those words had pricked their pride. 320

But born so brave at heart

the king stepped up one stride.

‘Your request‚’ he countered, ‘is quite insane,

and folly finds the man who flirts with the fool.

No warrior worth his salt would be worried by your words,

so in heaven’s good name hand over the axe

and I’ll happily fulfil the favour you ask.’

He strides to him swiftly and seizes his arm;

the man-mountain dismounts in one mighty leap.

Then Arthur grips the axe, grabs it by its haft 330

and takes it above him, intending to attack.

Yet the stranger before him stands up straight,

highest in the house by at least a head.

Quite simply he stands there stroking his beard,

fiddling with his coat, his face without fear,

about to be bludgeoned, but no more bothered

than a guest at the table being given a goblet

of wine.

By Guinevere, Gawain

now to his king inclines 340

and says, ‘I stake my claim.

This moment must be mine.’

‘Should you call me, courteous lord,’ said Gawain to his king,

‘to rise from my seat and stand at your side,

politely take leave of my place at the table

and quit without causing offence to my queen,

then I shall come to your counsel before this great court.

For I find it unfitting, as my fellow knights would,

when a deed of such daring is dangled before us

that you take on this trial – tempted as you are – 350

when brave, bold men are seated on these benches,

men never matched in the mettle of their minds,

never beaten or bettered in the field of battle.

I am weakest of your warriors and feeblest of wit;

loss of my life would be grieved the least.

Were I not your nephew my life would mean nothing;

to be born of your blood is my body’s only claim.

Such a foolish affair is unfitting for a king,

so, being first to come forward, it should fall to me.

And if my proposal is improper, let no other person 360

stand blame.’

The knighthood then unites

and each knight says the same:

their king can stand aside

and give Gawain the game.

So the sovereign instructed his knight to stand.

Getting to his feet he moved graciously forward

and knelt before Arthur, taking hold of the axe.

Letting go of it, Arthur then held up his hand

to give young Gawain the blessing of God 370

and hope he finds firmness in heart and fist.

‘Take care, young cousin, to catch him cleanly.

Use full-blooded force, then you needn’t fear

the blow which he threatens to trade in return.’

Gawain, with the weapon, walked towards the warrior,

and they stand face to face, not one man afraid.

Then the green knight spoke, growled at Gawain,

‘Before we compete, repeat what we’ve promised.

And start by saying your name to me, sir,

and tell me the truth so I can take it on trust.’ 380