Maybe a Green Knight (cont'd)

Maybe a Green Knight   (cont'd)

       by Dodgy the Kid

              wan tat aprile withe her showres soote

                        ta droghte ov mairse hoth perced tae ta roote

                        und berdes machen melodien al nichte lange

Everyone knew immediately who he was. Children! It was none other than The Green Knight, he of such fearsome repute and fame! He had not yet spoken a word but, oh, the terror of the ladies! Oh, the wonder and surprise of the band of a hundred men and their lord! And, Oh, the calm of The Green Knight as he strode about the hall before the laden tables, massive, observing each there with such a grand and pointed silence that even a regal clock above the tables stopped its ticking to hear what he might say. The figure paused of a sudden, deliberating, and then helped himself to a bun. The words that broke the silence now came from the king himself, as is only right and proper.

       "You of green and horrid hue," cried King Arthur, not rising from his seat of honor at the head of the table. "What is your purpose here? Why do you disturb this sacred feast at which are assembled so many of this land's greatest knights, skilled knights, I might add, who could prove of the gravest danger to you?"

       No answer came from The Green Knight. Not one word did he offer.

       "Speak! Or, if not, know the reason why!" The king ceased and waited. Not a sound from those leafy lips and that fearsome figure stalk still and arboresque beside his mount, with smiling countenance that breathed unconcern and high defiance.

       And then he spake, my little ones, and these were his very words! "King and fearless knights, ladies of peerless beauty and line, what I have to say is only this. Is there one among you brave enough and strong who will now, this very moment, step forward to receive my challenge?"

(to be continued)