Now tell we of strange adventures thro’ which joy shall be waxen low,

And yet pride shall grow the greater, of the twain doth this story show.

Now the year of truce was ended, when the strife must needs be fought

Which the Landgrave unto King Arthur at Plimiz?l had brought.

At Schamfanzon he challenged Gawain to meet him at Barbig?l,5

Yet still unavenged was Kingrisein at the hand of Kingrimursel—

In sooth, Vergulacht, he rode there, and thither had come Gawain,

And the whole world was ‘ware of their kinship nor might strife be betwixt the twain;

For the murder, Count Eckunat did it, and Gawain must they guiltless hold,

At rest did they lay their quarrel and friends were those heroes bold.10

Then they parted for both would ride thence, Vergulacht and the knight Gawain,

Tho’ both for the Grail were seeking yet apart would they ride, those twain.

And many a joust must they ride now, for he who the Grail would see

Sword in hand must he draw anigh it, and swift must his seeking be!

Now all that befell to Gawain, the lot of that blameless knight15

Since he rode forth from fair Schamfanzon, if he oft on his way must fight,

Ye shall ask of those who there saw him, since naught may I tell ye here,

Yet hearken, and heed the story and the venture that draweth near.

One morning Gawain rode gaily o’er a grassy plain and green,

When a shield, in the sun fair shining, with lance-thrust pierced thro’ was seen,20

And a charger stood beside it that bare women’s riding-gear,

And the bridle and aye the housing were of costly stuff and dear—

And the charger and shield beside it were bound to a linden tree.

Then he thought, ‘Who shall be this woman? for valiant I ween is she,

Since she beareth a shield so knightly—If she thinketh with me to fight,25

How, then, may I best withstand her? Were it better to here alight?

If too long she wrestle with me perchance I were overthrown,

If hatred or love I shall win here I will fight her on foot alone;

Yea, e’en an she were Kamilla, who before Laurentium fought—

Did she live still to battle with me, as awhile she for honour sought,30

I would face her, nor fear her prowess, if here she my foe would be,

Tho’ ne’er with a maid have I foughten and the chance seemeth ill to me!’

Battle-hewn was the shield and dinted, as Gawain right well espied

The nearer he rode unto it, and pierced with a lance-thrust wide.

Such token by joust is painted, little payment his skill should know35

Whose hand erst the shield had fashioned an he thought him to paint it so!

By the trunk of the mighty linden sat a maid on the grass so green,

And sore did she weep and bewail her, and joyless, I wot, her mien.

Then around the tree rode Gawain, and lo! on her knee she bore

A knight, and she wept above him, and grieved with a sorrow sore.40

Fair greeting Sir Gawain proffered, she thanked him and bowed her low,

And hoarse was her voice thro’ weeping and weakened thro’ force of woe.

Then down to the ground sprang Gawain, for the knight he was like to choke,

Since the blood welled within his body, and unto the maid he spoke,

And he asked if the knight were living, or should now in the death-throe be?45

And she spake, ‘He dieth surely, yet but now alive was he,

God hath sent thee unto my succour, now help me with word and deed,

Such wounds shalt thou oft have looked on, give counsel in this my need!’

‘Yea, gladly I’ll aid thee, Lady, from death shall thy knight be freed,

And healing I well might win him an there were but at hand a reed.50

Thou shalt see him, and hearken to him, nor his life shall be waxen less,

The wound is not all too dangerous, but the blood on his heart doth press.’

Then he stripped from a bough of the linden the bark, and did wind it round,

(No fool he in art of healing,) and he set it unto the wound,

And he bade the maiden suck it till the blood should toward her flow—55

And strength came again and hearing, and the voice of the knight they know,

And he looked on Gawain, and he thanked him, and said he should honoured be

In that from his woe he had freed him, and he asked of him, whence came he?

Rode he hither in search of knighthood? ‘From far Punturtois I came

In search of such knightly venture as should win for me meed of fame,60

Yet sorely must I bewail me for the ill that I here have won,

Sir Knight, an thy senses fail not, ’twere better this way to shun!’

‘Such evil I little looked for—’Twas Lischois Giwellius

Who hath wounded me so sorely, and down from my charger thrust:

Fair was the joust and knightly, and he pierced me thro’ shield and side,65

On her steed this maiden helped me, and hither hath been my guide!’

