Simon Armitage

Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

FITT I

Once the siege and assault of Troy had ceased,

with the city a smoke-heap of cinders and ash,

the turncoat whose tongue had tricked his own men

was tried for his treason – the truest crime on earth.

Then noble Aeneas and his noble lords

went conquering abroad, laying claim to the crowns

of the wealthiest kingdoms in the western world.

Mighty Romulus quickly careered towards Rome

and conceived a city in magnificent style

which from then until now has been known by his name. 10

Ticius constructed townships in Tuscany

and Langobard did likewise, building homes in Lombardy.

And further afield, over the Sea of France,

on Britain’s broad hill-tops, Felix Brutus made

his stand.

And wonder, dread and war

have lingered in that land

where loss and love in turn

have held the upper hand.

After Britain was built by this founding father 20

a bold race bred there, battle-happy men

causing trouble and torment in turbulent times,

and through history more strangeness has happened here

than anywhere else I know of on Earth.

But most regal of rulers in the royal line

was Arthur, who I heard is honoured above all,

and the inspiring story I intend to spin

has moved the hearts and minds of many –

an awesome episode in the legends of Arthur.

So listen a little while to my tale if you will 30

and I’ll tell it as it’s told in the town where it trips from

the tongue;

and as it has been inked

in stories bold and strong,

through letters which, once linked,

have lasted loud and long.

It was Christmas at Camelot – King Arthur’s court,

where the great and the good of the land had gathered,

all the righteous lords of the ranks of the Round Table

quite properly carousing and revelling in pleasure. 40

Time after time, in tournaments of joust,

they had lunged at each other with levelled lances

then returned to the castle to carry on their carolling,

for the feasting lasted a full fortnight and one day,

with more food and drink than a fellow could dream of.

The hubbub of their humour was heavenly to hear:

pleasant dialogue by day and dancing after dusk,

so the house and its hall were lit with happiness

and lords and ladies were luminous with joy.

Such a coming together of the gracious and the glad: 50

the most chivalrous and courteous knights known in Christendom;

the most wonderful women to have walked in this world;

the handsomest king to be crowned at court.

Fine folk with their futures before them, there in

that hall.

Their highly honoured king

was happiest of all:

no nobler knights had come

within a castle’s wall.

With New Year so young it still yawned and stretched 60

helpings were doubled on the dais that day.

And as king and company were coming to the hall

the choir in the chapel fell suddenly quiet,