the king nor by no man else. Beware approach him not to nigh for he hath vanquished fifteen kings and hath made him a coat full of precious stones embroidered with their beards which they sent him to have his love for salvation of their people at this last Christmas and if thou wilt speak with him at yonder great fire at supper. Well said Arthur I will accomplish my message for all your fearful words. And he went forth by the crest of that hill and saw where the giant sat at supper gnawing on the limb of a man baking his broad limbs by the fire and three fair damsels turning three spits whereon were broached twelve young children like young birds. When King Arthur beheld that piteous sight he had great compassion on them so that his heart bled for sorrow and hailed him saying in this wise he that all the world wieldeth give thee short life and shameful death why hast thou murdered these young innocent children and murdered this Duchess therefore arise and dress thee thou glutton for this day shalt thou die of my hand. Then the glutton anon started up and took a great club in his hand and smote at the king that his coronal fell to the ground and the king hit the giant again and carved his body till his blood fell down in two streams. Then the giant threw away his club and caught the king in his arms that he crushed his ribs. Then the three maidens kneeled down and called to Christ for help and comfort of Arthur. Then Arthur weltered and wrestled with the giant that he was other while under and another time above and so weltering and wallowing they rolled down the hill till they came to the sea mark and ever as they so weltered Arthur smote him with his dagger and it's fortunate they came to the place where as the two knights were that kept Arthur's horse. Then when they saw the king fast in the giant's arms they came and loosed him and then the king commanded Sir Kay to smite off the giant's head and to set it upon a truncheon of a spear and bear it to Sir Howell and tell him that his enemy was slain. After this, said the king, let his head be bound to a Barbican that all people may see and behold it and go ye to up to the mountain and fetch me my shield, my sword and a club of iron and as for the treasure take ye it for ye shall find their goods out of number. So I have the kirtle and the club I desire no more. This was the fiercest giant that ever I met with save one in the mount of Arabe which I overcame but this was greater. Then the kings fetched the club and the kirtle and some of the treasure they took to themselves and returned again to the host and anon this was known through all the country where for the people came and thanked the king and he said again, give the thanks to God and part the goods among you. And after that, king Arthur said and commanded his cousin Howell that he should ordain for a church to be builded on the same hill in the worship of Saint Michael. End of chapter 15, recording by Christopher Orem. Chapter 16 of English Fairy Tales. This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. Recording by phone. English Fairy Tales by Ernest Riss. Jack and the Beanstalk. A widow had an only child named Jack whom she gratified in everything. The end of her foolish kindness was that Jack paid little attention to anything she said and he was heedless and naughty. His follies were not owing to bad nature but to his mother never having chided him. As he would not work, she was obliged to sell everything she had. At last nothing remained but a cow. A widow with tears in her eyes could not help scolding Jack. Oh, you wicked boy, said she, by your naughty course of life you have now brought us both to fall. Heedless, heedless boy, I have not money enough to buy a bit of bread for another day. Nothing remains but my poor cow and that must be sold or we must starve. Jack was in a degree of tenderness for a few minutes but soon over and then becoming very hungry for a want of food. He teased his poor mother to let him sell the cow which at last she sadly allowed him to do. As he went on his journey he met a butcher who asked why he was driving a cow from home. Jack replied he was going to sell it. The butcher had some wonderful beans of different colors in his bag which called Jack's fancy. This, the butcher saw who knowing Jack's easy temper made up his mind to take advantage of it and offered all the beans for the cow. The foolish boy thought it a great offer. The bargain was momentely struck and the cow exchanged for a few paltry beans. When Jack hastened home with the beans and told his mother she kicked the beans away in a great passion. They flew in all directions and fell as far as the garden. Early in the morning Jack arose from his bed and seeing something strange from the window he hastened downstairs into the garden where he soon found that some of the beans had taken root and sprung up wonderfully. The stalks grew of an immense thickness and had so entwined that they formed a ladder like a chain in view. Looking upward he could not describe the top. It seemed to be lost in the clouds. He tried it, found it firm and not to be shaken. A new idea immediately struck him. He would climb the beanstalk and see whether it would lead. Full of this plan which made him forget even his hunger Jack hastened to tell it to his mother. He at once set out and after climbing for some hours reached the top of the beanstalk tired and almost exhausted. Looking round he was surprised to find himself in a strange country. It seemed to be quite a barren desert. Not a tree, shrub, house or living creature was to be seen. Jack sat himself pensively upon a