Awhile shall this venture follow the knight, who to fly was fain

From shame, nor with guile had dealings, that hero bold, Gawain.

For many a one hath held him for as brave, yea, for braver knight

Than Parzival, who the hero of this wonder-tale is hight.

Yet he who his friend would ever with his words to the heavens upraise5

Is slow to speak well of another, or to yield him his meed of praise;

But him shall the people follow whose praises with truth are wrought,

Else whatever he speak, or hath spoken, shall ne’er under roof be brought.

Who shall shelter the word of wisdom if wise men their aid withhold?

But a song that is woven of falsehood is best left in the outer cold,10

Homeless, upon the snowdrift, that the mouth may wax chill and sore

That hath spread for truth the story—such rewarding hath God in store

As all true folk must wish him whose guerdon in toil is told—

Who is swift to such deeds, I wot me, but blame for reward shall hold,

And if good men and true shall praise him, then folly doth rule their mind;15

He will flee such who true shame knoweth, and in knighthood his rule would find.

And true of heart was Sir Gawain, for courage as sentinel

Had guarded his fame, nor shadow of cowardice across it fell.

But his heart in the field of battle was strong as a mighty tower,

Steadfast in sharpest conflict, yet foremost in danger’s hour.20

And friend and foe bare witness to the fame of his battle-cry;

Fain was Kingrimursel to rob him of his glory thus waxen high—

Now far from the court of King Arthur for many a weary day,

I know not their tale to tell ye, did the valiant Gawain stray;

So rode he, the gallant hero, from out of a woodland shade,25

And his folk they were close behind him as he wended adown the glade,

And there on a hill before him he was ‘ware of a goodly sight

That would teach him fear, yet fresh courage it brought to the gallant knight.

For the hero he saw full clearly how a host on their way would fare

With pomp of warlike pageant, and banners borne high in air.30

Then he thought, ‘I too far have journeyed this host in the wood to wait’—

And he bade them prepare the charger that was Orilus’ gift of late,

And red were its ears, and Gringuljet, I think me, they called its name,

Without a prayer he won it—The steed from Monsalv?sch came,

L?helein, in a joust he took it, when lifeless its rider fell35

By the Lake of Brimbane—Hereafter Trevrezent would the story tell.

Thought Gawain, ‘He who cowardly flieth ere the foe on his track shall be

Flieth all too soon for his honour—this host would I nearer see

Whatever may then befall me; they have seen me ere this I trow,

And, for aught that may chance unto me, wit shall counsel me well enow.’40

Then down he sprang from his charger as one who his goal hath found.

Countless I ween the army that in troops was toward him bound,

And he saw many robes fair fashioned, and shields with their blazon bright,

But he knew them not, nor the banners that danced on the breezes light.

‘Strange shall I be to this army,’ quoth Gawain, ‘strange are they to me,45

If they count this to me for evil then a joust shall they surely see,

And a spear will I break with these heroes ere yet on my way I ride!’

Gringuljet too was ready when his master would strife abide,

In many an hour of peril he the hero to joust had borne,

As Gawain had well bethought him when the steed he would ride that morn.50

There Gawain saw many a helmet, costly and decked full fair,

And new spears white, unsplintered, in sheaves to their goal they bare;

To the pages hands were given those blazoned with colours clear,

And the badge might ye read on the pennons that floated from every spear.

And the son of King Lot, Sir Gawain, he saw there a crowded throng,55

There were mules with harness laden; heavy wagons with horses strong,

And they hasted them, fain for shelter; and behind them a wondrous store

Of goods, borne by travelling merchants as was ever the way of yore.

And women were there in plenty, and of knightly girdle bright

The twelfth might some wear, the payment and pledge of love holden light.60

Not queens were they hight, I think me, Vivandierès was their name—

And young and old behind them a rabble onward came,

And they ran till their limbs were weary; and a rope had fit guerdon been

For many who swelled this army, and dishonoured true folk I ween!

