Book VII: Obilot

Awhile shall this venture follow the knight, who to fly was fainFrom shame, nor with guile had dealings, that hero bold, Gawain.For many a one hath held him for as brave, yea, for braver knightThan Parzival, who the hero of this wonder-tale is hight.Yet he who his friend would ever with his words to the heavens upraiseIs 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,Homeless, upon the snowdrift, that the mouth may wax chill and soreThat hath spread for truth the story--such rewarding hath God in storeAs 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;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 sentinelHad 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.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,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 sightThat 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 fareWith pomp of warlike pageant, and banners borne high in air.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 Monsalväsch came,Lähelein, in a joust he took it, when lifeless its rider fellBy the Lake of Brimbane--Hereafter Trevrezent would the story tell.

Thought Gawain, 'He who cowardly flieth ere the foe on his track shall beFlieth all too soon for his honour--this host would I nearer seeWhatever 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.'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,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.

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,There were mules with harness laden; heavy wagons with horses strong,And they hasted them, fain for shelter; and behind them a wondrous storeOf goods, borne by travelling merchants as was ever the way of yore.And women were there in plenty, and of knightly girdle brightThe twelfth might some wear, the payment and pledge of love holden light.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 beenFor 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,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;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,And have chastisement earned, then I pray thee that my penance shall other beThat 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 knownAs well, nay, a thousand times better, than I unto thee had shown!'

Then many an oath he sware him, he knew not the race or nameOf the folk who went there before him, 'My journey hath won but shame,Since in truth must I make confession that never before to-dayMine 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,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!'

'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 twainOne whose roughness and ways discourteous Love's payment have sought in vain.He beareth the brand unknightly, Meljakanz that prince is hight,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!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 wayWhom folly doth drive to battle--The young King Meljanz of Lys,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,And to Death he needs must yield him--In grief o'er his coming endTo 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,True service henceforward show him, bid him aye act a kingly partTo 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.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 craveHer love for his love's rewarding; Obie was the name they gaveTo this maid; Obilot, her sister; and the elder maid, I ween,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;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 fainTo that which thou now desirest, all too soon should I grant thy prayer--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.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,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--'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,(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 broughtThro' no sin of his own--And eager the prince from his lord besoughtHis 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.'

'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,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;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,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,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 fierceAnd 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,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 flightThe 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 alwaySave 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,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.

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 layOn 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,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.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 byNo man of them all bade him tarry, so he rode o'er the grassy plain,And toward the beleaguered city Sir Gawain he turned his rein.

Then he thought,'Must I e'en as a smuggler, in hiding-place bestowMy 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!'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 foeHad they walled up; well armed the watch-towers, and he saw on each rampart highArchers, with cross-bow bended that their bolts 'gainst the foe might fly.For defence and defiance ready on the battlements they stood.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.

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,'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 fairBeneath the walls, and they thought them how a welcome shade were there.What would ye more? Then King Lot's son he straight to the ground did springWhere the shade was best, and his servants, they swift to their lord would bringA 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,And beneath the trees they laid them who rode here with the gallant knight.

Spake the elder duchess, 'Daughter, what merchant think thou would fareIn 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,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,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.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,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 wallThey deemed that an evil counsel which aforetime seemed good to all--Then out spake their lord, Duke Lippaut, 'Alas! for the woeful hourThat 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,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,And myself had become his prisoner--what had pleased him best to doOf 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 foundTo 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.And they quoth, 'So to fight were better than thus our ramparts highTo 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,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 broughtAs their captives--Nay, e'en to their tent-ropes, methinks, we with ease had foughtWere it not for the King Poidikonjonz, 'neath his banner the bravest fight;And there is our greatest peril, the captive Breton knights,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-dayHad 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,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 wayWith 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.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,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 bestrodeThat 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;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 knightAnd 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.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,'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,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,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 seeWert 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!'

Quoth Duke Astor, 'The king, thy nephew, O sire fought before the gateWith his army of Lys--Should thine army here slumber o'er-long and lateThe 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,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,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 sentBelow, to Gawain as he sat there, 'Now ask thou, without delay,If his steeds be for sale--In his coffers, perchance, he doth bear alwayGoodly 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 eyeTaught fear to his heart, and in terror the lad from his face would fly,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,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.'

