 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 MJ, Sir Gowen, and the Green Knight, translated by W.A. Nielsen. Fit the third. Full early before the day the folk arose, the guests that would go called their grooms, and these hastened to saddle the horses, arranged their gear, and trust their males. The great ones arrayed themselves to ride, linked up lightly and caught their bridles, each white on his way, where it pleaded well pleased him. The dear lord of the land was not the last, arrayed for the riding, with retainers full many. He ate a soft hastily after he heard mass, and took his way quickly with his bugle to the field. By the time that any daylight gleamed upon the earth, he with his heroes were mounted on their high horses. Then these hunters that understood it, coupled their hounds, unclosed the kennel doors, and called them their out, blew blithely on bugle's three simple calls. At this the bratchett sprayed and made a wild noise, and the hunters chastised and turned back those that wandered off, a hundred hunters of the best there were, as I have heard tell. To their stations the trackers went, hunters cast off the couples, then arose for the good blasts great uproar in that forest. With the first noise of the quest the game quaked, the deer moved down into the dale, dazed for dread, hurried to the height, but quickly they were hindered by the beaters, who cried stoutly. They let the hearts with the high head go their way, the wild bucks also with their broad palms, the generous lord had forbidden that there should any man meddle with the male deer in the close season. But the hides were held back with hay and hoe, and the does driven with great din to the deep glades. There might one see they ran the flight of arrows, at each turn under the boughs out flew a shaft that savagely bit on the brown hide with full broad heads. How they leaped in bled and died by the banks, and ever the hounds with a rush eagerly followed them, hunters with shrill horn hastened after with such a resounding cry as if cliffs had cracked. What game escaped the men who shot was all run down and torn at the stands. The deer were pestered at the heights and worried at the waters. The people were so alert at the low stations, and the greyhounds so great that got them quickly and pulled them down as fast as a man could see. The lord, shouting for joy, shot and alighted full off, and passed the day thus with joy till the dark night. So this lord, sports by the eaves of the linden wood, and gow on the good lies in his gay bed, reposes till the daylight gleams on the walls under the beautiful covements, curtained about, and as he fell into a doze, faintly he heard a little din at the door, then distinctly, and he heaved up his head out of the clothes, caught up a corner of his curtain a little, and watched warily in that direction to see what it might be. It was the lady, loveliest to behold, who drew the door to after her right, slyly and quietly, and turned toward the bed. The hero grew bashful and laid himself down cunningly and pretended that he slept, and she stepped quietly and stole to his bed, cast up the curtain and crept therein, and seated herself full softly on the bedside and stayed there surprisingly long to see when he should awake. The man lay pretending a full great while, bothered in his conscience what this affair might mean or amount to. Marvelous it seemed to him, but yet he said to himself, more seemingly would it be to find out by asking what she would. Then he waked and stretched and turned to her, unlocked his eyelids and made believe he was amazed, and crossed himself with his hand to be the saver for his prayer. With chin and cheek full sweet, of mingled white and red, bright lovely she looked with her small, laughing lips. Good morrow, sir Gowan, said that fair lady, ye are a careless sleeper when one can enter thus. Now ye are certainly taken. Unless we make a truce, I shall bind you in your bed. You may be sure of that, while laughing the lady shot these jests. Good morrow, fair one, cloth Gowan, live, I shall be at your disposal, and that pleases me well, for I yield me outright and pray for grace. And that is the best course I judge, for I am in straits. And thus he returned the jests, with many a blithe laugh. But would ye, lovely lady, grant me leave for your prisoner and bid him rise? I would leave this bed and dress myself better. Then I could talk with you in more comfort. Nay, for sooth, fair sir, said that, sweet one, ye shall not rise from your bed. I shall manage you better. I shall tie you up securely, and afterwards talk with my knight that I have caught. For I wean well ye are indeed, sir Gowan, whom all the world worships. Where so ye ride? Your honor, your courtesy, is heartily praised by lords, by ladies, by all alive. And now ye are here, for sooth, and ye are all alone. My lord and his people are gone far away, the other men in their beds, and my maidens also, the door shut and closed with a strong hasp. And since I have in this house him whom all like, I shall make good use of my time while it lasts. Ye are welcome to my person to do whatever you wish. I am her force, and must remain your servant. In good faith, Gowan, a great privilege it seems to me, I be not now he that ye speak of. To reach such reverence as ye rehearse here, I am a man unworthy, I know well. By God I should be glad, if it seemed good to you, to do what I might in speech or in service to enhance your worship. It were a pure joy. In good faith, sir Gowan, quote the gay lady, if I should speak ill of the fame and the prowess that pleases all others, for esteem at light it would show with small discernment. But there are ladies enough who were levered to have this courteous one in their power, as I have thee here to dally dearly with your dainty words to comfort themselves and dispel their cares than much of the treasure and gold that they have. But I praise the lord who rules the skies through his grace I have holy in my hand, that which all desire. Great cheer she that was so fair a face made him, the night with discreet speeches answered her every proposal. Madam, quote the merry man, Mary reward you, for in good faith I have found your generosity noble. People judge a person's deeds largely from the accounts of others, but the praise that they accord my desserts is but idle. It is simply your own nobility who know nothing but good. By Mary, quote the gracious one, me thinks it is otherwise, for were I worth all the store of women alive and all the wealth of the world were in my hands I should bargain and choose to get me a lord. Then for the good traits that I have found in the night here of beauty and graciousness and gay seeming and from what I have heard before and hold in this case to be true, there should be no hero in the world he chosen before you. Indeed worthy one, quote the hero, ye might have chosen much better, but I am proud of the estimation that ye put upon me. An azure devoted servant I hold you my sovereign and your knight I become and Christ pay you for it. Thus they spoke of various things till past the mid-morning and ever the lady behaved as if she loved him much. But the hero fared with caution and made courteous pretenses. Though I were the fairest of women, used the lady, little love would he show because of the danger that he seeks without reproach, and below that may slay him but must needs be undergone. The lady then asked Lee and he granted her full soon. Then she gave him good day and of a sudden laughed and as she stood there she astonished