  ARGUMENTBook XIII. tells of the goodly feast that was holden in ChÂteau Merveil, and of the wedding of Gawain and OrgelusÉ. How Gawain's squire did his bidding; and how King Arthur and Queen Guinevere pledged themselves to ride to Ioflanz to behold the conflict between Gawain and Gramoflanz. How Gawain fared in ChÂteau Merveil; and how ArnivÉ told him the history of Klingsor, and of his unlawful love. Of the coming of King Arthur and his host; how they fought before Logrois; and came with great pomp to the plain of Ioflanz. How Gawain and the dwellers in ChÂteau Merveil followed to the plain; of the goodly camp prepared for them; of the wonder of the court and Kay's jealousy; and how the four queens were made known to King Arthur. BOOK XIII KLINGSOR Then wrathful, I ween, was ArnivÉ that the messenger said her Nay, Nor told her aught of his errand, nor whither his journey lay. And in this wise she quoth to the porter, 'Now, whatever the hour may be, Be it day, be it night, when he cometh, send tidings thereof to me, In secret would I speak with him; thou art wise, as full well I know!' 5 Yet wroth was she still with the footman—Then she would to the Duchess go, And win from her lips the answer, but ready was she of wit, And the name that he bare, her hero, her mouth spake no word of it. Gawain he would have her silent, in her hearing his prayer found grace, And she spake not, nor might ArnivÉ learn aught of his name and race. 10 Then the sound as of many trumpets thro' the hall of the palace rang, And joyful the blasts—Then rich carpets around on each wall they hang, And no foot but fell on a carpet would it tread on the palace floor, A poor man had surely feared him for the riches that there he saw. And many a couch they stood there, around the stately hall, 15 Soft were they as down, and rich cushions they laid upon each and all. But Gawain with his toil was wearied, and he slept tho' the sun was high, And his wounds, with such skill they bound them, tho' his love should beside him lie, And he in his arms should hold her, he had gotten no hurt I ween. And sounder his daylight's slumber than his sleep of the night had been 20 When his love had so sorely vexed him; he slept till the vesper bell, Yet still in his sleep he battled for the lady he loved so well. Did the chamberlain bear unto him—Then out quoth the hero bold, 'More robes such as these, and as costly, I ween, shalt thou hither bear, 25 For Gowerzein's Duke shall need them, and Florand, the hero fair, For in many a land hath he battled, and hath won for him glory's meed— Now see that thou make them ready, and do my behest with speed!' Then he prayed, by a squire, the boatman send hither the captive knight, And Lischois did he send at his bidding by the hand of his daughter bright. 30 And the maiden BenÉ brought him for the love that she bare Gawain, And the good that he vowed to her father that morn when she wept amain, And the knight he left her weeping, and rode on his toilsome way— And the highest prize of his manhood it fell to his lot that day. The Turkowit too had come there, and Gawain the twain did greet 35 In all friendship, and then he prayed them beside him to take their seat Till their robes should be brought unto them; and costly they needs must be, For never was fairer raiment than the garb of those heroes three. For one lived of yore named Sarant, (a city doth bear his name,) From out of the land of Triande in the days that are gone he came. 40 In the land of Queen SekundillÉ stood a city so great and fair, (E'en Nineveh or Akraton with its glories might scarce compare,) And the city, men called it ThasmÉ; there Sarant won meed of fame, Since he wove there a silk with cunning, SaranthasmÉ should be its name. Think ye it was fair to look on? How might it be otherwise, 45 For much gold must he give for the payment who would win to him such a prize. Such robes ware these two and Gawain: then they gat them unto the hall, And on one side the knights they sat them, on the other the ladies all, And he who a woman's beauty had wisdom to judge aright Must reckon Gawain's fair lady the first of these ladies bright. 50 And the host and his guests so gallant they gazed on her radiant glow, As they stood before OrgelusÉ; and her knights she again must know, And her Turkowit, gallant Florand, and Lischois, the young and fair, Were set free, without let or hindrance, for the love that Gawain must bear To the lovely lady of Logrois—Then their victor they thanked amain, 55 Who was dull to all ill, yet had wisdom in all that might true love gain. As they stood by the side of the Duchess, and he spake in his courtesy, And he bade the two knights go nearer, and with kiss greet those ladies bright, The three younger queens, and joyful, I ween, was each gallant knight. 