“If my liege lady allows it, then let me… take your cloak,”
brave Sir Gawain proposed, with a glance at the green knight,
“that it shan’t obstruct your swing when you strike the blow.”
Then he stood and turned to address the crowd:
“What courage and character our king has shown
before this vile and villainous challenge,
to put his own foot forward to face the threat.
Any man here, I hope, would hasten to meet it—
I’m not the smartest mind, nor the mightiest muscle,
but even I was eager to hold the axe.
Yet Arthur, my uncle, beat us to the punch.
So, your highness, I’d be honored to hold your cape instead
while you lift the axe in lieu of us all.”
And Arthur, with an eyebrow lifted high,
graciously granted Gawain this honor.
He removed his mantle and gave it to the gallant knight,
and brave Sir Gawain bowed and blessed the king’s
            good name.
            The nobles nodded now,
            assenting all the same:
            to praise their king and crown,
            and hand Arthur the game.