him with right smart words. Now may he that speeds each speech pay you for this entertainment, but that ye are gowan it goes not in my mind. Wherefore, quote the hero, and eagerly he asks, afraid lest he had failed in the performance of his design but the lady blessed him and spake in this wise. A man as good as Gowan is properly held and courtesy is closed so entirely in him could not easily have lingered so long with a lady but he had on some trifling excuse and courteously craved a kiss. Then said Gowan, indeed be it as you like I shall kiss at your commandment as becomes a night and fearless he displeases you so urge that Lee no more. She comes nearer at that and takes him in her arms stoops graciously down and kisses the man. They courteously entrust each other to Christ she goes forth at the door without more ado and he prepares to rise and hurries a man. Calls to his chamberlain chooses his weeds steps forth blithely to mass when he is ready and then he goes to his meet behaving always courteously and makes merry all day till the bright moon rises never was a hero fairer entertained the other and the younger much to sport they make together and ever the Lord of the land is bound in his sport to hunt in holts and heath at barren hines such as some of doves and of other deer he slew there by the time the sun was low that it were a marvel to estimate. Then eagerly they all flock together at the last and quickly of the slain deer they made a quarry the leaders hastened there too with men enough gathered the greatest of grease and proceeded properly to undo them as the occasion demands some that were there tried them at the assay and found two fingers of fat on the leanest of all afterwards they slit the slot seized the arbor cut it free with a sharp knife and tied it up next they cut down along the forelimbs and rent off the hide then they opened the belly took out the punch cutting eagerly and laid aside the knot they began at the throat again and skillfully divided the weasened from the windpipe and threw out the guts then they cut out the shoulders with their sharp knives and pulled them through by a little hole next they divided the breast and cut it in two and once more they began at the throat split the beast quickly right up to the crotch took out the advances and immediately severed all the fillets by the ribs and took them off properly along the backbone even to the haunch all of which hung together then they heaved it up whole and cut it off there that they took for the numbles as it is rightly called at the fork of the thighs they cut the flaps behind hastily they hewed the carcass tube and severed it along the backbone both the head and the neck they hewed off then and afterwards they sundered the sides swiftly from the shine and Corby's feet they cast in a green tree then they pierced either thick side through by the rib and hung them each by the hawks of the haunches each man for his fee as it befell him to have it upon a skin of a fair beast they fed their hounds with the liver and the lights the leather of the haunches and bread bathed in blood mingled there among loudly they blew the prize and bathed their hounds then they started to carry home their meat blowing full stoutly many loud notes by the time daylight was done the band had all arrived at the comely castle where the night is quietly waiting in comfort beside a bright fire when the lord arrived and Gowen met him there was joy enough then the lord commanded to gather in the hall all the household and both the ladies to come down with their maids before all the folk on the floor he bade men fetch his venison before him and all in merry sport he called Gowen told him the number of the choice beasts and showed him the fat meat cut from the ribs how like you this play have I won the prize have I properly earned thanks by my woodcraft yes indeed quote the other hero here is the fairest store that I saw this seven year in the season of winter and all I give you Gowen quote the host then for by our plighted covenant you can claim it as your own that is true replied the hero and I say to you the same I too have won this worthy thing within doors and I am sure that with quite as good will it belongs to you he throws his arms about his fair neck and kisses him as courteously as he know how take you there my merchandise I have won no more though I should give it up willily even if it were greater it is good quote the good man for mercy therefore chance it might be better if you would tell me where you won the same favor by your own wit that was not the agreement said he ask me no more for ye have God all that belongs to you be sure of that they laughed and made merry in low tones then they went quickly to supper with new dainties enough and afterwards as they sat by a fireplace in a chamber to them off the choice wine and again in their jesting they agreed to make the same bargain on the morning that they made before whatsoever chance be tied to exchange their winnings at night when they met whatsoever knew they win they made this agreement before all the court and the beverage was brought forth merrily at that time then at length they politely took leave and everybody hurried to bed when the cock had crowed and cackled with thrice the lord had leaped from his bed likewise his followers each one so that the meat and the mass were properly dispatched and the troop ready for the chase in the wood air any day sprang with hunters and horns they passed through the plains and uncoupled the racing hounds with horns soon they heard the cry of the dogs by a marsh side the huntsmen encouraged the hounds that first caught the scent hurled sharp words at them with a great noise the hounds that heard it hastened thither quickly and fell immediately to the scent forty at once then there rose such a resounding cry of gathered hounds that the rocks about rang the hunters cheered them with horn and with mouth then altogether they swung in a troop between a pool in that wood and a wild crag on a hill beside a cliff at the side of the bog where the rough rock was rudely fallen they fared to the finding and the hunters after them the men surrounded both the rock and the hill they knew well that he was within them the beast that the bloodhounds were proclaiming there then they beat on the bushes and bade him rise up and he savagely rushed out a thwart the men the most formidable of swine long since had he left the herd on account of his age for he was a huge beast the greatest of boars his grinders when he grunted he grieved many for when his first burst he thrust three to the earth and sped hastily forth at great speed without respite and they hallowed high full loudly and cried hey hey with horns to mouth lustily they blew the recheat many were the merry cries of men and of hounds that hastened after this bore with hue and cry to kill him full oft he bides at bay and maims the pack in the mullay he hurts many of the hounds and grievously they howl and yell the hunters pushed forward then to shoot at him aimed at him with their arrows and hit him often but the shafts that struck on his shields give way at the pith and the barbs would not bite on his brawn though the shaven shafts were in pieces the head hopped out again were so ever it hit but when the dents of their keen strokes scared him and then mad for destruction he rushed on the men did them sore hurt where he hurled forth and many a one grew weary there at and gave back a little but the lord on a light horse hurries after him like a bold hero he whines the recheat as he