By this, the stranger had at last become Tired of long waiting, and of sitting dumb Upon his charger; so with greenest leer He vented his impatience in a sneer. "Is this," he said, "the glorious Table Round, And is its glory naught but empty sound? Braggarts! I put your bluster to the test, And find you quail before a merry jest!" Then the great king himself stood up in ire, With clenched hand raised, and eyes that gleamed dark fire, And fronting the Green Knight he cried: "Forbear! For by my sword Excalibur I swear,
"Whate'er thou be, thou shalt not carry hence Unscathed the memory of thine insolence. Such jests as thine please not; yet even so I take thine axe; kneel thou, and take my blow."
Across the Green Knight's features there was seen To pass a fleeting shade of deeper green, Whether of disappointment or resentment None knew; but straight a smile of bright contentment Followed, as through the throng of dazed beholders He saw Sir Gawayne thrust his sturdy shoulders. The stranger winked at Elfinhart once more, Well pleased, and Gawayne knelt down on the floor. "A boon," he cried, "a boon, my lord and king! If ever yet in any little thing These hands have served thee, hear my last request: Let _me_ adventure this mad monster's jest!" King Arthur shook his head in dumb denial, Loth to withdraw his own hand from the trial, And leave the vengeance that himself had vowed; But all the people called to him aloud, "Sir Gawayne! let Sir Gawayne strike the blow!" And Guinevere, the queen, besought him low To leave this venture to the lesser man. He yielded, and the merry jest began.
The visitor, dismounting, made a bow To Arthur, then to all the court. "And now," Said he to Gawayne, "wheresoe'er you choose To strike your blow, strike on; I'll not refuse; Head, shoulders, chest, or waist, I little reck; Where shall it be?" Quoth Gawayne, "In the neck!"
So Gawayne took the axe. The stranger knelt Before him on the hearth and loosed his belt, And threw back his green cassock and his hood, To give his foe the fairest mark he could. Then thus to Gawayne: "Ready! But remember To come the twenty-fifth of next December, And take from me the self-same stroke again!" "And where," asked Gawayne, "may I find you then?" "We'll speak of that, please, when you've struck your blow; For if I can't speak, then you need not go!" He chuckled softly to himself; then turned And waited for the blow, all unconcerned.