Then the king commanded the man to rise;
and rapidly rising and readying himself,
the knight knelt before him, and now took the weapon;
the king lovingly relinquished it, and lifted his hand,
and gave him God’s blessing, and gladly bid him
that his heart and his hand should be equally fearless.
“Take care, cousin,” said the king, “that you cut him only once,
and if you redden him right, I readily believe
that you’ll bear the blow that he’ll bring you after.”
Gawain goes to the horseman with halberd in hand,
and he boldly abides him, unbothered nevertheless.
Then the knight in green announces to Sir Gawain,
“Before we go further, let us refresh our oaths:
first I beseech you, sir, to say your name;
tell me truly, so I may trust you then.”
“In good faith,” said the good knight, “Gawain is my name,
who offers you this hit, whatever happens next;
and at this time in twelve months, I’ll take one from you
with whatever weapon you wish, and with no one else
            alive.”
            The other one rejoined,
            “Sir Gawain, may I thrive,
            for I am overjoyed
            by the blow that you will drive.