rides through the thick groves following this wild swine till the sun declined thus they drive on the day with such doings while our lovely hero lives comfortably in his bed at home in clothes full rich of hue the lady did not forget she came to greet him full early she was by him to change his mind she comes to the curtain and peeps at the night Sir Gowen at once welcomes her worthily and she returns his greeting right properly seats herself softly by his side laughs opens and with a lovely look addresses these words to him Sir if ye be Gowen it seems to me a very strange thing that a man of such quality should not follow the conventions of good society and should after making acquaintance with a person cast him utterly from his mind thou hast already forgotten what I taught you yesterday in the best language that I knew what was that quote the hero if what ye say be true I am to blame yet I taught you about kissing replied the fair lady wherever a countenance is known quickly to claim a kiss that becomes every night who practices courtesy siege such speech my dear lady said the ready man I durst not claim it lest I should be denied if I proposed and were refused I would certainly be wrong in proffering by my faith quote the lovely dame ye cannot be refused ye are strong enough to compel it by strength if ye pleased supposing any were so ill bred as to deny you ye by God said Gowen your speech is good but violence is considered discourteous among my people as is any gift that is not given with a good will I am at your command to kiss when ye like ye may begin when ye please and leave off whenever it likes you the lady stoops down and gracefully kisses his face they converse long of the fears and joys of love I should like to know from you said the pureless lady if it vexes you not for the reason that so young and so gallant person as ye now are one so courteous and so nightly as ye are known everywhere to be have never spoken of love for in relating the pains of two nights the chief thing praised in all of chivalry as the royal sport of love and the science of arms it is the title token and text of their works how heroes for their true love adventure their lives endured for their sweethearts doleful hours and afterwards avenge themselves by their valor dispersed their care and brought bliss to bower with plenteous rewards for themselves and ye are the most renowned night of your time your fame and your worship walks everywhere and now I have sat by you here two separate times yet have I never heard from your head a single word that be tamed at all to love less or more and ye that are so courteous and so distinguished in your vows ought willingly to show and teach to a young thing some tokens of the art of true love and ye so rude who are so praised is it that ye deem me too dull to hearken to your dalliance for shame I came hither all alone to sit and learn from you some accomplishment do teach me part of your skill while my lord is from home in good faith quote Gower God reward you great is the entertainment to me that's a worthy one as ye should come hither and take pains with so poor a man and play with your night in any wise it delights me but to take upon myself the task of expounding true love of touching upon the themes of that text and the tales of arms before you who I want well have more by the half than I or a hundred such have or ever shall have so long as I live that were a many fold folly by my troth dear one but I would work your will with all my might highly beholden to you as I am and I wish ever more to be your servant so God save me thus the fair lady be sought him to him oft for to have won him too wrong whatever it was she purposed but he defended himself fairly so that no fault appeared nor any evil on either side they knew not but joy they laughed and played a long time till at last she kissed him and took her leave fairly and went her way then the hero herself and rose to the mass and afterwards their dinner was tight and splendidly served the hero sported with the ladies all day but the lord raised over the land full oft following his uncouth swine that rushed along the banks and bit and sundered the backs of his best bratches there he abode at his bay till bowman broke it and over his head made him move forth many fell arrows there flew when the folk gathered about but yet at times he made the stoutest to start till at last he was so weary he could no more run but with the haste that he might he won to a hole in a clap by a rock where the burn runs he got the bank at his back and began to scrape the ugly froth foamed from the corners of his mouth and he wet his white tusks it was not pleasant for all the bold hunters that stood about him to approach him even remotely and to go nigh him durst none for fear of harm he had hurt so many before that all seemed then full loath to be more torn with the tusks of that savage and crazed beast when the night came himself reigning his deed and saw him by it at the bay near his men he lighted nimbly down left his cursor pulled out a bright brand and boldly strode forth and hurried fast through the stream where the fell one abode the wild creature was ware of the white with weapon in hand and heaved on high his hairs so fiercely he snorted that many feared for their lord less to him befell the worst the swine rushed directly upon the hero so that man and boar were both in a heap in the wildest of the water but the boar had the worse for the man marked him well as they first met and skillfully set his point exactly in the slot pierced him up to the hilt so that his heart split and he gave way squealing and went quickly down the water a hundred hounds seized him and fiercely bit on him men brought him to land and the dogs finished him there was blowing of the prize on many a loud horn high hallowing aloft by mighty hunters bratchets bade the beast as the masters bade who were the chief huntsmen of that swift chase then a white that was wise and woodcraft begin skillfully to unlace this boar first he hues off his head and sets it on high and afterwards splits him all down his rough back and takes out the bowels and singes them on the coals then with bread mingled with these he rewards his hounds afterwards he cuts the brawn in fine broad shields and has out the hasslets in the proper manner and now they bind the halfs all whole together and afterwards stoutly hang them on a stiff staff now with this same swine they take their way home the boar's head was born before the warrior who slew him at the stream through the force of his own strong hand it seemed long to him until he saw Sir Gowen in the hall then he called and Gowen came properly to take his fees there the lord justed full loudly and merrily he laughed when he saw Sir Gowen spoke the good ladies were called and the household gathered he showed them the shields and told them the tale of the girth and the length of the wild swine and also of his viciousness in the wood where he fled that other night full calmly commended his deeds and praised it as a great bag that he had made for such brawn of a beast of a swine saw he never before then they handled the huge head the courteous man praised it and made much of it to honor the lord now Gowen quotes the good man this game is your own by fine and fast forward truly he know it is Sooth quotes the hero and is truly all my getting I shall give you in turn by my trust he took the warrior about the neck and courteously kissed him and another time he served him the same now we are even quote the warrior tonight of all the