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,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 needSince 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 ownThat freely shall do thee service; nor host to his guest hath shownSuch 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,'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,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--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,'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 goldThat 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 taleWere 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,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 changeFor the hermit's robe of sackcloth, and afar thro' the wide world rangeIn 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!'

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,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,Since in wrath he had ridden from her; of sorrow such load she bareThat 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,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.

Now list how he spake, her father, as he looked on the Knight GawainAnd 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 seenSo fair to mine eyes as thy face. In this our day of griefThy 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 theeAll 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,Nor fight till the hour appointed; or else would I gladly fareAs 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 fightWith 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 defendOr 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.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 kingWork 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,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 this favour fair!'

Then Lippaut he sorely pressed him, 'In God's name give thy pleading o'er,'Spake the son of King Lot, 'I pray thee, of thy courtesy ask no more,Nor let me betray mine honour--Yet this will I do, Sir Knight,I will think the thing o'er, and my answer shalt thou have ere it draw to night.'

Then he thanked him, the prince, and he rode forth; in the courtyard he found alwayHis child with the Burg-grave's daughter; with rings did the maidens play.'Now, daughter mine, whence camest thou?' thus to Obilot he spake,'Father, I came from the castle, to the strange knight my way I'ld take,I would pray him as knight to serve me, methinks he will hear my prayer,And do for my sake such service as winneth rewarding fair!''Nay, I fear me, my little daughter, for he saith me nor yea, nor nay,But plead thou as I have pleaded.' To the guest did she run straightway.

So came she to Gawain's chamber, he greeted her courteously,At her fairy feet he sat him, and thanked her that, maidenly,She spake for him to her sister; and he quoth, 'Now if ever a knightHad fought for so small a maiden, I were ready for thee to fight!'

Then the little maiden tender spake out so frank and free,'Sir Knight, as God is witness, the first man thou aye shalt beWith whom I have held free converse; if in this my maiden shameAnd my courtesy I wrong not, then joy as reward I claim!For ever my mistress taught me how speech is the crown of thought,And I pray thee, Sir Knight, to help us--Thro' sorrow thine aid I sought;An thou wilt, all our need I'll tell thee, nor do thou be wroth with me,For I do as befits a maiden, and my prayer to myself shall be.For altho' our name be diverse, yet methinks that thou art I,Take thou my name, and maiden and knight art thou verily.This grace from us both do I pray here, and if I from hence must goAshamed, and my prayer unanswered, then, Sir Knight, I would have thee knowThat thy knightly fame must answer to thy knightly courtesy,Since my maidenhood sought for shelter in vain in thy chivalry.But if thou indeed wilt hearken, and do me this thing I ask,With a true heart true love I'll give thee as rewarding for knightly task.'

'And art thou true man and courteous, then surely thou'lt do my will,For see, wilt thou serve a maiden, I am worthy thy service still.'Tis true that my father kinsman and cousin for help hath prayed,But for that shalt thou not refuse us, for my love shalt thou give thine aid!'

Then he quoth, 'Thy lips, sweet maiden, would bid me my word forswear,Wouldst have me my pledge to forfeit? On my knightly honour fairI pledged my word--An I fail me, 'twere better methinks to die.Yet, e'en an I did thee service for thy love, still long years must flyEre yet thou shalt be a woman, and my service might well approve.'Then he thought how Parzival trusted less in God than in woman's love,And the words he spake bare the message of the maid unto Gawain's heart;And he vowed to the little lady to bear arms on her father's part,And, laughing, he spake, 'My sword-blade thy little hand must guide,If my foeman a fair joust seeketh, then thou must against him ride;And for me shalt thou strive in conflict, for tho' men think they see me fightYet thou in my stead shalt have battled,--so keep I my pledge aright.'

Then she spake, 'That will I, right gladly, thy shelter and shield I'll be,Thine heart, and thine heart's best comfort, since from grief thou hast set me free.Thy friend will I be and comrade, and whatever chance betide,A roof 'gainst misfortune's stormcloud, safe dwelling wherein to hide.True peace this my love shall give thee, Good Fortune to thee I'll bring;That-thy strength may by naught be vanquished, I'll guard thee 'gainst host and king.Host am I alike and hostess--To combat I'll ride with thee,An thou keepest my words in remembrance strength and bliss shall thy portion be.'