Then he prayed Gawain to abide there, but he spake, he the place would see

Where such evil had chanced unto him, ‘If Logrois thus near shall be,

Perchance I shall yet o’ertake him, he shall answer to me, I trow,

For the deed he hath done, and his reason for vengeance on thee I’ll know!’70

But the wounded knight spake, ‘Not so, for true are the words I say,

And no child’s play shall be this journey, great perils beset the way.’

With the band from the maiden’s tresses Gawain the wound did bind,

And spake o’er it spells of healing, and he bade them their comfort find

In God, since He cares for all men—With blood was their pathway red,75

And crimson the grass besprinkled as a stag had its life-blood shed;

Thus he rode not astray, and in short space did Logrois before him stand—

A fortress so fair and stately, its praise was in every land.

’Twas a stately Burg well builded, and it wound the hillside round,

From afar as a mighty circlet the fortress the summit crowned.80

E’en to-day men this honour give it, its wall shall be stormed in vain,

For it openeth its gates to no foeman, whose hatred soe’er it gain!

And a garden lay green around it, ’twas planted with trees so fair,

Olive, pomegranate, fig-tree, and the vine which its grapes doth bear,

And gaily they grew and flourished—as Gawain rode that garden bright85

He saw there what wrought him sorrow, yet filled him with all delight!

A streamlet gushed forth from the hillside, there he saw that which grieved him naught,

A lady so fair to look on that gladly her face he sought.

The flower was she of all women, save Kondwiramur alone

No fairer form nor feature might ever on earth be known.90

So sweet and so bright to look on, so courteous and royal of mien,

Orgelusé, was she, of Logrois, and men say that in her was seen

The charm that desire awakeneth, a balm for the eyes of care,

For no heart but was drawn toward her, and no mouth but would speak her fair!

Gawain gave her courteous greeting, and he spake, ‘If such grace I ?ain95

That thou willest I should alight here and awhile at thy side remain,

If I see that my presence please thee, then sorrow be far from me,

And joy in its stead dwell with me, no knight e’er might gladder be!

May I die if the truth I speak not, no woman e’er pleased me more—’

‘It is well, yet methinks I knew that,’ then the knight for a space she saw;100

And her sweet lips spake thus unto him, ‘Now make of thy praise an end,

For well might it work thee evil, and I care not that foe or friend,

Whoever he be that cometh, his judgment on me shall speak,

For sure if all lips shall praise me my fame it but waxeth weak!

If the wise praise me e’en as the foolish, the false as the pure and true,105

Then my fame shall be e’en as another’s, for the many shall drown the few.

But my praise do I hold, and but wisdom shall speak that which she doth know—

Who thou mayst be, Sir Knight, I know not, but ’tis time thou thy way shouldst go!’

‘Yet o’er thee will I speak my verdict, if thou dwellest anear my heart

Then thy dwelling is not within it, for without shalt thou have thy part.110

And say thou my love desirest, how hast thou rewarding won?

From the eyes swiftly shoot the glances, yet a sling, when the work is done,

Smiteth gentler than looks which linger on that which doth sorrow wreak,

Thy desire is but empty folly, thou shouldst other service seek!

If thine hand for love’s sake shall battle, if adventure hath bidden thee115

By knighthood win love’s rewarding, yet thou winnest it not from me.

Nor honour shall be thy portion, but shame shalt thou win alone—

Now the truth have I spoken unto thee, ’twere best thou shouldst get thee gone!’

Then he quoth, ‘Truth thou speakest, Lady, since mine eyes thus mine heart have brought

In danger, for they beheld thee, and thy fetters around me wrought.120

But now, since I be thy captive, I prithee entreat me well,

Without thine own will hast thou done this, in silence I owned thy spell:

Thou shalt loose me, or thou shalt bind me, for my will it shall be as thine,

And gladly all woes I’ld suffer if so I might call thee mine!’

Then she quoth, ‘Yea! so take me with thee, if thou countest upon thy gain,125

And the love that shall be thy guerdon, thou shalt mourn it in shame and pain.

I would know if a man thou shalt be who bravely for me would fight—

And yet, if thou prize thine honour, thou wilt flee from this strife, Sir Knight!

And should I yet further rede thee, and thou shouldst to my word say yea,

Then seek thou elsewhere a lady—For, if thou my love dost pray,130

Then joy and fair love’s rewarding fall never unto thy share,

But sorrow shall be thy portion if hence I with thee shall fare!’

Then answered Gawain, ‘Without service, who thinketh true love to win?

