delay” (ll. 2273-2304).  Then, contracting “both lips and brow,” he made ready to strike, and let fall his axe on the bare neck of Sir Gawayne.  “Though he hammered” fiercely, he only “severed the hide,” causing the blood to flow.  When Gawayne saw his blood on the snow, he quickly seized his helmet and placed it on his head.  Then he drew out his bright sword, and thus angrily spoke:  “Cease, man, of thy blow, bid me no more.  I have received a stroke in this place without opposition, but if thou givest me any more readily shall I requite thee, of that be thou sure.  Our covenant stipulates one stroke, and therefore now cease.”

The Green Knight, resting on his axe, looks on Sir Gawayne, as bold and fearless he there stood, and then with a loud voice thus addresses the knight:  “Bold knight, be not so wroth, no man here has wronged thee (ll. 2305-2339); I promised thee a stroke, and thou hast it, so hold thee well pleased.  I could have dealt much worse with thee, and caused thee much sorrow.  Two blows I aimed at thee, for twice thou kissedst my fair wife; but I struck thee not, because thou restoredst them to me according to agreement.  At the third time thou failedst, and therefore I have given thee that tap.  That woven girdle, given thee by my own wife, belongs to me.  I know well thy kisses, thy conduct also, and the wooing of my wife, for I wrought it myself.  I sent her to try thee, and truly methinks thou art the most faultless man that ever on foot went.  Still, sir, thou wert wanting in good faith; but as it proceeded from no immorality, thou being only desirous of saving thy life, the less I blame thee.”

Gawayne stood confounded, the blood rushed into his face, and he shrank within himself for very shame.  “Cursed,” he cried, “be cowardice and covetousness both; in you are villany and vice, that virtue destroy.”  Then he takes off the girdle and throws it to the knight in green, cursing his cowardice and covetousness.  The Green Knight, laughing, thus spoke:  “Thou hast confessed so clean, and acknowledged thy faults, that I hold thee as pure as thou hadst never forfeited since thou wast first born.  I give thee, sir, the gold-hemmed girdle as a token of thy adventure at the Green Chapel.  Come now to my castle, and we shall enjoy together the festivities of the New Year” (ll. 2340-2406).

“Nay, forsooth,” quoth the knight, “but for your kindness may God requite you.  Commend me to that courteous one your comely wife, who with her crafts has beguiled me.  But it is no uncommon thing for a man to come to sorrow through women’s wiles; for so was Adam beguiled with one, and Solomon with many.  Samson was destroyed by Delilah, and David suffered much through Bathsheba.  ’It were indeed great bliss for a man to love them well and believe them not.’  Since the greatest upon earth were so beguiled, methinks I should be excused.  But God reward you for your girdle, which I will