So they rode, and they ran, that army, and Gawain stood beside the way,65

So it chanced they who saw the hero deemed him part of their host that day.

And never this side of the water, or in lands that beyond it lie,

So gallant a host had journeyed, great their strength and their courage high.

And close on their track there followed, spurring his steed amain,

A squire of noble bearing, with a led horse beside his rein;70

And a fair new shield he carried, and ever his spurs he plied,

Nor thought to spare his charger, but swift to the strife would ride,

And his raiment was fairly fashioned—Then Gawain his pathway crossed,

And, greeting, he asked him tidings, who was lord of this goodly host?

Quoth the squire, ‘Sir Knight thou mockest, were I lacking in courtesy,75

And have chastisement earned, then I pray thee that my penance shall other be

That shall wound not so sore mine honour—For God’s sake lay thine hate aside,

Methinks thou right well shalt know them, these knights that before us ride,

Why askest thou me? Of a surety to each other shall ye be known

As well, nay, a thousand times better, than I unto thee had shown!’80

Then many an oath he sware him, he knew not the race or name

Of the folk who went there before him, ‘My journey hath won but shame,

Since in truth must I make confession that never before to-day

Mine eyes have beheld these heroes, tho’ mine aid men right oft would pray!

Then the squire he quoth unto Gawain, ‘Sir Knight, mine the wrong hath been,85

Thy question I should have answered, here my wisdom hath failed I ween!

Now pass judgment on me, I pray thee, of thy friendly heart and true,

Hereafter I’ll gladly tell thee, first must I my folly rue.’

‘Then, lad, by thy words of repentance, sure token of courtesy,

The name of this gallant army I prithee to tell to me!’90

‘Sir Knight, he who rides before us, and no man his way doth bar,

Is King Poidikonjonz; and beside him Duke Astor he rides to war,

Of Lanveronz is he ruler—and there rideth beside the twain

One whose roughness and ways discourteous Love’s payment have sought in vain.

He beareth the brand unknightly, Meljakanz that prince is hight,95

He wooeth nor wife nor maiden, but their love will he take with might,

And, methinks, men for that should slay him—Poidikonjonz’ son is he,

And here will he fight with his army, and he fighteth right valiantly,

And dauntless his heart; but such manhood it profiteth naught, I trow—

An ye threaten, perchance, her sucklings, she fighteth, the mother sow!100

And never a voice shall praise him whose strength lacketh knighthood fair,

And methinks to the truth of my speaking many men will their witness bear.’

‘Now hearken to greater marvels, and mark thou the words I say,

One with a mighty army doth follow upon our way

Whom folly doth drive to battle—The young King Meljanz of Lys,105

Scorned love wrought in him fierce anger, and pride vexed him needlessly,’

And courteous he spake to Sir Gawain. ‘What I saw, I Sir Knight will say:

The sire of the young King Meljanz, as he on his death-bed lay,

He bade them draw near unto him, the princes from out his land,

For his gallant life lay forfeit, a pledge in stern Death’s cold hand,110

And to Death he needs must yield him—In grief o’er his coming end

To the faith of the princes round him his son would the king commend,

And he chose out one from among them, the chief of his vassals true,

And his faith was proved and steadfast, and from false ways afar he flew.

And he gave the lad to his keeping, and he quoth, ‘Now, with hand and heart,115

True service henceforward show him, bid him aye act a kingly part

To vassal alike and stranger; bid him list to the poor man’s prayer,

And freely give of his substance.’ Thus he left him unto his care.’

‘And Prince Lippaut did as his monarch, dying, of him did pray,

Nor failed in aught, but true service he did to his lord alway.120

And he took the lad to his castle, and the prince had two children fair,

He loved them well, and I think me, e’en to-day they his love shall share.