60 And there was the maiden BenÉ, with Gawain had she sought the hall, And I think me a joyful welcome she found there from each and all. Then the host would no longer stand there, and the twain did he pray to sit By the maidens, as best should please them, and it grievÈd them not one whit, Such counsel it grieveth no man! Then the gallant Gawain spake, 65 'Now which of these maids is ItonjÉ? Beside her my seat I'ld take!' Thus in secret he spake to BenÉ, and she showed him the maiden fair, 'She, with eyes so clear and shining, and red lips, and dusky hair! Wouldst thou speak with the maid in secret? Then thy words be wise and few:' Thus quoth BenÉ the wise in counsel, who ItonjÉ's love-tale knew, 70 And knew that King Gramoflanz loved her, and did service for her heart's love, And his faith as a knight unstainÈd would fain to the maiden prove. Gawain sat him by the maiden, (as I heard so the tale I tell,) And soft was his speech and gentle, and his words they beseemed him well. And tho' few were the years of ItonjÉ yet great was her courtesy, 75 And well did she know how to bear her as a maiden of high degree. And this question he asked the maiden, if a lover she aye had known? And with wisdom she made him answer, 'To whom might my love be shown, For ne'er to a man have I spoken, since the day I first saw the light, Save the words which thou now dost hearken as I speak unto thee, Sir Knight!' 80 'Yet mayst thou have heard the rumour of one who hath bravely fought, And striven for prize of knighthood, and with dauntless heart hath sought Fair service for fair rewarding?' In such wise spake the knight Gawain; But the maiden she quoth, 'Nay, no hero hath striven my love to gain; Yon lady, the Duchess of Logrois, hath many a gallant knight 85 Who serve her for love, or for payment, and hither they come to fight, As thou hast, Sir Knight, and this conflict thy glory hath raised on high!' Then he quoth to the lovely maiden, 'Whose pathway shall she have crossed With many a chosen hero? Say, who hath her favour lost?' 90 'That, Sir Knight, hath the valiant monarch, King Gramoflanz, he who bore From aforetime the crown of honour; so men say, and I know no more!' Quoth Gawain, 'Thou shalt know more of him, since he draweth the prize anear, And with steadfast heart doth he seek it; from his lips I this tale did hear— Of true heart would he do thee service, if such service shall be thy will, 95 And help at thine hand he seeketh that thy love may his torment still. It is well that a king face peril, if his lady shall be a queen, And thou art the maid whom he loveth, if King Lot hath thy father been; Thou art she for whom his heart weepeth, if thy name shall ItonjÉ be, And sorrow of heart dost thou give him—By my mouth would he plead with thee.' 100 'Now if thou be true and faithful of his woe wilt thou make an end, And both would I serve right gladly—This ring he to thee doth send, I prithee to take it, Lady! In sooth do I mean thee well, And if thou wilt trust unto me no word of the tale I'll tell!' Then crimson she blushed, the maiden, and e'en as her lips were red 105 So red grew her cheek, yet the blushes as they came so they swiftly sped. And she stretched forth her hand so shyly toward the little ring of gold, For e'en at a glance she knew it, and her hand did the token hold. Then she spake, 'Now, Sir Knight, I see well, if I freely to thee may speak, That thou comest from him, whom, desiring, my heart doth for ever seek. 110 My words shalt thou still hold secret, as courtesy biddeth thee, This ring have I seen aforetime, for it oft hath been sent to me; From the hand of the king it cometh, and I know it for token true, From my hand did he first receive it. What sorrow so e'er he knew, Of that do I hold me guiltless; what he asked, that in thought I gave, 115 Had we met I had ne'er withholden the boon he from me did crave.' 'This day have I kissed OrgelusÉ, who thinketh his death to win, I ween 'twas the kiss of Judas which all men count to him for sin! And Gowerzein's Duke, fair Lischois, I kissed here at thy command. 120 From my heart I might not forgive them, for my true love they hate alway— But speak thou no word to my mother.' Thus the maiden Gawain did pray. 