Now there in the Spanish country he thought him the king to greet,

His kinsman and cousin Kailet, and he followed with footsteps fleet

To Toledo, but thence had he ridden unto deeds of knighthood fair,

Where many a spear should be splintered, and men thought not their shields to spare.

Then he thought him to make him ready (so the venture doth tell I ween)5

With many a blazoned spear-shaft, and many a sendal green;

For each spear it bare a pennon, with the anchor in ermine white,

And well was it wrought, the symbol, and costly in all men’s sight.

And long and broad were the pennons, and e’en to the hand hung low

When men on the spear-blade bound them, a span-breadth the point below.10

And a hundred spears were ready for that true and gallant knight,

And his cousin’s folk they bare them, and with him went forth to fight;

And honour and loyal service they showed him as fit and fair,

Nor I think had their lord been wrathful that his kinsman their love should share.

I know not how long he sought him, till shelter at length he found15

In the Waleis land: ‘fore Kanvoleis were pitched on the open ground

Many tents so fair and knightly; (I speak not from fancy light

But sooth are the words I tell ye if the tale ye would hear aright)

Then he bade his folk to halt there, and he sent on before his face

The chief of his squires, and he bade him to seek them a resting-place.20

He would fain do his master’s bidding, and swift to the town he sped,

And many a pack-horse laden his comrades behind him led.

And never a house he saw there but its roof was a shield I trow,

And the walls were hung and circled with spears in a goodly row,

For the queen of the Waleis country had ordered at Kanvoleis25

That a Tourney fair be holden, and they ordered it in such wise

That a coward had little liked it—for whoever would seek such strife

At his will doth it chance but seldom! She was maiden, not yet a wife,

And herself and two lands she offered to him who the prize should hold;

And many to earth had fallen in whose ear had this tale been told,30

And he who such fall must suffer he held that his chance was o’er.

And many a dauntless hero showed knighthood those walls before,

And many a horse rushed onward as the knight spurred to onslaught fierce,

And the sword-blades rang clear on each other, and spears did the shield rims pierce.

A bridge from the plain was builded that crossed o’er the river’s flow,35

And ’twas closed by a tower-portal; nor the squire at his task was slow,

But he opened the gates, unwearied, when one would an entrance win.

And above it there stood the palace, and the queen sat the hall within,

And she gazed from the high hall window with many a maiden fair,

And they looked on the squires beneath them to see what had brought them there.40

’Twixt themselves had they taken counsel, and a tent did they rear on high

For the winning of love ungranted a king wrought it in days gone by,

(’Twas in service of Queen Belakané). The squires laboured with might and main

Till the burden of thirty pack-steeds they raised on the grassy plain,

A pavilion rich to look on, and the meadow it was so wide45

That the silken ropes that held it might stretch forth on either side.

And Gamuret, their master, ate without in the open air—

And then for his courtly entrance with skill would the knight prepare,

Nor longer might be delaying—His squires take the spears straightway,

And they bind them fast together, and five in each band they lay,50

And the sixth in their hand they carry, with its pennon and anchor white;

So proudly into the city came riding this gallant knight.

Then the queen she heard the tidings that a noble guest was come

From a far-off land and distant, and in sooth was he known to none.

‘And courteous his folk in bearing; both heathen and French I trow,55

And Angevin, some among them if their speech I aright may know;

And their courage is high, and their raiment both rich and well shaped shall be.

But now was I with his people, and they seem me from falsehood free,

And they say, ‘Who hath lust for riches, if he to our lord shall seek

He will free him from fear of scarceness!’ The while I with them did speak,60

I asked them to tell of their master, and they thought not to hide the thing,

But spake of a true heart freely, ‘Of Zassamank is he king.’

’Twas a page who brought the tidings—‘Ah me! that pavilion fair!

Wouldst thou pledge thy crown and thy kingdom not half of its cost were there!’

‘Thou needst not to praise so highly, my mouth ne’er shall say thee nay,65

A rich man shall be its owner, no lack doth he know alway.’

And in this wise she spake, the lady, the fair and gracious queen,

‘Why cometh he not to the castle? For fain I his face had seen.’

This she bade her page to ask him—Then the hero was fain to make

Brave entry into the city, and the sleepers must needs awake.70

Many shields he saw fair shining—The blast of the trumpets clear

Rang loud and long before him, and two drummers ye needs must hear

As they tossed and smote their tambours, and the walls echoed back the sound,

With the notes of the flutes ’twas mingled as the train through the city wound,

’Twas a march that they played so gaily—Nor forget we how he must ride75

Their master and lord, he followed with the fiddlers his rein beside.

Then he threw his leg o’er his charger, that hero so bold and fair,

And boots did he wear of leather, or else had his limbs been bare.

And his mouth it was e’en as a ruby, and red, as a fire doth burn,

And full, not too thin; fair his body wherever the eye might turn;80

And fair was his hair and curling, and wherever one saw the skin

I ween ’twas as costly cover as ever a head might win.

And of samite green was his mantle, and the sable shone dark thereon

Tho’ white was his vest, and the gazers they came in a goodly throng.

And many must ask the question, ‘Who was he, the beardless knight85

Who rode with such pomp of riches?’ Then the tale it was spread aright,

For they spake it as truth who knew it—So they drew to the bridge anear

The folk of the town, and his people; and so bright was the radiance clear

That shone from the queen that it thrilled him thro’ his strong limbs, that goodly knight,

And he braced himself as a falcon that plumeth its wings for flight,90

And the lodging he deemed it goodly; so thought he that hero wise;

And his hostess with joy beheld him, the lady of fair Waleis!

Then the king of Spain he heard it, how there stood on the open plain

The tent that at Rassalig’s bidding Gamuret as his prize did gain

At Patelamunt, and the tidings a knight to his lord would bring—95

Then he sped as a deer, joy’s vassal I ween was the gallant king!

And thus spake the knight, ‘Thy kinsman, and the son of thine aunt I saw,

And with pomp and in state as aforetime, so to-day doth he hither draw;

There are floating a hundred pennons full fair by his knightly shield,

And around his high pavilion they stand on the grassy field,100

And green as the grass the pennons, and the hero bold doth bear

Three anchors of snow-white ermine on every sendal fair.’

‘Hath he come here arrayed for battle? Ah! then shall men see straightway

How he spurreth him swift to the onslaught, how he striveth in knightly fray!

Long time hath the proud King Hardeiss his anger against me shown,105

Here in joust shall Gamuret fell him, and good fortune shall be mine own!’

Then straightway he sent a message to Gaschier, the Norman knight,

Where he lay with many a vassal; and Killirjacac the fair and bright,

For here had they come at his bidding—The twain at King Kailet’s side

Towards the fair pavilion with a goodly following hied.110

And Zassamank’s king was joyful, for he held them dear at heart:

And the time over-long had seemed them since they must from each other part,

This they spake of a true heart truly—And the king he was fain to know

What knights should be here for the Tourney, who valour and skill should show.

