Conte de Green Knight
An Epic in Poetic Form
Impression
1
We come now to the grand story of the Green Knight
(or at least one of his life long adventures; and origins),
for I sense there were scores of spirits and flesh
that made the Green Knight what he was,
and I do hope I can tell the tale as it truly was.
Let me say, his fame started shortly after
his name was changed to the Green Knight
—prior to his legendary plight with King Arthur;
hence, then called Bercilak de Hautdesert.
In the times of King Arthur, two stories emerged
of the Green Knight, thereafter a third tale emerged
placing him in the Crusades, and becoming respected
by the notorious Saladin the Great,
(Muslim leader of his day), and marrying
a peasant woman from Glastonbury.
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Much of the Green Knight’s story and glory is in being
a warrior, and from the forth to twelfth centuries
one can see this plainly. And as we look deeper
into his surroundings, he is interwoven with
Celtic Mythology, and maybe with a touch of modern
day Anglo-French: with a background in Arthurian legend,
where it was incorporated with the “Conte del Graal,”
For the Green Knight carried a Danish Axe did he not?
And he was beheaded was he not? And he lived
thereafter, did he not? And his skin, horse and all
his garments were of a ghostly green, were they not?
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I take it he may have been married between
one to three times, that is, depending on whose tales
one desires to read and wishes to believe,
for they date back prior to the Fourteenth Century (AD).
Both King Arthur and the Green Knight are confusing
figures to say the least, perhaps both of British-Roman
origins, so it would seem, so it must be. As well as,
Camelot, the castle of controversial issues; likewise,
the Round Table, which it is said, still exists.
I actually went to Glastonbury and visited
King Arthur’s grave, if indeed it was his grave.
I do believe we must have a lot of faith in these fables,
and there is a tinge of testimony for King Arthur
and the Green Knight’s existence. And so now
we shall go onto the next stage of this story.
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The Green Knight Recounted
So you see we have had a figure of a huge
knight, a symbol of bravery also—and of a
ghostly persona. One who lives and dies and lives
again, and seems to reach beyond his original roots,
and comes to life in the fifth century England,
and resurfaces in the 12th century Crusades.
But I have found out it goes much deeper than that.
And he was more than what people say. Let me explain:
he was I do judge, a tester of the Knights,
of their times, as Arthurian text would put it,
and perhaps J.R.R. Tolkien, in the case of
Syr. Gawayne, and his translation (1925): and other
translators of the tales of the Green Knight,
such as Jessie L. Western, and W.A. Neilson,
all quite skillful in their versions (1999). And for the most
part these paraphrases are well needed, practical,
in modern English from Middle English, which has
produced a readable medieval past, in fiction.
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Now we must really touch on the Ghost of the
Green Knight before we get into the actual story,
which is, in its end form, “The Monologue of Florencia.”
I dare say, but I will, if a man can seize his
head in his hands, after decapitation
(as it was done by Sir. Gawain) he is nothing
less than a ghost, and perhaps a little more.
And then, talk to his decapitator. What kind
of man can stand before another and do that,
with green skin to his bones. And so in this
case we eliminate all the possibilities and get
right down to the facts, he is more than he seems,
and for a good reason, and I shall tell you that
story for posterity sake in a moment.
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Sir Gawain beheaded the Green Knight, by allowing
him to take the first swing of an axe, but in return,
he would have to meet the Green Knight again, and let
him have his turn. Quite a test for a knight is it not.
And would Gawain be true to his honor? These of course
were the testing tools for the Green Knight. And is not
a reputation for a Knight above all other things?
That was perhaps the main theme in the
back of the Green Knight’s mind.
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Well, to indulge you a tinge more into this story’s
past, told many times over, but not like this…Gawain did
return to the Chapel where the Green Knight was, one
year later (for he had seen him prior to this, with
Florencia), and now bowed his head to be cut off
by none other than the Green Knight. But Gawain
was no fool, he put a special metal strap around
his neck to protect it, yet, he still got a wound,
but he got to walk away with his head and neck
firmly attached, and his honor unbroken.