block of stone and thought of his mother. His hunger attacked him and now he felt sorrowful for his disobedience in climbing the beanstalk against her will and made up his mind that he must now die for want of food. However he walked on hoping to see a house where he might beg something to eat. Suddenly he saw a beautiful young woman at some distance. She was dressed in an elegant manner and had a small white wand in her hand on the top of which was a peacock of pure gold. She came near and said I will tell to you a story your mother dare not but before I begin I require a solemn promise on your part to do what I command. I am a fairy and unless you perform exactly what I direct you to do you will take for me the power to assist you and there is little doubt but that you will die in the attempt. Jack was rather frightened at this caution but promised to follow her directions. Your father was a rich man with a greatly generous nature. It was his practice never to refuse help to the poor people about him but on the contrary to seek out the helpless and distressed. Not many miles from your father's house lived a huge giant who was the dread of the country around for cruelty and wickedness. This creature was moreover of a very envious spirit and disliked to hear others talked of for their goodness and humanity and he vowed to do him a mischief so that he might no longer hear his good actions made the subject of everyone's talk. Your father was too good a man to fear evil from others so it was not long before the cruel giant found a chance to put his wicked threats into practice for hearing that your parents were about passing a few days with a friend at some distance from home he caused your father to be waylaid and murdered and your mother to be seized on their way homeward. At the time this happened you were but a few months old your poor mother almost dead with a fright and horror was born away by the cruel giant's servants to a dungeon under his house in which she and her poor babe were both long-kept prisoners distracted at the absence of your parents the servants went in search of them but no tidings of either could be got. Meantime he caused a will to be found making over all your father's property to him as your guardian and as such he took open possession. After your mother had been some months in prison the giant offered to restore her to liberty on condition that she would solemnly swear that she would never tell the story of her wrongs to anyone to put it out of her power to do him any harm should she break her oath the giant had her put on shipboard and taken to a distant country where she was left with no more money for her support than what she got by selling a few jewels she had hidden in her dress. I was appointed your father's guardian at his birth but fairies have laws to which they are subject as well as mortals a short time before the giant killed your father I transgressed my punishment was the loss of my power for a certain time which alas entirely prevented my helping your father even when I most wished to do so the day on which you met the butcher as you went to sell your mother's cow my power was restored it was I who secretly prompted you to take the beans in exchange for the cow by my power the beanstalk grew to so great a height and formed a ladder the giant lives in this country you are the person who must punish him for all his wickedness you will meet with dangers and difficulties but you must persevere in avenging the death of your father or you will not prosper in any of your doings as to the giant's goods everything he has is yours though you are deprived of it you may take therefore what part of it you can you must however be careful for such is his love for gold that the first loss he discovers will make him outrageous and very watchful for the future but you must still pursue him for it is only by cunning that you can ever hope to get the better of him and become possessed of your rightful property and the means of justice overtaking him for his barbarous murder one thing I desire is do not let your mother know you are aware of your father's history till you see me again go along the direct road you will soon see the house where your cruel enemy lives while you do as I order you I will protect and guard you but remember if you disobey my commands a dreadful punishment awaits you as soon as she had made an end she disappeared leaving Jack to follow his journey he walked on till after sunset when to his great joy he aspired a large mansion this pleasant sight revived his drooping spirits he redoubled his speed and reached it shortly a well looking woman stood at the door he spoke to her begging she would give him a morsel of bread and a night's lodging she expressed the greatest surprise at seeing him and said it was quite uncommon to see any strange creature near their house for it was mostly known that her husband was a very cruel and powerful giant and one that would eat human flesh if he could possibly get it this account terrified Jack greatly but still not forgetting the fairy's protection he hoped to elude the giant and therefore he begged the woman to take him in for one night only and hide him where she thought proper the good woman at last suffered herself to be persuaded for she had a kind heart and at last led him into the house first they passed an elegant hole finally furnished and went through several spacious rooms all in the same style of grandeur but they seemed to be quite forsaken and desolate a long gallery came next it was very dark just large enough to show that instead of a wall each side there was a