Book X: Orgeluse

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 foughtWhich the Landgrave unto King Arthur at Plimizöl had brought.At Schamfanzon he challenged Gawain to meet him at Barbigöl,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 Eckunât did it, and Gawain must they guiltless hold,At rest did they lay their quarrel and friends were those heroes bold.

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

Now all that befell to Gawain, the lot of that blameless knightSince 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,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,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,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 espiedThe nearer he rode unto it, and pierced with a lance-thrust wide.Such token by joust is painted, little payment his skill should knowWhose 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 boreA knight, and she wept above him, and grieved with a sorrow sore.

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?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.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--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 beIn 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 cameIn search of such knightly venture as should win for me meed of fame,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 GiwelliusWho 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,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 seeWhere 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!'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 findIn God, since He cares for all men--With blood was their pathway red,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.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 brightHe 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 aloneNo fairer form nor feature might ever on earth be known.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 seenThe 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 gainThat 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;

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,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 heartThen thy dwelling is not within it, for without shalt thou have thy part.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 theeBy 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 broughtIn danger, for they beheld thee, and thy fetters around me wrought.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,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,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!'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 adownTo 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,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 wellWhere his steed might abide his coming: by the waters that rippling fellWas no tree unto which to bind it, and he knew not if he this dameMight 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 layThine 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,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.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!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.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,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,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 leaveOf 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.

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,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,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 meedFor a hand that is yet unproven--Ask thou for a lesser grace!'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!'

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;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 guiseThat were I in the stead of Gawain little comfort my soul might takeThat she from my care would free me, and with fair love atonement make.Then they rode on an open moorland, and a herb did Sir Gawain seeWhose 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,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 drawFrom his wounds, and new strength may give him!' She spake, 'Now I well were fainTo look on thy skill, for who knoweth what knowledge I thence may gain!'

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 anearGawain 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,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 hungAdown on her mule, stiff as bristles, and sharp, from his head they sprung.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,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 redeOf certain roots to beware them, that wrought ill with the human seed,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,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,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--(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 bringOf 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,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.I wot well e'en Dame Jeschuté rode a better steed that dayWhen 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 takeThou shalt sorely repent the journey--A fool thou in truth must be,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;But I hold me free of such insults, and e'en if it so shall beThat 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 wrothFor 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,The squire glared wrathful on him, and his bristles, so sharp and coarse,Took vengeance sore on Gawain, his hand did they cut and tearTill 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.

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,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.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 twainIf 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,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!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,'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;And of crownèd heads, and uncrownèd, of all who may joyful winThe highest meed of glory, did they bid me to share therein,Yet still my heart would rede me to count all such gain as naughtIf 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,'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 shameThou drawest down sin upon thee, and thou shamest thine own fair fame.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 makeAnd unto thine uncle Arthur thou didst me thy captive take,And four weeks long must I dwell there, and four weeks long I fedWith 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,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,"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 weepThan 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;

'Now it fell out in this wise, Lady, King Arthur his court did holdAt 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,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.'

'And the maiden she rode beside us, and sorely did she bemoanThat 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 standWho 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,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.

'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 prayThe 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,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,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 swordShould 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 fightHad avenged upon him her shaming, to pardon the traitor knight.For sure 'twas the spell of her beauty that had wrought upon him for sin,And the love of her form so shapely--"For aye if a knight doth winSore peril for love of a woman, she should aid him, and hear his prayer,So I prithee to cease thine anger, and have pity on his despair."'

'Then the king and his men I prayed them, by what service I e'er had done,They should loose me from stain of dishonour which I by his death had won,And the knight should live, as I sware him.--Then the lady, his gracious queen,I prayed by the bond of kinship, since my friend she hath ever been,(From my childhood, King Arthur reared me and my love doth toward them flow,)That she of her kindness help me--as I asked, it was even so,For she drew on one side the maiden, and she spake to her soft and kind,And it was thro' the queen, I wot me, that the knight did his pardon find.Thus free from his guilt they spake him, yet his sin must he sorely rue,For the life that was granted to him stern penance he needs must do.With the hounds of the chase and the house-dogs from one trough he needs must eatFor the space of four weeks, thus the maiden found avenging as it was meet!'

