The Defense of Gawain (Fragment 1)

He brushed his wavy hair from his pale face
Just like his horse was shaking off the flies
While following behind. Their limping pace

Was slow, although the city rang with cries
Surprised from friends who thought that he was dead--
But still his head slumped down, and still his eyes

And clammy cheeks were flushed with streaking red,
Though they were running, dashing to his side.
And then his young brother, half-laughing, said,

"Oh god, I thought--you know we thought you died?
That awful task--you left, you rode away--
And then did not come back. Oh, how I cried!

I thought you died. On last year's new-year's day
A year since you had left, they all agreed
You must have failed your quest, but I said nay--

I knew my brother Gawain would succeed
Although it seemed to all impossible.
But you did not come back, and I concede

I thought you died." And then his voice sunk low
From where it had been shouting in delight,
And then he said: "But brother, may I know--

Your hair is snarled, unkempt--your eyes are bright
As if with tears; Your horse seems wounded too.
Your awful task--was it so hard a fight

That still some evil lingers over you?
And now I make it worse! I cannot know
The torments of the hells you have walked through

But surely I have sense 'nough to forgo
This questioning. Brother, please answer me!
Each second of your silence is a blow

Against my heart, which only wants to see
The brother that I love alive and well."
And all the crowd was waiting quietly

To hear Gawain's reply, to hear him tell
Of his heroic deeds, for he of old
Would often sing of them. But his head fell

And he drew his limbs closer, as if cold
Was creeping up along his silver mail,
And murmured that his story he would hold

Until the King himself asked for the tale.