Then spake unto him his kinsmen, ‘From distant lands they came,115

The knights whom love’s power hath brought here, many heroes of dauntless fame.’

‘Here Uther Pendragon fighteth, and with him his Breton host;

One grief as a thorn doth vex him, his wife hath the hero lost,

The queen who was Arthur’s mother; a clerk who all magic knew

With him hath she fled, and Arthur doth after the twain pursue;120

’Tis now the third year since he lost them, his son alike and wife—

And here is his daughter’s husband, a hero well skilled in strife,

King Lot is his name, of Norway—swift seeketh he knighthood’s prize,

But slow are his feet to falsehood, the knight so bold and wise.

And here is his young son Gawain; as yet he too weak shall be125

For any deed of knighthood—but now was the boy with me,

And he spake, were he not too feeble a spear-shaft as yet to break

He were fain to do deeds of knighthood, in the Tourney his part would take!

His lust for strife waketh early! Here Patrigalt’s king hath brought

Of spears a goodly forest; yet their valour shall be as naught130

When weighed against the gallant doings of the men of Portugal,

Yea, bold we in truth may call them, and shields do they pierce right well.

And here are the men of Provence, with many a blazoned shield;

And here the Waleis, to their onslaught the foemen perforce must yield,

And they ride at their will thro’ the combat, for men of the land are they.135

Many fight here for love’s rewarding whose title I may not say,

But all whom I here have named thee now lie, and the truth I tell,

At great cost here within the city, for so the queen deemed it well.’

‘And without on the plain they hold them who deem their prize lightly won,

Proud Arragon’s haughty monarch, and the brave king of Askalon.140

Eidegast, he is there from Logrois, and the King Brandelidelein

(The monarch is he of Punturtois), there too is bold L?helein.

And Morhold is there of Ireland, many pledges that knight hath ta’en;

And many a haughty German doth camp on that battle plain.

To this country the Duke of Brabant hath come thro’ the King Hardeiss;145

The king of Gascony gave him his sister the fair Aleiss,

(Yet his service ere that won payment) wrath against me those princes drew:

Now I trust thee to think of our kinship—For love’s sake do me service true!’

Quoth the king of Zassamank, ‘Cousin, no thanks would I have from thee

Whate’er I may do for thine honour, my will e’en as thine shall be.150

Doth thine ostrich yet stand un-nested? Thou shalt carry its serpent’s head

‘Gainst thy foeman’s demi-gryphon, my anchor shall swift be sped,

And find in his onslaught landing; himself shall a haven seek

Behind his steed on the gravel! If our wrath we be fain to wreak,

And ride one against the other, I fell him, or he felleth me—155

On my knightly faith as a kinsman this word do I swear to thee!’

Then Kailet he sought his lodging, and his heart it was gay and light.

Then arose on the plain a war-cry, ‘fore the face of two gallant knights,

They were Schyolarz of Poitou, and Gurnemanz of Graharz,

On the plain did they meet together; ere the eventide might pass160

The knights in their troops they rode forth, here by six and there by three,

And they did gallant deeds of knighthood—nor otherwise might it be.

And now it was fully noontide, and the knight in his tent abode;

Then the king of Zassamank heard this, that o’er all the field they rode,

‘O’er the length and the breadth they gallop, and in knightly order fight.’165

And thither he rode, the hero, with many a banner bright;

But he rode not in search of conflict, at his leisure he thought to see

What was done by one side and the other of fair deeds of chivalry.

On the plain did they spread his carpet, where the knights in strife would close,

And the shriek of the wounded horses o’er all the tumult rose.170

The squires stood round in a circle mid the clash of the ringing steel,

And the heroes for fair fame battled, and the swords sang for woe or weal.

There was sound as of splintered spear-shafts, but none need to question, Where?

And his walls were of meeting foemen, by knightly hands builded fair.

And so near was I ween the jousting that the maids from the hall above175

Might look on the toil of the heroes—But sorrow the queen did move

Since the king of Zassamank did naught, nor mingled him in the fight,

And she quoth, ‘Ah! why came he hither? I had deemed him a gallant knight!’

(Now the King of France, whose fair wife brought Gamuret sorrow sore

When he fought for her sake, lay lifeless, and the queen sought the wide world o’er180

To know if from heathen countries he had come to his land again.

’Twas love’s power to the search that drove her, for love did her heart constrain.)

And many brave deeds were done there of many a poor man bold,

Who yet for the highest strove not, which the queen for their prize had told,

Herself and her two fair kingdoms,—they thought not such prize to gain,185

But they battled for other booty, tho’ their hearts were for payment fain.

Now clad was Gamuret’s body in the harness whereby his wife

Might bring to her mind forgiveness, and the ending of bitter strife.

The Scotch King Friedebrand sent it, as a gift, to repay the woe

That with conflict he heaped upon her, nor shall earth of its fellow know.190

Then he looked well upon the diamond—’twas a helmet, thereon they bound

An anchor, and jewels so precious were within its setting found;

Nor small were the stones, but costly, and the weight it was none too light

Of that helmet, and yet he bare it, and decked was the guest for fight

And what was his shield’s adorning? of gold of Araby fair,195

And the boss it was rich and costly, and heavy the weight he bare.

And the red gold shone so brightly that mirrored the face therein,

And an anchor beneath of sable—I were fain to myself to win

That wherewith the knight was girded, full many a mark its worth.

And wide was the coat emblazoned, and it reached e’en unto the earth,200

And I ween that few in battle such raiment shall think to wear.

And if I have skill to praise it, or its value aright declare,

It shone e’en as when there burneth thro’ the night-time a living flame,

And never a tint was faded, and its shimmer as lightning came,

A feeble eye had feared it! And with gold was it all inwrought,205

That in Kaukasus’ distant mountains from out of the rock was brought

By gryphon claws, for they guarded, and shall guard it unto this day.

And from Araby came the people who stole it by craft away,—

Elsewhere shall be none so precious,—and they bare it to Araby

Where they weave Achmardi and Pfellel, and no vesture like that shall be!210

His shield, round his neck he hung it—There stood a charger proud,

Well-nigh to the hoof was it armed—and the squires cried the war-cry loud,

And he sprang on his steed as he found it; and many a spear of might

Did he break with strong hand in the Tourney, and where men did the closest fight

There he brake a way thro’ the mêlée, and came forth on the further side,215

And ever behind the Ostrich the Anchor did close abide.

Gamuret smote from off his charger Poytewin of Prienlaskors

And many another hero, their pledge must they yield perforce.

But what knight bare the cross he rejoiced him in the hero’s valiant deeds,

And much did he win by his valour, since he gave him the captured steeds.220

Now four banners, with self-same bearing, were led ‘gainst that gallant knight,

(And bold riders they rode beneath them, and their lord was a man of might,)

And on each was the tail of a gryphon; and that hinder part I trow

Was e’en as a hailstorm smiting, so rode they in goodly row.