covenants that we knit by law since I came hither said the lord by saint Giles ye are the best that I know ye will be rich in a short time if you drive such chaffer then they raised the tables aloft on trestles and cast cloths upon them the clear light then appeared along the walls as men set and distributed wax and torches all about the hall much mirth and glee rose up therein about the fire on the hearth and in various whys at supper and after many noble songs they sang as Christmas carols and new dance tunes and mannerly mirth that a man can tell of and ever our lovely night sat beside the lady such seemly cheer she made to the hero sought with such sly stolen glances to please the stalwart one that the white was all amazed and wroth with himself but he would not on account of his breeding but responded in all courteously how so ever outrageous she might be when they had played in the hall as long as their well lasted the Lord called to Bedworth's and to the room with the fireplace they passed and there they drank and talk and the Lord proposed again to make the same arrangement for New Year's Eve but the night craved leave to depart for it was nigh at the term that he must keep the Lord hindered him from that persuaded him to linger and said as I am a true man I pledge my trough thou shalt reach the green chapel to do thy tasks sir by New Year's light long before prime therefore lie in thy loft and take thine ease and I shall hunt in this hold and keep the covenant change merchandise with thee when I return hither I have tried thee twice and faithful I find thee now third time best time think on the moral make we marry while we may and be joyful for a man can catch trouble when so ever he likes this was readily granted and Gowen stayed drink was quickly brought to them and to bed they went with lights Gowen lay and slept full still and soft all night the Lord mindful of his hunting was diteful early after Mass he and his men took a morsel Mary was the morning he asks for his mount and all the sportsmen who should accompany him on horse were ready mounted on their steeds before the hall gates wondrous fair was the field for the frost still lingered the sun rose in a rack of ready red and drove all the clouds from the welkin the hunters uncoupled by a halt side and the rocks in the forest rang for the noise of their horns some dogs fell in ascent where the fox had loitered followed it obliquely through the cunning of their wilds a kennet cried upon it the huntsmen encouraged him and his fellows hastened after panting thickly they ran forth in a rabble on Reynard's very track and he hurried before them soon they found him and when they actually saw him they chased him fast baying him full fiercely with a huge noise and he trance and runs through many a rough grove doubles and hearkens by hedges full off at the last by a little ditch he leaps over a spinny and steals out full stilly by a roughed rand half escaped from the wood he turns with wiles from the hounds but then he arrived ere he knew it at a chosen stand where in an instant three stout hunters in grey threatened him at once he blenched again quickly and bravely started off with all the woe in the word he turned away to the wood then was it a pure joy to listen to the hounds when all the gathered newt got few of him the cry they set on his head at the site was as if all the resounding cliffs had clattered down in a heap here he was hallowed loudly when the hunters met him loudly cried upon with noisy calls there he was threatened and often called thief and ever the ticklers were at his tail so that he could not tarry oft was he run at when he raked out and oft he reeled in again so wily was renard and ever he led the bespattered lord and his truth in this manner among the hills now in them, now over under while the courteous night at home slept wholesomely within the calmly curtains on the cold morn but the lady for love cared not to sleep nor to give up the purpose that bowed in her heart but up she rose quickly and took her way thither in a gay mantle neatly reaching to the earth and furred full fine skins of the best no ornaments of gold on her head but only the bright stone set above her tressor in clusters of twenty with her fair face and her lovely throat all naked her breast bare before and behind too she comes within the chamber door and closes it after her throws up a window and calls out the white and smartly thus stirred him with her fair cheery words ah man how can you sleep this morning is so clear though he was drowsing deep yet could he hear her in the dreary depths of a dream the noble was sunk like a man suffering from many sad thoughts how destiny should dite him at the green chapel that day when he met the man and had to abide his buffet without more debate but when he had fully recovered his wits he emerged from his dreams and answered with haste the lovely lady came laughing sweetly stooped over his fair face and perteously kissed him he welcomed her worthily with choice cheer to see her so glorious so tired so faultless a feature and so lovely of colour warmed his heart with a welling joy with smooth and gracious smiling they straight way waxed mirthful all was bliss and good cheer that passed between them they exchanged goodly words much happiness they felt and great was the peril between them unless Mary thought of her night his princess constrained him so sorely and the danger pressed him so nigh the dug necessity it behooved him either to accept her love or rudely refuse it he thought much of his courtesy lest he should prove a clown and more on his villainy lest he should do sin and be traitor to the hero who owned the castle God shield quoth the warrior not befall with a little love delience he laid aside all the pointed speeches that sprang from her mouth quoth the lady to the hero ye deserve blame if ye not love her who is so near you of all creatures in the world most wounded in heart unless indeed ye have a sweetheart a dearer being that pleases you better with faith so firmly to that gentle one that ye care not loosen it verily now that is what I believe and I pray you that you tell me truly for all the loves in the world deny not the truth with guile by saint John said the night and courteously he smiled I have none and none will I have that is the worst all quoth the lady I am answered indeed to my sorrow kiss me now calmly and I shall go hence I can only mourn in the world as a maid that has loved much sighing she stooped down and kissed him seemingly and then she severed from him and said as she stood now dear at this departing do me this comfort give me somewhat of thy gift thy glove if it might be that I might think on thee sir to lessen my mourning now in truth quote that man I would I had here for thy love the dearest thing that I wield for truly ye have right often reason deserved a greater reward than I could reckon but to exchange with you love tokens that would profit but little it is not for your honor to have at this time a glove of Gowen's gift for a keepsake and I am here on an errand in lands uncouth and have no men with males full of precious things for remembrance at this moment and that mislikes me lady but every man must act according to his circumstances and none should take it ill of mine now courteous and honorable one quote that loves some lady though I shall have nothing of yours yet shall ye have of mine she reached him a rich ring of red gold work with a gleaming stone standing aloft that shed blushing beams like the bright sun no ye well it was worth full wealth