Then out quoth the gallant Gawain, 'Yea, maiden, the twain I'll share,Since my life I vow to thy service, thy love and thy comfort fair.'And the hand of the little maiden the while in his strong clasp lay--Then she quoth, 'To fulfil mine office I must hence to the Burg away,Wouldst thou fare forth without my aiding, and without my token fight?Nay, for that all too dear I hold thee--My part will I play aright,And my token I will prepare thee, and if thou my pledge shalt bearThen I wot well that o'er all others thy glory shall blossom fair.'

Then they went forth, the little maidens, and Gawain, the stranger guest,They thanked with sweet words and kindly, and thus he his speech addrest,'When older ye twain shall be waxen, were they spears, every woodland bough,And the forest bare naught but spear-shafts, then too poor were the crop, I trow!If your childhood shall thus be powerful, what then of your maidenhood?For your favour brave knights shall shatter both strong shield and spear-shaft good!'

Then forth sped the little maidens, and their hearts they were glad and gay;And she spake, the Burg-grave's daughter, 'Lady, I prithee sayWhat wilt give to thy knight for a token, since naught but our dolls have we?An mine were but somewhat fairer I would give it right willinglyNor be wroth with thee for the taking, we should strive not o'er that I ween!'Then Lippaut the prince o'ertook them half-way on the hillside green,And he saw Obilot and Clauditté, as up towards the Burg they sped,And he bade them stand still, and await him, and his daughter towards him fled.

'Father, I never needed thy help as I do to-day,Now give me I pray thy counsel, for the knight he hath said me yea.''Whate'er be thy will, little daughter, an I may, I will give it thee,For happy the day whose dawning brought thee, a fair gift to me,Then Good Fortune smiled sweetly on me.' 'I will tell thee, my father dear,But the thing that so sore doth vex me thou must it in secret hear,So hearken, and do as I pray thee!' Then he bade them to lift the maidOn his charger, 'But what of my playmate?' Many knights round their leader stayed,And they strove which of them should take her, for each one well pleased would be,Then one as his prize he claimed her, for Clauditté was fair to see.Then riding, he spake, her father, 'Now Obilot tell to meHow dost thou need my counsel? What is it that vexeth thee?''I have promised my knight a token, and my wits were I ween astray,If nothing I find to give him then worthless my life to-day;Since he vowed unto me his service then in sooth must I blush for shame,If I give him naught--Never hero truer love from a maid might claim!'

Then he quoth, 'Trust to me, little daughter, and thy token I will prepare,If service from him thou winnest thou shalt give him his payment fair,If thy mother she too be willing--God grant he may bring us aid,That gallant knight and worthy; what trust I on him have laid!Tho' never a word to the hero had I spoken before to-day,Yet last night in a dream I saw him, as asleep on my couch I lay.'

Then Lippaut he sought the Duchess, and with him he led the maid,And he quoth, 'Now lady, help us, for we twain sorely need thine aid;And my heart would shout for gladness that God gave me this maiden fair,And parted me from the sorrow that I all guiltless bare.'Then out spake the Duchess, 'Tell me, what wilt thou of my grace?''Lady, since thou wilt hearken, this maid craves a better dress,And she deems she of right may ask it, since a knight will her token bear,And he asketh her love, and he offers to do for her service fair.'Then out spake the maiden's mother, 'Ah, good and gallant knight!Of the stranger I ween thou speakest, as May-tide his glance of light.'

Then samite of Ethnisé the wise mistress she bade them bearAnd rich stuffs as yet unsevered, and silk of Tabronit fairFrom far Tribalibot's kingdom--Red the gold on Kaucasus' strand,And fair is I ween the raiment which the heathen, with cunning hand,Wrought from silk, with the gold inwoven--And Lippaut, the prince, he badeThat therefrom for his little daughter fitting garments should straight be made.Nor the best would he grudge to the maiden, and they shaped her a garment fair,Of silk that with gold was heavy; but one white arm they left yet bare,And a sleeve that the arm had covered from the vesture they cut away,This should Gawain win for his token and badge in the coming fray.So this was the gift that she gave him, a rich silk of Orient bright,That was brought from the land of the paynim, and had covered her arm so white.But they sewed it not to the garment, nor wrought it at all with thread,And Clauditté to Gawain bare it, when home from the Burg she sped.