One maiden in naught was lacking, save in age, that a knight might crave

Her love for his love’s rewarding; Obie was the name they gave

To this maid; Obilot, her sister; and the elder maid, I ween,125

Hath wrought ill, for she, and none other, the cause of this strife hath been.’

‘It so fell that one day the young king for his service reward would pray,

’Twas an ill thought, she quoth, and she asked him why his wits he had cast away?

And she spake unto him, ‘I think me, e’en if thou so old shouldst be,

That ‘neath shield thou the hours hadst counted that in worthy strife might flee;130

With helmet on head hadst mingled in knightly venture bold,

Till the tale of thy days, if reckoned, full five years more had told;

If there thou hadst won thee honour, and hither hadst come again,

And bowed thyself to my bidding, if a yea I to speak were fain

To that which thou now desirest, all too soon should I grant thy prayer—135

Thou art dear, I will ne’er deny it, as Galoes to Annora fair;

For death did she seek, and I think me that her seeking was not in vain,

When she lost him, her well belovèd, and her knight in a joust was slain.’

‘Now sore doth it grieve me, Lady, that love worketh so in thee,

That thine anger with words of scorning thus venteth itself on me.140

For true service,’ quoth he, ‘winneth favour, an love thus be well approved;

O’er-weening thy pride thus to taunt me that madness my speech had moved!

Small wisdom in this thou showest, ’twere better thou hadst bethought,

How thy father is but my vassal, and save of my grace hath naught!’

‘For that which he holds can he serve thee,’ she spake, ‘higher is my aim,145

For fief will I hold of no man, none shall me as vassal claim!

And so high do I prize my freedom that no crown it shall be too high,

That an earthly head e’er weareth!’ Then he spake out wrathfully,

‘Methinks thou hast been well tutored, that thy pride shall have waxed so great,

An thy father such counsel gave thee, then penance on wrong shall wait—150

’Tis meet that for this I arm me, some wounded shall be, some slain,

An they call it or war, or Tourney, many spears shall they break in twain!’

‘Thus in anger he left the maiden, and all did his wrath bemoan,

Yea, full sore it grieved the lady—Her father must well atone,

Tho’ he sware as his lord reproached him, guiltless of wrong was he,155

(Or straight were his ways or crooked, his peers should his judges be,

All the princes in court assembled)—that he to this strait was brought

Thro’ no sin of his own—And eager the prince from his lord besought

His favour and love as of old time, but in vain he for peace might pray,

For anger it ruled the monarch, and his gladness was reft away.’160

‘Tho’ hasty the prince they counselled a prisoner to make his lord,

His host had he been, and such treason of a true knight were aye abhorred.

Farewell, the king ne’er bade him, but he rode forth in wrath and pride,

And his pages, the sons of princes, aloud in their sorrow cried.

Long time with the king they dwelt there, and goodwill they to Lippaut bare,165

For in truth did he aye entreat them, nor failed them in knighthood fair.

’Tis my master alone who is wrathful, tho’ he, too, Lippaut’s care might claim,

A Frenchman, the lord of Beauvais, Lisavander they call his name.

And the one alike and the other, ere a knight’s shield they thought to bear,

Must renounce the prince’s service, and war against Lippaut swear;170

And some shall be prince’s children, and some not so highly born,

Whom the king to the ranks of knighthood hath lifted, I ween, this morn.’

‘And one who in strife is skilful and bold doth the vanguard lead,

Poidikonjonz of Gros, and with him hath he many an armed steed.

And Meljanz is son to his brother; and haughty of heart the twain,175

The young as the old, I think me discourtesy here doth reign!’

‘Thus these two kings, moved by anger, will forth unto Beaurosch ride,

Where with toil he would win the favour that the maid to his love denied.

And there with thrust and onslaught shall be broken many a spear;

Yet so well is Beaurosch guarded that, tho’ twenty hosts were here,180

Each one than our army greater, it ne’er to our force would yield!