And Gascony’s king before them the fore part of that gryphon bare225

On his shield; he was skilled in battle, and his body was armed full fair

As women alone might arm him; and he rode forth his knights before

Where he saw on a helm the Ostrich, but the Anchor towards him bore,

And he thrust him from off his charger, the brave king of Zassamank,

And made of him there his captive. Here close thronged the knightly ranks,230

And the furrows were trodden level, and their locks must the sword-blade know,

And many a wood was wasted, and many a knight laid low—

And they who thus fell, ’twas told me, they turned their chargers round

And hied to the back of the Tourney, where none but the cowards were found.

And so near was I ween the combat that the women might see aright235

Who there won the prize of valour; Rivalein that love-lorn knight

With his spear hewed afresh a token, of Loheneis was he king,

And the crash of the splintered spear-shaft did aye with his onslaught ring.

Of a knight did Morhold rob them, for he drew him from off his steed

And lifted him up before him (unseemly methinks such deed)240

And Killirjacac they called him,—and ere this King Lac had ta’en

Such payment from him as in falling a knight from the earth may gain—

So his deeds had been fair and knightly; then this valiant man he thought

He would take him with never a sword-thrust, and the knight in his arms he caught.

Then the hand of the valiant Kailet it smote from the saddle-bow245

The Duke of Brabant, Prince Lambekein, and the hero was laid alow.

And what think ye they did, his soldiers? Their swords into shields they turned,

And with them did they guard their monarch—And ever for strife they yearned.

Then the King of Arragon smote him Uther Pendragon old,

From his charger adown on the meadow fell the king of the Bretons bold,250

And the flowers stood fair around him—Ah! I courteous am I, I trow,

Since the Breton before Kanvoleis I lay on such couch alow,

Where never the foot of a peasant hath trodden unto this day,

Nay, perchance they may never tread there—’tis the truth and no lie I say—

No more might he keep his saddle as he sat on his steed of yore,255

But his peril his friends forgat not, they fought fiercely the hero o’er.

And many a course was ridden; and the king of Punturtois

Fell prone in his horse’s hoof-tracks on the field before Kanvoleis,

And low did he lie behind it—’Twas Gamuret dealt the blow—

‘Ride on, on thy course, thou hero, and tread thy foemen low!’260

Strife giveth whereon to trample! Then Kailet, his kinsman true,

Made the Punturtois his captive, tho’ he scarce pierced the mêlée thro’.

Brandelidelein was prisoner, and his folk they had lost their king,

In his stead another monarch to their host did they captive bring.

And hither and thither sped they, the heroes, in armour good,265

And by blows and by trampling kneaded, of alum I ween their food;

And dark on their skin the swellings, and many a gallant knight

Might speak, as he knew, of bruises he had won him in hard-fought fight.

Now as simple truth I say it, little rest was their portion here,

By love were they forced to conflict, many shields with their blazon clear,270

And many a goodly helmet whose covering the dust should be.

And the meadow with flowers was sprinkled, and green turf ye there might see,

And there fell on it many a hero, who of honour had won such meed—

More modest were my desiring! ’Twould content me to sit my steed.

Then the king of Zassamank rode forth a space from the knightly fray275

Where a rested steed did wait him, and the diamond he loosed alway,

With no thought of pride in the doing, but the breezes blew fresh and cool,

And the squires unbound his vizor, and his lips shone so red and full.

I have named unto ye a lady—Her chaplain did hither ride,

And with him three noble pages, and strong squires were there beside;280

And pack-horses twain they led there, and the will of their queen they’ld do,

She was Lady of France, Anflisé—Her chaplain was wise and true,

And straightway he knew the hero, and in French should his greeting be,

‘Soit le bien venu, mon beau sire’ to my lady as e’en to me,

As queen of France she reigneth whom the lance of thy love doth smite,285

And he gave to his hand a letter, and therein read the gallant knight

A greeting fair, and a token it held of a finger-ring—

As pledge of the truth of his mission the chaplain the same must bring

His lady of old received it from the hand of the Angevin—

Then he bowed as he saw the letter. Would ye hear what was writ therein?290

‘Here biddeth thee love and greeting a heart that hath ne’er been free

From grief since it knew thy service—Thy love is both lock and key

To my heart, and my heart’s rejoicing! For thy love am I like to die,

If thy love afar abideth, then all love from my heart shall fly.

Come thou, and take from my true hand crown, sceptre, and kingdom fair,295

It falleth to me as heirdom, and thy love well may claim a share.

As payment for this thy service rich presents I send to thee,

Four pack-horses’ chests well laden—I would thou my knight shouldst be

In this the land of the Waleis, ‘fore the city of Kanvoleis.

I care not if the queen shall see it, small harm may therefrom arise,300

For fairer am I, and richer, and I think me shall better know

To take the love that is proffered, and love in return bestow.

Wilt thou live in true love as shall ‘seem thee? Then here do I bid thee take

My crown as thy love’s rewarding—This I pray for my true love’s sake.’

And no more did he find in the letter—Then his squires once more they drew305

O’er his head the under-helmet; from Gamuret sorrow flew,

And he bound on the helm of diamond, ’twas harder than blade might pierce,

For he thought again to prove him, and ride forth to conflict fierce.

And the messengers did he bid them to lead to the tent for rest:

And he cleared a space around him wherever the conflict pressed.310

This was vanquished, and that one victor—Did a knight o’er-long delay

To win to him fame in battle, his chance might he find to-day.

Here twain would joust together; in troops would these others ride;

And the customs of friendly combat for a space did they lay aside,

And sworn brotherhood nothing counted ‘fore the strength of fierce anger’s might,315

And the crooked was seldom straightened; nor spake they of knightly right,

What they captured they kept, uncaring if another’s hate they won,

And from many lands had they ridden who with brave hands brave deeds had done,

And their hurts but little grieved them. Here Gamuret heard her prayer,

And e’en as Anflisé bade him, as her knight to the field would fare;320

’Twas a letter had brought the tidings—Ah! he giveth his courage rein,

Is it love or the lust of battle that driveth him on amain?

Great love and strong faith they quicken his strength into life anew.

Now see where his shield he beareth, King Lot, that hero true,

His foemen to flight had forced him save for Gamuret’s strong right hand,325

His charger in gallant onslaught brake its way thro’ the threatening band,

And Arragon’s king was smitten from his horse with a spear of reed,

‘Schaffilor was his name, and the spear-point which thrust him from off his steed

Bare never a waving pennon, from paynim lands ’twas brought,’

And the knight made the king his captive, tho’ his folk they had bravely fought.330

And the inner force drave the outer far back on the grassy plain.