And free from all care was the hero; and three were his shields so bright,And on one straightway he bound it, and glad was the gallant knight;And fairest thanks he gave her, and oft would he praise the roadOn which the maid had trodden when she sought him in his abode,And so gently bade him welcome, and with sweet words and maiden wileHad made him rich in gladness, and made joy on his path to smile.

Now the daylight had waned, and the night fell,--many valiant knights and good,A mighty force, lay on each side,--the besiegers were e'en a flood.Were they less, for the folk of the city their army enow should be.And now by the light of the moonbeams they would fain to their outworks see;Nor terror nor cowardice moved them, they were ready ere break of day,Twelve breast-works wide, and a deep moat before every earth-work lay.Thus they shielded them well from onslaught, and to every earth-work wideWere barbicans three, that the army might forth to the conflict ride.

And at four of the gates the Marshal, Kardefablet of Jamore,With his army bravely battled, as men well at the dawning saw.And the rich Duke fought full knightly; he was brother to Lippaut's wife,And stronger in heart than others who yet bear them well in strife,And for men of war are reckoned--In conflict he grief would bear--With nightfall his host drew nearer, from far land would he hither fare,For but seldom from stress of battle or conflict he turned aside,And four of their gates he guarded right well in his warlike pride.

The force from beyond the river passed o'er it ere morning light,And entered the walls of Beaurosch, as Lippaut should deem it right.But they of Jamore had ridden o'er the bridge before the gate,And every door was guarded, and warlike their foes they wait,Ere ever the day had dawnèd--Scherules one door would ward,Which he and the brave Knight Gawain would let not from out their guard.And there had ye heard lamentation from the lips of many a knight,And the best they were who mourned thus, they had failed here to see the fight,For the vesper-play was ended ere yet they a joust might share.Yet needless their lamentation, for countless they proffered thereTo all who had lust for battle, and to joust in the field would ride.In the streets saw ye many a hoof-track, and there drew in on every sideFull many a tossing banner by the light of the moonbeam's ray.And many a costly helmet would they wear in the joust that day,And spears with bright colours blazoned--A Regensburg silk, I ween,Had been held of little value 'fore Beaurosch on the meadow green.For many a coat emblazoned had ye looked upon that day,Whose goal had methinks been higher in the cost that its lord would pay.

And the night, as of old her custom, had yielded her place to day,Nor by song of the lark might they know it, for they hearkened far other lay,Whose voice was the voice of warfare with the crash of the splintered spear,As a cloud that is cleft and riven when the thunderbolt falleth near.And the King of Lys' young army sought the host of Lirivoin,And there, with his warriors, battled the monarch of Avendroin;And many a joust rang loudly, e'en as when one is wont to throwChestnuts within the furnace that burst in the fiery glow.Ah, me! how they strove together that morn on the grassy plain,How the knights spurred their steeds to jousting, and the Burgers they fought amain.

Now Gawain, and his host the Burg-grave, since it health to their souls might bring,And yield them a meed of blessing, bade a priest a Mass to sing;And he sang unto God and the heroes--And the prize of their fame waxed fair,For this was their pious bidding--Then they would to their post repair,But their rampart ere this was guarded by many a gallant knight,The followers they of Scherules, and well would those heroes fight.

And what should I tell ye further? Poidikonjonz was proud I ween,And he came with such host, if in Schwarzwald each bough had a spearshaft beenI had looked on no greater forest than here on this field ye saw.And six banners they bare, and early to battle would nearer draw,With ringing blasts of trumpet e'en as thunder that wakeneth fear,And drums strove amain with the trumpets, and smote on the listening ear.If a grass blade were left untrampled by the conflict I knew it not--E'en now shall the Erfurt vineyards show such tokens of strife, I wot!

Then hither he came, Duke Astor, and he fought with the men of Jamore,And for sharp joust the spears they whetted, and many a knight they boreFrom his saddle down on the meadow, and for combat they aye were fain;And clear rang the stranger war-cries--And masterless o'er the plainSped many a gallant charger, and afoot went the fallen knight,For I ween he had learnt the lesson how one oft is o'erthrown in fight.

Then he saw, the gallant Gawain, how out on the plain afarThe host of both friend and foeman were mingled in deadly war;And he spurred him swift towards them; nor 'twas light in his steps to tread,Tho' little they spared their chargers, those knights who behind him sped,Scherules and his vassals--Gawain gave them pain, I trow,Ah, me! for the spears he shivered and the knights that he laid alow.