'Sir Knight, it was thou didst pray me to take from their lips this kiss, Tho' no will for forgiveness had I, and my heart sickeneth sore for this! If joy shall be e'er our portion, our help in thine hand shall be, 125 And I know well, above all women, the king he desireth me; And his will shall he have, for I love him o'er all men on earth that live— God send thee good help and good counsel, that joy thou to us mayst give!' Quoth Gawain, 'How may that be, Lady? He beareth thee in his heart, And in thine dost thou ever hold him, and yet are ye twain apart. 130 If I knew how to give thee counsel that ye twain might in gladness dwell, Of a sooth no pains would I spare me such rede unto thee to tell.' Then she quoth, 'Yet in truth shalt thou rule us, myself, and my gallant king, And naught but thy help and God's blessing our love to its goal may bring, So that I, poor homeless maiden, his sorrow may put away, 135 For his joy shall be set upon me! If so be I from truth ne'er stray, What other can I desire here, or for what shall my true heart yearn, Save to give him the love he asketh, and his grief unto gladness turn?' Gawain, he saw well that the maiden would fain to her love belong, Yet her hatred towards the Duchess as aforetime was fierce and strong; 140 Thus hatred and love did she bear here, and wrong had he done the maid Who thus, of a true heart simply, her plaint had before him laid. Since never a word had he told her how one mother had borne them both, And King Lot he had been their father—Then he answered her, little loth, He would do what he might to aid her, and in secret with gracious word 145 She thanked him who brought her comfort, and her sorrow with kindness heard. Now the hour it was come, and they brought there for the tables fair linen white, And bread did they bear to the palace unto many a lady bright, And there might ye see a severance, for the knights they sat by one wall, Apart from the maids; and their places Gawain gave to each and all. 150 (And that fair queen was Gawain's mother,) and OrgelusÉ by ArnivÉ. And Gawain set his lovely sister by his side at that festal board, And all did as he bade them gladly, for he was that castle's lord. My skill not the half doth tell me, no such master-cook am I, 155 That I know the name of the viands they offered them courteously; The host, and each one of the ladies, their servers were maidens fair, To the knights who sat over against them many squires did their portion bear. For this was the seemly custom, that no squire, in his serving haste, Brushed roughly against a maiden, but ever apart they paced— 160 And whether 'twas wine, or 'twas viands, they offered unto the guests, In naught was their courtesy harmÈd, for so did men deem it best. And a feast they to-day must look on such as no man before had seen, Since vanquished by Klingsor's magic both lady and knight had been. Unknown were they yet to each other, tho' one portal it shut them in, 165 And never a man and a maiden might speech of each other win; And a good thing Gawain he thought it that this folk should each other meet, And much he rejoiced in their gladness, and his own lot it seemed him sweet; Yet ever he looked in secret on his lady and love so fair, And his heart it waxed hot within him, and love's anguish he needs must bear. 170 But the day drew near to its closing, and faint waxed the waning light, And fair thro' the clouds of heaven gleamed the messengers of the night, Many stars so bright and golden, who speed on their silent way When the night would seek for shelter in the realm of departing day; And after her standard-bearers, with her host doth she swiftly tread— 175 Now many a fair crown golden in the palace hung high o'erhead, And with tapers they all were lighted around the stately hall, And they bare unto every table a host of tapers tall; And yet the story telleth that the Duchess she was so fair, That ne'er was it night in her presence tho' never a torch were there! 180 For her glance was so bright and radiant it brought of itself the day; And this tale of fair OrgelusÉ full oft have I heard men say. A host so rich and joyous, and joyous his guests, I ween; And ever with eager gladness each knight and each gentle maid 185 Looked well on each other's faces, nor shrank from the glance afraid. If friendship they here desirÈd, or each other would better know, Then naught of their joy would I grudge them, methinks it were better so! Tho' I wot well there none was a glutton, yet still had they ate their fill, And they bare on one side the tables, and Gawain asked, with right goodwill, 190 If here there should be a fiddler? and many a gallant squire Was skilled on the strings, and gladly would play at the host's desire, Yet were they not all too skilful, and the dances were old alway, Not new, as in fair Thuringia the dances they know to-day. Then they thanked their host who, joyful, would give to their joy its vent, 195 And many a lovely lady in his presence danced well content, For goodly their dance to look on, and their ranks, with many a pair Of knight and lady, mingled, and grief fled from their faces fair. And oft 'twixt two gentle maidens might be seen a noble knight, And they who looked well upon them in their faces might read delight. 