Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

Summary

I

After the battle and the attack were over at Troy,

The town beaten down to smoking brands and ashes,

That man enmeshed in the nets of treachery – the truest

Of men – was tried for treason; I mean

Aeneas, the high-born, who, with his noble kinsmen,

Conquered many countries and made themselves masters

Of almost all the wealth of the Western isles.

Romulus goes off in haste towards Rome, raises

At first that fine city with pride, bestowing

On her his famous name, which she still has now.

Ticius builds new towns in Tuscany

And Langaberde lays out homes in Lombardy

And, joyfully, far over the French sea,

Felix Brutus founds Britain by ample down and bay;

Where war, and joy, and terror

Have all at times held sway;

Where both delight and horror

Have had their fitful day.

And after Britain was founded by this brave fighter

Rough fellows were fathered here who relished a fray

And made much mischief in troubled times.

More marvels have occurred in this country

Than any other since then, so far as I know.

But of all the kings who've commanded this land

Men say king Arthur was the greatest in courtesy.

Let me tell you, then, a tale of adventure,

A most striking one among the marvels of Arthur

Which some will consider a wonder to hear.

If you listen closely to my words a little while

I'll tell it to you now as I heard it told in town:

A bold story, well-proven,

And everywhere well-known,

The letters all interwoven

As custom sets it down.

Christmas time. The king is home at Camelot

Among his many lords, all splendid men –

All the trusted brothers of the Round Table

Ready for court revels and carefree pleasures.

Knights in great numbers at the tournament sports

Jousted with much joy, as gentle knights

Will do, then rode to the court for the carol-dances.

The festival lasted fifteen long days

Of great mirth with all the meat that they could manage.

Such clamour and merriment were amazing to hear:

By day a joyful noise, dancing at night –