Yes indeed, Gawain did a very shrewd thing. On the
other hand, the Green Knight used his wit and
wisdom to test the Knight’s integrity, almost
devilish, almost likened to Satan himself who tested
Christ on a Mountain top. But then the Green Knight,
he believed I suppose, as Mark Twain once said:
“A virtue is not a virtue until tested under fire.”
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So now I will tell you with all sincerity, I believe
this marvelous tale of tales, as much as I believe
all the other tales of the Green Knight: this
marvelous of tales will need your undivided
attention, and it is not like the others, a
medieval romance, rather it is beyond that,
if not close to a tragedy.
The Tale
From its Original Roots
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When Atlantis fell ((sunk into the Atlantic) (9600 BC)),
about four-hundred years before King Phrygian,
of Atlantis, whom lived in the palace at the
Port of Poseidonia, had printed a journal—
one of treachery with the demonic Netherworld
(Hell, itself). His kingdom was somewhat
fashioned by the underworld you could say, perhaps
that is why God Almighty, destroyed it. At that
time the High Priest, Xandore was killed and
possessed by the infamous figure, friend and foe,
known in Hell, as Agaliarept, the Henchman.
He was a brave beast in his own right, devious
as such are, psychotic as most demonic beings are,
and renowned in the netherworld for his prowess
in weaving Atlantis into its internal chaotic doom
(or moral downfall).
One night he slept with the King’s wife, Ais.
Oh, not with his blessings—but by threat:
hence, he crept into his bed, as the king moved over,
and whom he had sedated her during dinner,
as a result, she slept soundless throughout the ordeal,
as the Henchman, seduced her, hour after hour,
in a lustful frenzy. Ais, not knowing much pertaining
to what she had endured, and considered now a nightmare,
only acknowledge, she had raw and aching thighs.
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The Deception
Shortly after the king was murdered in his garden,
so the ancient scrolls have indicated—just how
is uncertain—but the best I can piece together
is as follows: Phrygian some twenty-years older
than the Queen, Queen Ais still quite young, both having
lunch as often they did in the Garden of Poseidon,
within their palace grounds by the seaport—there,
hidden in the distance was a figure in the garden,
hunched down behind some shrubbery; some have
said it was the High Priest, and I do believe it to be so,
for he had the utmost motive, Ais—his lustful dream.
But perhaps it could have been someone else,
nonetheless, the king choked on a bone, as so it has
been written down for posterity, by the scribe Anases;
Anases whom was present in the palace during those
far-off days, and it was his duty to write down such
things, everything, whatever he witnessed, heard,
or could verify—to be put onto scrolls—
(known as The Codex Scrolls).
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In any case, what took place was that he either had a
allergic reaction, or got a bone caught in between
his windpipe or whatever, but he could not breathe,
and died—died in a development, fighting for air;
Ais being too afraid to leave his side, lest someone
come and kill him with a dagger or sword—remained.
And the wealth of the realm of course went to Ais.
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In the underworld, in Hell itself, days are not
normal days as on earth, nor are weeks, months or years.
That is to say, days in Hell, can be months or years,
depending on actions and reactions. Nights are
long, so I’ve heard, and like in Heaven or in
any Army on earth, there is a hierarchy—likewise,
in hell, there is a pecking order, I say this because
I do not know the time period in my next paragraph,
but it was not years, rather days, weeks or months,
I tend to think it was perhaps twenty-months,
earth time, a few days or hours, Hell time.
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By and large, in time, Ais was confronted by her dead
husband to join him in Hell, saying in so many
words: if you join me, Beelzebub, the King of
Demons promised me a high position (the forth
in command). Her love and devotion for him
was unconditional, and she followed him to the
innards of Hell, but while in the waters of Hades,
Hell’s river of sorts, he pushed Otis, the oarsman
over the edge of the vessel and as legend says,
they sailed around the gulf for a thousand-years
(before he was caught, by the demonic forces).