grating of iron which parted off a dismal dungeon from whence issued the groans of several poor victims the cruel giant kept shut up in readiness for his very large appetite poor Jack was in a dreadful fright at witnessing such a horrible scene which caused him to fear that he would never see his mother that he would never see his mother but be captured lastly for the giant's meat but still he recollected the fairy and a gleam of hope forced itself into his heart the good woman then took Jack to a large kitchen where a great fire was kept she let him sit down and gave him plenty to eat and drink when he had done his meal and enjoyed himself he was disturbed by a hard knocking at the gate so loud as to cause the house to shake Jack was hidden in the oven and the giant's wife ran to let in her husband Jack heard him accost her in a voice like thunder saying, wife, wife, I smell fresh meat oh my dear, replied she it is nothing but the people in a dungeon the giant seemed to believe her and at last seated himself by the fireside whilst the wife prepared supper by degrees Jack managed to look at the monster through a small crevice he was much surprised to see what an amazing quantity he devoured and supposed he would never have done eating and drinking after his supper was ended a very curious hen was brought and placed on the table before him Jack's curiosity was great to see what would happen he saw that it stood quiet before him and every time the giant said lay! the hen laid an egg of solid gold the giant amused himself a long time with his hen meanwhile his wife went to bed at length he fell asleep and snored like the roaring of a cannon Jack, finding him still asleep at daybreak crept softly from his hiding place seized the hen and ran off with her as fast as his legs could possibly carry him Jack easily found his way to the beanstalk and came down better and quicker than he expected his mother was overjoyed to see him now mother said Jack I have brought you home that which will make you rich the hen laid as many golden eggs as they desired they sold them and soon had as much riches as they wanted for a few months Jack and his mother lived very happy but he longed to pay the giant another visit early one morning he again climbed the beanstalk and reached the giant's mansion late in the evening the woman was at the door as before Jack told her a pitiful tale and prayed for a night's shelter she told him that she had admitted a poor hungry boy once before and the little ingrate had stolen one of the giant's treasures and ever since that she had been cruelly used she however led him to the kitchen gave him a supper and put him in a lumber closet soon after the giant came in took his supper and ordered his wife to bring down his bags of gold and silver Jack peeped out of his hiding place observed the giant counting over his treasures and after which he carefully put them in bags again fell asleep and snored as before Jack crept quietly from his hiding place and approached the giant when a little dog under the chair barked furiously much to his surprise the giant slept on soundly and the dog ceased Jack seized the bags, reached the door in safety and soon arrived at the bottom of the beanstalk when he reached his mother's cottage he found it quite deserted full of astonishment he ran into the village and an old woman directed him to a house where he found his mother apparently dying on being told of her hero's safe return his mother revived Jack then presented two bags of gold and silver to her his mother saw that something preyed upon his mind heavily and tried to find out the cause but Jack knew too well what the consequence would be should he discover the cause of his melancholy to her he did his utmost therefore to conquer the great desire which now forced itself upon him in spite of himself for another journey up to Beanstalk but in vain on the longest day Jack arose as soon as it was light climbed to Beanstalk and reached the top with some little trouble he found the road, journey, etc. the same as before he arrived at the giant's house in the evening and found his wife standing as usual at the door Jack now appeared a different character he disguised himself so completely that she did not appear to remember him however when he begged admittance he found it very difficult to persuade her at last he prevailed, was allowed to go in and was hidden in the copper when the giant returned he said as usual Wife! Wife! I smell fresh meat but Jack felt quite composed as he had said so before and had soon been satisfied however the giant started up suddenly and notwithstanding all his wife could say he searched all round the room whilst this was going forward Jack was much terrified and ready to die with fear wishing himself at home a thousand times but when the giant approached the copper and put his hand upon the lid Jack thought his death was certain fortunately the giant ended his search there without moving the lid and seated himself quietly by the fireside when the giant's supper was over he commanded his wife to fetch down his harp Jack peeped under the copper lid and soon saw the most beautiful one that could be imagined it was put by the giant on the table who said play and it instantly played of its own accord the music was uncommonly fine Jack was delighted and felt more anxious to get the harp into his possession than either of the former treasures the giant's soul was not attuned to harmony and the music soon lulled him into his sound sleep Jack soon made up his mind got out of the copper and seized the harp which however, being enchanted by a fairy called