An one did so, then here I tell thee, ’twere counted to him for sin,

For true love ever asketh service, yea after as aye before!’135

Then she quoth, ‘Wilt thou do me service? shame waiteth for thee in store,

Tho’ thy life be a life of conflict—No coward as my knight I’ll own;

See thou yonder path, ’tis no highway, o’er the bridge doth it wend adown

To the garden, take thou the pathway, for there shalt thou find my steed—

Many folk shalt thou see and shalt hearken, but take thou of their words no heed,140

Nor stay for their dance or singing, for tambour, or harp, or flute,

But go thou to my horse, and loose it, that I go not with thee afoot!’

Gawain sprang from off his charger—Yet awhile he bethought him well

Where his steed might abide his coming: by the waters that rippling fell

Was no tree unto which to bind it, and he knew not if he this dame145

Might pray, would she hold his charger till once more with her own he came.

Then she quoth, ‘I see well what doth vex thee, thine horse shalt thou leave with me,

I will guard it until thy coming tho’ small good shall that be to thee!’

Then Gawain took his horse’s bridle, ‘Now hold this for me, I pray;’

‘Now indeed art thou dull and foolish,’ spake the lady, ‘where thou dost lay150

Thine hand, thinkest thou I’ll hold it? such deed would beseem me ill!’

Then the love-lorn knight spake gently, for fain would he do her will,

‘Further forward I never hold it!’ Then she quoth, ’I will hold it there,

And do thou my bidding swiftly, bring my steed and with thee I’ll fare;’

Then he thought this a joyful hearing, and straightway he left her side,155

And over the bridge so narrow to the garden gate he hied;

There saw he many a maiden, and knights so brave and young,

And within that goodly garden so gaily they danced and sung.

And Gawain he was clad so richly, with helmet and harness fair,

That all must bewail his coming for naught but true folk dwelt there.160

They cared for that lovely garden, on the greensward they stood or lay,

Or sat ‘neath the tents whose shadow was cool ‘gainst the sunlight’s ray.

Yet they ceased not to bemoan him, and to grieve for his sorrow sore,

Yea, man alike and maiden, and in this wise their plaint they bore,

‘Alas! that our lady’s cunning will to danger this knight betray!165

Alas! that he fain will follow, for she rideth an evil way.’

And many stepped fair towards him, and their arms around him threw,

And bade him a friendly greeting—to an olive tree he drew,

For the steed was fast beneath it, so rich was its gear, I ween,

That the cost of the goodly trappings full thousand marks had been.170

And an old knight he stood beside it, well-trimmed was his beard and grey,

And upon a staff he leant him, and salt tears he wept alway.

And the tears, they were shed for Gawain, as he to the steed drew near,

Yet his words of kindly greeting fell soft on the hero’s ear.

Then he spake, ‘Wilt thou hearken counsel? Lay not on this steed thine hand,175

And herein shalt thou show thy wisdom—tho’ none here thy will withstand,

Yet, indeed, it were best to leave it! Accurst be our lady queen,

For of many a gallant hero, I wot, she the death hath been!’

Yet Gawain he would do her bidding—‘Then, alas! for woe draweth near,’

Spake the knight, and he loosed the halter, ”Twere best not to linger here,180

The steed shalt thou take, and shalt leave us, and may He Who made salt the sea,

In the hour of thy need, and thy peril, thy strength and thy counsel be:

And see thou that our lady’s beauty, it bringeth thee not to shame,

She is sour in the midst of sweetness, ‘mid the sunlight a shower of rain.’

‘God grant it,’ then quoth Sir Gawain, and straightway he took his leave185

Of the old knight and of his comrades and sorely the folk did grieve.

And the horse went a narrow pathway, and it passed thro’ the garden gate,

And it crossed o’er the bridge, and he found her who there did his coming wait,

The queen of his heart, and the ruler was she of that land so fair,

Yet altho’ his heart fled towards her yet grief thro’ her deed it bare.190

Her hand ‘neath her chin soft-rounded had loosened the wimple’s fold,

And flung it aback on her head-gear,—(if a woman ye thus behold,

Know ye that for strife she longeth and mischief she hath in mind)—

Would ye know how else she had robed her ye naught in my song shall find,

For how might I tell her raiment and name ye her robes aright,195

When mine eyes, on her fair face gazing, saw naught but her beauty bright?