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The Tor of Avalon
Now you might be saying: what does all this have to
do with the Green Knight? A lot, but first we have to
shift back to the sinking of Atlantis. Ais had a child,
a hybrid (a crossbreed), a giant of a soul, one third
man, two third superhuman. His skin was pale
and the older he got, the greener it became. Agaliarept,
took the matter of the child’s birth quite serious,
he was proud, roughly proud, and at times he became,
boastful, he considered him his son, and in time would
be the leader of the Archkingdom of Atlantis; Bercilak,
escaped the upheavals of 9600 BC, then what took place
was this: the human residue of Atlantis escaped to satellite
countries, the Isles of England, Crete, and inland:
Egypt and Troy; at this time, the Mound known as the Tor
had already existed for some thirty-thousand years,
next to Glastonbury, England, where King Arthur
would be buried (in time this would be his destiny).
The Agreement and the Ten-winged
Dark Seraph
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Agaliarept, was called back to Hell’s arena,
by the Ten-winged Creature, the Dark Seraph
of Doom, whom was superior in authority to Beelzebub;
Agaliarept was reluctant, and so he asked for a pact,
and it was granted; it was that his son be given life…
to the closing stages of living time—accordingly, he
would return to the Great Walls of Hell, without protest.
It was strife and sadness that overtook him. But sealed
in black blood, it was unforgiving should he break the bound.
(And so it was that he became a ghost and flesh, as one.)
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Hence, he would join in a long series of wars,
the Green Knight, as he would be know in due time—:
first he fought at Kish, for Gilgamesh; next,
for the city of Nineveh, in the Palace of Sennacherib;
at the great siege of Troy, for Paris, prudently;
with the Greeks, 400 BC, at Athens; and
under the banner of Rome, during the Republic,
even for Pompey, until he lost his way, and life; and
still the Inca Kings of Peru, prior to Atahualpa.
It was the fifth century AD although when his name
would precede him, as flesh and spirit, in the British Isles.
At this time, King Arthur and his renowned Knights
sparked an interest in his life, especially, Syr Gawayne;
like he, Arthur and Gawayne, were marvels in battle.
Interlude
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(Narrator)
Now my just reader, you must listen closely, and
I will tell it as it was told to me, and it is fixed truth,
linked to scrolls of a scribe and seer, long before Arthur,
for he saw it all in the dark magical waters in his den
(and then, it came to pass, unwritten until now).
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The Dialogues
The Great Hall of Camelot
The Dark Ages
(AD 400-800)
The Dialogue of Florencia and the Green Knight
1
Twilight-time in the Great Hall of the mediaeval castle; Men-at arms stand idly here and there…
one of them holds up a cup of wine, his name is Gawain, as if to give it to a young lovely lady, her name is Florencia. She is about to walk away, she senses something, a being besides Gawain….!
Gawain: “I beg you, take this wine, it is good. “
Florencia: “‘t is good for sleep, and I am not yet ready!”
Then a green mist starts to show, unwittingly the blade of Gawain slowly comes out of his sheath:
Florencia: “Pardon my unbelief, Great Knight of the Round Table, go pour me a fresh drink, my thirst is great, for England’s dust lingers in my throat….”
GK: “‘T is well. Wine’s a decent craze!” said a voice lingering within the mist.” …to your sweet face, dear lady, and your warm heart I will let Gawain live for to draw a sword, or to nearly do so, is to infer the fight has started, it was wise to have him flee, I would cast him, as the shout of my voice raised into groans.!
Florencia: “Ah, pardon me! Forgive me mighty sire! For are you the Green Knight, the one whom only the bravest have seen, the one and only Coeur de Lion?
GK: “I squander Knights breathe on one who insults me, I give you honesty, go braid your mouth, O slanderers lady!”