The rear-guard knoweth naught of my journey, from the others I stole this shield,

Lest perchance my lord should find here a joust, and with onslaught fierce

And clash of the meeting chargers the spear thro’ his shield might pierce.’

Then the squire he looked behind him, and his lord on his track did ride,185

Three steeds and twelve spears unsplintered sped onward his rein beside.

And I ween that his haste betrayed him, he would fain in the foremost flight

The first joust for his own have challenged, so read I the tale aright.

Then the squire he spake unto Gawain, ‘Thy leave I, Sir Knight, would pray,’

And he turned him again to his master—What should Gawain do alway190

Save see how this venture ended? Yet awhile he doubted sore,

And he thought, ‘If I look on conflict, and fight not as aye of yore,

Then methinks shall my fame be tarnished; and yet if I here delay,

E’en tho’ it may be for battle, then in sooth is it reft away,

My meed of worldly honour—To fight not, methinks, were best,195

First must I fulfil my challenge.’ But afresh doubt vexed his breast,

For he deemed that his warlike errand but little might brook delay,

Yet how could he take his journey thro’ this army that barred his way?

And he quoth, ‘Now God give me counsel, and strengthen my manhood’s might,’

And on to the town of Beaurosch rode Gawain as gallant knight.200

So before him lay Burg and city; fairer dwelling no man might know;

Already it shone before him with its turrets in goodly row,

The crown of all other castles—Before it the army lay

On the plain ‘neath the walls of the city; thro’ the lines must he take his way,

And right well he marked, Sir Gawain, many tents in a goodly ring,205

And strange banners waved beside them, which strange folk to the fight would bring;

And doubt in his heart found dwelling, by eagerness cleft in twain—

Then straight thro’ the host encamped there rode the gallant knight Gawain.

One tent-rope it touched the other, tho’ the camp it was long and wide,

And he saw how they lay, and he noted the task which each one there plied.210

Quoth they, ’Soit bien venu‘ then ’Gramercy‘ the knight for an answer gave—

And troops from Semblidag lay there, hired soldiers both strong and brave;

And closely they camped beside them, the archers from Kahetei—

And strangers are oft unfriendly; As King Lot’s son he passed them by

No man of them all bade him tarry, so he rode o’er the grassy plain,215

And toward the beleaguered city Sir Gawain he turned his rein.

Then he thought,‘Must I e’en as a smuggler, in hiding-place bestow

My goods, then the town is safer, methinks, than the plain below,

Nor on gain shall my thoughts be turnèd, for this be my care alone,

An Fate will so far befriend me, to guard that which is mine own!’220

To the city gate he rode thus, and he found that which worked him woe,

None too costly the Burgers deemed it, but their portals against the foe

Had they walled up; well armed the watch-towers, and he saw on each rampart high

Archers, with cross-bow bended that their bolts ‘gainst the foe might fly.

For defence and defiance ready on the battlements they stood.225

Up the hillside toward the castle he turned him, that hero good.

Tho’ little he knew the pathway to the Burg came the gallant knight,

And straightway his eyes beheld them, full many a lady bright,

For the prince’s wife had come there, from the hall abroad to gaze,

And daughters twain stood by her, bright as the sunlight’s rays.230

Then they spake in such wise as Gawain right well their words might hear—

‘Now, who is this,’ quoth the mother, ‘who doth to our aid draw near?

Where goes he with pack-horse laden?’ Spake the elder daughter fair,

‘Nay, mother, ’tis but a merchant!’ ‘Yet he many a shield doth bear.’

‘Such shall oft be the wont of merchants!’ Then the younger sister spake,235

‘Thou sayest the thing that is not, and shame to thyself shouldst take,

For surely he is no merchant! My knight shall he be straightway,

If his service here craveth guerdon, such debt I were fain to pay!’