200 And whatever knight bethought him, and would of his lady pray Reward, if for love he served her, none said to his pleading Nay. Thus they who were poor in sorrow, and rich in joy's fairest dower, With sweet words, by sweet lips spoken, made gladsome the passing hour. Gawain and the Queen ArnivÉ, and SangivÉ, the dance so fleet 205 Would look on in peace, for they danced not; then the Duchess she took her seat By the side of Gawain, and her white hand he held in his own a while, And they spake of this thing and the other, with many a glance and smile; He rejoiced that she thus had sought him, and his grief it waxed small and faint, And his joy it grew strong and mighty, nor vexed him with sorrow's plaint. 210 And great was the joy of the lady o'er the dance, and the merry feast, Yet less was the sorrow of Gawain, and his joy o'er her joy increased. Then spake the old Queen ArnivÉ, 'Sir Knight, now methinks 'twere best That thou get thee to bed, for sorely, I ween, shall thy wounds need rest And tend thee herself, with such counsel and deed as shall seem her right?' Quoth Gawain, 'That thyself mayst ask her; I will do as shall please ye twain!' Then the Duchess she spake in answer, 'He shall in my charge remain. Let this folk to their couch betake them, I will tend in such sort his rest That never a loving lady dealt better by gallant guest; 220 And the other twain, my princes, in the care of the knights shall be, Florand, and the Duke of Gowerzein, for so seemeth it good to me.' In short space the dance was ended, and the maidens in beauty bright Sat here and there, and between them sat many a gallant knight; And joy took her revenge on sorrow, and he who so sweetly spake 225 Words of love, from his gentle lady must a gracious answer take. Then the host must they hear, as he bade them the cup to the hall to bear, And the wooers bemoaned his bidding; yet the host he wooed with them here, And he bare of his love the burden, and the sitting he deemed too long, For his heart by love's power was tortured with anguish so fierce and strong. 230 And they drank the night-drink, and sadly to each other they bade goodnight, And the squires they must bear before them full many a taper bright. And the two gallant guests did Gawain commend to them each and all, And glad were the knights, and the heroes they led forth from out the hall. And the Duchess, with gracious kindness, wished fair rest to the princes twain, 235 And then to their sleeping chambers forth wended the maiden train, And as their fair breeding bade them, at the parting they curtseyed low: Queen SangivÉ and her fair daughters they too to their rest would go. Then BenÉ, the maid, and ArnivÉ, they wrought with a willing hand That the host he might sleep in comfort, nor the Duchess aside did stand, 240 But she aided the twain, and Gawain was led of the helpers three To a chamber fair where his slumber that even should joyful be. Two couches alone did he see there, but no man to me hath told Of their decking, for other matters, I ween, doth this story hold. Quoth ArnivÉ unto the Duchess, 'Now, Lady, think thou how best 245 This knight whom thou broughtest hither, shall beneath this roof-tree rest, No more would I say, save this only, his wounds they shall bandaged be With such skill he might bear his armour—But if he bemoan his grief Then methinks it were good and fitting that thou bring to his woe relief. 250 If thou wakest anew his courage, then we all in his gladness share— Now think thou no ill of my counsel, but have for thy knight good care!' Then the Queen ArnivÉ left them, (yet leave had she craved before,) And BenÉ she bare the taper, and Gawain he made fast the door. If the twain to their love gave hearing? The tale how should I withhold, 255 I would speak, were it not unseemly that love's secrets aloud be told, For courtesy doth forbid it; and he who would tell the tale Worketh ill to himself, o'er love's dealings true hands ever draw the veil. Now betwixt his love and his lady had the joy of Gawain waxed small, An the Duchess would have no pity, then healing might ne'er befall. 