'For this cause is he wroth with me, Lady'--'Yet his judgment it went astray,If my love ne'er shall be thy guerdon, in such wise I'll his deed repayThat ere he shall leave my kingdom he shall count it to him for shame!Since King Arthur avenged not the evil that was wrought on that maid's fair fameIt falleth unto mine office, and judge am I o'er ye twain,Tho' who ye may be I know not, yet I to this task am fain!And well shall he be chastisèd for the wrong that he did the maid,Not for thine, for I ween such evil is better by blows repaid.'

To the mare now Sir Gawain turned him, and lightly he caught the rein,And the squire he followed after, and the lady she spake again,And in Arabic spake she to him, and she gave him to know her will--Now hearken unto my story, how Sir Gawain he fared but ill:Then Malcréature, he left them--and Gawain his horse beheld,Too feeble it was for battle, the squire, as his way he heldDown the hill, from the peasant-owner had taken the sorry steed,And Gawain for his charger must have it, tho' but ill it might serve his need.

In mocking and hatred spake she, 'Wilt still ride upon thy way?'Quoth Gawain, 'I will take my journey e'en in such wise as thou shalt say.'She quoth, 'Wilt abide my counsel? It shall reach thee I ween too late!'Quoth he, 'Yet for that will I serve thee, tho' o'er-long I thy rede shall wait!'Quoth she, 'Then a fool I think thee, for unless thou shalt leave this mind,Then sorrow instead of gladness and repentance for joy thou'lt find!'Then he quoth, of her love desirous, 'Yet thy servant I still abide,If joy be my lot or sorrow, be thy love and thy will my guide.Since thy love laid its spell upon me in thy bidding my law I see,And ahorse or afoot I'll follow, I care not where'er it be!'

So stood he beside the lady, and awhile he beheld the mare,Who to joust with such steed had ridden his gold were o'er-keen to spare!For the stirrups of hemp were twisted, and ne'er had this gallant knightSuch saddle, I ween, bestridden, it would serve him but ill for fight.For e'en as he looked upon it, he thought, 'If on that I ride,The girths sure will break asunder, nor the saddle my weight abide!'And so weak was the steed and ill-shapen, had one dared on its back to leapOf a sooth would the back have broken--On foot he the road must keep!

And in this guise he took his journey: the horse by the rein he held,And his spear and his shield he carried; and the lady his grief beheld,And she mocked him with ringing laughter, fain was she to work him woe--Then his shield on the mare he fastened, and she spake, 'In such guise wouldst go,And carry thy wares thro' my kingdom? A strange lot is mine, I ween,Since footman, and leech, and merchant in turn hath my comrade been!Of the toll hadst thou best beware thee, or else, as thou goest thy way,It may chance they who take the toll here on thy merchandise hands may lay!

And tho' sharp, I ween, was her mocking yet her words was he fain to hear,Nor rued he the bitter speeches that rang sweet to his longing ear.And as ever his eyes beheld her his sorrow it fled away,For fair was she to his thinking as blossoms in month of May!A delight of the eyes, and heart-sorrow, his gain and his loss was she,And languishing joy did she quicken--Her freeman and captive he!

This hath many a master taught me, that Amor, and Cupid too,And Venus, of both the mother, make all men their deeds to rue;For with darts and with fire they kindle desire in the longing heart,But such love seemeth me but evil that is lighted by torch or dart.And the true heart it loveth ever, be its guerdon or joy or woe,And in honour the love is rooted which alone shall abiding know!

'Gainst me have thy darts, O Cupid! I ween ever missed their mark,Nor Amor with spear hath smote me, nor fell on my heart a sparkFrom the torch of thy mother Venus--Tho' love 'neath your rule shall be,If love be my lot, not from passion but from faith shall it bloom for me!

