As a pearl is more prized than a pea which is white,

so, by God, is Gawain, amongst gallant knights.

But a little thing more – it was loyalty that you lacked:

not because you’re wicked, or a womaniser, or worse,

but you loved your own life; so I blame you less.’

Gawain stood speechless for what seemed like a century,

so shocked and ashamed that his stomach churned 2370

and the fire of his blood brought flames to his face

and he wriggled and writhed at the other man’s words.

Then he tried to talk, and finding his tongue, said:

‘A curse upon cowardice and covetousness.

They breed villainy and vice, and destroy all virtue.’

Then he grabbed the girdle and ungathered its knot

and flung it in fury at the man in front.

‘My downfall and undoing; let the devil take it.

Dread of the death-blow and cowardly doubts

meant I gave in to greed, and in doing so forgot 2380

the fidelity and kindness which every knight knows.

As I feared, I am found to be flawed and false,

through treachery and untruth I have totally failed,’ said

Gawain.

‘Such terrible mistakes,

and I shall bear the blame.

But tell me what it takes

to clear my clouded name.’

The green lord laughed, and leniently replied:

‘The harm which you caused me is wholly healed. 2390

By confessing your failings you are free from fault

and have openly paid penance at the point of my axe.

I declare you purged, as polished and as pure

as the day you were born, without blemish or blame.

And this gold-hemmed girdle I present as a gift,

which is green like my gown. It’s yours, Sir Gawain,

a reminder of our meeting when you mix and mingle

with princes and kings. And this keepsake will be proof

to all chivalrous knights of your challenge in this chapel.

But follow me home. New Year’s far from finished – 2400

we’ll resume our revelling with supper and song.

What’s more

my wife is waiting there

who flummoxed you before.

This time you’ll have in her

a friend and not a foe.

‘Thank you,’ said the other, taking helmet from head,

holding it in hand as he offered his thanks.

‘But I’ve loitered long enough. The Lord bless your life

and bestow on you such honour as you surely deserve. 2410

And mind you commend me to your mannerly wife,

both to her and the other, those honourable ladies

who kidded me so cleverly with their cunning tricks.

But no wonder if a fool should fall for a female

and be wiped of his wits by womanly guile –

it’s the way of the world. Adam fell for a woman

and Solomon for several, and as for Samson

Delilah was his downfall, and afterwards David

was bamboozled by Bathsheba and bore the grief.

All wrecked and ruined by their wrongs; if only 2420

we could love our ladies without believing their lies.

And those were fellows from fortunate families,