“The place whither ye go is accounted full perilous, for he who liveth
in that waste is the worst on earth, for he is strong and fierce, and
loveth to deal mighty blows; taller is he than any man on earth, and
greater of frame than any four in Arthur’s court, or in any other. And
this is his custom at the Green Chapel: there may no man pass by that
place, however proud his arms, but he does him to death by force of his
hand, for he is a discourteous knight, and shews no mercy. Be he churl
or chaplain who rides by that chapel, monk or mass-priest, or any man
else, he thinks it as pleasant to slay them as to pass alive himself.
Therefore, I tell ye, as sooth as ye sit in saddle, if ye come there and
that knight know it, ye shall be slain, though ye had twenty lives; trow
me that truly! He has dwelt here full long and seen many a combat; ye
may not defend ye against his blows. Therefore, good Sir Gawain, let the
man be, and get ye away some other road; for God’s sake seek ye another
land, and there may Christ speed ye! And I will hie me home again, and I
promise ye further that I will swear by God and the saints, or any other
oath ye please, that I will keep counsel faithfully, and never let any
wit the tale that ye fled for fear of any man.”