And if I with wit and wisdom 'gainst love's spells might a hero aid,Gawain had I gladly aided, nor asked that I be repaid.And yet no shame need he think it if love's fetters him captive hold,And if he of love be vanquished, for her captives are aye the bold.And yet so strong was he ever, and so knightly, to face the foe,That 'tis pity so brave a hero by a woman should be laid low!

Now well let us gaze upon thee, thou power which true love doth wield,Such joy hast thou taken from us that barren and reft the field,And thou makest a road of sorrow across it, both long and wide,And if thy goal had been other than the high heart I would not chide.For folly methinks and lightness love all too old shall be,Or shall we to childhood reckon the evil love worketh free?For better are ways unseemly in youth, than if age forgetIts wisdom--much ill love worketh, unto which shall the blame be set?For the mind of youth ever wavers, and changeth as changing winds,And if love shall be thus unsteadfast, little praise may she hope to find.Nay, better shall be my counsel, for the wise praise true love alone;Yea, and maiden and man shall join me, and all who love's power have known.

When true love unto true love answereth, undarkened by thought of guile,And it vexeth them not that love turneth the key on their heart awhile,For they fear not nor think of wavering, then high as the heaven aboveO'er the earth, o'er the love that changeth, is such true and steadfast love.

Yet, gladly as I would free him, to Frau Minne Gawain must bow,And his joy shall awhile be darkened--Small profit my words, I trow,And the wisdom I fain had taught him, for no man may love withstand,And love alone giveth wisdom, and nerveth with strength the hand!

And to Gawain she gave this penance, afoot must he wend his wayWhile his lady she rode beside him--To a woodland they came alway,And he led the steed to a tree-trunk, and the shield that awhile it bareHe hung round his neck as befitting, and lightly bestrode the mare,And scarcely the steed might bear him--Then they came to a builded land,And a castle so fair and stately he saw there before him stand,And his heart and his eyes bare witness no fortress was like this hall,So knightly and fair the palace, and so countless its turrets tall.And many a maiden looked forth from its casements, he thought to seeFour hundred and more, o'er all others, I ween, four might fairest be.

Then the lady and her companion they rode a well-trodden roadTo a water whose waves ran swiftly, and ships sailed the flood so broad.By the landing there lay a meadow, where men jousts were wont to ride,And the towers of that stately castle rose fair on the further side.Then Gawain, that gallant hero, saw a knight who rode swift and near,As one who for combat lusted, and he spared not or shield or spear.

Quoth the lady, fair Orgelusé, and haughty her tone and proud,'In what else thou mayst gainsay me in this be my truth allowed,For other I ne'er have told thee save that shame shall thy portion be,Now here, if thou canst, defend thee, since no better is left to thee.Methinks he who cometh hither shall fell thee beneath his thrust--If thy garments perchance be riven, and thou bitest, ashamed, the dust,Then those women above shall mourn thee, who look for some deed of fame,Seest thou how they gaze from the lattice? How, then, if they see thy shame?'Then the boatman across the water he came at the lady's will,From the shore to the boat she stepped there, and Gawain it but pleased him ill;For, mocking, fair Orgelusé spake thus to the gallant knight,'Thou com'st not with me, I leave thee on this shore as a pledge for fight!'Then sadly his voice rang after, 'Say, Lady, wilt leave me so?Shall I never again behold thee?' Then she spake, 'I would have thee knowIf victory be thy portion thou shalt look on my face again,Yet but small is the chance I think me.' So sailed she from knight Gawain.

Then up rode Lischois Giwellius, 'twere a lie if I said he flew,And yet little other did he for the earth scarce his footprints knew.And for this must I praise the charger, who the greensward with such swift feetHad trodden--Gawain bethought him how he best might his foeman meet;He thought, 'Should I here await him afoot, or this steed bestride?If his horse's speed he check not he surely o'er me will ride,And this fate must o'ertake his charger, to fall o'er my fallen steed;But, if he for combat lusteth, afoot on this flowery meadWill I face him and give him battle, since battle he doth desire,Tho' never I win her favour who hath brought on me need so dire.'

