At the Green Chapel (II)
If you're just dropping in, you might want to pick up Sir Gawain and the Green Knight from the beginning -- or closer to the beginning to this, which is pretty near the end. I've put up an index here.
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At the Knight's feet stood a footstool
Strange among the heavy grass
Gawain sighed and sat down on it
And bowed his head and prayed his last
"So, Good Sir, you find me ready."
Gawain coughed -- his throat was tight
Then he saw the silver axehead
Flash toward him like a light
Gawain ducked, with no more reason
Than a drowning man draws breath.
His mind had meant to hold him steady
His body was afraid of death.
"Now come, young sir, that's not our bargain,"
said the Green Knight, with a laugh.
He bent his mighty arm and lifted
Gawain, who sprawled there in the grass
"Once more," said Gawain, and sat down
back in his place, and bit his lip
Once more he saw the swinging motion
Once more he saw the axehead whip
But the blade glanced shallow, off his shoulder
A little wound, with little gore
Gawain rolled sideways and stood shouting
And quick he was to draw his sword
"And now, good sir, that was our bargain
To take one blow -- and nothing more
You've had your blow -- you have but scratched me
Now I fight like cornered boar."
"Now then Gawain, keep your temper
Since
I have left you with your head
Do not think that the sash will save you --
No matter what my wife has said."
The lady!" cried out good Sir Gawain.
"The lady," answered the Green Knight.
"Equinox, as some men call her,
She is my beloved wife."
"Yes, I have played Lord Barbarossa
Or Red Beard as the scholars know
and I have let my lady test you
my lady who commands the snow. "
"Are we not a pair of wonders,
The headless knight, his winter wife
Are we not a pair of mirrors:
Life in death, and death in life."
At these words did Gawain stagger,
Drop his sword, sink to the earth.
"Yes, my lord, you've shown me marvels
And you have measured out my worth."
"Sir, the world is full of wonders
More than I had ever known
Though I am nephew to a hero
Who sits upon a marvelous throne"
"I wish that I had never learned this
How can I go back and live
When this white belt will ere remind me
Of the gift I failed to give"
"It is not white," the Green Knight answered
"Lift your shirt and you will see
My green sash knotted to your waist there
Where it will stay eternally."
"Hold your head up, young Sir Gawain
Pick up your sword, your little knife --
For I say with gift of foresight:
You shall live a marvelous life
"Many the man that I have tested
In this game of truth and fear
You alone in many centuries
You alone have met me here
"Go now, Gawain, with my blessing
Go back to your shining hall
And take comfort -- though not perfect
You have proved the best of all."
1 Comments
Maybe it comes from reading it day in and day out, or maybe it is that you have found the rhythm, but you seem to get better at this day after day. This has been a fun exercise to read. I’m glad the school children enjoyed it. How many stanzas do you have now? Are you happy with the project, or do you feel like it has swallowed you whole? In any case, congrats on all the wonder you have put into the story so far. I love it.