And said, “Athel, by heaven, thy asking is foolish; + 

And as folly thou hast sought, befalls thee to find it. + 

I know none that is abasht at thy boasting so big; + 

Give me now thy gisarm, in God’s name, I pray thee, + 

For gladly I grant thee the grace thou hast ask’d.” + 

He leapt to him lightly, and lent him his hand, + 

And fiercely the fell man alighted on foot. + 

Now Arthur has his axe, and the haulm he grips, + 

And sternly makes play, of his stroke thinking. + 

The stalwart before him stands like a tower, + 

Higher than ány in that hóuse by a head and far more; + 

With stern cheer he stands, and his beard he strokes, + 

Then with countenance dree he draws down his coat, + 

No more daunted or dismay’d for the dread buffet + 

Than if boy upon bench had brought him to drink + 

of wine. + 

Gawain from seat did rise + 

And to the King incline, + 

“I beseech you, Sir, (he cries) + 

This mellay might be mine.” + 