[Turning her face to the window, the Stranger raises her hood for a few seconds. All crowd forward to gaze on her, then turn away, the men with suppressed horror and the women with ill-suppressed mirth. Exclamations rise from all sides: “Oh, what an unlovely lady!... By my soul, a loathly lady!”]

Sir Meliogrance.

[His voice quaking with fear.] Is there no way but this? Leaver would I shed the best blood of my body than ... than.... [Breaks off, stammering, not wishing to be rude.]

Arthur.

There is none other way!

Sir Bors.

I am hors de combat! Already is my troth plighted to ... to ... to several ladies!

Sir Bleoberis.

[Hastily.] And mine! To the same ladies!

The Other Knights.

Cowards! Cowards!

Sir Griflet.

[Runs forward and casts himself at Arthur’s feet.] Sir, I never yet applied me to be married, but an it please ye, I will win worship in this wise!

[All the Ladies murmur admiringly, “Gallant child!”]

Arthur.

Rise, Sir Griflet! This adventure is for your elders ... your betters could not be!... Sir Kay....

Sir Kay.

[Hurriedly.] This is matter for Sir Gawayne! [This is greeted with a slight general exclamation; the Knight continues.] For the slaying of a lady by misadventure and smiting off her head is he not sworn upon the Four Evangelists never to refuse courtesy to lady ne gentlewoman so long as he shall live?

[All the Knights heartily assent to this.]

Sir Gawayne.

Now by faith of my body....

All the Knights.

[Hurriedly.] Aye! Sir Gawayne is the fellow for this adventure!

Guinevere.

[Imploring, hands out to him.] Dear nephew ... for the love of the high order of knighthood, assent to this, I beseech ye!

Sir Gawayne.

[After a pause.] I assent me!

[A sigh of relief goes up from all sides.]

Arthur.

Truly, nephew, ye have a mighty heart! [He presents the Stranger to the Knight.] Take her, and God be your speed!

Guinevere.

[To the assembled people.] Avoid! Avoid! Together will they be more at their hearts’ ease! [All go. The Queen continues, addressing the Stranger.] Lady, we will make ready in the goodliest wise that may be devised for the betrothal feast! [She and the King also go.]

[Left together Gawayne and Déliverance gaze on one another, then, involuntarily, the young man turns away and covers his face with his hands. He then resumes his interrupted task of polishing his shield. The Lady goes to him with a brisker step than we have yet seen her employ, and touches him on the shoulder. With a start and an ejaculation he looks up at her hopefully.]

Sir Gawayne.

Gramercy! The face in the shield!... Ah! [He sighs heavily.] ’Twas but a trick of fantasy! Woven of moonlight and dawn! [He goes on polishing.]

Déliverance.

Pluck up heart. All may yet be well!

Sir Gawayne.

All is well, madam. [He rises.] An ye have no commands for me I will go make me ready in seemly sort for our betrothal!

Déliverance.

Rather abide, and suffer me to do thankings unto thee, for much have ye done for me! An ye wist how ye have holpen a dolorous lady!

Sir Gawayne.

I but stand upon my knighthood, madam! [He is about to go, when there enters, confronting him, a young and gallant Knight, in full armour. Gawayne stops short, staring at him.] Now, by my head ... the face I saw in my shield! [He passes a hand over his puzzled brow.] Of whence be ye, and how called?

The Knight [Déliveré].

I am extract of noble blood. I am hight Déliveré! I am brother to this lady!

Sir Gawayne.

Brother to...! [He looks from one to the other, incredulous.]

Déliveré.

[Corroborating his own assertion.] To Déliverance La Belle Pilgrim!

Sir Gawayne.

Now by my head you speak a great wonder!

Déliveré.

By the crafts of sorcery I was turned into the outrageous giant, keeping the evil customs whereby Arthur and his Court were put in jeopard! My sister alone knew the true answer to my rede, but none could learn it or ever a worshipful knight should promise to take and wed her unto his wife! In this ye stand a proved knight of matchless chivalry! But an ye would save yourself unshamed from this marriage, come and joust with me!

Sir Gawayne.

[With a cry of joy.] Now Heaven be praised, right glad and blithe am I, for liefer an hundred times would I die with fighting worship than live with wedded woe! Come, Sir Knight, to the assay, and spare me not, for I warn thee I will not spare thee! Come and prove who will be first to say Ho! [Déliverance, who has hobbled back to the hearth, cowers in her chair, moaning. “Now am I the wofullest lady of the world!”] Now wherefore this dolorous moaning?

Déliverance.