Florencia: “And this I swear by all my heart, Behold, a portion of me already belongs to you, long since upon my birth I have wanted the greatest of trees, not the twig! My birthday is today, I am nineteen, and it is not strange at all of me, once bereaved, for my father was the greatest of knights, and I cannot wed a lower…”
Green Knight (with a murmur): “You put it utterly to the point, my fair lady! You are an eagle, and I accept your apology. If that indeed is what it is.”
Florencia: “I sense your blood is as green as your mist my lord, I know none such of your kind—cold as a church-bells of iron in winter, and warm as a hearth’s fire, this is the first feast of winter-time, here at Camlet! My soul now breaths like flowers’ tryst…!”
GK: “A curse is to the one that harms you, be it me, or any soul or demon that would allure you!”
Florencia: “You are admirable, but tell me more, more about the lion and the fable behind you, the champion, has he not seen the wars, is there no peer, can I have consolation in his love, or must I fear. I hear I could never lose him on the battlefield, ere; would it be sire and wife, or husband and wife? I am but a young pine that stands too close to a grand parent tree…is this not ill for each? Have you a gentle heart?
GK: “And suppose I had…for I am filled sick of rootless wandering the world from age to age, I now look upon you. Be gone! Or if you stay, it maybe, that I take you in haste with burning hands, love is here, long waited, so be-gone or if you stay as long as the troubadour sings, when he stops you will be mine.”
(And it was that the king’s minstrels started to sing and play their instruments thereafter.)
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The Dialogue of Florencia and the Sir Gawain
2
The Great Hall of Camelot
Gawain Returns
Florencia moved by a grand-pillar of the Castle. Gawain, the Favorite Knight of legend and lore, approaches her, walks to her,
face to face, toe to toe, with her cup of wine,
she is the youth of spring flowers;
it is now the last of twilight.
The hue of the mist starts to engulf Florencia, her arms and around her breasts; she almost falls into a sleep, as if mixed in a bottle full of love potions….
Gawain (in a stupor :) “I sorrow for thy lady—such a hue on your face, I have slain others for beguiling blossoms of my heart…who it is in this room you fancy, who stops thy timid heart: forget the darkness that covers twilight, and the silence of our moment, I am your refuge in this peopled hall.
Florencia (in a toxic mood.): “She lives, yes for another man, like a horizon, ready to be gathered, ready to rise, and perhaps perish, but in peace.”
Gawain: “You will have your peace in tomb’s blackness, which gives peace-less-ness to such a foolish flame inside a young woman’s heart, I shall quench the fire, let me know who the mighty gem is, and your secret will remain with me, and I will bring him death.”
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The Dialogue of Florencia and Sir Gawain
3
The mist rips—a shape develops, slightly, Gawain,
Pulls his sword, Florencia holds her breath
As if to say, ‘What now?
The blade touches the shoulder of the Green Knight
Not quite fully visible yet, His sword
Disincarnates into
Fragments…
Florencia
Gawain: “For all kings have yearned for such a knight that we be spirit and flesh, and abilities hide in one’s own mist—subdue me if you can, host of constrain!”
GK: I have broken your strength, keep from my doom—lest your flesh vanish like fire quenched.”
(A long Silence.)
GK: “Come now Florencia, speedily, night falls over Camelot, like a black star. Thy price thou know’st lady, when the minstrel stops I shall go—speak now or speak nevermore of this. ‘Pain and love rules me of this moment—who dares to pay my price—not flesh, not any; yet if they could they would take my life,—but no knights or king can conquer it. Only you can subdue me, life is either an exploration or naught.”
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Florencia moves closer into the mist, as he now transforms into a clearer picture of who he is in the flesh. Gawain turns and disappears into the crowd, he realizes he cannot blow out the torch inside Florencia’s heart, and the Green Knight has acted within the code of the Knights, he cannot take death, he is bound to his fate, his lot in life, and there, he does not take advantage of his superiority, as he has allowed Gawain to stand firm with chivalry; but neither will he allow him or anyone to put his love for Florencia in jeopardy.