but the man refused it and readily he said I desire no great gifts my gay one at this time I have not to give you and not will I take she offered it him full pressingly and he refused her offer and swore swiftly on his soothe that he would not take it and she sorrowed that he refused and said thereafter if ye refuse my ring and ye would not be so highly beholden to me I shall give you my girdle that will enrich you less she lightly caught a blaze that went about her sides knit upon her curtain under the bright mantle it was adorned with green silk and ornamented with gold broided all around decked with fringes and that she offered to the hero and gaily besought that though it were unworthy he would take it and he denied that he would in any wise take either gold or present air god sent him grace to achieve the chance that he had chosen there and therefore I pray you be not displeased and give over your attempt for I intend never to consent I am dearly beholden to you because of your entertainment and ever in hot and in cold I will be your true servant now refuse you this silk said the lady there because it is simple in itself as it certainly seems to be lo little it is unless it is worth but whoso knew the virtues that are knit therein he would esteem it at a greater price per adventure then is Gert with this green lace while he has it fittingly wrapped about him there is no warrior under heaven that can wound him for he would not be slain by any device in the world then the night paused and it came to his heart that it would be a jewel for the peril that awaited him when he arrived at the chapel to undergo his ordeal could he manage to be unslayed that were a noble device then he indulged her in treaties and suffered her to speak and she pressed the belt on him and offered it to him eagerly and he accepted it and she gave it him with a good will and besought him for her sake never to discover it but to conceal it the man agreed that never person should know it indeed but they twain full off he thanked her right glad in heart and thought by that she had kissed the stout knight three times then she takes her leave and leaves him there for more entertainment she could not get from that man when she was gone Sir Gowen besters himself in noble array he lays up the lovelace the lady had given him hides it full cleverly where he can find it again then promptly he takes his way to the chapel quietly approaches to the priest and prays him there that he would elevate his life and teach him better how his soul should be saved when he should go hence then he shrives him both the more and less beseeches mercy and begs for absolution and the priest assoils him thoroughly and sets him as cleanly as if doomsday had been due on the morrow and afterwards Gowen makes more mirth among the fair ladies that day with calmly carols and all kinds of joy than ever he did before till the dark night everyone had pleasure of him there and said indeed that he had never been so merry since he came hither now let him linger in that place where love he tied him the lord is still in the field leading his men he has overtaken the fox that he has followed so long as he sprinted over a spinny to spy the rascal where he heard the hounds renard came running through a rough grove and all the rabble in a route right at his heels the man was wear of the game and warily abode holed out his bright brand and struck at the feast and he dodged from the sharp weapon and would have turned but a dog seized him air he could and right before the horses feet they all fell on him and worried the wily one with a great noise the lord lighted quickly and caught him forthwith pulled him full hastily out of the dog's mouths and hold him high over his head hallowed fast and there many fierce hounds bade him hunters hide them thither with horns for merry ever blowing the rich cheat until they saw the hero as soon as his noble company was come all that bear bugle blew at once and all the others that had no horns hallowed it was the merriest mute that ever men heard the rich riot that there was raised for renard's soul they rewarded the hounds there stroked them and rubbed their heads and afterwards they took renard and turned off his coat and then they hastened home for it was nigh night blowing full stoutly in their great horns the lord lighted at last at his dear home found fire on the floor and the hero beside it sir gowan the good that glad was with all among the ladies in their love he had much joy he wore a mantle of blue that reached to the earth his surcoat that was softly furred became him well of the same hung on his shoulder trimmed all about with fine fur were both he met this good man in the middle of the floor and all joyfully he greeted him and goodly he said now I shall fulfill our covenant that we have just made where no drink was spared then he embraces the night and kisses him thrice with as much gusto and as soberly as he could give them Christ quoth the other night he get much bliss in the profits of this business if you drive good bargains of the bargain no matter quoth curtly that other so long as the debts that I owed are properly paid Mary quoth the other man my offering is the worse for I have hunted all this day and not have I got with this foul fox fell the fiend have the good ones and that is full poor to pay for such fine things as ye have given me here three such rare kisses it is enough quoth Sir Gowan I thank you by the rude and as they stood there the Lord told him how the fox was slain with mirth and minstrelry with needs at their will they made as Mary as any men could with laughing of ladies with merry jests Gowan and the good men were both as glad as if the court were mad or else drunk both the man and his retinue made many jokes till the season arrived when they must sever the men had to go to their beds at last then humbly this gentle man takes his leave of the Lord first and fairly he thanks him for such a joyous sojourn as I have had here for the honor you have shown me at this high feast the high king reward you I can only give you myself to be one of your men if that pleases you for I must needs as ye know proceed tomorrow if ye grant me some man to show as you promised the way to the green chapel as God will suffer me to take on New Year's Day the doom of my fate in good faith close the good man with the good will all that ever I promised you I will perform therewith he assigns a servant to set him in the way and conduct him by the downs that he should without hesitation travel through the forest and fare at the best in the woods the Lord thanked Gowan for the worship he had been willing to show him then the night took his leave of the beautiful ladies with care and with kissing he speaks to them and many earn his thanks he presses upon them and they returned the same again promptly they entrusted him to Christ with signs full sad afterwards he graciously departs from the household each man that he met he thanked him for his service and his solace and the various pains with which they had been busy to serve him and each man was as sad to sever from him there as they had ever dwelt worthily with that hero then with people and with light he was led to his chamber and blithely brought to bed to be at his rest whether he slept soundly I dare not say for he had much to think of on the morrow if he would let him lie there he was near what he sought if ye will be still a while I shall tell you how they fared end of fit the third this is a LibraVox recording all LibraVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to