I require thee, good knight, as thou art a gentleman, not to gainsay your avows to me!

Sir Gawayne.

[Pauses irresolute.] Now was ever knight in such plight, between fire and water as it might be!

Déliveré.

Coward! Coward!

Sir Gawayne.

[Starting to go to him.] Now by the faith of my body never will I yield me nor say the loth word!

Déliverance.

Traitor! Traitor!

Sir Gawayne.

[Stopping short.] Now by the Four Evangelists.... [He takes a sudden decision, and goes toward his bride.] Lady, love is free in himself, and never will be bound, but I shall be your servant and knight in right and wrong, and I shall never fail you to do as much as a knight may do, and I promise you faithfully that I shall be all the days of my life your knight!

Déliveré.

Coward!

Sir Gawayne.

Not so, Sir Déliveré, for, God wot, I have chosen the more perilous part!

Déliverance.

Now this gladdeth well my heart, for so have ye delivered me from the bondage of enchantment! Look, Sir Knight! Behold the visage of your bride! [Standing erect, and throwing back her hood she discloses the countenance of a young woman of great beauty.]

Sir Gawayne.

[With a cry of great joy.] Lady! The damosel I saw in my shield ... all passing young and peerless fair!... Sir Knights and Ladies! [He goes toward the banqueting-hall, calling:] Come, and witness a great marvel! [All come in, in great excitement, and from the other direction come the King and Queen, with their attendants, bringing a rich robe and sparkling jewels for the bride. Excitedly Sir Gawayne invites their attention to Déliverance.] Behold my bride ... the damosel I saw anon, all passing young and peerless fair! [But, even as he had turned from her, Déliverance drew her hood over her head, wrapped her mantle, huddling, about her bent shoulders, and relapsed into the form of an aged crone. All look amazed.]

Sir Kay.

[Takes her by the arm and turns her toward the light, then bursts into great laughter.] By my head, he’s clean out of his wits!... Passing fair? The loathly lady! [All echo this, and troop off, mocking Sir Gawayne.]

Guinevere.

[Who with the King remains.] The unlovely lady, the loathly lady passing fair? Poor, poor gentleman! He is under the spell of a dolorous enchantment!

Arthur.

Pray Heaven he may never get well of it!

Sir Gawayne.

[Sternly, to his bride.] What means this: now young and fair, now old and wizened? This is no stability!

Déliverance.

Alas, dear love! The spell is still on me, whereby I may be young and fair to you alone, and old and bent in company; or young and fair in company, and old and bent to you alone! It is for you to choose!

Sir Gawayne.

Oh, what a burden is thrust upon me! Alone with you to enjoy your delectable beauty, and in company to endure the tauntings and mockage of men ... or in company to have the envy of all for my lovely bride, and alone with you to discover a loathly crone of an hundred years of age! [He groans, throwing himself into a chair and covering his face.]

Déliveré.

[Sharply.] Choose ye now, or look well to yourself!

Sir Gawayne.

Leave that, Sir Déliveré!... [He goes to Déliverance.] I give it to thee, for my wedding-gift, the thing that all women do most desire ... your own will in this affair, to do as you may list!

Déliverance.

[Casting aside her mantle and throwing up her arms with a great cry of joy.] Oh, laudings and praisings to Heaven, for now is my cup of happiness brim-filled and running over!... Sir Gawayne, ye have passed the third and last test of chivalry, and so have delivered me forever from the crafts of sorcery!

Sir Gawayne.

[Overjoyed, almost in a whisper.] What! Is it true? Ye are all fair for all times, in company and for me alone?

Déliveré.

It is true! She is a full fair maid, good and gentle, and right well taught, so may each love other entirely!

[Arthur and Guinevere, who were standing at a distance, have joined the group, attracted by Déliverance’s cry, and now offer their felicitations. Guinevere kisses the bride, and places a jewel in her lovely hair and a chain about her fair neck.]

Arthur.

[To the two Servants, who stand at the entrance to the banqueting-hall.] Let blow! Let blow! [At a bugle blast from these All enter hurriedly. The King addresses them.] Now is greater worship than ever before won to our goodly fellowship, sithence our dear nephew Sir Gawayne hath passed the third and final test of chivalry!

[All exclaim rejoicing.]

Sir Kay.

But ... where is the loathly lady?

All.

Aye, where is the unlovely lady ... the loathly lady?

Arthur.

Yon stands she, freed forever from the evil spell of sorcery! And by the faith of my body I do think she is the fairest lady of the world but if it were Queen Guinevere!