Fight they must, and they fought as heroes, he who came and he who did wait,For jousting he made him ready, and the lance-point Gawain held straight,And he rested it on the saddle, (for thus did he counsel take,)Then e'en as the joust was ridden the spears did in splinters break,And the knights, the one as the other, they fell in that goodly fray,For the better charger stumbled and by Gawain its rider lay.Then the twain to their feet upspringing their swords from the scabbard drew,Since alike they were keen for combat, and their shields in pieces flew,For each hewed at the shield of the other till a hand's breadth alone, I ween,They held, for the pledge of conflict the shield it hath ever been.

Flashed the sword-blades, fire sprang from the helmets, a venture brave I trowWas his who should here be victor, tho' stern conflict he first must know.Long space did they fight, those heroes, on the flowery meadow wide,And as smiths, who all day have laboured, as it weareth to eventideGrow faint with their toil and weary with the mighty blows they smite,So weary and faint were those heroes who here did for honour fight.

But for this none methinks shall praise them, unwise do I hold the twain,No cause had they here for battle, 'twas fame that they thought to gain;And strangers unto each other, each other's life they sought,And yet, had they made confession, each owed to the other naught!

Now Gawain was a gallant wrestler, and his foe to the ground would bringIf in spite of the sword he might grip him, and let but the mighty ringOf his arms his foeman circle, he forced him where'er he would.Now must he with force defend him, and he fought as a hero good,And his courage waxed ever higher, and the youth in his arms he caught,And he bare him to earth beneath him tho' e'en as a man he fought.And he quoth, 'Wilt thou live, thou hero, thou must yield thee unto mine hand!'Yet Lischois, he was all unready to follow so stern command;For never his pledge had he given, and he deemed it a wondrous thingThat the hand of a knight should o'erthrow him, and him in such peril bringThat against his will he must yield him, who had ever the victor been,For in sooth full many a combat his foeman o'erthrown had seen.Full oft he from them had taken what he cared not to give again,Nay, rather his life would he forfeit; and he spake unto knight Gawain,And he said, 'Let what would befall him, his pledge to no man he'd give;'Nay, death would he rather suffer, since no longer he cared to live!

Then sadly, he spake, the vanquished, 'Thou hero, is victory thine?So long as God bare me favour such honour was ever mine;But now hath my fame an ending, and thy right hand hath laid me low,And if maiden and man must hearken to the tale of my overthrowWhose glory once rose to the heaven, then death shall my portion beEre my kinsmen shall hear the story, and shall sorrow and mourn for me!Yet Gawain still prayed him yield him, but his will and his mind were soThat he prayed God would rather take him, or slay him by this his foe.Thought Gawain, 'I am loth to kill him, if he swear but to do my willUnharmed he may go'--yet the young knight withheld him his promise still.

Then, ere he his hand had given, the hero he bade him rise,On the flowery mead they sat them: then Gawain he bethought him wise,(For his sorry steed it vexed him) the horse of his vanquished foeWith spur and with rein would he test there, if 'twere good for his need or no.('Twas armed as beseemed a warhorse, and the covering was fair to see,Of velvet and silk was it fashioned, what trapping might better be?)Since the venture such prize had brought him, who should hinder him in his needIf for his own use he took it? so he vaulted upon the steed:

And he joyed in the free, swift movement, and he cried, 'Now, how shall this be?Of a sooth it is thou, Gringuljet, that false Urian stole from me.He knoweth best how he took it, and shameful I count his deed.Now, who thus for battle armed thee, since thou art of a truth my steed?Sure 'tis God who hath sent thee to me, and this fair gift shall end my woe.'Then he sprang to the ground, and he sought him the token he well might know,On its shoulder the Grail-Dove branded--In a joust did Lähelein slayIts rider, the knight of Prienlaskors, and the charger he bare away.Then Orilus was its master, and he gave it to knight GawainOn Plimizöl's shore--greatly joyed he when the charger he won again.

Blithe was he, and high of courage, who awhile was sad and sore,Yet love unto ruth constrained him, and the service so true he boreTo the lady who yet would shame him, and his thoughts ever toward her flew.Then up sprang proud Lischois lightly, and his good sword he gripped anew,For it lay where Gawain had cast it when he wrested it from his hand:And the ladies look down on the heroes, as for combat once more they stand.

