Short Extract
(from the penultimate scene at the Green Chapel. Sir Gawain stands on the ancient burial mound, having announced his presence. The Green Knight speaks in a broad rural Lancashire accent.)
THE GREEN KNIGHT ENTERS AND ADVANCES.
GREEN KNIGHT:
Sir Gawin! How good it is to greet again!
Yea, Iwis, thou art welcome, Wawen, to mi place.
And thou hast timed thy travel as true man should;
At this time, twelve months, thou tookst on’t challenge.
Twelve month and a day and thou didst come
So yeply to meet me, this young New Year.
Thou knowest the covenant cast us between;
haf thy helm off thy head and haf here thy pay.
Busk me no more debate, than I bore thee then,
When thou whipped off mi head with one whap!
GAWIN:
Nay, by God, I'll bear thee no grudge, Green Knight,
But stand still for thee; strictly, one stroke.
THE GREEN KNIGHT WHIRLS AXE, GAWIN DUCKS.
GREEN KNIGHT:
Thou art not the great Gawin, that so good is holden;
That never flinched for fear, by hill nor vale,
For, such cowardice of that knight, I caught not a word.
I can't recall; did I cringe in the court, at Arthur's?...
My head flew to my feet, but flinched I not on
That floor!
GAWIN:
Alright, I winced once;
But shrink shall I no more -
Though when my head falls to the stones
I cannot it restore.
Deal me to my destiny - do it out of hand;
I shall stand for thee still, for one stroke of thy steel;
Have here my troth.
GREEN KNIGHT:
Have at thee then!
[end of extract]