Had God given him not such valour, this knight of the Table Round,Then in sooth had one made petition for the fame that he there had found.'Twas all as one, both armies, 'gainst the twain did he set his hand,That of Gros as of Lys--Many chargers did he win from each knightly band,And straightway the hero brought them where his host's banner waved on high,And he asked who was there who should need them? And many swift reply;Then he gave them e'en as they answered, and rich were they all, I trow,Thro' this brother-in-arms whose friendship they here for a space should know.

Then there came a knight fast spurring, nor spears did he think to spareThe Lord of Beauvais and Gawain they rode 'gainst each other there,And the young knight, Lisavander, midst the flowers of the field he lay,From his saddle behind his charger did Gawain thrust the prince that day.For the sake of his squire shall this grieve me, who yestreen so courteous spake,And told to Gawain the tidings, and whence all this woe did wake.He dismounted, and bent o'er his master, and Gawain he knew his face,And he gave him the steed he had won there, and the squire thanked his hand of grace.

Now see ye how Kardefablet himself on the ground doth standFrom a joust that was ridden against him, and aimed by young Meljanz' hand;From the ground his warriors lift him, and loud rings the battle-cry'Jamore!' and the clashing sword-blades to the challenge make swift reply.And closer the fight draws round him, onslaught on onslaught pressed,And the blows ring loud and deafening that fall on each knightly crest.Then Gawain called his men around him, and swift to his aid he sped,And he covered the knight with the banner of his host that flew high o'erhead,And many brave knights had been felled there--Tho' witness I never knew,Yet in sooth ye may well believe me for the venture it telleth true!

Then the Count of Montane rode 'gainst Gawain, and a goodly joust they ran,And behind his horse, on the meadow, lay the brave Knight Lahduman,And the hero, proud and gallant, his pledge unto Gawain gave.And nearest of all to the ramparts fought Duke Astor with heroes brave,And many a joust was ridden, and many a spear was crossed;'Nantes! Nantes!' came the war-cry pealing, the cry of King Arthur's host,Firm they stood, and no whit they yielded, the captive Breton knights,And hirelings from Erec's kingdom and men spake of their deeds of might--The Duke of Lanveronz led them--So well did they fight that dayThat Poidikonjonz well might free them, since his captives they were alway;At the mountain Cluse from King Arthur, in the days that were long gone by,As his prisoners did he win them, when they stormed him right valiantly.And here, as was aye their custom, where'er they might chance to fight,They shouted 'Nantes' as their war-cry, 'twas the way of these men of might;And many had waxed grey-bearded, and on every Breton breastOr high on their helmet gleaming stood a Gampilon for their crest.For as Ilinot's arms they bare it, who was Arthur's gallant son--And Gawain he sighed as he saw it (small fame he 'gainst these had won).And his heart awoke to sorrow for the blazon right well he knew,And it filled him again with anguish for the death of his kinsman true.And his eyes ran o'er with tear-drops, and he passed them upon the field,Nor with them would he fight--Thus to friendship a hero full oft shall yield!

Then he rode on to Meljanz' army, whom the Burgers with might withstood,And their rightful meed of honour they won from the warriors good;Tho' perforce 'gainst o'ermastering numbers they had failed to hold the field,And backward within their trenches awhile to the foe must yield.

And he who the Burgers challenged his harness glowed red as flame,'The Nameless Knight' they called him for none knew from whence he came;And I tell it to ye as I heard it, to Meljanz he rode, this knight,But three days back, and the Burgers must mourn it in coming fightThat he swore his aid to their foeman--Twelve squires unto him he gave,To serve him as meet in the jousting, and to follow to onslaught brave.And the spears their hand might proffer those spears he right swiftly brake,And clear rang his joust o'er the tumult, when he did as his captives takeKing Schirniel and his brother; nor he would from his pledge releaseThe knight whom he here had vanquished, the Duke of Marangliess.And bravely they fought mid the foremost, and he vanquished them as they stood,Yet their folk still held them valiant tho' reft of their leaders good.

And there fought the young King Meljanz, and all were they friend or foe,They owned greater deeds of valour a young knight might seldom show;By his hand were the strong shields cloven--Ah! the spears that he brake in twainAs the forces together mingling dashed swift o'er the battle-plain.And his young heart for conflict lusted, and none gave him of strife his fill.And it vexed him sore, till Gawain would joust with him at his will.

