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 grief455Thy 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,460Nor 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 defend465Or 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.470Yea, 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,475Since asonI lack, but I wot well that mydaughtersshall 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!'480Then 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 alway485His 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!'490'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 knight495Had 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!500For 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 tomyselfshall be.For altho' our name be diverse, yet methinks thatthouartI,505Take 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.510But 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,515But 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 fly590Ere 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,525If 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 seemefightYetthouin 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.530Thy 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,535An 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,540Wouldst 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,545They 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!'550Then 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!'555Then 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.'560'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 maid565On 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?'570'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,575If 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.'580Then 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?'585'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.'590Then 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 bade595That 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.600So 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,605And 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.610Now 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,615Twelve 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.620And 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,625And 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,630Ere 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.635Yet 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,640And 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,645Nor 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;650And 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,655And 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.660And 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,665And 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 bore670From 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 afar675The 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.680Had 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,685And 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,690And 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,695And 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.700And 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,705Yet 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,710And 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 day715That 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;720And 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,725And 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;730Tho' 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,735But 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 take740King 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,745They 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.750Then 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—755And 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.760And 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,765To 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.770And 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,775King 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.780Then 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 do785But 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.790And 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;795And 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.800For 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,805'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 foryourfreedomhisfetters 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.810And 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 brought820And 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.'825Spake 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.830Then 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 dear835For 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.840And 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,845On 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 guest850And 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,855But 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 right860To 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 true865Were 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—870Yea, 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,875And 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,880But 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?885Look 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,890And 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 sling895For the arm that Gawain had wounded, when his spear smote the youthful king.
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 grief455Thy 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,460Nor 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 defend465Or 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.470Yea, 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,475Since asonI lack, but I wot well that mydaughtersshall 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!'480
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 alway485His 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!'490'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 knight495Had 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!500For 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 tomyselfshall be.For altho' our name be diverse, yet methinks thatthouartI,505Take 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.510But 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,515But 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 fly590Ere 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,525If 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 seemefightYetthouin 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.530Thy 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,535An 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,540Wouldst 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,545They 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!'550
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!'555Then 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.'560'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 maid565On 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?'570'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,575If 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.'580
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?'585'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.'590
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 bade595That 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.600So 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,605And 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.610
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,615Twelve 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.620And 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,625And 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,630Ere 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.635Yet 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,640And 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,645Nor 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;650And 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,655And 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.660
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,665And 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 bore670From 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 afar675The 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.680
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,685And 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,690And 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,695And 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.700And 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,705Yet 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,710And 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 day715That 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;720And 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,725And 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;730Tho' 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,735But 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 take740King 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,745They 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.750
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—755And 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.760
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,765To 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.770And 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,775King 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.780Then 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 do785But 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.790And 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;795And 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.800For 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,805'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 foryourfreedomhisfetters 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.810And 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 brought820And 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.'825Spake 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.830
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 dear835For 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.840And 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,845On 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 guest850And 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,855But 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 right860To 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 true865Were 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—870Yea, 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,875And 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,880But 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?885Look 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,890And 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 sling895For the arm that Gawain had wounded, when his spear smote the youthful king.