’Twas a good vesper-play, yea, a Tourney; many spears did they smite in twain—

Then L?helein ‘gain wax wrathful, ‘Shall our honour be reft away?

’Tis the fault of him of the Anchor! Now one of us twain to-day

Shall lay in short space the other on a couch that he liketh ill,335

For here are they well-nigh victors!’ Then they cleared them a space at will,

And no child’s play it was that combat—In such wise with their hands they wrought

That a woodland was well-nigh wasted; and alike from their squires they sought

‘New spears! New spears! Bring them hither!’ Yet L?helein he must know

Sorrow and shame, for his foeman thrust him down from his horse alow,340

And he smote him the length of the spear-iron in a shaft of reed made fast,

And one read of itself his surety, for the knight to the earth was cast.

(Yet better I like to read them, sweet pears on the ground that lie

As thick as the knights lay round him! for his was the victory!)

And the cry arose from many who had fallen in joust before,345

‘Fly! Fly! For the Anchor cometh!’ Then a knight towards him bore,

(A prince of the Angevin country) and grief was his comrade true,

For he bare a shield inverted, and sorrow it taught anew

To the King, for the badge he knew it—Ah! why did he turn aside?

If ye will, I the truth will tell ye, ’twas given in royal pride350

By Galoes the son of Gandein, Gamuret’s brother true,

Ere Love this guerdon gave him that the hero in joust she slew.

Then he loosed from his head the helmet: nor thro’ grass, nor thro’ dust and sand

Did he make him a way to the conflict, but he yielded to grief’s command;

And his thoughts within him battled, that he sought not ere this to hear355

From Kailet, his friend and kinsman, how it fared with his brother dear

That he came not here to the Tourney—Alas! tho’ he knew it not,

He had fallen before Monthorie—Sore sorrow was there his lot,

For to anguish did love constrain him, the love of a noble queen;

For his loss had she grieved so sorely that death had her portion been.360

And tho’ sorely Gamuret sorrowed, yet had he in half a day

So many spear-shafts broken, were it Tourney indeed this fray

Then had he a woodland wasted. Did I think me to count each spear

One hundred in fight had he shattered, each blazoned with colours clear—

But the heralds, they won his pennons, in sooth were they theirs of right—365

Then toward the fair pavilion he turned him, the gallant knight.

And the Waleis squire rode after; and his was the coat so fair,

All pierced and hewn with sword-thrust, which he did to his lady bear;

And yet with gold was it precious, and it shone with a fiery glow,

And right well might ye see its richness. Then joy did the queen’s heart know,370

And she spake, ‘A fair woman sent thee, with this knight, to this distant land!

Now, courteous, I must bethink me lest these heroes ashamed shall stand

Who have risked their fate in this venture—goodwill unto all I bear,

For all do I count my kinsmen, since Adam’s flesh we share,

Yet Gamuret’s hand, I think me, the highest prize hath won.’375

But by wrath constrained they battled till the shadows of night drew on,

And the inner host the outer by force to their tents had brought,

Save for Askalon’s king and Morhold thro’ the camp they their way had fought.

Some were winners, and some were losers, and many sore shame had earned,

While others won praise and honour. Then the foe from each other turned,380

Here no man might see—He who holdeth the stakes, if no light he show,

Who would cast the dice in the darkness? To such sport were the weary slow!

Men well might forget the darkness where Gamuret did abide,

’Twas as day—That in sooth it was not, but light shone on every side

From many small tapers clustered. There, laid on the olive wood,385

Was many a costly cushion, and by each couch a carpet good.

Then the queen, she rode to the doorway with many a maid of rank,

For fain would they see, those ladies, the brave king of Zassamank.

Many wearied knights thronged after—The cloth had they borne away

Ere she came to the fair pavilion; then the host he uprose straightway,390

And the monarchs four his captives (and many a prince was there),

And she welcomed him with due honour, and she saw him, and deemed him fair.

Then glad spake the queen of the Waleis, ‘Thou art host where we twain do stand,

And I, even so I think me, am hostess o’er all this land,

If thou deem it well I should kiss thee, such kiss seemeth good to me!’395

‘Thy kiss shall be mine if these heroes, e’en as I, shall be kissed by thee,

But if princes and kings must forego it, ’twere unfit I such boon should crave!’

‘Yea, e’en as thou wilt, so be it, tho’ ne’er saw I these heroes brave!’

Then she kissed, e’en as Gamuret prayed her, these princes of noble line,

And he prayed her to sit, and beside her sat the King Brandelidelein!400

Then lightly they strewed, o’er the carpet, green rushes yet wet with dew,

And he sat him down upon them whose presence brought joy anew

To the gracious queen of the Waleis; and love did her soul constrain,

And as Gamuret sat before her his hand did she clasp again,

And she drew him once more towards her, and she set him her seat beside.405

No wife was she, but a maiden, from whose hand did such grace betide.

Would ye know the name they called her? Herzeleide the queen was she,

(And her cousin was hight Rischoydè, King Kailet should her husband be,

And he was Gamuret’s cousin), and so radiant the queen, and bright,

That e’en though they quenched the tapers, in her presence ’twould still be light!410

(Were it not that a mighty sorrow his joy which aloft would fly

Had beaten to earth, I think me he had wooed her right readily.)

And courteous they spake to each other: then cup-bearers drew anigh,

And from Assagog the vessels, and their cost might no man deny;

And noble pages bare them, many costly bowls and fair,415

Of precious jewels wroughten, and wide, none too small, they were,

And none of them all were golden—’twas the tribute of that fair land,

Which Eisenhart oft had proffered, when love’s need nerved his knightly hand.

And the drink unto each they proffered in many a coloured stone,

And of emerald some, and of sardius, and of ruby some wrought alone.420

Then there drew near to his pavilion two knights who their word must swear,

(To the outer host were they captive and from thence to the town would fare.)

And one of them was King Kailet; and he looked upon Gamuret,

And he saw him sit heavy-hearted, and he spake, ‘Dost thou sorrow yet

For all men they own thy valour; Herzeleide and kingdoms twain425

Hast thou won, and all tongues have said it, to thy praises all men are fain,

Be they Britons or men of Ireland—Who speaketh with foreign tongue,

If France be their land, or Brabant, with one voice they thy praise have sung,

That none here both skill and wisdom in strife like to thine have shown.

True letter it is I read thee! No slumber thy strength hath known,430

When these knights thou hast put in peril who surety ne’er sware of old,

Brandelidelein the monarch, and L?helein, hero bold;

And Hardeiss and King Schaffilor; yea, and Rassalig the Moor,

Whom thine hand before Patelamunt o’erthrew and he surety swore,

Such lesson thou there didst teach him—Yea, this doth thy fame desire435

That with every coming conflict it broader shall wax and higher.’

‘The queen sure will deem thou ravest, if in this wise thou praisest me,

Yet I think not that thou shalt sell me, since the buyer the flaw shall see;

Thy mouth is o’er-full of praises! Say, how hast thou come again?’