As Gawain drew near the lady, she hailed him with scornful mien,

‘Now welcome, thou goose! for of all men most foolish art thou, I ween,

All too bent shalt thou be on my service, wert thou wise thou wouldst let it be—’

Then he quoth, ‘Yet shalt thou be gracious who now art so wroth with me,200

For so harshly thou dost chastise me thou in honour must make it good,

And my hand shall be fain to serve thee till thou winnest a milder mood;

Ask thou what of me thou willest—Shall I lift thee upon thy steed?’

But she quoth, ‘I will no such service, for methinks all too great such meed

For a hand that is yet unproven—Ask thou for a lesser grace!’205

On the flowery sward she turned her, and she looked not on Gawain’s face,

But she laid her hand on the bridle, and she light to the saddle sprung,

And she bade him to ride before her, and she spake with a mocking tongue,

‘Now indeed would it be great pity did I stray from so brave a knight,

By God’s grace will we keep together, so ride thou within my sight!’210

Now he who my rede would follow his peace shall he hold awhile,

Lest he speak but the word of folly, till he know if she wrought of guile,

For as yet the truth ye know not, nor the thing that was in her heart.

And were it the time for vengeance, then I too might bear my part,

And take from this lady payment for the wrong she hath done Gawain;215

Nor of that she shall do hereafter shall aught unavenged remain.

But Orgelusé, that lovely lady, bare herself in no friendly wise,

For she rode in the track of Gawain, and so wrathful, I ween, her guise

That were I in the stead of Gawain little comfort my soul might take

That she from my care would free me, and with fair love atonement make.220

Then they rode on an open moorland, and a herb did Sir Gawain see

Whose root had the power of healing, and down to the ground sprang he,

And dug up the root, and swiftly he sprang on his steed again.

And the lady she looked upon him, and she spake in a mocking vein,

‘Now in sooth if this my companion can at one-while be leech and knight,225

For starvation he need not fear him if his salve-box he bear aright!’

Quoth Gawain, ”Neath a mighty linden a wounded knight I saw,

Methinks, if again I find him, this herb shall the poison draw

From his wounds, and new strength may give him!’ She spake, ‘Now I well were fain

To look on thy skill, for who knoweth what knowledge I thence may gain!’230

Now a squire he rode swift behind them, ’twas the lady’s messenger,

Fain was he to do her bidding—As the horse-hoofs they drew anear

Gawain would await his coming, and his steed for a space he held,

Yet he deemed him he saw a monster when first he the squire beheld,

For Malcréature did they call him, and Kondrie was his sister fair,235

And e’en such a face as the sister, I ween, did the brother bear.

From his mouth, as the tusks of a wild-boar, stood the teeth out to left and right,

Unlike was his face to a man’s face, and fearful in all men’s sight.

And the locks of his hair were shorter than those which from Kondrie hung

Adown on her mule, stiff as bristles, and sharp, from his head they sprung.240

And beside the river Ganges, in the land of Tribalibot,

Dwell such folk, if awhile ye hearken ye shall learn how befell their lot.

Now Adam, of all men father, from God did he learn such skill,

All beasts, wild and tame, he knew them, and he namèd them at his will.

And he knew the stars and their pathway, as they circle the silent sky,245

And the power of the seven planets, how they rule men from heaven high,

And he knew of all roots the virtue, and the ill that was theirs of yore—

When his children were grown to manhood, and daughters and sons they bore,

From evil desires he warned them; and his daughters he oft did rede

Of certain roots to beware them, that wrought ill with the human seed,250

And would change their face, and their aspect, and dishonoured the race should be;

And he spake, ‘Then shall we be other than erst God did fashion me,

And therefore do ye, my children, give heed to the words I say,

Nor be blind to your bliss, lest your children they wander too far astray.’

But the women, they did as women, in forbidden ways they went,255

And they wrought out the lust and the evil on which their desire was bent,

And the shape of men was changèd, such rewarding their fault must win,

And tho’ firm stood the will of Adam yet sorely he mourned their sin—

Now the fair Queen Sekundillé, her body, her crown, and land,

Feirefis had won as his guerdon by the power of his knightly hand,260

And there, in her far-off kingdom (no lie is the tale I tell)

Full many of this strange people since the days that are gone do dwell,

And their faces are ill to look on, and the birth-marks are strange they bear.

And once of the Grail men told her, and Anfortas’ kingdom fair,

That on earth was naught like to his riches, and a marvel she thought his land—265

(And the waters within her kingdom bare jewels instead of sand,

And many a golden mountain shall rear its crest on high.)