out loudly master, master the giant awoke, stood up and tried to pursue Jack but he had drank so much that he could not stand Jack ran as quick as he could in a little time the giant was well enough to walk slowly or rather to reel after him but as he then was Jack contrived to be first at the top of the beanstalk the giant called to him all the way along the road in a voice like thunder and was sometimes very near to him the moment Jack got down the beanstalk he called out for a hatchet one was brought him directly just at that instant the giant began to descend but Jack with his hatchet cut the beanstalk close off at the root and the giant fell headlong into the garden the fool instantly killed him Jack heartily begged his mother's pardon for all the sorrow and affliction he had caused her promising most faithfully to be dutiful and obedient to her in future he proved as good as his word and became a pattern of affectionate behaviour for the rest of her life and let us hope he never lost his mother wit End of chapter 16 recording by phone Chapter 17 of English fairy tales this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibriVox.org recording by phone English fairy tales by Ernest Riss Dick Whittington and his cat in the reign of the famous King Edward III there was a little boy called Dick Whittington whose father and mother died when he was very young so that he remembered nothing at all about them and was left a ragged little fellow running about a country village as poor Dick was not old enough to work he was very badly off and often had nothing to eat but he was a sharp boy on Sunday he was sure to get near the farmers as they sat talking on the tombstones in the churchyard before the person was come and once a week you might see little Dick leaning against the signposts of the village ale house where people stopped to drink as they came from the next market town and when the barbershop door was open Dick listened to all the news that his customers told one another and this manner Dick heard a great many very strange things about a great city called London for the foolish country people at that time thought that folks in London were all fine gentlemen and ladies and that there was singing and music there all day long and that the streets were all paved with gold one day a large wagon and eight horses all with bells at their heads drove through the village while Dick was standing by the signpost he thought that this wagon must be going to the fine town of London so he took courage and asked the wagoner to let him walk with him by the side of the wagon as soon as the wagoner heard that poor Dick had no father or mother and saw by his ragged clothes that he could not be worse off than he was he told him he might go if he would so they set off together I could never find out how little Dick contrived to get meat and drink on the road nor how he could walk so far for it was a long way nor what he did at night for a place to lie down to sleep in nature people in the towns that he passed through when they saw he was a poor little ragged boy gave him something to eat and perhaps the wagoner let him get into the wagon at night and take a nap upon one of the boxes or large parcels in the wagon Dick however got safe to London and was in such a hurry to see the fine streets paved all over with gold that I am afraid he did not even stay to thank the kind wagoner but ran off as fast as his legs would carry him through many of the streets thinking every moment to come to those that were paved with gold for Dick had seen a guinea three times in his own little village and remembered what a deal of money it brought in change so he thought he had nothing to do but to take up some little bits of the pavement and should then have as much money as he could wish for poor Dick ran till he was tired and that quite forgot his friend the wagoner but at last finding it grow dark and that every way he turned he saw nothing but dirt instead of gold he sat down in a dark corner and cried himself to sleep little Dick was all night in the streets and next morning being very hungry he got up and walked about and asked everybody he met to give him a half penny to keep him from starving but nobody stayed to answer him and only two or three gave him a half penny so that the poor boy was soon quite weak and faint for the want of fiddles at last a good-natured looking gentleman saw how hungry he looked why don't you go to work my lad said he to Dick thought I would but I do not know how to get any answered Dick if you are willing come along with me said the gentleman and took him to a hay field where Dick worked briskly and lived merrily till the hay was made after this he found himself as badly off as before and being almost starved again he laid himself down at the door of Mr. Fitzwarren a rich merchant here he was soon seen by the cook maid who was an ill-tempered creature and happened just then to be very busy dressing dinner for her master and mistress so she called out to poor Dick what business have you there you lazy rogue there is nothing else but beggars if you do not take yourself away we will see how you will like a sowsing of some dishwater I have some here hot enough to make you jump just at that time Mr. Fitzwarren himself came home to dinner and when he saw a dirty ragged boy lying at the door he said to him why do you lie there my boy you seem old enough to work I am afraid you are inclined to be lazy no indeed sir said Dick to him that is not the case for I would work with all my heart but I do not know anybody and I believe I am very sick for the want of food poor