--- title: Opening, part 7 — Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A Middle-Englis… · full text with trees · page 2 description: Opening, part 7, «Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A Middle-English Arthurian Romance Retold in Modern Prose» by Jessie L. Weston: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: The virtue of the girdle --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66084/7/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A Mid…](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66084/) / Opening, part 7 # Opening, part 7 · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66084/7/) **2** The robing of Sir Gawain[47](../../47/ "tree and pragmatics") First he clad him in his clothes to keep off the cold, and then in his harness, which was well and fairly kept.[48](../../48/ "tree and pragmatics") Both hauberk and plates were well burnished, the rings of the rich byrny freed from rust, and all as fresh as at first, so that the knight was fain to thank them.[49](../../49/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he did on each piece, and bade them bring his steed, while he put the fairest raiment on himself; his coat with its fair cognizance, adorned with precious stones upon velvet, with broidered seams, and all furred within with costly skins.[50](../../50/ "tree and pragmatics") And he left not the lace, the lady’s gift, that Gawain forgot not, for his own good.[51](../../51/ "tree and pragmatics") When he had girded on his sword he wrapped the gift twice about him, swathed around his waist.[52](../../52/ "tree and pragmatics") The girdle of green silk set gaily and well upon the royal red cloth, rich to behold, but the knight ware it not for pride of the pendants, polished though they were, with fair gold that gleamed brightly on the ends, but to save himself from sword and knife, when it behoved him to abide his hurt without question.[53](../../53/ "tree and pragmatics") With that the hero went forth, and thanked that kindly folk full often.[54](../../54/ "tree and pragmatics") How Sir Gawain went forth from the castle[55](../../55/ "tree and pragmatics") Then was Gringalet ready, that was great and strong, and had been well cared for and tended in every wise; in fair condition was that proud steed, and fit for a journey.[56](../../56/ "tree and pragmatics") Then Gawain went to him, and looked on his coat, and said by his sooth, “There is a folk in this place that thinketh on honour; much joy may they have, and the lord who maintains them, and may all good betide that lovely lady all her life long.[57](../../57/ "tree and pragmatics") Since they for charity cherish a guest, and hold honour in their hands, may He who holds the heaven on high requite them, and also ye all.[58](../../58/ "tree and pragmatics") And if I might live anywhile on earth, I would give ye full reward, readily, if so I might.”[59](../../59/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he set foot in the stirrup and bestrode his steed, and his squire gave him his shield, which he laid on his shoulder.[60](../../60/ "tree and pragmatics") Then he smote Gringalet with his golden spurs, and the steed pranced on the stones and would stand no longer.[61](../../61/ "tree and pragmatics") By that his man was mounted, who bare his spear and lance, and Gawain quoth, “I commend this castle to Christ, may He give it ever good fortune.”[62](../../62/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the drawbridge was let down, and the broad gates unbarred and opened on both sides; the knight crossed himself, and passed through the gateway, and praised the porter, who knelt before the prince, and gave him good-day, and commended him to God.[63](../../63/ "tree and pragmatics") Thus the knight went on his way with the one man who should guide him to that dread place where he should receive rueful payment.[64](../../64/ "tree and pragmatics") The two went by hedges where the boughs were bare, and climbed the cliffs where the cold clings.[65](../../65/ "tree and pragmatics") Naught fell from the heavens, but ’twas ill beneath them; mist brooded over the moor and hung on the mountains; each hill had a cap, a great cloak, of mist.[66](../../66/ "tree and pragmatics") The streams foamed and bubbled between their banks, dashing sparkling on the shores where they shelved downwards.[67](../../67/ "tree and pragmatics") Rugged and dangerous was the way through the woods, till it was time for the sun-rising.[68](../../68/ "tree and pragmatics") Then were they on a high hill; the snow lay white beside them, and the man who rode with Gawain drew rein by his master.