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Florencia notices many lords and knights now at the long tables, bright banners are brought up to the tables where the feast is to take place, the music continues to play, meat and vegetables, breads and plates are now put onto the table, soups are being carried out…
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GK: “In this mysterious light, that reflects throughout the hall, thou art so strangely beautiful, you consume me! Temptation transcends me, as if I am put into a new world. Do not be surprised—loveliness, forsake this world, and come into mine—deny, abjure this life; for we shall see disastrous days but perish I shall not, and therefore, you do not have to worry: I am the price, and be it what it may.”
Florencia: “All men of flesh are mad, alas! What road is left for a woman of flesh, a pearl today I may be, but when I am old, then what?”
GK: “We shall dim the winter lamp, when the time comes.”
Florencia: “How then shall I win thy kiss…?”
GK: “Thou soon shall see me fully in flesh, for you will see my age shall mock thy youth. Bring then your lips—like gems to mine.”
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Florencia: “Thou does amuse me, my lord!” then looking upon his countenance, her eyes continued to talk: “You are wiser than most men I have known…wiser than those who have questioned you I would guess, and you have cheated years for days. And you see my eyes gleam for thee, lit with the light of some mysterious love.”
GK: “For what the god’s desire, I have thrown away, until now. And the gods are but the power fools, who wish to be looked upon as gods. You will be my citadel, I will be your storm, and duty, love and reason will guide us.”
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The Green Knight Philosophizes
GK: “Perhaps the brave dead are braver than the brave living…for I have seen traitors spawn (what need be) for treasures, sacred or not, out of self-interest. I have fought and found the battles I fight for others are all in vain. In a moment’s time the music will stop, and you will touch my fleshly lips with your gems, burn for me in this last moment! I promise once in my arms, thou shall receive the joy of ten-thousand years, and all the love I have saved.”
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(The music stops. And in the Green Knight’s mind, he whispers ‘Betray me now, or go forward. Nay, I shall not try to win thee twice.’
Gawain is in the distance, by the tables of food, staring over at Florencia, he is unsure of her fate. He keeps touching his sword, as if he is trying to talk himself into something.)
Continuation of: The Epic in Poetic Form
Guinevere’s Arrival
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Yester eve had arrived, merriment was at hand,
Queen Guinevere showed her presence at the party
of King Arthur’s niece; there was a lovelier lady than she,
and she notice her, Florencia, and the uninvited
guest, the Green Knight was standing near a pillar,
now clear as day, they had kissed, it pleased the
Green Knight to become visible; ere, this lovely lady
walked slowly towards the doors, her hand in his.
The king looked at them both, she was of royalty,
and her ancestors were like King Arthur’s, Roman
decent. She was the daughter of Loth, the niece
of King Arthur.
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They walked, sensing the eyes of Gawain following
them: as well as Guinevere’s eyes, and the King’s;
Bishop Baldwin was present and fifty trumpets sounded,
and the king sat down at the head of the table,
and Gawain left, disappeared into the darkness.
It was the noblest of feasts—yet Florencia
would not turn back to join the Knights, and King, she
was centered on the Green Knight, followed him proudly
to the high arched doors of the castle.
(In the background there was much beer and large
amounts of food, but she would not eat, nor drink
with her kind, her stomach was in a romantic frenzy,
her skin like goose skin, her heart pumping wildly.)
Florencia’s Youth
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(Narrator :) Now of this feast I will say little to nothing more—for I am sure this is not to your liking, such details can be boring. But noise came, a voice,
then Florencia drew near to it, and she could hear his heart breathing,
she could actually hear it over the music, the drums and pipes
within the Great Hall. She could not leave him, in consequence
she allowed all to pass her (this youthful
beauty of nineteen).
All the garments of the Green Knight were Green, a fine robe of green,
that covered his shoulders; he, himself was finely trimmed,
handsome, and with thick locks of hair. His horse
was green, a stallion.
As many looked on towards these two figures, they knew
who this noble knight was, his reputation
preceded him. Gladness filled
the eyes of Florencia as
grief filled the king’s.