Now the squires they saw how a linden and olive-trees stood fair

Beneath the walls, and they thought them how a welcome shade were there.240

What would ye more? Then King Lot’s son he straight to the ground did spring

Where the shade was best, and his servants, they swift to their lord would bring

A cushion fair and a mattress, and the proud knight he sat thereon;

From on high gazed a crowd of ladies—Then, as he his rest had won,

They lift adown from the pack-steeds the chests, and the harness bright,245

And beneath the trees they laid them who rode here with the gallant knight.

Spake the elder duchess, ‘Daughter, what merchant think thou would fare

In such royal guise? Thou wrongest his rank who now sitteth there!’

Then out quoth the younger sister, ‘Discourteous she aye shall be,

With pride and scorn did she treat him, our king, Meljanz of Lys,250

When her love he besought—unseemly such words and ways I trow!’

Then spake Obie, for anger moved her, ‘I see naught in that man below!

There sitteth, methinks, a merchant, and he driveth a goodly trade;

He would that they well were guarded, the chests that his steeds do lade,

And like to a brooding dragon, O foolish sister mine,255

O’er his treasure-chest he watcheth, this gallant knight of thine!’

And each word that they spake, the maidens, fell clear on Gawain’s ear—

Leave we their speech, of the city and its peril ye now must hear.

A water that ships had sailed on ‘neath a bridge of stone flowed past,

And the land here was clear of foemen, nor its flood held their armies fast.260

A marshal came swiftly riding ‘fore the bridge on the plain so wide,

And a goodly camp had he marked out ere his lord to the field should ride.

And he came e’en as they were ready, and with him came many more—

I will tell ye their names who, for truth’s sake, and the love they to Lippaut bore,

Here rode to his aid—His brother, men called him Duke Marangliess,265

And two swift knights came with him from the land of Brevigariez;

King Schirniel, the gallant monarch who ware crown in Lirivoin,

And with him there rode his brother, the monarch of Avendroin.

Now when the Burgers saw well that help drew anigh their wall

They deemed that an evil counsel which aforetime seemed good to all—270

Then out spake their lord, Duke Lippaut, ‘Alas! for the woeful hour

That Beaurosch must seal its portals against the foeman’s power!

Yet if I against my master in open field had fought,

Then mine honour, methinks, were smitten, and my courtesy brought to naught.

His grace would beseem me better, and gladden me more, I ween,275

Than the hatred which now he showeth, of such hate have I guiltless been.

A joust that his hand had smitten but little would grace my shield.

Or if his of the sword bare token that I ‘gainst my king would wield.

Methinketh, tho’ wise the woman, she were shamed an she praised such deed—

Yea, say that my king were captive in my tower, I my lord had freed,280

And myself had become his prisoner—what had pleased him best to do

Of evil, I’ld gladly bear it, as befitted a vassal true,

And I thank my God of a true heart that I here, a free man, stand,

Tho’ spurred by love and anger my king doth invade my land!’

Then he quoth again to the Burgers, ‘Now may wisdom with ye be found285

To counsel me in the perils that compass my path around.’

Then many a wise man answered, ‘Thou hast wrought in no wise amiss,

Might innocence win its guerdon, then thou never hadst come to this.’

Then all with one voice they counselled that the gates be opened wide,

And that he should bid their bravest forthwith unto jousting ride.290

And they quoth, ‘So to fight were better than thus our ramparts high

To defend ‘gainst our king, and the armies twofold that around us lie,

For the most part they are but children who ride with their king to-day,

And ’twere easy to take a hostage, so wrath oft is turned away.

And the king he shall be so minded, that if here knightly deeds be done,295

He shall free us perchance from our peril, and the ending of wrath be won.

Far better in field to seek them than forth from our walls be brought

As their captives—Nay, e’en to their tent-ropes, methinks, we with ease had fought

Were it not for the King Poidikonjonz, ‘neath his banner the bravest fight;

And there is our greatest peril, the captive Breton knights,300

Duke Astor it is who leads them, and foremost in strife are they;

And the king’s son is there, Meljakanz; higher his fame to-day

Had Gurnemanz been his teacher! Yet never he feareth fight;

But help have we found against them,’—Now their rede have ye heard aright.