[69](../../69/ "tree and pragmatics") The squire’s warning[70](../../70/ "tree and pragmatics") “Sir,” he said, “I have brought ye hither, and now ye are not far from the place that ye have sought so specially.[71](../../71/ "tree and pragmatics") But I will tell ye for sooth, since I know ye well, and ye are such a knight as I well love, would ye follow my counsel ye would fare the better.[72](../../72/ "tree and pragmatics") Of the knight of the Green Chapel[73](../../73/ "tree and pragmatics") “The place whither ye go is accounted full perilous, for he who liveth in that waste is the worst on earth, for he is strong and fierce, and loveth to deal mighty blows; taller is he than any man on earth, and greater of frame than any four in Arthur’s court, or in any other.[74](../../74/ "tree and pragmatics") And this is his custom at the Green Chapel: there may no man pass by that place, however proud his arms, but he does him to death by force of his hand, for he is a discourteous knight, and shews no mercy.[75](../../75/ "tree and pragmatics") Be he churl or chaplain who rides by that chapel, monk or mass-priest, or any man else, he thinks it as pleasant to slay them as to pass alive himself.[76](../../76/ "tree and pragmatics") Therefore, I tell ye, as sooth as ye sit in saddle, if ye come there and that knight know it, ye shall be slain, though ye had twenty lives; trow me that truly\![77](../../77/ "tree and pragmatics") He has dwelt here full long and seen many a combat; ye may not defend ye against his blows.[78](../../78/ "tree and pragmatics") Therefore, good Sir Gawain, let the man be, and get ye away some other road; for God’s sake seek ye another land, and there may Christ speed ye\![79](../../79/ "tree and pragmatics") And I will hie me home again, and I promise ye further that I will swear by God and the saints, or any other oath ye please, that I will keep counsel faithfully, and never let any wit the tale that ye fled for fear of any man.”[80](../../80/ "tree and pragmatics") Sir Gawain is none dismayed[81](../../81/ "tree and pragmatics") “Gramercy,” quoth Gawain, but ill pleased.[82](../../82/ "tree and pragmatics") “Good fortune be his who wishes me good, and that thou wouldst keep faith with me I well believe; but didst thou keep it never so truly, an I passed here and fled for fear as thou sayest, then were I a coward knight, and might not be held guiltless.[83](../../83/ "tree and pragmatics") So I will to the chapel let chance what may, and talk with that man, even as I may list, whether for weal or for woe as fate may have it.[84](../../84/ "tree and pragmatics") Fierce though he may be in fight, yet God knoweth well how to save His servants.”[85](../../85/ "tree and pragmatics") “Well,” quoth the other, “now that ye have said so much that ye will take your own harm on yourself, and ye be pleased to lose your life, I will neither let nor keep ye.[86](../../86/ "tree and pragmatics") Have here your helm and the spear in your hand, and ride down this same road beside the rock till ye come to the bottom of the valley, and there look a little to the left hand, and ye shall see in that vale the chapel, and the grim man who keeps it.[87](../../87/ "tree and pragmatics") Now fare ye well, noble Gawain; for all the gold on earth I would not go with ye nor bear ye fellowship one step further.”[88](../../88/ "tree and pragmatics") With that the man turned his bridle into the wood, smote the horse with his spurs as hard as he could, and galloped off, leaving the knight alone.[89](../../89/ "tree and pragmatics") Quoth Gawain, “I will neither greet nor groan, but commend myself to God, and yield me to His will.”[90](../../90/ "tree and pragmatics") Then the knight spurred Gringalet, and rode adown the path close in by a bank beside a grove.[91](../../91/ "tree and pragmatics") So he rode through the rough thicket, right into the dale, and there he halted, for it seemed him wild enough.[92](../../92/ "tree and pragmatics") No sign of a chapel could he see, but high and burnt banks on either side and rough rugged crags with great stones above.[93](../../93/ "tree and pragmatics") An ill-looking place he thought it.[94](../../94/ "tree and pragmatics") [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66084/7/) **2** - ← previous: [page 1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66084/7/) - next →: [Opening, part 8](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66084/8/) - ↑ back to [Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: A Middle-English Arthurian Romance Retold in Modern Prose](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg66084/)