260 They who sat in the seat of the wise men, and knew many a mystic word, Kancor, and ThÈbit, and Trebuchet, the smith who Frimutel's sword Once wrought, ('twas a wondrous weapon, and men of its marvels tell)— Nay, all the skill of physicians, tho' they meant to the hero well And plied him with roots well mingled—Had a woman ne'er sought his side, 265 Then vain were their skill, in his torment methinks had he surely died! Fain would I make short the story, he the rightful root had found That helped him unto his healing, and the chain of his grief unbound, And brought light in the midst of his darkness—(Breton by his mother's side Was Gawain, and King Lot his father) thus the healing task he plied, 270 And sweet balsam for bitter sorrow was his lot till the dawn of day. Yet that which had wrought him comfort it was hid from the folk alway, But all there, both knights and ladies, they beheld him so gay and glad That their sorrow was put far from them and their heart was no longer sad. Now list how he did the message whom Gawain he had sent afar, 275 Yea unto the land of LÖver, unto Bems by the fair Korka, For there he abode, King Arthur, and his lady, the gracious queen, With fair maids and a host of vassals; this the lot of the squire had been. 'Twas yet in the early morning, when his message he fain had brought, And the queen, in the chapel kneeling, on the page of her psalter thought; 280 For she took from his hand a letter, and the cover must writing bear That was writ by a hand she knew well, ere yet she the name might know, From the squire, of him who had sent him, as she looked on him kneeling low. Then the queen she spake to the letter, 'Now blessed that hand shall be 285 That wrote thee; for care was my portion since the day that mine eyes might see The hand that hath writ this writing'—She wept, yet for joy was fain, And she quoth to the squire, 'Of a surety thy master shall be Gawain!' 'Yea, Lady, he truly offers true service as aye of yore, With never a thought of wavering, yet his joy it shall suffer sore, 290 If so be thou wilt not upraise it; and never it stood so ill With his honour as now it standeth—And more would he tell thee still, In joy shall he live henceforward if comfort he gain from thee; And I wot that yet more shall be written than what thou hast heard from me.' Then she quoth,
'I have truly read there the cause that hath brought thee here, 295 And service I think to do him with many a woman dear, Who to-day shall I ween be reckoned to have won to them beauty's prize— Save Parzival's wife and another, OrgelusÉ, in all men's eyes, Thro' Christendom none shall be fairer—Since far from King Arthur's court Gawain rode, sore grief and sorrow have made of my life their sport. 300 And Meljanz de Lys hath told me he saw him in BarbigÖl— Alas!' quoth the queen, 'that ever mine eyes saw thee, PlimizÖl! What sorrow did there befall me! Since that day might I never greet Kunnewaare of Lalande, she hath left me, my friend and companion sweet. And the right of the good Round Table was broken by words of scorn, 305 And four years and a half and six weeks have left us, I ween, forlorn, Since the Grail Parzival rode seeking; and after him rode Gawain To Askalon—Nor JeschutÉ nor Hekuba come again Since the day that they parted from me, and grief for my friends so true Hath driven my peace far from me, nor joy since that day I knew!' 310 And the queen spake much of her sorrow: then the squire would her counsel know, 'Now do thou in this my bidding, in secret thou hence shalt go, Knights, servants, and gentle ladies, and vassals of all degree; And then to the court ride swiftly, nor think who shall hold thy steed, 315 But spring from its back, and hasten where the king shall thy coming heed. They will ask of thee news of venture, but thou, do thou act and speak As one who from peril flieth, whom the flames would devouring seek, And they may not prevail to hold thee, nor win from thy lips the tale, But press thou thro' them to the monarch, and to greet thee he will not fail. 320 Then give to his hand the letter, and swiftly from it he'll read Thy tale, and thy lord's desiring; I doubt not the prayer he'll heed!' 'And this will I further rede thee, make thou thy request to me Where I sit, and, amid my ladies, thy dealings may hear and see; And beseech us, as well thou knowest, for thy lord wouldst thou hearing gain. 325 But say, for as yet I know not, where abideth the knight Gawain?' 