Then the prince he did as they counselled, the portals he open brake,305

And the Burgers who ne’er lacked courage their way to the field would take.

Here one jousted, and there another; and the armies they made their way

With high courage towards the city, right good was their vesper-play.

On both sides the troops were countless; manifold was their battle-cry,

And Scotch and Welsh might ye hearken, for in sooth here I tell no lie.310

And stern were their deeds of knighthood as fitting so stern a fight,

And bravely those heroes battled, till weary each gallant knight.

And they were little more than children who with the king’s army came,

And they took them as pledge in a corn-field, who thought there to win them fame,

And he who had ne’er won token of love from a lady fair,315

Might never more costly raiment on his youthful body bear;

Of Meljanz the venture telleth that in harness bright he rode,

On high flamed his youthful courage—A charger the king bestrode

That Meljakanz won when in jousting his foe from his steed he swung,

’Twas Kay, and so high he smote him that aloft from a bough he hung;320

There Meljakanz won the charger that Meljanz would ride that day,

And foremost of all the heroes he strove in the knightly fray.

And Obie beheld his jousting, and watched him with eager eye,

As she stood there among her maidens, and gazed from the palace high.

So quoth she unto her sister, ‘See, sister mine, thy knight325

And mine, unlike do they bear them, for thine hath no will to fight,

He thinketh for sure this city and castle we needs must lose.

An here we would seek defenders, other champion we needs must choose!’

And the younger must bear her mocking—then she spake, ‘Yet I trust my knight,

He hath time yet to show his courage, and thy mockery put to flight.330

For here shall he do me service, and his gladness shall be my care,

An thou holdest him for a merchant, with me shall he trade full fair!’

As with words they strove, the maidens, he hearkened, the Knight Gawain,

Yet he made as tho’ he heard not as he sat on the grassy plain.

And if knightly soul should hearken, nor feel in the hearing shame,335

’Twould but be that death had freed him from burden of praise or blame.

Now still lay the mighty army that Poidikonjonz had led,

Save one gallant youth with his vassals, who swift to the combat sped,

And Lanveronz was his dukedom—Here came Poidikonjonz the king,

And the old man wise one and other again to the camp would bring,340

For the vesper-play was ended—In sooth had they fought right well,

And for love of many a maiden full many a deed befell.

Then out spake the King Poidikonjonz to Lanveronz’ gallant knight,

”Twere fitting to wait for thy leader, an thou lusted for fame to fight.

Dost think thou hast borne thee bravely? See the brave Knight Lahduman,345

And here is my son Meljakanz,—Came these two in the van,

And I myself, then, I think me, that a fair fight thou sure shouldst see

Wert thou learnèd enow in combat to know what a fight should be!

I come not again from this city till of strife we have had our fill,

Or man and woman yield them as prisoners to my will!’350

Quoth Duke Astor, ‘The king, thy nephew, O sire fought before the gate

With his army of Lys—Should thine army here slumber o’er-long and late

The while these others battled? Say when didst thou teach such lore?

Must I slumber while others battle then I’ll slumber as ne’er of yore!

Yet believe me, had I not been there then the Burgers had won them fame,355

And a fair prize their hand had taken—I have guarded thee here from shame;

In God’s Name be no longer wrathful! Such valour thy folk have shown,

They won more than they lost,—I think me fair Obie the same will own!’

Yet Poidikonjonz was wrathful with his nephew, Meljanz the king,

Tho’ of many a joust the token the young knight from the field must bring,360

And youthful fame ne’er mourneth such pledge of strife, I ween—

Now hear ye again of the maiden who the cause of this strife had been.

