“But busk thee. Sir Bold, and bring me to the point, + 

Deal me my destiny and do it out of hand, + 

For I shall stand thee a stroke, nor start any more + 

Till thine axe have me hit: my honour I pledge thee.” + 

“Have at thee!” said the other, and heaving his tool, + 

Look’d as wild and as wroth as if wood he had been; + 

Fierce aim did he ettle, but or ever he touch’d, + 

His hand he withheld that no hurt might befall. + 

Gawain boldly him bides, nor budges a whit, + 

But stands still as a stone, or a stock either + 

That is grappled in rock with roots a hundred. + 

Then merrily spoke he, the man in the green: + 

“Now thou art heart-whole, to hit thee behoves; + 

Hold back the hood that from Arthur thou hadst, + 

And look to thy neck at the knock that is coming.” + 

Then rudely Sir Gawain, raging with wrath: + 

“Why! thrash on, thou thro man, thou threat’nest too long; + 

I hope that thy heart at thine ówn self may quail.” + 

“I’ faith,” said the fell man, “so fiercely thou speakest, + 

I’ll no longer delay, nor let thee thine errand, + 

e’en now!” + 

Then takes he stance to strike, + 

And puckers lip and brow; + 

No wonder if him mislike + 

That hopes for no rescue. + 