'Nay,' quoth the squire, 'I may not, ask not where my lord doth dwell, But think, an thou wilt, that good fortune is his, and he fareth well!' Then glad was the squire of her counsel, and he took from the queen his way In such wise as ye here have hearkened, and he came, e'en as she did say. 330 For e'en at the hour of noontide, not in secret but openly He came to the court, and the courtiers his garments eyed curiously, And they thought that they well beseemed him, and were such as a squire should wear, And his horse on each flank was wounded, where the spurs they had smitten fair. And, e'en as the queen had taught him, he sprang straightway unto the ground, 335 And a crowd of eager courtiers pressed, thronging, his steed around. Mantle, sword, and spurs, e'en his charger might be lost, he would little care But he gat thro' the crowd to the heroes, and the knights they besought him there, Brought he news of some gallant venture? For the custom was aye of yore, That they ate not, nor man nor maiden, save unto the court they bore 340 The news of some deed of knighthood, and the court might claim its right, If so be 'twas a worthy venture, and one that beseemed a knight. Of your courtesy then forgive me, and lead to the king the way, For 'tis meet that I first speak with him, and mine haste it doth work me ill; 345 But my tale shall ye hear, and God teach ye to aid me with right goodwill!' And so did his message urge him he thought not on the thronging crowd, Till the eyes of the king beheld him, and greeting he spake aloud. Then he gave to his hand the letter that bade to King Arthur's heart, As he read it, two guests, joy and sorrow, alike there the twain had part 350 And he spake, 'Hail! the fair day's dawning, by whose light I have read this word, And of thee, O son of my sister, true tidings at last have heard! If in manhood I may but serve thee as kinsman and friend, if faith Ever ruled my heart, 'twill be open to the word that Sir Gawain saith!' Then he spake to the squire, 'Now tell me if Sir Gawain be glad at heart?' 355 'Yea, sire, at thy will, with the joyful I ween shall he have his part,' (And thus quoth the squire in his wisdom,) 'yet his honour he sure shall lose, And no man fresh joy may give him, if thine aid thou shalt here refuse. At thy succour his gladness waxeth, and from out of dark sorrow's door Shall grief from his heart be banished, if thou hearken his need so sore. 360 As of yore doth he offer service to the queen, and it is his will That the knights of the good Round Table as their comrade account him still, And think on their faith, nor let him be 'spoiled of his honour's meed, But pray thee his cry to hearken, and make to his aid good speed!' Quoth King Arthur, 'Dear friend and comrade, bear this letter unto the queen, 365 Let her read therein, and tell us why our portion hath twofold been, And at one while we joy and we sorrow. How King Gramoflanz is fain In the pride of his heart, and his malice, to work ill to my knight, Gawain; He thinketh for sure that my nephew shall be Eidegast, whom he slew, Thence grief hath he won; deeper sorrow I'ld teach him, and customs new!' 370 Then the squire he would pass where a welcome so kindly he did receive, And he gave to the queen the letter, and many an eye must grieve, The words that within were written, and the need of Gawain they hear, And his prayer did she read before them; nor long would the squire delay 375 590 Hath he wrought there fresh deeds of knighthood, then King Gramoflanz sure hath thought To revenge himself for the garland that my knight from his tree hath brought. But whoever they be, I know well, they shall many a joust have seen, And many a spear at Logrois by mine army hath splintered been.' And never a lie had she spoken—For Arthur must peril face 595 As he rode thro' the land of Logrois; and many of Breton race In knightly joust had fallen—But Arthur their ill repaid In the self-same coin, and on both sides sore stress on the host was laid. Battle-weary, so came they hither of whom one full oft must hear That they sold their lives full dearly, and did never a foeman fear. 600 And either side had suffered, both Garel and Gaherjet, King Meljanz of Lys, and Iofreit, son of Idol, in durance set Ere even the end of the Tourney—From Logrois they captive bare The Duke of Vermandois, Friam, and Count Richard, he of Nevers, Who naught but one spear had needed ere he against whom he rode 605 Had