The Green Knight (Movie Tie-In) by Anonymous

Author:Anonymous [Anonymous]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Publishing Group
Published: 2021-07-13T00:00:00+00:00

IV

Now the New Year’s approaching, and the night is

passing.

The dawn defeats dark, as the Lord ordains it.

But the worst weather in the world brewed up

2000outside;

clouds drove the cold down to the ground

with enough of north’s sharpness to perish poor

people.

Bitter snow slanted down and stung the wild beasts;

the screaming wind whipped from the heights

and filled every valley with swollen snowdrifts.

The knight listened where he lay in his bed.

Though he closes his eyes, he sleeps very little;

by each crow of the cock he knew well the time.

Quickly he dressed, before the day dawned,

by the glow of the lamps that gleamed in his

2010chamber.

He called to his servant, who answered at once,

and asked him to bring his armour and saddle.

The man got up and brought him his clothes,

and fitted out Gawain in the finest way possible.

First he dressed him in garments to ward off the cold,

and then in his equipment, which had been well looked

after.

Both body-armour and plate brilliantly shone

and the rings of his chainmail were rubbed free of rust.

All was clean as new, and he was duly grateful

2020and said thanks.

He wore every piece,

attentively wiped clean,

and the finest knight in Europe

asked to be brought his horse.

He put on his magnificent clothes,

his topcoat with its emblem of the clearest design

emblazoned in velvet, with precious stones

set and sewn into it, embroidered at the seams,

and elegantly edged with most beautiful furs.

2030But he didn’t forget the girdle, the lady’s gift:

Gawain remembered that in his own interests.

When he had belted his sword round his slim hips,

he wound his love-token around him twice.

So the knight neatly wrapped round his waist

the girdle of green silk, which suited him well,

so striking to see against the rich red.

But he did not wear the girdle for show –

for the display of its tassels, fine as they were,

or the glittering gold shining at its borders,

2040but to save his skin when he’d come under attack

and face destruction without flinching, from sword

or knife.

By the time the brave man

had made his way outside,

he’d thanked more than once

all that great household.

There Gryngolet was ready, powerful and huge.

He’d been luxuriously stabled, securely minded,

so the proud horse was eager and sharp.

2050The knight went up to him, looked at his coat

and said quietly to himself, swearing by his order:

‘This is a community that cares about chivalry;

may prosperity come to that man who’s their leader.

And may true love serve the lady as long as she lives.

If out of charity they so cherish a guest

and so maintain honour, may that high Lord

who rules the heaven reward them all for it.

If I am to survive any time in the world,

I’d gladly repay them, if I got the chance.’

2060Then he stepped on the stirrups and mounted aloft.

He took on his shoulder his shield when they brought it

and spurred Gryngolet with his golden heels,

so he plunged on to the stones, no longer prancing

on one spot.

The rider on his back

bore both spear and lance.

‘This castle I commend to Christ,’

was his blessing on them all.

The drawbridge was down, and the wide gates

2070unbarred and open to both sides.

The man blessed himself quickly and crossed the

planks.

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