‘The worthy folk of Punturtois, this knight from fair Champagne440

And myself have loosed, and Morhold who this nephew hath stolen of mine

Will set him free, if on thy part thou wilt free Brandelidelein;

Otherwise are we captive to them, both I and my sister’s son,

But such grace thou wilt surely show us—Here such vesper-play was run

That it cometh not to a Tourney this while before Kanvoleis,445

And in sooth do I know how it standeth! Here sit they before mine eyes,

The strength of the outer army—now speak, tell me when and how

They could hold the field against us? Much fame hast thou won, I trow!’

Then the queen she spake to the hero from a true heart full tenderly,

‘Whate’er be my claim upon thee, I pray thee to let it be.450

I were fain of thy service worthy—If here I my right shall claim,

And thine honour thereby be tarnished, I will leave thee nor mar thy fame!’

Then he sprang to his feet, the chaplain of Anflisé the wise and fair,

And he quoth, ‘Nay, my queen doth claim him, at her will to this land I fare.

For his love hath she sent me hither, for his love she afar doth pine,455

And her love layeth claim upon him and hers shall he be, not thine.

O’er all women I ween doth she love him: here as messengers hath she sent

Three princes, lads free from falsehood; and the one is hight Lazident

Of noble birth from Greenland, and in K?rlingen doth he dwell,

And his own hath he made the language; and the second his name I’ll tell,460

Liodarz he, a count his father, and Schyolarz was he hight.

And who was the third? Will ye hearken, his kinship I’ll tell aright:

Belleflur she hath been his mother, Pansamur was his father’s name,

Liahturteltart they called him, of the race of the fays he came.

Then they ran all three before him, and they spake, ‘Wouldst thy fortune prove?465

(The queen of France doth proffer the chance of a worthy love.)

Thou shalt play the game, and never a pledge shall be asked from thee,

Nor thy joy be to sorrow forfeit, as it waxeth still fair and free!’

Then e’en while they spake their errand Kailet he had ta’en his seat

‘Neath a fold of the royal mantle, and she spake to him low and sweet,470

‘Now say, hath worse harm befallen? Methinks I the wounds have seen?’

In that same hour his wounds and bruises she sought out, the gracious queen,

With her white hands so small and shapely, which their wisdom from God must win,

And sore was he cut and wounded on nose and on cheek and chin.

He had won for his wife the cousin of the queen who such honour fair475

Would show him, herself would she tend him, and her hands for his hurts should care.

Then e’en as courtesy bade her she spake unto Gamuret,

‘The fair queen of France, it seemeth, her heart upon thee hath set;

Now honour in me all women, and give what I here may claim,

Go not till men judge betwixt us, else thou leavest me here to shame.’480

This he sware unto her, the hero, and leave she from him would crave,

And she passed thence, and then King Kailet, that monarch so true and brave,

He lifted her to her saddle; and he turned him about once more

And came into the pavilion, where his kinsman and friends he saw.

Then spake he unto King Hardeiss, ‘Aleiss thy sister fair485

She proffered her love, I took it—Now wedded is she elsewhere,

And a better than I is her husband! No longer thus wrathful frown,

Prince Lambekein, he hath won her—tho’ in sooth she shall wear no crown,

Yet honour enough is her portion—Brabant and Hennegau

Do her service, and many a brave knight doth unto her bidding bow.490

If thy mind it shall turn to greet me let thy favour be mine once more,

And take thou again my service of a true heart as aye of yore.’

Then the king of Gascony answered as befitted a hero brave,

‘Yea, soft is thy speech, yet if greeting I give thee as thou dost crave,

Who hath offered to me such insult, men will deem fear such grace hath won,495

For captive am I to thy cousin!’ ‘Yet ill shall he deal with none,

Gamuret, he shall grant thy freedom, that boon my first prayer shall be:

No man shall thereto constrain thee, yet my service the day shall see

When thou as thy friend shalt claim me. For the shame, ’tis enow I wot,

For whate’er thou mayst do against me, thy sister, she slayeth me not!’500

Then all at his words laughed loudly. But their mirth it was soon o’erpast

For his true heart the host constrainèd, and desire held him once more fast,

And a sharp goad I ween is sorrow—Then the heroes they saw right well

How he wrestled anew with sorrow and his joy in the conflict fell;

And his cousin he waxed right wrathful, and he spake, ‘Now thou doest ill.’505

‘Nay, nay, for I needs must sorrow, and naught may my yearning still

For the queen I have left behind me, afar on a heathen shore,

Pure wife and true is that lady, and my heart she hath wounded sore.’

‘And her purity doth constrain me to mourn for her love so sweet,

Vassals and lands she gave me; yet joy for a true knight meet510

Belakané of that hath robbed me! yet shame for a wavering mind

I think me is right and manly—With such fetters her love did bind

That she held me afar from Tourney, nor in search of strife I went;

Then I thought me that deeds of knighthood should free me from ill-content,

And here have I somewhat striven—Now many a fool would say515

That I, for her colour, fled her, to my eyes was she light as day!

For her womanhood true I sorrow; o’er all others her worth stood high

As the boss from the shield outstandeth. And another grief have I,

And here make I my moan unto ye, my brother’s arms I saw,

But the shield on which they were blazoned, with point up-turned they bore.’520

(Ah! woe for the words that are spoken, and the tidings of grief they bring!)

His eyes they o’erflowed with water, that gallant Spanish king,

‘Alas! O queen for thy madness, thro’ thy love is Galoes slain,

Whom every faithful woman from her heart shall mourn amain

If she would that her dealing win her true honour in true man’s thought.525

Ah! queen of Auvergne I think me, tho’ small grief it to thee hath brought,

Yet thro’ thee have I lost my kinsman, tho’ his ending was fit and fair,

For a knightly joust hath slain him who thy token in strife would bear!

And these princes here, his comrades, their heartfelt grief they show,

As in funeral train their shield’s-breadth do they turn to the earth below,530

For thus hath great sorrow taught them—In this guise do they knightly deeds,

Heavy-hearted that he, my cousin, serveth no more for true love’s meed!’

He hath won him another heart-grief as his brother’s death is told,

And he spake aloud in his sorrow, ‘Now mine anchor hath found its hold

And its haven in bitter rueing,’ and the badge did he lay aside,535

And his grief taught him bitter anguish, and aloud the hero cried,

‘Galoes of Anjou! henceforward shall never a man deny

That on earth ne’er was born thine equal for manhood and courtesy,

And the fruit of a free hand knightly from thine heart did it bloom amain.

Ah! woe is me for thy goodness!’ then to Kailet he spake again,540

‘How goeth it with Schoettè, my mother, of joy bereft?’

‘So that God hath had pity on her! When Gandein this life had left,

And dead was Galoes thy brother, and thou wert not by her side,

And she saw thee no more, then death brake her heart, and she too hath died!’

