here followeth the story of sir gawaine and of how he discovered such wonderful faithfulness unto king arthur, who was his lord, that i do not believe that the like of such faithfulness was ever seen before.

for indeed, though sir gawaine was at times very rough and harsh in his manner, and though he was always so plain-spoken that his words hid the gentle nature that lay within him, yet, under this pride of manner, was much courtesy; and at times he was so urbane of manner and so soft of speech that he was called by many the knight of the silver tongue.

so here ye shall read how his faithfulness unto king arthur brought him such high reward that almost anyone in all the world might envy him his great good fortune.