250
Þenn
then
Arþour
bifore
þe
hiȝ
dece
dais
þat
auenture
byholdeȝ,
Arthur salutes the Green Knight.
251
&
rekenly
courteously
hym
reuerenced,
saluted
for
rad
afraid
was
he
neuer,
252
&
sayde,
said
“wyȝe,
knight
welcum
welcome
iwys
indeed
to
þis
place,
94b
253
Þe
hede
head
of
þis
ostel
dwelling
Arthour
I
hat,
am called
bids him welcome, and invites him to stay awhile.
254
Liȝt
dismount
luflych
graciously
adoun,
down
&
lenge,
stay
I
þe
thee
praye,
255
&
quat so
whatever
þy
wylle
is,
we
schal
shall
wyt
learn
after.”
afterwards
256
“Nay,
as
so
help
me,”
quod
þe
haþel,
knight
“he
þat
on hyȝe
in heaven
syttes,
sits
The knight says that he will not tarry.
257
To
wone
dwell
any
quyle
length of time
in
þis
won,
dwelling
hit
it
watȝ
was
not
myn
ernde;
errand
258
Bot
but
for
since
þe
los
renown
of
þe
thee
lede
prince
is
lyft
extolled
vp
so
hyȝe,
high
259
&
þy
burȝ
castle
&
þy
burnes
knights
best
ar
are
holden,
considered
260
Stifest
strongest
vnder
in
stel-gere
armour
on stedes
among knights
to
ryde,
261
Þe
wyȝtest
most valiant
&
þe
worþyest
of
þe
worldes
world’s
kynde,
offspring
He seeks the most valiant that he may prove him.
262
Preue
valiant
for
to
play
wyth
in
oþer
pure
noble
laykeȝ;
sports
263
&
here
is
kydde
made known
cortaysye,
courtesy
as
I
haf
have
herd
heard
carp,
say
264
&
þat
hatȝ
has
wayned
brought
me
hider,
here
I-wyis,
indeed
at þis tyme.
265
e
you
may
be
seker
assured
bi
by
þis
braunch
branch
þat
I
bere
bear
here,
266
Þat
I
passe
as
in
pes,
peace
&
no
plyȝt
hostility
seche;
seek
He comes in peace.
267
For
had
I
founded
journeyed
in
fere,
company
in
feȝtyng
fighting
wyse,
fashion
268
I
haue
a
hauberghe
hauberk
at
home
&
a
helme
helmet
boþe,
as well
At home, however, he has both shield and spear.
269
A
schelde,
shield
&
a
scharp
sharp
spere,
spear
schinande
shining
bryȝt,
270
Ande
and
oþer
weppenes
weapons
to
welde,
wield
I
wene
know
wel
als,
also
271
Bot
but
for
since
I
wolde
wished
no
were,
strife
my
wedeȝ
clothes
ar
are
softer.
gentler
272
Bot
but
if
þou
be
so
bold
as
alle
burneȝ
men
tellen,
say
273
Þou
wyl
grant
me
godly
courteously
þe
gomen
game
þat
I
ask,
274
bi
as
ryȝt.”
privilege
275
Arthour
con
did
onsware,
answer
Arthur assures him that he shall not fail to find an opponent worthy of him.
276
&
sayd,
“sir
cortays
courteous
knyȝt,
277
If
þou
craue
ask for
batayl
fight
bare,
downright
278
Here
fayleȝ
lack opportunity
þou
not
to
fyȝt.”
When Arthur on the high daïs beheld that adventure, and royally did reverence unto him, for nothing could affright him, and he said, 'Sir, welcome art thou to this hall. I am Arthur, the head of this hostel. Alight from thy horse, and linger with us, I pray thee, and afterwards we will come to know what thy will is.' 'Nay,' quoth that fellow, 'As He that sitteth on high shall help me, it is not mine errand to dwell any while in this place, but I am come because the fame of thy knights is so highly praised, and thy burgesses and thy town are held to be the best in the world, and the strongest riders on horses in steel armour, and the bravest and the worthiest of all mankind, and proof in playing in all joustings; and here, too, courtesy is well known, as I have heard say; and it is for these reasons that I am come hither at this time. Thou mayest rest assured by this holly token I hold in my hand that I am come in peaceful wise, and seek no quarrel; for had I come in company, in fighting wise, I have both a helm and a hauberk at home, and a shield, and a sharp and brightly shining spear, and other weapons I wield there as I ween; but because I wage no warfare, my weeds are of softer sort. But if thou art so bold as all men say, thou wilt grant me in goodly wise the games I ask
by right.'
Then Arthur he did swear,
And said, 'Sir courteous knight,
If thou cravest battle bare
Thou shalt not fail to fight.'
Text and side-notes from Richard Morris (1869). Interlinear glosses from Brunetti. Translation from Ernest Kirtlan's Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: Rendered Literally Into Modern English.
Sources integrated and rendered by James K. Tauber.