fellow get up let me see what ails you Dick now tried to rise but it was obliged to lie down again being too weak to stand for he had not eaten any food for three days and was no longer able to run about and beg a halfpenny of people in the street so the kind merchant ordered him to be taken into the house and have a good dinner given him and we kept to do what dirty work he was able for the cook little Dick would have lived very happy in this good family if it had not been for the ill-natured cook who was finding fault and scolding him from morning to night and besides she was so fond of basting that when she had no meat to baste she would baste poor Dick's head and shoulders with a broom or anything else that happened to fall in her way at last her ill usage of him was told to Alice Mr. Fitzwarren's daughter who told the cook she should be turned away if she did not treat him kinder the ill humour of the cook was now a little amended but besides this Dick had another hardship to get over his bed stood in a garret where there were so many holes in the floor and the walls that every night he was tormented with rats and mice a gentleman having given Dick a penny for cleaning his shoes he thought he would buy a cat with it the next day he saw a girl with a cat and asked her if she would let him have it for a penny the girl said she would and at the same time told him the cat was an excellent mouser Dick hit his cat in the garret and always took care to carry a part of his dinner to her and in a short time he had no more trouble with the rats and mice and slept quite sound every night soon after this his master had a ship ready to sail and as he thought it right his servants should have some chance for good fortune as well as himself he called him all into the parlor and asked what they would send out they all had something that they were willing to venture except poor Dick who had neither money nor goods and therefore could send nothing for this reason he did not come into the parlor with the rest but Miss Alice guessed what was the matter and ordered him to be called in she then said she would lay down some money for him from her own purse but her father told her this would not do for it must be something of his own when poor Dick heard this he said he had nothing but a cat which he had bought for a penny some time since of a little girl Fetch your cat then my good boy said Mr Fitzwarren and let her go Dick went upstairs and brought down poor Puss with tears in his eyes and gave her to the captain for he said he should now be kept awake again all night by the rats and mice all the company laughed at Dick's odd venture and Miss Alice who felt pity for the poor boy gave him some money to buy another cat this and many other marks of kindness Miss Alice made the ill-tempered cook jealous of poor Dick and she began to use him more cruelly than ever and always made game of him for sending his cat to sea she asked him if he thought his cat would sell for as much money as would buy a stick to beat him at last poor Dick could not bear this usage any longer and he thought he would run away from his place so he packed up his few things and started very early in the morning on all Hallows Day which is the first of November he walked as far as Holloway and there sat down on a stone which to this day is called Whittington's Stone and began to think to himself which road he should take as he went onwards while he was thinking what he should do when he was in the halls of Bowchurch which at that time had only six began to ring and he fancied their sound seemed to say to him turn again Whittington Lord Mayor of London Lord Mayor of London said he to himself why to be sure I would put up with almost anything now to be Lord Mayor of London and ride in a fine coach when I grow to be a man well I will go back and think nothing of the cuffing and scolding of the old cook if I am to be Lord Mayor of London at last Dick went back and was lucky enough to get into the house and said about his work before the old cook came downstairs the ship with the cat on board was a long time at sea and was at last driven by the winds on a part of the coast of Barbary where the only people were the moors that the English had never known before the people then came in great numbers to see the sailors who were of different color to themselves and treated them very civilly and when they became better acquainted were very eager to by define things that the ship was loaded with when the captain saw this he sent patterns of the best things he had to the king of the country who was so much pleased with them that he sent for the captain to the palace here they were placed as it is the custom of the country on rich carpets marked with gold and silver flowers the king and queen were seated at the upper end of the room and a number of dishes were brought in for dinner they had not sat long when a vast number of rats and mice had been helping themselves from almost every dish the captain wondered at this and asked if these vermin were not very unpleasant oh yes said they very destructive and the king would give half his treasure to be freed of them for they not only destroy his dinner as you see but they assault him in his chamber and even in bed he is sleeping for fear of them the captain jumped for joy he remembered poor wittington and his cat and told the king he had a creature on board the ship that would dispatch all these vermin immediately the king's heart heaved so high at the joy which this news gave him that his turban dropped off his head bring this creature to me says he I will load your ship with