Then knights, and the squires of knights, drew near

to escort him, with courtesy, into the castle.

As he took off his helmet, many hasty hands

reached out to receive it and to serve this stranger,

and his sword and his shield were taken aside.

Then he made himself known to nobles and knights

and proud fellows pressed forward to confer their respects. 830

Still heavy with armour he was led to the hall

where a fire burned bright with the fiercest flames.

Then the master of the manor emerged from his chamber,

to greet him in the hall with all due honour,

saying, ‘Behave in my house as your heart pleases.

To whatever you want you are welcome, do what

you will.’

‘My thanks,’ Gawain exclaimed,

‘May Christ reward you well.’

Then firmly, like good friends 840

they hugged and held a while.

Gawain gazed at the lord who greeted him so gracefully,

the great one who governed that grand estate,

powerful and large, in the prime of his life,

with a bushy beard as red as a beaver’s,

steady in his stance, solid of build,

with a fiery face but with fine conversation;

a man quite capable, it occurred to Gawain,

of keeping such a castle and captaining his knights.

Escorted to his quarters the lord quickly orders 850

that a servant be assigned to assist Gawain,

and many were willing to wait on his word.

They brought him to a bedroom, beautifully furnished

with fine silken fabrics finished in gold

and curious coverlets lavishly quilted

in bloodless ermine and embroidered to each border.

Curtains ran on cords through red-gold rings,

tapestries from Toulouse and Turkistan

were fixed against walls and fitted underfoot.

With humorous banter Gawain was helped out 860

of his chain-mail coat and costly clothes,

then they rushed to bring him an array of robes

of the choicest cloth. He chose, and changed,

and as soon as he stood in that stunning gown

with its flowing skirts which suited his shape

it almost appeared to the persons present

that spring, with its spectrum of colours, had sprung;

so alive and lean were that young man’s limbs

a nobler creature Christ had never created, they declared.

This knight, 870

whose country was unclear,

now seemed to them by sight

a prince without a peer

in fields where fierce men fight.

In front of a flaming fireside a chair

was pulled into place for Gawain, and padded

with covers and quilts all cleverly stitched,

then a cape was cast across the knight

of rich brown cloth with embroidered borders,

finished inside with the finest furs, 880

ermine, to be exact, and a hood which echoed it.

Resplendently dressed he settled in his seat;

as his limbs thawed, so his thoughts lightened.

Soon a table was set on sturdy trestles

covered entirely with a clean white cloth

and cruets of salt and silver spoons.

In a while he washed and went to his meal.

Staff came quickly and served him in style