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Guinevere’s Monologue
Brave and bold he stood, the Green Knight, as young knights came to and fro, unsure of what to do, the Green Knight was completely visible in the flesh. All could see him escorting Florencia towards the doors. Sir Gawain moved slowly and Guinevere was most happy, said:
“The Green Knight is the finest soldier of us all, adored by many, throughout the ages, if indeed Florencia wishes to leave with him—unless there be some good reason: lords, ladies, and knights, do not interfere.”
And the soldiers let him pass without a movement; the king was not as happy, nor as courteous as Guinevere was, but did not contradict his wife.
So by the look of the king, and voice of the Queen, did all abide, and stood not in their way.
“Go your way in bliss, abode together and whatever life you find, may you enjoy it,” said Guinevere, and then sat down at the long table. But Gawain was not pleased.
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The Dialogues
Outside the Halls of Camelot
The Dialogue of Florencia, Gawain, and the Green Knight
4
The Sorrows
Gawain: “Thou shall come with me to the feast, for what remains of the night!”
(There is no music, and both the Green Knight and Florencia stand outside by the castle door now, and below them, the many steps, that lead into the front courtyard. Gawain has met them there.)
GK: “Trouble thee not thy heart Florencia! Come closer to me; cast thy arms around me, for I love thee.”
Gawain: “Surely you have said that to many—blind you are Florencia, sweet flow’rs of youth, do not give them to a ghost, he has sorcery to bind your heart!”
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(Then Gawain pulls out his sword and with a downward thrust, slices open the Green Knight like a watermelon, it is deep, the sword descends through him like butter, and through his back, and into the mid section of Florencia, and into her internal organs. She will bleed to death soon, and she knows it. The Ghost of the Green Knight seals his wound, within seconds, as if it were a scratch, and as fast as a whirlwind, he pulls his sword, towers over Gawain, and is ready to slice through him from head to toe, at which time, the dying Florencia speaks):
“And on your tongue rests revenge and death, my love, slay not Gawain, no, it is not for him to die, and for you to hate and horror be place in your heart, let me die in your arms at peace, and spare my once protector…”(and so it was!)
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The Grieving of Gawain
Gawain lifts his body up to a straight posture out of a fighting stance—the Green Knight now kneels beside his Florencia, taking a last and final kiss, then she falls backwards in death.
Gawain: “I have slain my king’s niece, and soon will cast myself against my own sword—for I have cheated her out of life, and the world of her beauty, I will stand soon before the sightless dead.”
(The Green Knight’s body was warm, and so still was hers, and as she lay into his arms, the mist around him opened up her pours, and it seeped into her…)
GK: “O fool thou have gained nothing from this, and from two kisses I have gained much. Thy sword shall not obtain thee peace by death. I shall return in a year, gather thy strength, for thou shall need it all! I will have a proposition for thee!”
(The Green knight Whispers: ‘No matter what, today has made beautiful my past, and I shall remember it until my last hour!’)
The Green Knight vanished among the great castle’s towers, while Gawain carries Florencia into the Great Hall of Camelot, and one can hear the echoes of a Great Knight’s moaning…!
▼
The Epic in Poetic Form
The Green Knight’s Dismay
The Moment of Death
Part one of two
A Pang of Horrors
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What can I tell you of the moment Florencia Died?
Perhaps this—, there was a pang of horrors for both
Gawain and the Green Knight…:
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Gawain at a second glance noticed the Green Knight’s
distorted features—he had seen such before, in the eyes
of men, men being squeezed to death by monster vipers,
and dragons: the Green Knight’s mouth gaped. His eyes
stared hideously inside of him, though he couldn’t see,
he had died of horror—at the thought his beloved Florencia,
would never breath or see light again…. Silence and solitude
lingered within.
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The moonlight’s gray dust, had covered Camelot, it halted,
froze; the door to the castle stood empty…
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The Green Knight felt numb, for his soul had froze—
hardened like a stone, yet it left a shadow of Florencia.