gold and jewels in exchange for her the captain who knew his business took this opportunity to set forth the merits of miss puss he told his majesty that it would be inconvenient to part with her as when she was gone the rats and mice might destroy the goods and the ship but to oblige his majesty he would fetch her run run said the queen I am impatient to see the dear creature away when the captain to the ship while another dinner was got ready he put puss under his arm and arrived at the place soon enough to see the table full of rats when the cat saw them she did not wait for bidding but jumped out of the captain's arms and in a few minutes laid almost all the rats and mice dead at her feet the rest of them in their fright scampered away to their holes the king and queen were quite charmed to get so easily rid of such plagues and desired that the creature who had done them so great a kindness might be brought to them for inspection upon which the captain called pussy pussy pussy and she came to him he then presented her to the queen who started back and was afraid to touch a creature who had made such a havoc among the rats and mice however when the captain stroked the cat and called pussy pussy the queen also touched her and cried butty butty for she had not learned English he then put her down on the queen's lap where she purring played with her majesty's hand and sung herself to sleep the king having seen the exploits of mrs. puss and being informed that her kittens would stop the whole country bargained with the captain for the whole ship's cargo and then gave him ten times as much for the cat as all the rest amounted to the captain then took leave of the royal party and set sail with a fair wind for England and after a happy voyage it was safe in London one morning mr. Fitzwarren had just come to his counting house and seated himself at a desk when somebody came tap tap at the door who's there says mr. Fitzwarren a friend answered the other I come to bring you good news of your ship unicorn a merchant bustling up instantly opened the door and who should be seen waiting but the captain and factor with a cabinet of jewels and a bill of lading for which the merchant lifted up his eyes and thanked heaven for sending him such a prosperous voyage they then told the story of the cat and showed the rich present that the king and queen had sent for her to pour dick as soon as the merchant heard this he called out to his servants go fetch him he will tell him of the same pray call him mr. Whittington by name mr. Fitzwarren now showed himself to be a good man for when some of his servants said so great a treasure was too much for dick he answered god forbid I should deprive him of the value of a single penny he then sent for dick who at that time was scouring pots for the cook and was quite dirty mr. Fitzwarren ordered a chair to be set for him and so he began to think they were making game of him at the same time begging them not to play tricks with a poor simple boy but to let him go down again if they pleased to his work indeed mr. Whittington said the merchant we are all quite in earnest with you and I most heartily rejoice in the news these gentlemen have brought you for the captain has sold your cat to the king of Barbary and brought you in return for her more riches than I possess in the whole world and I wish you may long enjoy them mr. Fitzwarren then told the men to open a great treasure they had brought with them and said mr. Whittington has nothing to do but to put it in some place of safety poor dick hardly knew how to behave himself for joy he begged his master to take what part of it he pleased since he owed it all to his kindness no no answered mr. Fitzwarren this is all your own and I have no doubt but you will use it well dick next asked his mistress and then miss Alice to accept a part of his good fortune but they would not and at the same time told him his good success but this poor fellow was too kind-hearted to keep it all to himself so he made a present to the captain, the mage and the rest of mr. Fitzwarren's servants and even to the ill-natured old cook after this mr. Fitzwarren advised him to send for a proper tradesman and get himself dressed like a gentleman and told him he was welcome to live in his house till he could fight himself with a better when Wittington's face was washed his hair curled his hat cocked and he was dressed in a nice suit of clothes he was as handsome and genteel as any young man who visited at mr. Fitzwarren's so that miss Alice who had once been so kind to him and thought of him with pity now looked upon him as fit to be her sweetheart and the more so no doubt because Wittington was now always thinking what he could do to oblige her and making her the prettiest presence that could be mr. Fitzwarren soon saw their love for each other and proposed to join them in marriage and to this they both readily agreed a day for the wedding was soon fixed and they were attended to church by the lord mayor, the court of alderman the sheriffs and a great number of the richest merchants in London whom they afterwards treated with a very rich feast history tells us that mr. Wittington and his lady lived in great splendor and were very happy they had several children he was sheriff of London was a mayor and received the honour of knighthood by Henry V the figure of Sir Richard Wittington with his cat in his arms carved in stone was to be seen till the year 1780 over the archway of the old prison of Newgate that stood across Newgate street in London end of chapter 17 recording by phone end of English fairy tales by Ernest Ryss