fallen 'neath his stroke so mighty, and no man his joust abode. With his own hand King Arthur made him his captive, this gallant knight; Then, dauntless, they spurred them onward, and the armies they met in fight, And a forest, methinks, it cost them! For no man the jousts might know That were ridden, a rain of splinters fell thick at each mighty blow; 610 And the Bretons, they bore them bravely 'gainst the Lady of Logrois' host, And Arthur himself the rear-guard would keep at sore conflict's cost. And in this wise they fought and they vexed them through the hours of the livelong day, Till the greater part of the army outwearied with conflict lay. And well might Gawain have told her, the Duchess, that to his aid 615 They had ridden her land, then, I wot well, no strife had their way delayed, But he would that no lips should tell her till her own eye the truth had seen— Then he dealt as should well befit him had King Arthur his foeman been, And made ready to march against him with rich tents and warlike gear. For with open hand Sir Gawain his gifts upon all did shower In such wise that ye might have deemed well he drew nigh to his dying hour. And servant, and knight, and lady, they looked on his gifts so fair, And all, with one mouth, they praised him who brought help in their sore despair; And all, for his sake, were joyful—Then the hero he bade prepare 625 Strong chargers, and well-trained palfreys, such as well might a lady bear. Nor the knights should be lacking armour—Strong squires in coat of mail Were ready to do his bidding, nor should one of their number fail. And in this wise he gave his orders, four knights he aside did take: His chamberlain one; and another, cup-bearer he fain would make; 630 The third he would make his steward; and his marshal the fourth should be, For this was his prayer, and the four knights said 'Yea' to him willingly. At peace lay King Arthur's army, and no greeting did Gawain send, Yet I wot well it sorely grieved him! With the morning the host did wend, With the blast of many a trumpet, their way unto Ioflanz' plain, 635 And the rear-guard was armed, yet no foeman did they find in their path again. Then Gawain took his office-bearers, and in this wise to them he spake, The marshal, he bade him straightway to Ioflanz his way to take, 'There a camp of my own prepare me—The host that thou here didst see Shall unto that plain have ridden, and its lord will I name to thee, 640 For 'tis well that thou too shouldst know him, he is Arthur, my kinsman true, In whose court and whose care from my childhood I unto my manhood grew. Now do this thing in which I trust thee, rule my journey in such a wise, With such riches and pomp, that my coming be stately in all men's eyes; But within the walls of this castle no word of the truth be told— 645 That the king for my sake cometh hither, this must thou for secret hold!' So did they as Gawain bade them, and PlippalinÒt he found Little space had he now for leisure, since his lord was on journey bound. For large and small his vessels, both boat and skiff, must fare O'er the water, and troops well armÈd, ahorse and afoot they bare. 650 And hither and thither riding behind them the army sped. And they bare with them, so 'twas told me, the tent that in days of yore Fair Iblis had sent to Klingsor, as pledge of the love she bore. By the sending of this love-token their secret to men was told, 655 And the favour they bare each other in the days that have waxen old. And no cost had they spared who had wrought it, and no better was ever seen Save the tent of Eisenhart only—Then apart on the grass so green They set up the tent, and around it many others in goodly ring, And so great was the pomp and the riches that men deemed it a wondrous thing. 660 And they spake before King Arthur that the marshal of Gawain came, And his lord the same day would follow, and encamp him upon the plain. 'Twas the talk of all the vassals—Then Gawain, from falsehood free, Rode forth from his home and there followed a goodly company. And their train was so richly ordered that marvels I here might tell! 665 With church gear and chamber hangings the pack-steeds were burdened well; And some were with harness laden, and above the harness bare Full many a crested helmet, and shield that was blazoned fair. And many a gallant war-horse was led by the bridle rein, And behind them both knight and lady rode close in the glittering train. 670 Would ye measure the length? a mile long, methinks, had it str
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