THE SCENE: Sir Gawain may have been a greatly feared warrior, but when the beautiful Lady Bertilak sneaks into his room at night, he proves himself to be a naïf in matters of love.
THE TEXT: It was she, the lady, looking her loveliest, most quietly and craftily closing the door, nearing the bed. The knight felt nervous, lying back he assumed the shape of sleep as she stole towards him with silent steps, then clasped the curtain and crept inside, then sat down softly at the side of his bed. And awaited him wakening for a good long while. Gawain lay still, in his state of false sleep, turning over in his mind what this matter might mean, and where the lady’s unlikely visit might lead. Yet he said to himself, “Instead of this stealth I should openly ask what her actions imply.” So he stirred and stretched, turned on his side, lifted his eyelids and, looking alarmed, signed himself hurriedly with his hand, as if saving his life.
Her chin is pale, her cheeks are ruddy red with health; her smile is sweet, she speaks with lips that love to laugh: “Good morning, Sir Gawain,” said the graceful lady, “You sleep so soundly one might sidle in here. You’re tricked and you’re trapped! But let’s make a truce, or I’ll besiege you in your bed, and you’d better believe me.”
– Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, 14th Century AD