The shields were so hacked and riven that the knights they must cast them by,And, shieldless, to strife betake them, and they bare them right gallantly.And a crowd of fair maidens o'er them from the palace window sawThe strife that below was foughten: and fierce anger awoke once more,For too nobly born I wot me was each man that he might brookThat his fame should be lightly yielded, and maids on his shaming look.And helmet and sword were smitten, for shields 'gainst cold death were they,He who saw the heroes strive there had mourned for their toil that day.Lischois Giwellius bare him, that fair youth, as knight so brave,True courage, and deeds undaunted, the counsel his high heart gave.And many a swift blow dealt he, as quick on Gawain he sprung,And lightly avoided from him, and his blade round his head he swung.But Gawain stood firm and undaunted, and he thought him, 'Now, let me holdThee once in mine arms, I'll repay thee thy dealings, thou hero bold!'

And fiery sparks might ye look on, and the flash of the glittering bladeWell wielded by hand of hero--Nor one in his station stayed,For they pressed each one on the other, backward, forward, to either side,Yet this conflict so fierce, I wot me, did ne'er of revenge betide,And no hatred they bare to each other--Then the arms of Gawain at lastHe clasped round his gallant foeman, and the knight to the ground he cast.And I think, an I friendship sware here, I would shrink from such fond embrace,E'en tho' brotherhood it were sealing--Nor with ye would such clasp find grace!

Then Gawain he bade him yield him, yet Lischois, who against his willHad striven when first he felled him, was all unready still.And he quoth, 'Wherefore thus delay thee, 'tis needless, take thou my life,For better to die than to yield me--Since I wot well that in this strifeThe fame that was mine aforetime hath vanished beneath thy blow,Of God must I be accursèd, since my glory such goal doth know!For the love of fair Orgelusé have I served her with knightly hand,And many a knight have I felled here, for none might my arm withstand.Now shalt thou be heir to my glory, for it falleth to thee of rightIf thou, who my fame hath ended, here endeth my life, Sir Knight.'

But King Lot's son he thought in this wise, 'To this deed have I little mind,My name, it shall gain small honour if this man here his death shall find,If for no sin of his I slay him, who is true and valiant knight--'Twas her love that spurred him 'gainst me, for whose favour I too would fight;'Tis her beauty that doth constrain me, 'tis she that doth work me woe,Then why not, for the sake of my lady, show mercy to this my foe?If perchance for mine own I win her, if mine own such bliss may be,Then he cannot take her from me since stronger am I than he!And if o'er our strife she watcheth, then she must of a surety ownThat I, who for love would serve her, true service and good have shown!'Then out spake the gallant Gawain, 'I were loth thy life to take,But hence will I let thee, scatheless, for fair Orgelusé's sake!'

Weary were they, small wonder, then the fallen knight arose,And down on the grassy meadow apart sat those gallant foes.Then the master boatman stepped forth from the water unto the land,And a grey and yearling falcon he carried upon his hand.This right was his o'er the meadow, who jousted upon the plain,The charger of him who was vanquished he did as his tribute gain.From his hand, who was there the victor, should he take, as a gift, the steed,And bowing, thank him fairly, nor stint of his praise the meed.And such payment he oft had taken on the flowery meadow green,Nor otherwise had his living; save at whiles, when such chance had been,That a bird in his falcon's clutches had fluttered in grief and pain.Nor plough drave he thro' those furrows, for enough did he deem his gain.And son of a folk so knightly was he born to a knight's estate,And courteous, I ween, his bearing who there on Gawain did wait.

So came he unto the hero, and with courteous word and fairHe prayed of his hand the tribute, and the steed that should be his share.Quoth Gawain, the gallant hero, 'No merchant methinks I beTo pay here or toll or tribute, from such tax do I hold me free!'Then he spake out, the master boatman, 'Sir Knight, since full many a maidHath seen thee stand here the victor, by thee be my tribute paid.My right o'er the plain must thou own here, in knightly joust thine handHath won for mine own this charger; nor thy fame shall the lower stand,For he, whom thine hand o'erthrew here, the world with his praises rung,And with truth, unto this day's dawning, have men of his glory sung;But now he of God is stricken, and his joy hath an ending found,But thou, in his stead, I think me, with honour and fame art crowned!'