Then Gawain took a spear of Angram, that he won him at Plimizöl,And twelve were those spears--The war-cry of Meljanz was 'Barbigöl!'Of his kingdom of Lys 'twas chief city--Gawain aimed his joust so true,And Oraste Gentesein taught sorrow to the king since it pierced him thro'That strong shaft of reed; his shield piercing, it brake in his arm of might--And a fair joust again was ridden, and Gawain smote the King in flight;And the hinder bow of the saddle it brake, and those heroes twainThey stood on their feet, and valiant, they battled with swords amain.'Twere more than enough such labour for two churls on the threshing-floor,And each one bare the sheaf of the other, and each smote the other sore.

And a spear must Meljanz carry that had smitten him thro' the arm,And thro' conflict fierce the hero in blood and sweat waxed warm.Then Gawain by force he drave him within a portal wide,And he bade him his pledge to swear him, nor the young king his will defied;Were he not so sorely wounded then so swiftly he ne'er were known,To yield himself to a foeman, but his prowess had longer shown.

Then Lippaut the prince, the land's host, his valour might not restrainWith the monarch of Gros he battled; and alike must they suffer pain,Both man and steed from the bow-shots, for their skill they were fain to show,They of Semblidag, and Kahetines, for they fled as they bent the bow.And the Burgers must well bethink them the foe from their lines to hold,But foot-soldiers had they, and sheltered by their ramparts they battled bold.And he who of life was forfeit for the wrath of a maid must pay,For her folly and scorn on her people brought sorrow enow that day.But what part therein had Lippaut? I think me his lord of old,King Schaut, ne'er had thus beset him! Now faint waxed those heroes bold.

But Meljakanz still fought bravely--Do ye think it was whole, his shield?Not a hand's-breadth wide was the fragment--Then he bare him across the fieldDuke Kardefablet, and I think me the Tourney it came to standOn the meadow fair and flowery, for fast locked was either band.Then Gawain he rode swiftly to them, and he pressed Meljakanz so sore,E'en Launcelot, gallant hero, ne'er wrought him such grief aforeWhen the sword bridge he crossed to battle--Her captivity pleased him ill,The Queen Guinevere, and he thought him by the sword-blade to free her still.King Lot's son he rode full gallop--Meljakanz, what could he doBut spur his steed towards him? And many that joust must view.Who lay there behind his charger? He whom the gallant knightOf Norroway had smitten to earth with his spear of might.And many a knight and lady they looked on this joust so fair,And they spake in praise of Gawain, and his fame would aloud declare.And the maidens right well might see it as they looked from the hall on high.Underfoot was Meljakanz trampled; many steeds did o'er him fly,And tare with their hoofs his surcoat, who fodder might taste no more,And they covered the prostrate hero with rain of sweat and gore.'Twas a day of doom for the chargers, but the vultures at will might feast;And Duke Astor he came to the rescue, and from them of Jamore releasedMeljakanz, or else was he captive, and he raised him from off the ground--And the Tourney was o'er, and the combat methinks had its ending found.

Now who had as knight best ridden, or best for a maiden fought?Nay, I know not, an I would name them small leisure such task had brought.For Maid Obilot's sake with the townsfolk a knight valiant deeds had dared;Without, a Red Knight fought bravely, and the fame 'twixt those two was shared.

When the guest of the outer army had learnt he no thanks might winFrom the king he had served, since Meljanz was captive the town within,He rode where his squires were waiting, and thus to his prisoners spake,'Sir Knights, ye your word have pledged me; ill-chance doth me here o'ertake,For King Meljanz of Lys is captive--Now if ye such grace can findWith his captors, that for your freedom his fetters they will unbind,Such service I'ld gladly do him!' To the King of AvendroinHe spake, and to Duke Marangliess, and King Schirniel of Lirivoin.And this oath must they swear unto him, ere they rode the walls within,To loose Meljanz, or if they failed here, to help him the Grail to win.But never a word could they tell him of where It was hid, the Grail,Save 'twas guarded by King Anfortas, but further, their lore must fail.

