Sir Gawain and the Green Knight

From AudioFile<br/><br/>J.R.R. Tolkien's translation of the fourteenth-century anonymous narrative poem effectively preserves the alliterative verse of the original. That alone makes it a great resource for students, teachers and general listeners enjoying this classic. Sir Gawain is a young knight who must prove his valor, piety and courtesy when confronted with a succession of temptations. Terry Jones performs the text well, conveying but not overemphasizing the musical quality of the verse. Tape 2 concludes with the added bonus (not mentioned on the package) of Tolkien's background essay and introduction to the work. G.H. © AudioFile 2001, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine<br/><br/>Product Description<br/><br/>SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT, PEARL, and SIR ORFEO are masterpieces of a remote and exotic age--the age of chivalry and wizards, knights and holy quests. Yet it is only in the unique artistry and imagination of J.R.R. Tolken that the language, romance, and power of these great stories comes to life for modern readers, in this masterful and compelling new translation.<br/><br/>From the Inside Flap<br/><br/>SIR GAWAIN AND THE GREEN KNIGHT, PEARL, and SIR ORFEO are masterpieces of a remote and exotic age--the age of chivalry and wizards, knights and holy quests. Yet it is only in the unique artistry and imagination of J.R.R. Tolken that the language, romance, and power of these great stories comes to life for modern readers, in this masterful and compelling new translation.<br/><br/>Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.<br/><br/>When the siege and the assault had ceased at Troy,<br/><br/>and the fortress fell in flame to firebrands and ashes,<br/><br/>the traitor who the contrivance of treason there fashioned<br/><br/>was tried for his treachery, the most true upon earth—<br/><br/>it was Æneas the noble and his renowned kindred<br/><br/>who then laid under them lands, and lords became<br/><br/>of well-nigh all the wealth in the Western Isles.<br/><br/>When royal Romulus to Rome his road had taken,<br/><br/>in great pomp and pride he peopled it first,<br/><br/>and named it with his own name that yet now it bears;<br/><br/>Tirius went to Tuscany and towns founded,<br/><br/>Langaberde in Lombardy uplifted halls,<br/><br/>and far over the French flood Felix Brutus<br/><br/>on many a broad bank and brae Britain established<br/><br/>full fair,<br/><br/>where strange things, strife and sadness,<br/><br/>at whiles in the land did fare,<br/><br/>and each other grief and gladness<br/><br/>oft fast have followed there.<br/><br/>2<br/><br/>And when fair Britain was founded by this famous lord,<br/><br/>bold men were bred there who in battle rejoiced,<br/><br/>and many a time that betid they troubles aroused.<br/><br/>In this domain more marvels have by men been seen<br/><br/>than in any other that I know of since that olden time;<br/><br/>but of all that here abode in Britain as kings<br/><br/>ever was Arthur most honoured, as I have heard men tell.<br/><br/>Wherefore a marvel among men I mean to recall,<br/><br/>a sight strange to see some men have held it,<br/><br/>one of the wildest adventures of the wonders of Arthur.<br/><br/>If you will listen to this lay but a little while now,<br/><br/>I will tell it at once as in town I have heard<br/><br/>it told,<br/><br/>as it is fixed and fettered<br/><br/>in story brave and bold,<br/><br/>thus linked and truly lettered,<br/><br/>as was loved in this land of old.<br/><br/>3<br/><br/>This king lay at Camelot at Christmas-tide<br/><br/>with many a lovely lord, lieges most noble,<br/><br/>indeed of the Table Round all those tried brethren,<br/><br/>amid merriment unmatched and mirth without care.<br/><br/>There tourneyed many a time the trusty knights,<br/><br/>and jousted full joyously these gentle lords;<br/><br/>then to the court they came at carols to play.<br/><br/>For there the feast was unfailing full fifteen days,<br/><br/>with all meats and all mirth that men could devise,<br/><br/>such gladness and gaiety as was glorious to hear,<br/><br/>din of voices by day, and dancing by night;<br/><br/>all happiness at the highest in halls and in bowers<br/><br/>had the lords and the ladies, such as they loved most dearly.<br/><br/>With all the bliss of this world they abode together,<br/><br/>the knights most renowned after the name of Christ,<br/><br/>and the ladies most lovely that ever life enjoyed,<br/><br/>and he, king