Quoth Gawain, 'He first o'erthrew me, and I but that deed repaid.If tribute for joust be due here, by him be that tribute paid!Look well on this mare, he won it, thou canst take it if such thy will.The charger that standeth by me, as mine own will I claim it still--Tho' never a steed be thy portion, on that steed I hence will go,Thou speakest of right, wouldst thou take it, then first I would have thee know(Yea, thou thyself wilt own it) 'tis unfitting I take my wayAfoot, and right sore 'twould grieve me if that charger were thine alway!For to-day in the early morning it was mine without doubt or fear,And childish thou art if thou thinkest thus lightly to win it here!'Twas Duke Orilus, the Burgundian, who gave me the steed of old,Which Urian stole this morning, and the tale thou for truth shalt hold.And the foal of a mule shalt thou win thee ere thy prize be this steed of mine--Yet a fair gift in sooth will I give thee, for the steed shall the knight be thine,Thou accountest him honour-worthy--if he say thee or yea or nay,And if well or ill it doth please him I abide by my word alway!'

Then joyful I ween was the boatman, and with smiling lips he spake,'Now methinks that a gift so costly it hath ne'er been my lot to take,And I deem myself all unworthy--Yet, Sir Knight, be he mine indeed,Then the guerdon is more than I asked for and o'er my deserts my meed.For his praises they rang so clearly that five hundred steeds all told,Swift-footed and strong for battle, too low for his price I'ld hold!If a rich man thou thus wilt make me, then this thing shalt thou do for me,To my boat shalt thou captive bring him, that I hold him as pledge from thee.'King Lot's son he spake in answer, 'Yea this will I do, and more,To thy boat first, and then from out it will I lead him within thy door,And there will I yield him captive'--'And there will I welcome thee!'Spake the boatman, and low he bowed him, and thanks spake he fair and free.And he quoth, 'Dear my lord and master, if it please thee to be my guest,And abide in my house till the morning, then softly I'll bid thee rest.Nor won boatman e'er higher honour, and blest be the eventideThat seeth a knight so gallant 'neath the shade of my roof-tree bide.'

Then out quoth Gawain, 'That will I, for in truth I had prayed this grace,For weary am I with battle, and fain would I rest a space.She who to this sorrow led me, her sweetness she maketh sour,And heart's joy shall be dear to purchase, and sorrow doth crown each hour,And the guerdon for this her service unlike to herself shall be--Alas! I had found a treasure, yet but loss hath it brought to me!And one breast thro' that loss now sinketh that awhile swelled so proud and high,When joy was from God my portion, for a heart did beneath it lie.Now I think me that heart hath vanished, and where shall I comfort seek?Shall I helpless abide that Frau Minne her wrath upon me shall wreak?Yea, had she the heart of a woman she would give me my joy againWho maketh her sweetness bitter, and turneth my bliss to pain!'

Then the boatman he heard how he wrestled with sorrow, by love constrained,And he quoth, 'So is here the custom, in the forest as on the plain,As far as Klingsor ruleth, be he coward or valiant knight,"Sad to day, to-morrow joyful," So it goeth for peace or fight.Perchance the truth thou knowst not? This land is a wonder-land,And ever by day and by night-time if good luck shall not aid thine handLittle good may thy manhood do thee! See thou how the sun sinks low,I think me, Sir Knight, it were better that we should to my vessel go!'Then Lischois he was led by Gawain, and never a word he spake,And the boatman he followed after and the steed by its rein did take.

