Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, AnonymousThen they showed him the shining scarlet shieldwith its pentangle painted in pure gold.He seized it by its strap and slung it round his neck;he looked well in what he wore, and was worthy of it.And why the pentangle was appropriate to that princeI intend to say, though it will stall our story.It is a symbol that Solomon once set in placeand is taken to this day as a token of fidelity,for the form of the figure is a five-pointed starand each line overlaps and links with the lastso is ever eternal, and when spoken of in Englandis known by the name of the endless knot.So it suits this soldier in his spotless armor,fully faithful in five ways five times over.For Gawain was as good as the purest gold—devoid of vices but virtuous, loyaland kind,so bore that badge on bothhis shawl and shield alike.A prince who talked the truth:known as the noblest knight.

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