and the ladies most lovely that ever life enjoyed, and he, king most courteous, who that possessed. For all that folk so fair did in their first estate abide, 55 Under heaven the first in fame, their king most high in pride; it would now be hard to name a troop in war so tried. 4-6. [Arthur’s is celebrating New Year’s with an elaborate feast with all kinds of fancy food and drink, music and much storytelling. Everybody of any status is there and they’re all having a grand time.] 7. Now of their service I will say nothing more, 130 for you are all well aware that no want would there be. Another noise that was new drew near on a sudden, so that their lord might have leave at last to take food. For hardly had the music but a moment ended, and the first course in the court as was custom been served, 135 when passed through the portals a perilous horseman, the mightiest on middle-earth in measure of height, from his gorge to his girdle so great and so square, and his loins and his limbs so long and so huge, that half a troll upon earth I trow that he was, 140 but the largest man alive at least I declare him; and yet the seemliest for his size that could sit on a horse, for though in back and in breast his body was grim, both his paunch and his waist were properly slight, and all his features followed his fashion so gay 145 in mode: for at the hue men aghast in his face and form that showed; as a fay-man fell he passed, and green all over glowed. 150 8-12. [The Green Knight is well…green. His clothes, hair, skin, and even his horse are a brilliant green. Color aside, everything he possesses is of the highest quality. He wears rich fabrics intricately embroidered and green jewels decorate his saddle. Everyone sits and stares at the Green Knight for a while. Then Arthur greets him and asks him why he has come. Arthur declares that if the Green Knight is looking for a fight he and his knights would be happy to oblige him.] 13. ‘Nay, I wish for no warfare, on my word I tell thee! Here about on these benches are but beardless children. 280 Were I hasped in armor on a high charger,
I would give it up gladly even if greater it were. That is a good one!’ quoth the good man. ‘Greatly I thank you. ‘Tis such, maybe, that you had better briefly now tell me where you won this same wealth by the wits you possess.’ ‘That was not the covenant,’ he. ‘Do not question me more! 1395 For you’ve drawn what is due to you, no doubt can you have ‘tis true.’ They and with voices fair merriment pursue, and to supper soon repair 1400 with many dainties new. 56. Later by the chimney in chamber they were seated, abundant wine of the best was brought to them oft, and again as a game they agreed on the morrow to abide by the same bond as they had bargained before: 1405 chance what might chance, to exchange all their trade, whatever new thing they got, when they gathered at night. They concluded this compact before the courtiers all; the drink for the bargain was brought forth in jest; then their leave at the last they lovingly took, 1410 and away then at once each went to his bed. When the cock had crowed and cackled but thrice, the lord had leaped from his bed, and his lieges each one; so that meal had been made, and the Mass was over, and folk bound for the forest, ere the first daybreak, 1415 to chase. Loud with hunters and horns o’er plains they passed apace, and loosed there among the thorns the running dogs to race. 1420 57. Soon these cried for a quest in a covert by a marsh; the huntsmen hailed that first heeded the scent, stirring words he spoke to him with a strident voice. The hounds then that heard it hastened thither swiftly, and fell fast on the line, some forty at once. 1425 Then such a baying and babel of bloodhounds together that the rock-wall rang all about them. Hunters enheartened them with horn and with and then all in a rout rushed on together between a fen-pool in that forest and a frowning crag. 1430 In a tangle under a tall cliff at the tarn’s edges, where the rough rock ruggedly in ruin was fallen, they fared to the find, followed by hunters