volunteer please visit LibraVox.org recording by MJ Sir Gowen and the Green Knight by W. A. Nielsen translator fit the fourth now nigh the new year and the night passes the day drives on to the dark as God bids but outside he is awakened in the world clouds cast the cold keenly to the earth with discomfort enough to the naked the snow from the north flew sharply and nipped the game the blustering wind blew from the heights and drove each day full of great drifts the man who lay in his bed heard it right well though he locks his lids he sleeps by each cock the crew he knew well the hour promptly he leaped up air the day sprang for there was the light of a lamp that gleamed in his chamber he called to his chamberlain who quickly answered him and bade him bring his bernie and saddle his horse the chamberlain gets up and fetches him his weeds raised Sir Gowen in proper fashion first he dressed him in all in his clothes to keep out the cold and then he put on the rest of his harness that had been well kept both male and plate and brightly polished the rings of his rich bernie had been rocked from the rust and all was freshed as at first and Gowen was feigned to give thanks for it the attendant had wiped each piece well and often then the noblest man betwixt here and grease bade his steed be brought meanwhile he threw upon himself his finest weeds his circote with its cognizance of excellent work virtuous stones set upon velvet all wrought about and bound with embroidered seams and fairly furred within with rare skins yet left he not the lace the ladies gift that forgot not Gowen for his own good when he had belted his brand upon his broad haunches he dressed his love token double about him the knight swathed sweetly about his waist the girdle of green silk which became him well upon the royal red cloth that was fair to see but this hero wore not the girdle but the wealth for pride of the pendants though they were polished and though the glittering gold gleamed on the ends but to save himself when it behooved him to suffer to await his doom without resistance with no brand or knife to defend him by this the good man is ready and goes out quickly full often he thanks the distinguished company who was ready who have been kept skillfully in the best manner the proud horse in his splendid condition longed for spurring the hero approached him noticed his coat and said soberly and by his sooth swore here in this castle is a company that are mindful of courtesy the man who maintains them joy may he have and stay for charity cherish a guest and uphold honor in their hand may the being reward them who holds the heavens on high and also you all and if I might live any longer in the world I should give you some reward if I could then he stepped into stirrup and strode aloft his servant offered him his shield he put it on his shoulder he held heels and the steed jumped on the stone no longer he stood still but pranced sir Gowen's servant who bore his lance and helm was by then on the horse this castle I entrust to Christ may he give it I good chance the bridge was let down and the broad gates unbarred and born open on both sides the hero crossed himself quickly and passed the boards praise the porter who knelt down before him giving good day and praying God that he save Gowen and so he went on his way with his one man that should teach him how to find that dismal place where he should receive the rueful blow they rode by banks where bows are bare they climbed by cliffs where the cold clings the sky was upheld but it was ugly beneath mist hung on the moor each hill had a hat a huge mist cloak brooks boiled and broke from their banks about shattering sheer on their shores where they showered down dreary was the way where they should travel by the wood till soon came the season when the sun rises at that time they were on a hill full high the whites know about them the road beside them bade his master abide I have brought you hither, sir, at this time and now ye are not far from that famous spot that ye have asked and inquired so especially after but I shall say to you forsooth since I know you and ye are a man that I love well if ye would work by my wit, ye should be the better for it the place that ye press to perilous there dwells in that waste a white the worst upon earth for he is stiff and stern and loves to strike and greater he is that any man in the world and his body bigger than the four best that are in Arthur's house and bigger than Hector or any other he maintains that adventure at the green chapel there passes by that place none so proud in arms to death with dint of his hand for he is a man without measure and uses no mercy for be it churl or chaplain that rides by the chapel monk or mass priest or any man else he likes as well to kill him as to go alive himself therefore I tell ye as truly as ye sit in the saddle come ye there ye shall be killed trust me well though ye had twenty lives to spend ye has dwelt here full long and caused much strife in the land against his sword dints ye cannot defend yourself therefore good sir Gowan let the fellow alone and go away some other road for God's sake prepare to some other country where Christ may speed you and I shall hide me home again and promise you further I will swear by God and all of his good saints so help me God and the hallowedom and oaths enough that I will loyally conceal you and never tell tale that ever ye fled for any man that I know of for mercy Gowan and sternly he added well worthy man who wishes my good and I well believe thou would slowly conceal if thou kept promise never so faithfully and I gave up here sought for fear to fly as you advise I were a night coward I could not be excused but I will go to the chapel whatever chance may fall and talk with that same man the tale that I like be it good or evil as it pleases fate to have it though he be a stern champion to cope with and armed with a club full well can God manage to save his servants Mary quote the other man now thou sayest as much as that thou will take upon thyself thine own destruction if it pleases thee to lose thy life I shall not let nor hinder thee have here thy helm on thy head thy spear in thy hand ride down this same lane by yon rockside till thou be brought to the bottom of the ragged valley then look a little up the grassy slope on thy left hand and thou shalt see in that ravine the chapel itself and the burly man on the field who keeps it now farewell in God's name Gowan the noble for all the gold in the world I would not go with thee through this wood a foot further at that the man turned his bridle in the wood and hit the horse with his heels as hard as he could leaped over the land and left the night there all alone by God's self Gowan I will neither grieve nor groan by God's will I am full obedient and to him I have entrusted myself then he spurs gringolet and follows the path pushes in by a hollow beside a thicket rides through the rough slope right to the dale and then he looked about him and wild it seemed to him he saw no sign of dwelling anywhere around but on both sides high steep banks and rough hunched crags with projecting stones the shadows of the cliffs seemed to him terrible then he paused and held back his horse his cheer while seeking the chapel he saw none such on any side and strange it seemed to him but soon a little distance off on a grassy spot he described a mound as it were a smooth hill by the bank of the stream near a forward of the flood that ran there the burn babbled there as if it were boiling the