Green Knight, page 3

I'm heading out for an Easter roadtrip today. But I'm taking the Green Knight with me, and hope to get lots of good work done on it. I love to write in the car, actually -- something about the rhythm of the road, the way it can keep the mind busy enough on the surface to write deep. Anyway, I told the interested publisher (oh, hurray, I like saying "interested publisher") that I'd have it to them first week in May, so I need to keep moving.

I'm a few pages ahead of what I've posted here -- bogged down, again, with the belledame in the springtime castle. I'm trying this fancy "post to the future" business, so you may or may not get pages 4 and 5 while I'm away. Anyway, here's page three. Try the index if you're just dropping in.

___________

Lancelot said: But that is madness!
How can you repay the blow?
How can any seek you out
If you to the next world go?

The stranger smiled as he stepped forward
He loosed the laces at his throat
He leaned his axe against the table
And empty-handed knelt and spoke

It may be madness, said the Green Knight
But it is my test; it is my game
If you refuse, I call you coward
Call Camelot a court of shame

I've heard this is a hall of heroes
I set a test -- that is my right
I am kneeling here before you
Let someone take my axe and strike

Lancelot flushing red with anger
Answered in a voice gone rough
If you want to die, I'll kill you --
Your insults give me cause enough

But as the great knight rose and readied
Gawaine leapt up and shouted: hold!
He blushed as all eyes turned toward him
To see what fool could be so bold

He said: I am the least among you
The least, where Lancelot is great
But should the great fight with the nameless?
More fitting I should risk this fate

The queen looked grave, the king was frowning
But the Green Knight looked at laughed
You! he said, You're but a puppy!
Too small to even lift my axe

I'll lift it, if my lord will let me
Gawaine shot back, Though I am small
You set this test -- you can't refuse me
You set this test for one and all

The young knight turned and bowed to Arthur
The king said: Cousin, you are brave
If you want this fate, then take it
Though I fear it may prove grave

The Knight still knelt -- the axe beside him
Stood as tall as a young tree
Gawaine hefted it and staggered
The Knight said: First, you word to me

My name is Gawaine, the young man answered
Of noble blood, though I am poor
Before my king, I give my promise
You could ask for nothing more

Then swing the axe, the Green Knight said,
And cut my neck from ear to ear
As long as you hold to your promise
You may strike free from sin and fear