"Sir Gawain and the Green Knight," translated by Evan Mantyk

sir G and the Green Knight translated by Evan Mantic a selection from part one featuring exerpts from lines 130 to 466 now of their meal I will say nothing more for you are all well aware that no one went hungry there another noise that was new Drew near all of a sudden so that their lord might be allowed at last to eat food for hardly had the music but a moment ended and the first course in the court as was custom been served when there passed through the portals a perilous Horseman the mightiest on Earth in measure of height from his throat to his stomach so great and so square and his loins and his limbs so long and so huge that a half giant still on this Earth I believe that he was but the largest man alive at least I will call him and yet the hugest for his size that could sit on a horse for though in back and in chest his body was broad both his stomach and his waist were properly slim and all his facial features fit the same fashion as he rode the men all gaped a gast at the face and form that showed this creature striding past green all over glowed both the garments and the guy were green all over his coat was tight so close it clung to his sides a rich robe on top was all arranged and within was fur finely trimmed showing Fair fringes of handsome irmine as was his hood as well that was lifted from his long hair and laid on his shoulders and trim pants tight drawn of tint alike that clung to his calves and clear Spurs below of glimmering gold on silk that was striped most richly though unshod were his shins for shoeless he rode and truly all this clothing was of Verger in color both of the bars on his belt and Shining Stones next to them that were richly arranged in the outfit he wore set on himself and on his saddle upon silk Fabrics it would be too hard to recall one half of the tri that were embroidered on them what with birds and butterflies in a glad Glory of green and always within gold the pendants of his horse's breastplate and the saddle and all the metal and more on the horse were enameled even the stirrups that he stood in were colored the same and his saddle bows the same and their Sumptuous skirts which Always glimmered and gleamed all with green Jewels even the horse that upheld him and Hue was the same I tell you a green horse great and thick a stallion stronger than you that wore a bridal slick and matched his master too nay I wish for no Warfare on my word I tell you sitting around on these benches are but beardless children were I dressed in armor on a high horse there is no man here to match me their might is so feeble and so I crave in this court only a Christmas game since it's the holidays and you here are young and merry if any in this house here holds that he is brave if so bold be his blood or his brain be so wild that he sternly dares to trade one strike for one strike then I will give him as my gift this costly weapon this axe it's heavy enough to handle as he pleases and I'll bear the first strike here bearing my neck as I kneel if any fellow be so Fierce as to try it let him hasten to me and take hold of this weapon I hand it over and he can have it as his own and I will take a hit from him Stone still on this floor provided you agree to this pact that I may give a hit to him so says I yet a rest I will allow till a year and a day go by come quick and let's see now if any dare reply Goan goes to the great man with Axe in Hand and he boldly Waits there not turning white at all then next the Knight all in green said to G let's repeat our agreement before we go any further tell me first sir Knight your name I request you to tell me truly that I may trust you in your word in good faith said the good knight I am called gain who brings you this blow whatever may follow and at this time in 12 months it's your turn to have a blow with whatever weapon you wish and in all the world at no one else but me the other man spoke again I am quite pleased it's true upon my life sir gain that I'll be hit by you the Green Knight on the ground now gets himself ready leaning his head a little forward he lays bare the flesh and his long and lovely locks of hair he lifts over his head letting the naked neck as was needed appear he placed his left foot in front of him on the floor GNE gripped on his axe gathered and raised it and from a loft let it swiftly land where there was skin so that the edge of his blade separated the bones and sank clean through the Flesh and cut it in two the blade of the bright steel then biting into the ground the fine head fell from the shoulders to the floor and people kicked it with their feet as a rounded went rolling the blood burst from the body bright on the greenness and yet the fierce man neither faltered at all nor fell but strongly he stroe forth still strong on his legs and roughly he reached Out Among the rows that stood there picked up his handsome head and quickly raised it and then hastened to his horse laid hold of the bridal stepped into Stirrup iron and swung himself up his hand holding his head by the hair and he settled himself then in the saddle as firmly as if unharmed though as all in the hall could see he had no head his trunk he twisted round that gruesome body that bled and gasps of fear ReSound once they heard what he had said he held straight up the head in his hand towards the noblest at the table he twisted his face and it lifted up its eyelids and looked at them all and made words with its mouth that they could understand get ready gain to go as you vowed and Faithfully seek until you find me good sir as you have promised in this place and in the presence of these Knights to the green Chapel go and get there I command you such a hit as you have dealt indeed you have earned a swift swing and return on New Year's morning as the night of the green Chapel I am known by many so if you Endeavor to find me you will not fail therefore come or you deserve to be called a coward with a rude Roar he rushed to pull his Reigns and hastened out through the hall door with his head in his hand and his horse's iron shod Hooves created Sparks as he sped away to what country he went to from Court no man knew no more than they'd learned from what land he'd journeyed from meanwhile the king and Sergo Wayne at the Green Man laugh and smile to all men it seemed plain a Marvel Beyond [Music] denial h