And the queen she thought, ‘How may I win speech of his majesty,

Who ruleth the Grail?’ she bethought her, and rich presents she sent the king,

Of jewels fair, and beside them, they should to his kingdom bring270

Of this folk, so strange to look on, the twain of whom now I tell,

Kondrie and the squire, her brother—and in this wise the chance befell

(Much treasure beside she sent him whose cost might of none be told,)

That Anfortas, the gentle monarch, who was courteous as he was bold,

For the love he bare Orgelusé sent this squire unto her grace,275

By the sin and the lust of women set apart from the human race!

Now this son of the herbs and the planets loud mocked at the gallant knight,

Who, courteous, would wait his coming; no charger he rode of might,

But a mare so feint and feeble and halting in every limb,

And oft to the ground it stumbled ‘neath its rider so harsh and grim.280

I wot well e’en Dame Jeschuté rode a better steed that day

When Parzival’s hand avenged her, and her shaming was put away!

The squire he looked well upon Gawain, and thus in his wrath he spake,

‘If thou be a knight, I think me, and my lady with thee wilt take

Thou shalt sorely repent the journey—A fool thou in truth must be,285

And such peril shall be thy guerdon as winneth great praise to thee,

If so be that thou canst withstand it—Yet, if but a servant thou,

Of buffets and blows, I think me, full soon wilt thou have enow!’

Then out quoth Gawain, ‘My knighthood such chastisement ne’er might feel,

’Tis good but for worthless youngsters who shrink from the touch of steel;290

But I hold me free of such insults, and e’en if it so shall be

That thou and this lovely lady your mock’ry shall pour on me,

Then one sure shall taste my vengeance, nor think thou that I wax wroth

For ill tho’ thou be to look on I hold thee but light in troth!’

With that by the hair he gripped him, and he swung him from off his horse,295

The squire glared wrathful on him, and his bristles, so sharp and coarse,

Took vengeance sore on Gawain, his hand did they cut and tear

Till the blood dripped crimson from it—then loud laughed the lady fair,

‘Now in sooth this is good to look on, to see ye twain in wrath!’

So rode the twain, the squire’s horse came halting upon their path.300

So came they unto the linden where the wounded knight they found,

On his side the herb of healing the hand of Gawain bound;

Quoth the knight, ‘Now, how went it with thee since first thou didst find me here?

Thou leadest with thee a lady who plotteth thine ill, I fear!

’Tis thro’ her I so sore am wounded; at the Perilous Ford, I ween,305

Did she force such a joust upon me as well-nigh my death had been!

So, if thou thy life now lovest, I warn thee to let her be,

And turn thee aside, nor ride with her, but warning to take by me—

And yet may my wounds be healèd, if rest for awhile I gain,

And, Sir Knight, thereto canst thou help me!’ ‘That will I,’ quoth knight Gawain.310

Then the wounded knight spake further, ‘A spital shall stand near by,

And if I but now might reach it for awhile I in peace might lie,

Thou seest my lady’s palfrey, it can carry, methinks, the twain

If she rideth afore, I behind her, so help me its back to gain.’

From the bough of the mighty linden Sir Gawain he loosed the steed,315

And the bridle he took that the palfrey he might to the lady lead—

‘Away from me!’ cried the sick man, ‘thou treadest on me I trow!’

Then he led it apart, and the lady she followed so soft and slow,

For she knew what her lord did purpose; as the maid to her horse he swung,

Up started the knight, and swiftly on the charger of Gawain sprung!320

And, methinks, an ill deed he did there—With his lady he rode away,

And I ween that with sin was tainted the prize that he won that day!

Then sore did Gawain bemoan him, but the lady laughed loud and clear;

(And, were it a jest, he thought him such mirth were unfitting here,)

As his charger was taken from him her sweet lips in this wise spake,325

‘First wert thou a knight, then, in short space, I thee for a leech must take,

Now art thou become my footman! yet thou shouldst in no wise despair,

Such skill sure should bring thee comfort! Wouldst thou still in my favours share?’

‘Yea, Lady,’ then quoth Sir Gawain, ‘an I might thy favor hold,

The whole earth hath nothing fairer were the tale of its riches told;330

And of crownèd heads, and uncrownèd, of all who may joyful win

The highest meed of glory, did they bid me to share therein,

Yet still my heart would rede me to count all such gain as naught

If thy love were but weighed against it, such bliss had thy favour brought!