night urges his steed and comes to the hill down and ties the rain and his rich bridle to a tree by a rough branch then he turns to the hill and walks about it debating with himself what it might be it had a hole at the end on either side and was overgrown with grass and clumps everywhere and was all hollow within nothing but an old cave or crevice of an old crag he could not understand it at all a last lord quoth the gentle night can this be the green chapel hear about midnight the devil might tell his mantons now it certainly is mysterious here this oratory is ugly overgrown with herbs while it seems the white clad here to do his devotions in the devil's wiles now I feel in my five wits it is the fiend that has made this bargain with me to destroy me here this is a chapel of mischants may ill fortune be tight it it is the cursidous Kirk that ever I came in with high helm on his head his lance in his hand he strides up to the rock of the rude dwelling I heard from that high hill in a rough cave on a bank beyond the brook a marvelously savage noise lo the cliff chattered as though it would split as if one were grinding a scythe on a grindstone it worded and screeched like water at a mill it rushed and rang that it was roothed to hear my god quoth Gowan then that gear I fancy was being prepared to give me a good reception yet though I must lose my life fear shall never make me change color then the night called full high who dwells in this place to keep covenant with me for now the good Gowan is passing right here if any white wishes ought let him come hither fast now or never to fulfill his need abide Gowan on the bank over his head thou shalt have in all haste that which I promised thee once yet he kept on with that noise sharply for a while turning and wetting ere he would come down and then he crossed by a crag and came from a hole whirling out of a dark place with a fell weapon a Danish axe new-dite to give the blow with fast to the helm a great head sharpened on the stone four feet long was the weapon no less by that lace that gleamed full bright and the man in the green was arrayed as before both his skin and limbs locks and beard save that on foot he strides fairly on the earth he set the steel shaft to the stone and stalked beside it when he came to the water where he did not wish to wade he hopped over on his axe and fiercely advanced with savage ferocity hazing the broad snow-covered glade sir Gowan met the knight and bowed to him not at all though the other said now sweet sir in a covenant a man can trust thee Gowan quote the green warrior may God preserve thee indeed thou art welcome hero to my place and thou hast timed thy travel as a true man should and thou knowest the covenants made between us at this time twelve month thou tookest what fell to thee and I at this new year was to repay you handsomely and now we are in this valley entirely alone here are no men to part us have thy helm off thy head and have here thy pay make no more debate than I offered thee then when thou whipped off my head at one blow nay, quote Gowan by God that lend me life I shall grudge thee not awit whatever misfortune falls but arrange thee for thy one stroke and I shall stand still for thee not the least from doing the work as you like he bent the neck and bowed down showing the flesh all bare and behaved as if he cared not for no dread would he flinch then the man in green got ready quickly gathered up his grim tool to smite Gowan with all the might in his body he buried aloft his savage blow as though he wished to kill him had it driven down as earnestly as he fainted the ever-doughty one would have been dead of his dint but Gowan glanced to one side on the jizz-arm as it came gliding down to slay him there in the glade and shrank a little with the shoulders from the sharp iron the other warrior with a quick motion withheld the bright weapon and then he proved the prince with many proud words thou art not Gowen's at the man who is held so good who never flinched for any army by hill or by bale and now thou fleest for fear before thou feelest any harm such cowardice I never heard of that night I neither wince nor fled, sir when thou didst strike nor tried any trick in his house my head flew to my foot and yet I never budged and thou, ere any harm taken art fearful in heart wherefore the better man I ought to be called for it I flinched once Gowen and will do so no more yet if my head should fall on the stones I cannot restore it but make ready, sir, by my faith and bring me to the point deal to me my destiny and do it promptly for I shall stand thee a stroke and not start again till thine axe has hit me have here my troth have at thee then quote the other and heaves it aloft and aims as savagely as if he were mad he strikes at him mightily but touches the man for he withheld his hand cleverly ere it could hurt Gowen awaits it properly and flinches with no member but stands as a stone or a stump that is twisted into the rocky ground with a hundred roots then merrily spoke the man in green so now thou hast thy heart whole it behooves me to hit now keep back the fine wood that Arthur gave thee and see if thou can'ts keep thy neck whole from this stroke said Gowen in great anger why thrash on thou wild man thou threatenedest too long I guess that thine own heart is timid for sooth quote the other warrior thou speakest so fiercely that I will not delay thine errand a bit longer then he takes his stride to strike and knits both brow and lip no wonder Gowen mislikes it and gives up all thought of escape lightly he lifts his axe and lets the edge come down fairly on the bare neck yet though he smote rudely it hurt him but little it only cut him on one side so that it severed the skin the sharp bit reached the flesh through the fair fat so that the bright blood shot over his shoulders to the earth and when the hero saw the blood glint on the snow he leaped forth more than a spear's length eagerly seized his helm cast it on his head through his shoulders under his fair shield pulled out a bright sword and fiercely spoke never in this world since he was born of his mother was he half so blithe cease sir of thy blow offer me no more I have without strife taken a stroke in this place and if thou givest me more I shall promptly repay and yield quickly again trust thou that only one stroke falls to me here the covenant which we made in Arthur's halls provided just that and therefore courteous sir now hold the warrior turned from him and rested on his axe he set the shaft on the ground leaned on the head and beheld how the dowdy hero stood his ground grimly fully armed and devoid of fear in his heart it pleased him then with a great voice and a huge laugh he spoke merrily to the hero bold sir in this place be not so savage nobody has here unmanorly mishandled thee nor done but according to the covenant made at the king's court I promise thee a stroke and thou hast it hold thee well paid I release thee of the remnant of all other rights had I been successful per adventure I could have given you a worse buffet first I ministered you merrily with a pure fate and gave thee no blow which was but justice considering the covenant we made on the first night and which thou helped with me trustily for truly all again should the second faint this morning sir I proffered thee because thou didst kiss my fair wife and didst hand the kisses over to me for these two occasions I gave thee here but two bear feints without harm a true man truly restores such and one need dread no harm at the third time thou didst fail