Gawain glanced at the goodman, that greeted him so fair, + 

And thought it a bold knight that the búrg òwn’d; + 

A huge athel he, in the prime of his eld, + 

His beard broad and bright, and all beaver-hued, + 

Grim, strong in his stance on stalwart shanks, + 

Fell face as the fire, and free of his speech; + 

And he seemèd in sooth (só Gawain thought) + 

Fit man for a lordship o’er loyal lieges. + 

He stepped to a chamber and straightway bade choose + 

A goodly esquire, to escort him and serve, + 

And there hied at his best henchmen enow + 

That brought him to a bower, with bedding full noble, + 

Gay silk hangings with golden hems, + 

Coverlets full comely of curious patchwork, + 

Broider’d and edg’d with the bright ermine, + 

Curtains running on ropes, red gold rings, + 

Rich tapestries of Tars tent on the walls, + 

And carpets as fair under foot on the floor. + 

Here was he despoil’d with speeches of mirth + 

Of his bráwden byrnie of máil and his bright armour. + 

Then robes full rich his servants him raught + 

For a change of clothing, to choose as he pleas’d. + 

Soon as he had drawn one and dress’d it upon him, + 

A fair-fitting robe with flowing skirts, + 

Like a picture of spring he seemèd in semblance, + 

With the robe around him so richly broider’d, + 

And his gear thereunder so glowing and gay, + 

That a comelier Knight Chríst never made, + 

they thought. + 

Came he from far or near, + 

Well seemèd that he ought + 

To be prince without peer + 

In field where brave men fought. + 