If thy love may not be my guerdon then a swift sad death I’ll die,335

’Tis thine own this thing that thou scornest when thou dealest thus mockingly.

Tho’ a free man born thou shalt hold me thy vassal, if such thy will,

Call me knight, or slave, or servant, the name it shall please me still!

Yet, I think me, thou doest not rightly—When my service thou thus wilt shame

Thou drawest down sin upon thee, and thou shamest thine own fair fame.340

If my service doth bring me honour thou hast naught withal to scorn,

And such words shall but ill beseem thee tho’ they lightly by me be borne!’

Then back rode the knight, sore wounded, and he quoth, ‘Is it thou, Gawain?

For that which erewhile I owed thee here dost thou full payment gain,

Since thine hand in bitter conflict, me, thy foeman, did prisoner make345

And unto thine uncle Arthur thou didst me thy captive take,

And four weeks long must I dwell there, and four weeks long I fed

With the dogs—I shall ne’er forget it till the days of my life be sped!’

Then he quoth, ‘Is it thou, O Urian? If now thou art wroth with me,

Yet guiltless am I, the king’s favour at that time I won for thee,350

For thy folly so far betrayed thee that men spake thee an outcast knight,

And thy shield it was taken from thee, and forfeit thy name and right;

Since thou ill didst entreat a maiden, and the peace of the land didst break,

With a rope had the king repaid thee, but to him for thy life I spake!’

‘Howe’er that might be, here thou standest, and the proverb thou well mayst know,355

“Who saveth the life of another, that other shall have for foe.”

And I do as a wise man doeth—’Tis better a child should weep

Than a full-grown man, and bearded,—this charger mine hand shall keep!’

Then he spurred him amain, and he rode thence, as fast as his steed might fly,

And wroth was Gawain at his dealing, and he spake out right angrily;360

‘Now it fell out in this wise, Lady, King Arthur his court did hold

At Dianasdron, and with him rode many a Breton bold.

Then as messenger to his kingdom a maiden must take her way,

And this fool, for venture seeking, he crossed her path that day,

And both to the land were strangers—He burnt with unholy fire,365

And fierce with the maid he wrestled till he bent her to his desire.

As she cried for help we heard her—then the king “To arms” did call,

In a wood the thing had chanced thus, thither rode we one and all,

And I rode of all the foremost, and I saw the sinner’s track,

And I made him perforce my captive, and to Arthur I brought him back.’370

‘And the maiden she rode beside us, and sorely did she bemoan

That to force she must yield the guerdon that to service was due alone.

Of her maidenhood had he robbed her—Yet but lowly his fame shall stand

Who vaunteth himself the victor o’er a woman’s unarmèd hand—

And wrathful, I ween, was King Arthur, and he spake, ‘Ye my servants true,375

Ye shall hold this deed for accursèd, and the day of its doing rue.

Alas! for the woful dawning and the light that this thing hath seen,

Alas! that I here am ruler, for the judgment is mine, I ween!’

And he spake to the weeping maiden, ‘Hast thou wisdom, thy cause then plead.’

She spake fearless, e’en as he bade her, and the knights they must list her rede.380

‘Then Prince Urian of Punturtois stood before the Breton king,

And against his life and his honour, her plaint did the maiden bring,

And she spake so that all might hear her, and with weeping words did pray

The king, for the sake of women, her shaming to put away.

And she prayed by the honour of women, and by the Round Table’s fame,385

And the right which as message-bearer she thought of all men to claim,

If he sat there that day for judgment he should judge her with judgment true,

And avenge her of this dishonour which her soul must for ever rue.

And she prayed they would do her justice, those knights of the Table Round,

Since in sooth she had lost a treasure which might never again be found,390

Her maidenhood fair and unstainèd! Then all men, with one accord,

Spake him guilty, and for his judgment called loudly upon their lord!’

‘Then an advocate spake for the captive, (Small honour was his I trow.)

And he spake as he might in his favour, yet it went with him ill enow,

For of life and of honour forfeit did they judge him, the headsman’s sword395

Should ne’er be his death, but a halter should they twine him of hempen cord.

Then loud in his woe he prayed me, since he yielded him to mine hand,

For mine honour should sure be stainèd if wrought were the king’s command.

Then I prayed of the weeping maiden, since she saw how that I in fight

Had avenged upon him her shaming, to pardon the traitor knight.400

For sure ’twas the spell of her beauty that had wrought upon him for sin,

And the lov............