When thus they spake, quoth the Red Knight, 'Then if it shall still betideThat my wish find not here fulfilment, ye to Pelrapär shall ride,And unto the fair queen yielding say, "He who in days of yoreFaced Kingron for her and Klamidé, for the Grail now sorroweth sore,As he yearneth for her, his lady, and after the twain in thoughtAnd deed is he ever striving." To her be this message broughtAnd ye heroes bear it truly, and as on your way ye rideGod have ye in His safe keeping, for the world and its ways are wide.'

Then they prayed his leave, and they rode hence--And the knight to his squires he spake,'Here is booty none may gainsay us, of these steeds ye at will may take;But leave me one for my riding, since sore wounded mine own shall be.'Spake the Squires, 'Sir Knight, we must thank thee for the grace thou hast shown us free,For our lifetime hast thou enriched us.' Then he chose in his charger's stead,With the close-cropped ears, Ingliart, the same that from Gawain fled,When Meljanz he made his captive, and the twain they must fall in field,And the Red Knight's hand had caught it, when hewn was many a shield.

Then Farewell the hero bade them--Full fifteen steeds they tell,To the squires he left, unwounded, in sooth might they thank him well.And they prayed him to linger with them, and abide with them yet a space,But far hence lay the goal he was seeking, and the road he was fain to trace.So he turned him about, the hero, to where ease should be bought full dearFor naught but strife was he seeking--In the days that ye read of hereNo knight e'en as he had battled--Then the outer host would rideTo where they might find a lodging, and in peace for a space abide.

And within, Lippaut spake, and asked them how matters had gone that day?That Meljanz was taken captive, that tale did he know alway.And all was as he would have it, and comfort the hour would bear--And Gawain loosed the sleeve full gently from his shield, lest perchance it tear,For he deemed it o'er good for tearing, and Clauditté she held it fast,And 'twas slashed in the sides and the centre with the spears that had thro' it passed;And he bade her to Obilot bear it, and glad was the little maid,On her bare white arm soft-rounded the tattered sleeve she laid,And spake, 'Who hath done this for me?' whene'er she her sister saw,And wrathful her elder sister her maiden mischief bore.

Then, as weariness it bade them, the knights they craved for rest--Then Scherules took Count Lahduman, and Gawain his gallant guestAnd many a knight whom he found there, whom Gawain with valiant handHad o'erthrown on the field of battle tho' strife they might well withstand.And the Burg-grave rich he bade them to sit them in order fair,And he and his wearied vassals would stand 'fore their monarch thereTill Meljanz his fill had eaten--And they treated him courteously,But Gawain, o'er-much he deemed it, and he spake out, frank and free,

'Methinks an the king allow thee, Sir Host, thou shouldst take a seat.'Thus spake Gawain in his wisdom, as his courtesy found it meet.But the host gave his prayer denial, 'The king's man is that gallant knightMy master, this were his office if the king had but deemed it rightTo take, as of old, his service--My lord thro' his courtesyWill not see the face of his monarch while exiled from grace is he.An it pleaseth God of friendship to sow here the seed once more,Then joyful we'll do his bidding with one will, as in days of yore.'

Then spake the youthful Meljanz, 'Yea, courteous knights and trueWere ye, when I dwelt among ye, nor your rede did I ever rue.An I now had thy counsel followed, this even had seen me glad;Now give me thine aid Count Scherules, for the trust that I ever hadIn thy faith, with this knight my captor, and with him my second sireDuke Lippaut--for well I think me they will do as thou shalt require--Yea, pray them to show me favour, for friends had we been to-dayHad not Obie such jest played on me as no maiden I ween should play!'

Then out spake the gallant Gawain, 'Afresh shall be knit a bandThat naught but death can sever'--Then they came whom the Red Knight's handWithout had taken captive, on the height would they seek their king,And they told him all that befell them; and Gawain must list the thing,And they told of the arms of the hero, how their strength before his must fail,And how he their pledge had taken, and had bidden them seek the Grail;And he thought how the knight of this venture was none other than Parzival,And his thanks uprose to high Heaven that no evil did there befall,But that God apart had held them, and they met not in strife that day.And courteous I ween were those heroes that they tore not the veil away,But both of them there were nameless, and none knew from whence they came,Yet I wot well the world around them rang fair with their warlike fame.