Hate enow did she bear to Gawain who was guiltless of ill intent,

And shame would she bring upon him—A servant the maiden sent

Below, to Gawain as he sat there, ‘Now ask thou, without delay,365

If his steeds be for sale—In his coffers, perchance, he doth bear alway

Goodly raiment that we may purchase; say thou if it so shall be,

Then we ladies above in the castle will buy of him readily.’

So the serving man went, and his greeting was wrath, for Sir Gawain’s eye

Taught fear to his heart, and in terror the lad from his face would fly,370

And he asked not, nor gave the message his lady had bid him bear.

Nor Gawain held his peace, ‘Thou rascal, from hence shalt thou swiftly fare,

For many a blow will I give thee if again thou dost dare draw near!’

Then the lad hied him back to his lady; what she did shall ye straightway hear:

For she bade one speak to the Burg-grave, Scherules they called his name,375

Saying, ‘This shall he do at my bidding for the sake of his manly fame;

‘Neath the olive-trees by the Burg-moat stand seven steeds, I trow,

In them shall he find his guerdon, and riches beside enow.

A merchant will here deal falsely—I pray he prevent such deed.

I trust in his hand; none shall blame him, if the goods he doth hold for meed.’380

The squire went below as she bade him, and his lady’s plaint he bare;

‘From knavery must we guard us,’ quoth Scherules, ‘I forth will fare.’

So he rode where Gawain was seated whose courage might never fail,

And he found there all weakness lacking, high heart that for naught would quail,

And a face so fair to look on—Scherules he saw him well,385

And his arms and hands so skilful that a knightly tale might tell.

And he spake, ‘Thou art here a stranger, Sir Knight, sure good wit we need

Since here thou hast found no lodging; as sin shalt thou count such deed.

I will now myself be marshal, folk and goods, all I call mine own

That freely shall do thee service; nor host to his guest hath shown390

Such favour as I would show thee.’ ‘Thy favour,’ quoth Knight Gawain,

‘As yet shall be undeservèd, yet to follow thee am I fain.’

Then Scherules, of honour worthy, he spake of a true heart free,

‘Since the office hath fallen to me, thy guardian ‘gainst loss I’ll be,

If the outer host would rob thee, thou shalt call to thine aid mine hand,’395

Then, smiling, he spake to the servants whom he saw round their master stand,

‘Now load ye again your harness that never a piece shall fail,

For hence must we ride, and shelter shall ye find in the lower vale.’

With the Burg-grave he rode, Sir Gawain, nor Obie her wrong would own,

But she sent a minstrel maiden whom her father right well had known,400

And she bade her bear the tidings, a false coiner had passed that way,

‘And goodly and rich is his lading; by his knighthood my father pray,

Since many a hireling serves him for steed, and garb, and gold,

That he here let them take their payment, ’twere enow, were they sevenfold.’

To the prince did she tell, the minstrel, all that his daughter said—405

Now to win so rich a booty that his hirelings may be well paid,

The need right well he knoweth who hath ridden forth to war,

And Lippaut, the prince so faithful, by his soldiers was pressed full sore—

Then he thought, ‘I must win this treasure or by love or by force to-day.’

And swiftly he rode; but Scherules, he met him upon his way,410

‘Now whither dost ride so swiftly?’ ‘A knave would I here pursue,

A false coiner is he, I think me, if the tale I have heard be true!

Now guiltless in sooth was Gawain, ’twas but thro’ his steeds and gold

That suspicion on him had lighted—Then loud laughed the Burg-grave bold,

And he quoth, ‘Nay, sire, they misled thee, they lied who thus told the tale415

Were it wife, or man, or maiden—Nor knighthood my guest shall fail,

Far otherwise shalt thou judge him, no die he methinks shall hold;

Ne’er bare he the purse of the changer, if the tale shall aright be told.