Then out quoth the Gascon Hardeiss, ‘Turn thy will to a manly mien,545

Thou shalt mourn but in fitting measure if true manhood thine own hath been!’

But too great was the load of his sorrow, and the tears as a flood must flow

From his eyes—Then all things he ordered that the knights a fair rest might know,

And he went where he saw his chamber, of samite the little tent,

And in grief and sore lamentation the hours of the night he spent.550

When there dawned another morning the knights together came,

The inner host and the outer, all who thought there to win them fame;

Were they young or old, were they cowardly or brave, they fought not that day.

And the light grew to middle morning: yet so worn were they with the fray,

And the horses so spent with spurring, that the knights in battle tried555

Were yet by weariness vanquished—Then the queen herself would ride,

And the valiant men from the open would she bring to the town again,

And the best of the knights within there she bade ride to the Leo-plain;

And straightway they did her bidding, and they rode in their knightly ranks,

And they came ere the Mass was ended to the sad king of Zassamank.560

Then the benediction spoken, Herzeleide the queen she came,

And e’en as the folk upheld her, so she laid to the knight her claim:

Then he spake, ‘A wife have I Lady, and than life shall she be more dear,

Yea, and e’en if I were without her thou another tale shouldst hear

That afar should drive me from thee, if men here shall list my right!’565

But the queen she looked upon him, and she spake to the gallant knight:

‘Thou shalt leave thy Moorish lady for my love; stronger far shall be

The blessing that baptism giveth! From heathendom set thee free,

And wed me in Christian marriage, since my heart for thy love doth yearn.

Or say shall the French queen’s message to my shame and my sorrow turn?570

Sweet words did they speak her people, and thou heardest them to the end!’

‘Yea, she is in truth my lady. When I back to Anjou must wend,

Then fair counsels and courteous customs with me from her land I brought;

Yea, even to-day doth she help me whom from childhood to man she taught.

She hath fled all that mars a woman—We were children then, she and I,575

Yet gladly we saw each other in the days that are long gone by!

The noble queen Anflisé, in true womanhood hath she share,

From her lands a goodly income she gave me, that lady fair,

(In those days was I still a poor man), yet I took it right willingly,

As a poor man thou still shalt count me, and Lady, shalt pity me,580

He is dead, my gallant brother—Of thy courtesy press me not,

Turn thy love where thou findest gladness, for sorrow is aye my lot!’

‘Nay, let me not longer sorrow; how wilt thou deny my claim?’

‘Thy question I’ll gladly answer, here a Tourney thou didst proclaim,

That Tourney hath not been holden, as many shall witness bear’585

‘For the vesper-play hath marred it! The knights who had foughten there

So well have they tamed their ardour that the Tourney hath come to naught,’

‘I did but defend thy city with others that bravely fought;

Thou shouldst force me not to withstand thee, here have others done more than I,

Mine the greeting that all may claim here, other right would I still deny!’590

Then, so hath the venture told me, they chose them, both man and maid,

A judge o’er the claim of the lady, and their cause they before him laid,

And it drew near to middle morning, and thus did the verdict run,

‘What knight hath bound on his helmet, and hath hither for conflict come,

And hath fought, and the prize hath holden, then that knight he shall wed the queen.’595

And unto the judgment spoken the knights gave consent I ween.

Spake the queen, ‘Mine thou art, and I’ll yield thee fair service thy love to gain,

And will give thee of joy such portion that thy life shall be free of pain!’

And yet bare he grief and sorrow—Now the April sun was o’er,

And had left behind a token in the garment the meadow bore,600

With short green grass was it covered, so that coward hearts waxed bold,

And won afresh high courage; and the trees did their buds unfold

In the soft sweet air of the May-tide, and he came of the fairy race

That aye loveth, or sweet love seeketh, and his friend she would show him grace.

Then he looked on Queen Herzeleide, and he spake to her courteously,605

‘If in joy we would live, O Lady, then my warder thou shalt not be,

When loosed from the bonds of sorrow, for knighthood my heart is fain;

If thou holdest me back from Tourney I may practise such wiles again

As of old when I fled from the lady whom I won with mine own right hand;

When from strife she would fain have kept me I fled from her folk and land!’610

Then she spake, ‘Set what bonds thou willest, by thy word will I still abide.’

‘Many spears would I break asunder, and each month would to Tourney ride,

Thou shalt murmur not O Lady when such knightly joust I’ld run!’

This she sware, so the tale was told me, and the maid and her lands he won.

The three pages of Queen Anflisé and her chaplain were nigh at hand,615

As the judgment was sealed and spoken they must hearken and understand,

And he spake to the knight in secret, ‘To my lady this tale was told

How at Patelamunt thy valour did the guerdon of victory hold,

And that there two kingdoms served thee—And she too hath lands I trow,

And she thinketh herself to give thee, and riches and gold enow!’620

‘As knighthood of old she taught me so must I hold fast alway

By the strength of the knightly order, and the rule of the shield obey.

Thro’ her my shield have I won me, else perchance I had worn it not,

Here doth knightly verdict bind me, be sorrow or joy my lot.

Go ye homeward, and bear my service, her knight will I ever be,625

And for her is my deepest sorrow tho’ all crowns were awaiting me!’

Then he proffered to them of his riches, but his gifts did they cast aside.

Yet was she not shamed their lady, tho’ homeward they needs must ride!

And they craved not leave, but they rode thence, as in anger ye oft shall find,

And the princes’ sons, her pages, well-nigh did they weep them blind.630

They who bare their shields inverted their friends spake to them this word,

‘The queen, fair Herzeleide, hath the Angevin for her lord.’

‘Say, who from Anjou hath fought here? Our lord is, alas, elsewhere;

He seeketh him fame ‘gainst the heathen, and grief for his sake we bear!’

‘He who shall be here the victor, who hath smitten full many a knight,635

He who smote and pierced so fiercely, he who bare on his helm of light

An anchor rare and costly, that knight is the knight we mean,

And King Kailet he spake his title, Gamuret Angevin—I ween

Good fortune doth here befall him!’ Then swift to their steeds they sprung,

And their raiment was wet with the tear-drops that grief from their eye-lids wrung,640

When they came where their lord was seated they gave him a welcome fair,

And he in his turn would greet them, and sorrow and joy were there.

Then he kissed his knights so faithful, and spake, ‘Ye no more shall make

Such measureless moan for my brother, his place I with ye will take.

Turn your shields again as befits them, and as men who would joyful fare;645

My anchor hath struck its haven; my father’s arms I’ll bear,

For the anchor it is a symbol that befitteth a wandering knight,

He who willeth may take and wear it. I must rule my life aright

As now shall become my station: I am rich now, when shall I be

The lord of this folk? For my sorrow it worketh but ill to me.650

Queen Herzeleide, help me that thou and I may pray

The kings that are here and princes for my service awhile to stay,

Till thou unto me hast yielded that which love from true love may crave!’