So sailed they across the water, and they came to the further coast,And the boatman he prayed Sir Gawain, 'Be thou in mine house the host.'And so rich was the house and stately, that scarce in King Arthur's land,E'en in Nantes that noble city, did a fairer dwelling stand.And he led Lischois thro' the doorway, and he gave him unto the careOf the host and his folk--Then the boatman spake thus to his daughter fair,'Fair times and a goodly lodging be the lot of this noble knightWho standeth here, go thou with him, for I deem me it shall be right,And tend him as best shall seem thee, nor stint thou in aught thy care,For great good hath he brought unto us, and 'tis meet he thy grace should share!'

To his son's care he gave the charger---Then the maiden her sire's behestFulfilled as right well became her, for she led the noble guestTo a chamber fair, where the flooring was hid 'neath a carpet greenOf rushes and fresh-plucked blossoms, as the way of the land had been.There the gentle maid unarmed him--quoth Gawain, 'God show grace to thee,For had not thy sire thus bade thee too great were thy care for me!'And she quoth, 'For my father's bidding I do not this deed, Sir Knight,But rather that this my service may find favour before thy sight.'

Then a squire, the host's son, must bear there soft cushions, a goodly store,And along the wall he laid them, and over against the door.And a carpet he spread before them that Gawain he might seat him there;And as one who knew well his office a cushion so rich he bare,With a covering of crimson sendal, that down on the couch he laid;And a seat like unto the other for the host he beside it made.Came another squire and he carried fresh linen the board to spread,(For thus gave the host commandment,) and he bare with the linen bread.And the hostess she followed after, and she looked well upon Gawain,And she gave him a heartfelt greeting, and she spake, 'Now such grace we gainFrom thine hand we are rich henceforward as we never have been before,Sir Knight, sure our good luck waketh since such fortune it hither bore!'

Then when they had brought him water, and the host sat beside his guest,With courteous mien Sir Gawain this prayer to his host addrest,'Now I pray let this maid eat with me,' 'Sir Knight, ne'er was she allowedTo sit with knights, or eat with them, lest she wax of their grace too proud.And yet so much do we owe thee, loth were I to say thee nay.So, daughter, sit thou beside him, and as he shall speak obey!'

Then she blushed for shame all rosy, yet she did as her father bade,And down on the couch by Gawain sat Bené the gracious maid.(And two stalwart sons had the boatman beside that maiden sweet)Three game-birds, I ween, that even were slain by the falcon fleet,And all three did they bear unto Gawain, and a broth with herbs beside,And the maiden she courteous served him as she sat by the hero's side;For she carved for him dainty morsels, and laid them on bread so whiteWith her slender hands, and gently she spake to the stranger knight,'Wilt thou send a bird to my mother? for else hath she none, I ween.'Then gladly he told the maiden his will e'en as hers had beenIn this thing as in all other--to the hostess the bird they bare,And they honoured the hand of the hero, nor the boatman his thanks would spare.

Purslain and lettuce brought they, in vinegar steeped, I weenHad he sought here his strength to nourish little good might such food have been;And if one should o'er-long feed on it then the colour it waxeth pale,Such pallor as truth betrayeth, if the mouth to its speaking fail.And if with false red it be hidden, it fadeth, and bringeth shame,But she who is true and steadfast she winneth the higher fame.

If one by goodwill were nourished, then Gawain, he right well had fed,To her child naught the mother grudgeth, and as free gave the host his bread.Then they bare away the tables, and the hostess she bade him rest,And bedding I ween in plenty they brought for the gallant guest.And one was of down, and the covering above it of velvet green,Yet the velvet was none of the richest tho' fair had its fashion been.And a cushion must serve for cover, beneath it should Gawain lie;Nor the silk had with gold been purchased, 'twas won in far Araby.Of silk, too, the cunning stitching, and the linen was fair, and whiteAs snow that they laid above it, and a pillow they brought the knight.And a cloak of her own she lent him, for wrapping, that maiden fair,'Twas new, and of ermine fashioned, and such as a prince might wear.

Then leave the host courteous prayed him ere he laid himself down to sleep,And men say that alone with Sir Gawain the maiden her watch did keep,And I think if he more had prayed her she never had said him Nay--Then he slept, for he well might slumber, God keep him till dawn of day!