Look thou on his mien, and hearken his word, in my house is he,

An knighthood aright thou readest then thou knighthood in him shalt see,420

And ne’er was he bold in falsehood—Whoever hath done him wrong,

An my child it were, or my father; whose wrath waxeth fierce and strong,

An my kinsman it be, or my brother, then the rudder of strife shall turn

‘Gainst myself, for I will defend him from the wrong that he ne’er did earn,

If I with thy will may do so. The knight’s garb would I gladly change425

For the hermit’s robe of sackcloth, and afar thro’ the wide world range

In a land where none may know me, than here thou shouldst reap thee shame!

Methinks it would better fit thee to welcome such guests as came,

Who have heard the tale of thy sorrow, than to rob them of goods and gold;

’Twould better beseem my master as treason such deed to hold!’430

The prince spake, ‘I fain would see him.’ ‘Methinks ’twill not harm my guest.’

So he rode where he looked on Gawain, and two eyes and a heart confessed

(The eyes and the heart of Lippaut) that the stranger was fair to see,

And knighthood and manly virtue the mate to his mien should be.

Whosoe’er, by true love constrainèd, hath felt of true love the pain,435

Then his heart, as right well ye know it, doth forfeit to Love remain,

And so doth she change and rule it that no mouth can the wonder speak,

Be it heart of man or of maiden on which she her will would wreak,

And the wise doth she bend to folly. Now the twain they were lovers true,

King Meljanz and maiden Obie—His anger ye needs must rue,440

Since in wrath he had ridden from her; of sorrow such load she bare

That her spirit was moved to anger unfitting a maiden fair.

And, guiltless, must Gawain suffer, and others must feel her pain;

She had womanly ways forsaken when she gave to her wrath the rein.

Whene’er she beheld the hero as a thorn was he to her sight,445

For her heart was fain that Meljanz be held for the bravest knight,

And she thought, ‘Doth he bring me sorrow, then sorrow I’ll gladly bear,

O’er all the world do I love him, my hero, so young and fair,

And my heart for his love aye yearneth.’ Oft anger from love doth grow,

Nor blame ye o’er-much the maiden if her love she by wrath would show.450

Now list how he spake, her father, as he looked on the Knight Gawain

And bade him a kindly welcome—In this wise he spake again,

‘Sir Knight, it may be that thy coming the dawn of our bliss hath been;

Thro’ many a land have I journeyed, but no face have I ever seen

So fair to mine eyes as thy face. In this our day of grief455

Thy coming shall bring us comfort, thro’ thee may we find relief.’

Then he prayed him take part in the conflict—‘If harness shall lack to thee

All thou needest will I prepare thee, so here thou wilt fight for me.’

Then out quoth the gallant Gawain, ‘That would I of right goodwill,

I am strong, and well armed for battle, yet from strife must I hold me still,460

Nor fight till the hour appointed; or else would I gladly fare

As thou farest, the fate of battle with thee were I fain to share.

But now must I needs forego it, for ’tis fitting I first should fight

With the foeman to whom I pledged me on mine honour as faithful knight.

By the favour I claim from all true knights my fame must I there defend465

Or die on the field—To this conflict, Sir Knight, I my way would wend!’

Then a grief were his words to Lippaut, and he quoth, ‘By thy knightly fame,

And thy courtesy, do thou hear me, for free shall I be from blame.

Two daughters have I, and I love them, and dear to my heart are they,

In the joy God in them hath given would I live to my dying day.470

Yea, well is me for my children, tho’ sorrow thro’ them I win,

And the one of my two fair daughters methinks hath her share therein,

And unlike, tho’ alike, we share it—for thro’ Love doth my lord and king

Work sorrow to her, and thro’ Hatred his forces ‘gainst me would bring.

And thus do I read the riddle, my lord worketh ill to me,475

Since a son I lack, but I wot well that my daughters shall dearer be.

What, then, if for them I suffer? Then my woe do I count for weal—

Who hath never an heir save his daughter, tho’ the sword ne’er her grip may feel,

Yet other defence may she bring him, she may win him a son and heir;

And such is my hope!’—Quoth Gawain, ‘God grant thee ............