mauler's (non-verse) translation:
25
He dawdled there the whole day and dressed the next morning,
Called early for his arms, and all were brought.
First a crimson carpet was stretched over the floor,
And much was the gilt gear that gleamed thereupon.
The sturdy man stepped forward, and handled the steel,
Dressed as he was in a doublet of costly silk,
And a well made cape, clasped at the top,
That was trimmed within with splendid ermine.
Now they fitted the steel shoes upon the knight's feet,
And laced his legs in steel with lovely greaves,
And thereto attached polains, that were brilliantly polished,
Around his knees fastened with knots of gold;
Fine cuisses next, that cunningly enclosed
His thick muscular thighs with attached thongs;
And then an interlocking byrnie of bright steel rings
Enveloped the man and his beautiful clothes;
And there were well burnished bracers on both of his arms,
With good couteres and fine, and gloves of plate,
And all the goodly gear that should serve him,
That time;
With costly coat-armor
His gold spurs worn with pride
Girt with a trusty sword
And a silk sash around his waist
26
When he was clasped in his armor, his appearance was noble:
The last latch and looplet gleaming like gold.
So harnessed as he was he went to hear mass
Offered and celebrated at the high alter;
Then he came to the king and his court-fellows,
Took graciously his leave of the lords and ladies;
And they kissed him and sent him off, commending him to Christ.
By then Gringolet was groomed, and girt with a saddle
That gaily gleamed with much golden fringe
And everywhere newly embossed for that special occasion.
The bridle was wrapped around with bright golden binding;
The trappings of the breast and the fine skirts,
The crupper and the coverlet, matched the cantle:
All were adorned over red with rich gold studs,
That glittered and glinted like the gleam of the sun.
Now he hefted up his helm, and kissed it quickly;
It was securely fastened, and padded within,
It was high on his head, clasped behind,
With an fine cloth band over the face-plate,
Embroidered and studded with the best of gems
On a broad silken border, with birds around the edges,
Parrots and periwinkles depicted in sequence
Turtle-doves and true-loves intertwined as thickly
As if many seamstresses had sewn for seven winters
In town
The circlet was even more precious,
That encircled his head
Of picture-perfect diamonds
That were both bright and pure.
27
Then they brought him the shield of shining crimson
With a pentangle of pure gold painted on it.
He threads it onto his baldric, and throws it over his neck,
In a way that suited the knight extremely well.
And how the pentangle pertained to that noble prince,
I am intent to tell you, though delay me it may;
It is a sign that Solomon declared long ago
Would betoken troth, and therefore it does,
For it is a figure that has five points
And each line overlaps and links with another
And everywhere it is endless; and the English everywhere
Call it, I hear, the "Endless Knot."
Therefore it suits this knight and his shining arms,
For ever faithful in five ways, and five times each way,
Gawain was known for goodness, and like refined gold,
Was devoid of every vice, and with virtue inured
to the mote.
Therefore the pentangle new
He bore on his shield and coat,
As a man whose word was true,
And the gentlest knight in his speech.
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