take thee that tap for it is my weed that thou wearest that same woven girdle mine own wife gave it thee I know well for sooth now know I well thy kisses and thy virtues also and as for the wooing of my wife I managed it myself I sent her to try thee and truly it seems to me thou art the most faultless hero that ever went on foot as a pearl is a greater price than white peas so is Gowan in good faith compared with other gay knights but in this case sir you lacked a little and loyalty failed you but that was for no amorous work nor wooing either but because ye loved your life bless I blame you that other brave man stood a while in a study so stricken was he for grief that he groaned within all the blood of his breast rushed to his face and he shrank for shame when the warrior talked this was the first word that the man spoke curse would be cowardice and covetousness both in you is villainy and vice that destroy virtue then he caught at the knot and loosed the fastening fiercely reached the belt to the warrior himself lo there is the deception foul may it fall for fear of thy knock cowardice taught me to make a truce with covetousness to forsake my nature which is generosity and moilty that belongs to knights now am I faulty and false and a coward have ever been from treachery and untruth sorrow and care here I confess to you knight that my conduct is all faulty let me but please you now and after I shall beware then the other laughed and said courteously I hold it quite remedied the harm that I had thou hast made a clean confession acknowledging all thy misdeeds and has to receive the penance openly from the point of my edge I hold the quit that plight and purified as clean as if thou has never forfeited since thou wasst first born and I give thee sir the girdle that is gold hemmed since it is green as is my gowns or gown ye may think upon the same adventure where thou goest forth among great princes and this shall be a genuine token among chivalrous knights the adventure of the green chapel and ye shall come again this new year to my dwelling and we shall revel the remnant of this rich feast full well the lord pressed the invitation and said with my wife who was your great enemy I think we shall reconcile you nay for sooth quote the hero and seizing his helm he took it off quickly and thanked the warrior I have had a good visit bliss be tide you and may he pay you well who directs all mercy commend me to that courteous one your comely mate both the one and the other my honored ladies who have thus with their craft quaintly beguiled their night but it is no wonder that a fool should rave and through wiles of women be one to sorrow for so was Adam beguiled by one and Solomon by many indeed and Samson also Delilah dealt him his weird and David thereafter was deceived by Bathsheba who suffered much sorrow since these men were plagued by their wiles it were a huge gain to love them well and believe them not if a person but could for these men were of all the best and the most fortunate excellent above all others under the heavens and all they were beguiled by women whom they had to do with if I be now deceived me seems I might be excused but your girdle both gallon God reward you for it that will I keep with good will not for the precious gold not for the Samite nor the silk nor the white pendants for its wealth nor for its beauty nor for its fine work but in sign of my fault I shall behold it oft when I ride in renown I shall lament to myself the fault and the deceit of the crab to flesh how tender it is to catch stains of filth and thus when pride shall prick me for prowess of arms a look on this lovely shall moderate my heart but one thing I would pray you may it displease you not since ye are lord of the land yonder where I have stayed worshipfully with you may the being who upholds the heaven and sits on high repay you for it how name ye your right name and then no more that shall I tell thee truly quote the other then burn lack the whole dessert I am called in this land through the might of Morgan Lafay who dwells in my house she has acquired deep learning hard one's skill many of the masteries of Merlin for she has at times dealt in rare magic with that renowned clerk who knows all your nights at home Morgan the goddess is there for her name no person is so haughty but she can tame him in this wise to your rich haul to assay its pride and try if it were true that circulates about the great renown of the round table she prepared for me this wonder to take away your wits to have grieved Buenavir and caused her to die through fright of that same man that ghostly speaker with his head in his hand before the high table that is she the ancient lady at home she is even thine aunt Arthur's half sister the daughter of that duchess of Tyntago upon whom dear Uther afterwards begot Arthur that is now king therefore I beg you sir to come to thine aunt make merry in my house my people love thee and I thee as well sir by my faith as I do any man under God for thy great truth but he answered him he would do in no wise they embraced and kissed each entrusted other to the prince of paradise and they parted right there in the cold Gowon on horse full fair rides boldly to the king's court and the night all in green with or so ever he would wild ways in the world Gowon now rides on Gringolet he who had got the boon of his life oft he harbored in houses out and many an adventure in veil he had and won oft but that I care not at this time to mention in my tale the hurt was whole that he had got in his neck and he bare the glistening belt about him crossed obliquely like a balderic the lace fastened under his left arm with a knot and entoken that he was taken in a fault and thus he comes to the court the night all sound awakened joy in that dwelling when the great ones knew that good Gowon had come joyous it seemed to them the king kisses the night and the queen also and afterwards many a sure night who sought to embrace him and asked him of his journey and wondrously he tells it confessing all the trials that he had the adventure of the chapel the behavior of the night the love of the lady at the last the lace he showed them the nick in his neck that he caught at the lord's hands for his unloyalty he grieved when he had to tell it he groaned for sorrow and the blood rushed to his face for shame when he declared it low lord calls the hero as he handled the lace this that I bear in my neck is the badge of this blame this is the evil and the loss that I have got from the cowardice and covetousness this is the token of untruth that I am taken in and I must need wear it while I may last for none may hide his shame without mishap for where it once is incurred depart it will never the king and all the court comfort the night they laugh loud at his tale and lovingly agree that the lords and the ladies that belong to the table should have a baldrick an oblique band about him of a bright green and wear that for the sake of the hero and that emblem was accorded the renowned of the round table and he was ever after honored that had it as it is told in the best book of romance thus in Arthur's day this adventure be tidd which the Brutus books bear a witness of after Brutus the bold hero first came hither when the siege and the assault had ceased to Troy many adventures of this sort happened now may he that bore the crown of thorns bring us to his bliss Amen this has been a LibriVox recording for more information or to volunteer please visit recording by M.J. Sir Gowan in the Green Night translated by W.A. Nielsen