Thus both of them made petition, and the heroes their promise gave.

Then each one went to his chamber, and the queen to her knight spake low,655

‘Now yield thyself to my tending, and a hidden way I’ll show!’

For his guests did they care as fitting tho’ the host was no longer there,

The folk they were all together, but the knight he alone must fare

Save for two of his pages only—Then the queen and her maidens bright

They led him where gladness waited, and his sorrow was put to flight,660

And regret was o’erthrown and vanquished—And his heart it waxed high and brave

As is ever the lot of lovers! and her maidenhood she gave

The queen, fair Herzeleide: nor their lips did they think to spare,

But close did they cling in kisses; grief was conquered by joy so fair!

Then courteous deeds were begun there; for free were his captives set,665

And the Kings Hardeiss and Kailet were made friends by Gamuret.

And such marriage feast was holden that he who had proudly thought

Hereafter to hold such another much riches thereto had brought.

For this did Gamuret purpose, his wealth he would little spare,

But Arabian gold did he scatter mid the poor knights; and jewels rare670

Did he give to the kings and princes who were there with the host I ween;

And glad were the wandering players, for rich gifts had their portion been.

Let them ride whom he there had feasted, from the Angevin leave they prayed.

Then the panther the badge of his father on his shield they in sable laid;

And a small white silken garment, a shift that the queen did wear,675

That had touched her naked body who now was his wife so fair,

This should be his corslet’s cover. And of foemen it saw eighteen

Pierced thro’ and hewn with sword-blade ere he parted from her his queen,

And aye as her love came homeward on her body that shift she drew:

And many a shield had he shattered; and their love it waxed strong and true.680

And honour enow was his portion ere his manly courage bore

The knight o’er the seas to conflict, for his journey I sorrow sore.

For there came unto him true tidings, how the Baruch, his lord of old,

Was beset by mighty foemen, by Babylon’s princes bold:

And the one he was called Ipomidon, and Pompey his brother’s name685

(For so hath the venture told me), a proud man of warlike fame.

(’Twas not he whom Julius C?sar had driven from Rome of yore).

His uncle was Nebuchadnezzar, who in books found the lying lore

That he himself should a god be, (o’er this would our folk make sport)

And of noble race these brothers, nor of strength nor of gold spared aught.690

From Ninus they came who was ruler ere ever Bagdad might be,

Nineveh did he found—Now an insult and a shame vexed them bitterly,

The Baruch as vassals claimed them—So the combat was won and lost,

And bravely the heroes battled, and on each side they paid the cost.

Thus Gamuret sailed the water, and aid to the Baruch brought,695

And gladly he bade him welcome; tho’ I weep that that land he sought!

How it chanced there, how went the conflict, gain or loss, how the thing might be

Naught of that knew Queen Herzeleide; and bright as the sun was she,

And her form it was fair to look on, and both riches had she and youth,

And more than too much her gladness! I think me in very truth700

She had sped past the goal of all wishes—And on wisdom her heart was set,

And she won from the whole world favour; her fair deeds with fair guerdon met,

And all men praised Herzeleide, the queen, as both fair and true,

And the queen of three kingdoms was she, of Waleis and fair Anjou,

Of these twain was she aye the ruler; and beside them in far Norgals705

Did she bear the crown and sceptre, in the city of Kingrivals.

And so dear did she hold her husband, if never a maid might win

So gallant a man, what recked she? She counted it not for sin.

As for half a year he was absent she looked for his coming sure,

For but in the thought of that meeting might the life of the queen endure.710

Then brake the sword of her gladness thro’ the midst of the hilt in twain,

Ah me! and alas! for her mourning, that goodness should bear such pain

And faith ever waken sorrow! Yea, so doth it run alway

With the life of men, and to-morrow must they mourn who rejoice to-day!

So it chanced that the queen one noontide in a restless slumber lay,715

’Twas as if with a start she wakened and by lightning was borne away,

And towards the clouds it bare her, and they smote her with mighty force,

The fiery bolts of Heaven, as they sped on their downward course,

And sparks sprang from her floating tresses mid the fire of the circling spheres,

And the thunder crashed loud around her, and the rain-drops were burning tears.720

For a little space was she conscious, then a grip on her right hand fell,

And, lo! it was changed, the vision, and wondrous things befell;

For then did she nurse a dragon, that forth from her body sprung,

And its dragon life to nourish awhile at her breast it hung,

Then it fled from her sight so swiftly she might look on it never more:725

And her heart it brake for the anguish, and the terror and grief she bore.

And never methinks a woman in slumber such woe hath seen,

But now had she been so joyful, alas! all was changed I ween,

And sorrow should be her portion, and her ill it waxed long and wide,

And the shadow of coming sorrow did still on her heart abide.730

Then she did what afore she could not, for the terror that on her lay,

She stretched her limbs in her slumber, and moaned in her grief alway,

And she cried aloud on her people; and many a maid sat by

And they sprang to her side at her summons, and wakened her speedily.

Then Tampaneis he came riding, of her husband’s squires the chief,735

And many a page was with him, and joy’s goal was o’erpassed in grief,

And they cried, ‘He was dead, their master!’ And her senses forsook the queen,

And she fell aback in her anguish—And the knights spake, ‘How hath this been?

Hath our lord been slain in his harness, who ever was armed so well?’

And tho’ sorely the squire must sorrow, to the heroes the tale he’ld tell:740

‘No long life should he have, my master! His helm he put off awhile,

The heat thereto constrained him—’twas accursed heathen guile

That stole him from us, our hero—A knight took a he-goats blood,

And from a long glass he poured it on the helmet of diamond good,

And softer than sponge grew the diamond. May He Whom as Lamb they show745

With the Cross in His hold, have mercy on the deeds that are wrought below!’

‘Then when one host met the other: Ah! that was indeed a fight,

And the knights who were with the Baruch they fought all as men of might,

And there in the field by Bagdad full many a shield was pierced,

As they flew each one on the other, and they mingled in charges fierce,750

And banner was mixed with banner, many fell who had bravely fought,

And my lord’s hand it did such wonders that his foemen became as nought,

But Ipomidon he came riding, and with death would reward the knight,

And he smote him down, and I think me many thousands they saw that sight.’

‘For my master, free from falsehood, rode against Alexandria’s king,755

But, alas! for the guile of the heathen, this joust but his death should bring,

For the spear cut sheer thro’ the helmet, and it pierced thro’ my master’s brain

(In his head did they find the splinters), yet the hero still held the rein,

And dying he rode from the combat, o’er a wide plain his way he’ld take,

And his chaplain he knelt above him, and in few words his shrift he spake.760

And he sent here the shift and the spear-blade that hath robbed us of our friend,

He died free from sin—us his servants he did to the queen commend!’