Gawain, oh yes, Gawain, shaken, not a sound broken
from his lips, nor fear. His forehead sweating, frowning!
Then came a frantic scream, without conscious thought,
whirling in his head, earth rushed up to him, black,
black oblivion surrounded him, then…
Part Two of Two
The Final Destroyer
284
The Green Knight’s eyes closed, trying to get oriented
(a sensation of returning consciousness) and a glimpse
at the moon. “Florencia,” he said, the sight of her laying
in his arms: frail, and departed, he drew her closer, “no, I
didn’t kill you,” he pointed at Gawain—with red eyes
of flames. “I would have lowered the morning sky for
you,” he murmured, and claimed, with a deep roar.
Inside his heart “Fire,” he moaned, “…is the final destroyer.”
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(He was really saying: ‘My heart is on fire, destroyed!”)
Rigor Mortis and the King’s Physician
Parts one and two
Rigor Mortis
294
Rigor Mortis was already setting in, whence he
put his hand over her left breast, and felt her heart
still pumping. Even her flesh was already cold; thus
her heart hammered steadily, (Gawain, was now
carrying her into the main hall of Camelot,
though she was dead). No blood was carried through
her veins, yet her heart beat: like the Green Knight’s,
a pulse of flesh and spirit—; the king whispered, with
cold sweat on his brow: “This is too monstrous to ignore.”
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The moon outside was covered with gray clouds,
only still stars to give light. Blood dripped on the
marble hard floors, of the hall (outside the owl
hooted,). Gawain slipped, dropped Florencia on
the floor, her body brittle, her heart like iron.
Perhaps she was close to immortality, or at
least, the nearest a human body could obtain.
Her soul had soared together with the Green Knight’s!
The King’s Physician
311
What now could be done? Silently the King’s
Physician stepped up to Florencia, told Gawain
to step away ((and the King gave the order)( for
he was deep in shame, and bewilderment)).
Thus, he pulled away from her fathomless eyes,
as the physician—without a word—sliced open
the chest of Florencia (smoothly) pulling out
her heart, the crimson jewel of Camelot.
The heart now swelled and split open in response,
yet it throbbed mightily, in the process.
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(And that was the last ever seen of Florencia,
her heart and the physician; but the Green Knight
would return in one year to put Gawain to a test….)
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Afterward or Introductory Poem
The Slaying in the Night
(Sir Gawain and the Green Knight)
The Green Knight came back from war
His armor low, his spoil high:
Trunks of silk and weeping wives,
Gold and wine and precious oils.
There was one that did not weep
But laughed in the Knight’s face,
And between the Lady and the Knight
He stood in a warrior’s stance.
Her Hair, a golden-yellow light
In which two knights sank;
Her frame was contoured just right,
At which all women dreamed.
Her lips were crimson red; her eyes
Likened to the sea, bluish-green
She wore a see-through gown,
One that all could dream…!
And at the feast and by her course
No man—save, Sir Gawain dared
And from the distance, men-in-arms
Stood their ground, and starred.
Florencia made a hard stand;
And all knew of her charms,
She held her knight, rigid tight,
The Green Knight in her loving arms.
Soon to counsel the bitter stood,
Florencia and knight to knight;
Who bade Florencia to follow him?
Gawain’s valor rang!
With long faced anger, Gawain stood,
Then with sword in hand he struck
(Face to face, in a warrior’s stance):
The Green Knight, through and through!
There was lost hope in this dismay,
With slash and steel and words,
For his sword, like lard melted through
And killed Florencia as well…
363
Note: here is the poetic version of the long version, which has 53-stanzas, and tells the story in full, of Florencia, Gawain, and the Green Knight’s romance, as told in “Sir Gawain, and the Ghost of the Green Knight.” This shorter poetic version called, “Conte de Green Knight” was written on the Platform, in Huancayo, Peru, 7-9-2007, No: 1901