To Meljanz he spake, Scherules, 'Now, Sire, wilt thou list to me?Look thou again on my master, and such rede as is given to theeBy friends on both sides shalt thou hearken, and thine anger shalt thou recall;'And all deemed it good, the counsel, so they rode to the royal hall,The inner force of the city, as the Marshal was fain to pray.Then Gawain took the Count Lahduman, and the captives he made that day,And he gathered them all around him, and the pledge that to him they gaveWhen he erst on the field o'erthrew them, must they yield to the Burg-grave brave,And gladly they did his bidding--To the palace the heroes fare,And rich garments as fit for a monarch did the wife of the Burg-grave bear;And a veil did she give unto Meljanz that should serve him for a slingFor the arm that Gawain had wounded, when his spear smote the youthful king.

And Gawain by the mouth of Scherules, Obilot his lady prayed;Fain would the hero see her, his life in her hand he laid,And would crave from her lips dismissal--and further the hero spake,'I leave the king here, her captive, and I pray her such thought to takeThat she may in such wise entreat him, that her honour shall wax apace!'And Meljanz spake, 'Well I know this, Obilot is of maiden graceAnd maiden worth the glory; and joyful am I at heartIf her captive I be, for in gladness methinks shall I have my part,'Then out quoth the gallant Gawain, 'Her prisoner art thou alone,'Tis she who hath captive made thee, and my glory is here her own.'

Before them rode Scherules--As was fitting for royal court,Nor man was there nor maiden but had robed them in such sortThat one, in poor guise and scanty, might scarce have been seen that day--They who sware their pledge to the Red Knight with Meljanz must take their way.And there in the hall of the castle they sat in their order four,Lippaut, his wife, and his daughters, as the guests passed within the door.

Up sprang the host and hastened his lord and king to greet,And close pressed the crowd around them as friend with foe did meet;By Gawain's side stood Meljanz. 'Now, an it were here thy will,Thy friend of old, the Duchess, with kiss would she greet thee still.'And Meljanz to his host made answer, 'Two ladies I think to seeFrom whom I'll take kiss and greeting--but the third naught shall win from me.'

And the parents wept; but the maiden, Obilot, was glad and gay,And they greeted their king with kisses; and two beardless kings that dayThey kissed, with the Duke of Marangliess, and the gallant Knight Gawain.And they brought him his little lady, and the fair child he clasped again,And e'en as a doll he held her so close to his manly breast,As joy and delight constrained him, and to Meljanz his speech addrest:'Thine hand hath surety pledged me, of that shall thou now be free,In my right arm I hold my lady, her captive thou now shalt be.'

Then Meljanz he stept him nearer, and she held fast to Gawain's hand,And she took the pledge of her monarch mid the knights who did round them stand.'Sir King, 'twas ill-done I think me, if a merchant he be my knightAs my sister hath said, to yield thee as his captive on field of might!'Thus spake Obilot, the maiden; then to Meljanz she gave command,He should yield his pledge to her sister, and swear it hand clasped in hand;'Thou shalt have her for Love, for thy knighthood, as her Love and her Lord art thouHenceforward, of true heart gladly, and ye twain to my will shall bow!'

God spake by the lips of the maiden, her will it was done straightway,And Frau Minne with power and wisdom again o'er their hearts held sway,And knit afresh the meshes, and fettered the twain anew;From the folds of her flowing mantle her small hand Obie drew,And she touched the arm of her lover, and weeping, her lips so redKissed the wound he had won in jousting, since it was for her sake he bled.And his arm was bathed in the tear-drops that flowed from her eyes so bright--How waxed she thus bold 'fore the people? 'Twas Love bade her claim her right;And fulfilled was the wish of Lippaut, and naught of his bliss should fail,Since God had willed that his daughter henceforth as his queen he hail!

How the wedding feast was holden, ask them who took their shareOf wedding gifts, or wandering, to Beaurosch had thought to fare.If they fought, or were fain to rest them, of that I no word may tell,But they say in the hall of the palace Sir Gawain would bid farewellTo her for whose leave he came there, and sore wept the little maidAnd spake, 'Now take me with thee,' but Gawain her wish gainsaid,And scarce might her mother tear her from the knight--leave he prayed them there,And Lippaut he proffered service for the good-will he towards him bare.And his gallant host, Scherules, with his folk he would not delayTo ride awhile with the hero; and he wended a woodland way,And they gave him guides for his journey, and food lest he ill should fare,And he bade them farewell, and sorrow Gawain for the parting bare.