when the flesh is tested with fish and simple food.

Then the world’s weather wages war on winter:

cold shrinks earthwards and clouds climb;

sun-warmed, shimmering rain comes showering

onto meadows and fields where flowers unfurl,

and woods and grounds wear a wardrobe of green.

Birds burble with life and build busily

as summer spreads, settling on slopes as 510

it should.

Now every hedgerow brims

with blossom and with bud,

and lively songbirds sing

from lovely, leafy woods.

So summer comes in season with its subtle airs,

when the west wind sighs among shoots and seeds,

and those plants which flower and flourish are a pleasure

as their leaves let drip their drink of dew

and they sparkle and glitter when glanced by sunlight. 520

Then autumn arrives to harden the harvest

and with it comes a warning to ripen before winter.

The drying airs arrive, driving up dust

from the face of the earth to the heights of heaven,

and wild sky wrestles the sun with its winds,

and the leaves of the lime lay littered on the ground,

and grass that was green turns withered and grey.

Then all which had risen over-ripens and rots

and yesterday on yesterday the year dies away,

and winter returns, as is the way of the world 530

through time.

At Michaelmas the moon

stands like that season’s sign,

a warning to Gawain

to rouse himself and ride.

Yet by All Saints’ Day he was still at Arthur’s side,

and they feasted in the name of their noble knight

with the revels and riches of the Round Table.

The lords of that hall and their loving ladies

were sad and concerned for the sake of their knight, 540

but nevertheless they made light of his load.

Men joyless at his plight made jokes and rejoiced.

Then sorrowfully, after supper, he spoke with his uncle,

and openly talked of the trip he must take:

‘Now, lord of my life, I must ask for your leave.

You were witness to my wager. I have no wish

to re-tell you the terms – they’re nothing but a trifle.

I must set out tomorrow to receive that stroke

from the knight in green, and let God be my guide.’

Then the cream of Camelot crowded around: 550

Ywain and Eric and others of that ilk,

Sir Dodinal the Dreaded, the Duke of Clarence,

Lancelot, Lionel, Lucan the Good,

and Sir Bors and Sir Bedevere – both big names,

and powerful men such as Mador de la Port.

This courtly committee approaches the king

to offer up heartfelt advice to our hero.

And sounds of sadness and sorrow were heard

that one as worthy and well-liked as Gawain

should suffer that strike but offer no stroke in 560

reply.

Yet keeping calm the knight

just quipped, ‘Why should I shy

away? If fate is kind

or cruel man still must try.’

He remained all that day and in the morning he dressed,

asked early for his arms and all were produced.