‘At Bagdad was the hero buried, and the Baruch the cost would pay,

With gold is it fair to look on, and rich is the tomb alway;

And many a costly jewel doth gleam where he lies at rest,765

And embalmed was the fair young body (sad was many a faithful breast);

And the grave-stone it is a ruby, and thro’ it he shineth clear,

And they granted us as with martyrs, the cross o’er his tomb to rear,—

For as Christ by His death hath freed us, and to comfort that soul so brave,

And for shelter we raised the symbol—And the Baruch the cost he gave.770

For the cross was of emerald wroughten: heathen counsel we asked it not,

For they know not the Cross, nor the blessing that Christ’s death won for us I wot!

And the heathen they pray unto him as if he were a god in truth,

Nor they do it the Cross to honour, nor hath Baptism taught them ruth

(Tho’ it looseneth us from Hell’s fetters when the uttermost day shall dawn),775

But his knightly faith and honour, who leaveth us here forlorn,

Have wrought him a place in Heaven where he shineth with Heaven’s light,

And true penitence and confession—for falsehood e’er fled that knight.’

‘And there in his diamond helmet an epitaph did they grave,

And fast to the cross they fixed it o’er the tomb of that hero brave,780

And thus do they run the letters: ‘(Through this helmet a joust hath slain)

This hero who bare all manhood, and Gamuret was his name,

As king did he rule o’er three kingdoms, in each land the Crown he wore

Whom mighty princes followed—Anjou’s land this hero bore,

And he lost his life for the Baruch at the city of Bagdad fair.
785

And so high did it soar, his honour, that no knight may with him compare,

Howe’er ye may test their dealings. Nor is he of woman born,

(I mean of the knightly order) to whose hand he his strength had sworn.

But help and true manly counsel to his friends did he steadfast give;

And thro’ women much grief he suffered, for he would in their favour live.
790

Baptized was he as a Christian tho’ Saracens mourn him yet,

(This is truth and no lie)—All his lifetime since his years were on wisdom set

His strength strove for fame and honour, till he fell in his knightly pride,

Wish him bliss who here lieth buried! ’Twas by treason’s hand he died!‘

So spake the squire, and the Waleis who heard it must weep full sore,795

Cause hast they enow for sorrow! A living child she bore

Who of men was left unaided, Herzeleide the gracious queen,

With death the mother battled: her maidens were crazed I ween,

Since they thought not to help their lady, for within her womb she bare

Him who should be flower of all knighthood, if death did not claim him there.800

Then there came a wise man ancient to weep with his lady’s grief,

And he saw how with death she struggled, and he brought to her swift relief;

For he forced her teeth asunder, and betwixt her lips they pour

Water, and at their tending her senses they came once more.

Then she spake, and aloud she mourned him, ‘My heart’s dearest, Ah! where is he?805

For in sooth my heart’s deepest gladness was in Gamuret’s chivalry,

Yet his valour of this hath robbed me—Now his mother am I and wife,

Tho’ far younger was I, for within me do I carry his flesh and life;

The love that we bore to each other hath been of such flower the root,

And if God shall in truth be faithful, He withholdeth not here the fruit.810

Already too sore my sorrow for my husband so proud and brave,

What ill death hath wrought upon me! Her love never woman gave,

But his heart it rejoiced in her gladness, and sad for her grief was he,

Thus his true heart it gave him counsel who was aye from all falsehood free.’

Now hearken yet more the story how the noble queen must mourn,815

Within her arms would she hold him, her child who was yet unborn,

And she spake, ‘Now God send me safely the child of my hero fair,

For this is my heart’s petition; God keep me from dark despair,

’Twere Gamuret’s second slaying if I thought myself to slay

While I bear of his love the token who was faithful to me alway!’820

Then careless of who might see her, the robe from her neck she tore,

And her fair white breasts she tended with the wisdom of mother-lore,

To her rosy lips she pressed them, ‘Ah, thou food that shall feed my son,

He hath sent thee before his coming who life from my life hath won!’

And the queen it nothing vexed her that above her heart it lay825

The milk that her child should nourish, and softly she spake alway,

’Twas true love that brought thee hither, if I yet unbaptized should be

From thee had I won my baptism, and the tears which shall flow so free,

And openly and in secret will I mourn for my husband dear!’

Then the shift with his life-blood crimsoned she bade them to bring anear,830

(Thus clad in the Baruch’s army had Gamuret lost his life,

For he chose him a gallant ending in the turmoil and stress of strife),

And then for the spear she prayed them wherewith was her husband slain,

From Nineveh’s Prince Ipomidon such guerdon he needs must gain.

And tho’ tattered and hewn to pieces yet the queen fain the shift would wear,835

As aforetime had been her custom when her lord did from Tourney fare,

But her maidens who stood around her they took it from out her hand,

And they carried them to the Minster, the highest from out her land,

And the spear and the blood they buried as men bury a hero dead,

And sorrow and bitter mourning thro’ Gamuret’s kingdom spread.840

And when fourteen days were ended a babe lay the queen beside,

’Twas a son, and so great and goodly that the mother had well-nigh died.

Now ’tis cast the die of the venture, and here doth my tale begin,

For now is he born who henceforward this song for his own shall win.

And now have ye heard the story of his father, his love and grief,845

Of his gallant life, and the treason that ended its span so brief;

And ye know whence he came, the hero of this tale, and how for long

He was hidden from deeds of knighthood, till his youth it waxed bold and strong.

When the queen found sight and hearing she was fain on her child to look,

And her maidens they bare him to her and the babe in her arms she took;850

And she saw his limbs soft rounded, and she knew she had born a son,

And her maidens with her were joyful that the earth had a man-child won.

(As he bare of a man the body, so manly was he of heart,

As a smith did he wield the sword-blade till fire from the helm would start)

And no joy did she know, the mother, save ever her babe to kiss,855

And with soft words she spake to him ever, ’Bon fils, Cher fils, Beau fils.‘

And e’en as herself she bare him, so herself she his nurse would be,

At his mother’s breast was he nourished who was ever from falsehood free.

And she thought she had won her husband by her prayers to her arms again,

She all folly forsook, and meekness and truth in her heart did reign.860

And musing spake Herzeleide, ‘The queen of Heaven high

Gave her breast to the dear Lord Jesu Who a bitter death would die

As Man on the cross for man’s sake, for thus did His love begin:

Who thinketh light of His anger his soul’s peace shall hardly win,

Tho’ he else were brave man and worthy—and this tale do I know for true!’865

Then the queen of the land she bathed her in heart sorrow’s bitter dew,

And her eyes on the babe rained tear-drops as soft in her arms it lay,

For hers was the way of women, where a true heart holdeth sway;

She could laugh and weep together, her heart joyed for her baby’s birth,

Yet the ford of her bitter sorrow had drowned in short space her mirth.