  ARGUMENTBook xiv. tells how Parzival and Gawain met and, unknowing, fought with each other, how Gawain was defeated, and of Parzival's grief when he learnt with whom he had fought. How the combat between Gawain and Gramoflanz was deferred till the morrow; and how Parzival was welcomed at the court of King Arthur, and admitted to the Brotherhood of the Round Table. How Parzival, in Gawain's stead, fought with and overcame King Gramoflanz, and how the latter sent messengers to King Arthur to pray that none but Gawain should fight against him. Of the grief of ItonjÉ when she learnt how her brother would fight with King Gramoflanz, and how she prayed the aid of King Arthur. How Arthur and Brandelidelein made peace between the Duchess and Gawain, and of the wedding feast that was held in the camp. Of Parzival's sorrow and longing for his wife, and how ere the dawn of day he stole in secret from the court. BOOK XIV GRAMOFLANZ If now the gallant Gawain a knightly joust would ride, Tho' never I feared for his honour yet I fear what may now betide. And tho' dear be the other's safety yet never a doubt I know, For he who in strife would face him an army had found for foe. O'er far seas, in the land of paynim, his helmet was fashioned fair, 5 And ruby-red was his harness, and the trappings his charger bare. So rode he in search of adventure, and his shield it was piercÈd thro'— He had plucked for his helm a garland, and the tree where the garland grew Was the tree that Gramoflanz guarded; and Gawain knew the wreath again, And he thought, did the king here wait him it were counted to him for shame, 10 If hither for strife he had ridden then strife there perforce must be, Tho' alone were the twain, and no lady the fate of their jousting see. From MonsalvÄsch they came, the chargers, which each of the knights bestrode, And they spurred them alike to a gallop, and each 'gainst the other rode, On the dewy grass of the meadow, not the sand of the Tourney ring, 15 Should the joust this morn be ridden; and I ween, as their deeds I sing, I had mourned for the harm of either—'Twas a fair joust they rode that morn, Of a race that fought fair and knightly was each gallant hero born; And little had been his winning, great his loss, who there won the prize, And ne'er had he ceased to mourn it, if he were in his calling wise. 20 Had their love and their truth been wounded—Now hear how they fought the fray: Swiftly they rode, yet in such wise that each knight must mourn his fate— For kinsman and knightly brethren, in strength of foeman's hate, In strife had come together; and he who this joust should win 25 His joy were the pledge of sorrow, and his deed must he count for sin— And each right hand it smote so surely that the comrades and foemen twain, With horse and with goodly harness, fell prone on the grassy plain. And then in such wise they bear them, with their swords such blows they smite, That their shields are hewn and riven, and cloven in deadly fight. 30 And the splinters of shields, and the grass blades, were mingled upon the ground, And far other the look of the meadow ere their strife had its ending found; And too long must they wait for a daysman—'twas early when first they fought, And the hours sped by, and no man an end to their conflict brought, And no man was there beside them—Will ye hear how, the self-same day, 35 King Arthur's knights to the army of King Gramoflanz made their way? On a plain by the sea he camped him—On the one side of the ground Flowed the Sabbins, and over against it the Poinzacleins its ending found. And the plain it was strongly guarded; Rosche Sabbins the citadel, With towers and with walls deep-moated, defended the fourth side well. 40 And the host on the plain lay stretching its length for a mile and more, And half a mile broad had they deemed it—As the messengers toward it bore, Many unknown knights rode forward, archers, squires, with arms and spear, And behind them, with waving banners, did the mighty host draw near. With ringing blasts of trumpet would the army leave the plain, 45 That very morn to Ioflanz marched the monarch and all his train. And clear rung the ladies' bridles as they circled around the king— And, if I may tell the story, the tidings I fain would bring Of those who had ridden hither, and camped on the sward so green, For Gramoflanz bade them hither, and his combat they fain had seen. 50 From Punt, the water-locked city, to his nephew's aid had flown Brandelidelein, and with him were six hundred ladies fair, By the side of each lovely lady her knight must his armour wear; For knighthood and love would he serve her—Of Punturtois, the gallant knights 55 Were fain for this stately journey, in sooth 'twas a noble sight. And there rode, an ye will believe me, Count Bernard of Riviers, Rich Narant had been his father, and left Uckerland to his heir. And in many a ship o'er the water had he brought so fair a host Of ladies, that none gainsaid him who would make of their beauty boast. 60 Two hundred of them were maidens, and two hundred already wed— And if I have rightly counted 'neath his banner Count Bernard led Five hundred knights well proven, who with him had sailed the sea, And each well might face a foeman, and each should a hero be. Thus King Gramoflanz would wreak vengeance in strife for the broken tree, 65 For he deemed he should be the victor, and the folk should his prowess see. And the princes from out his kingdom, with many a valiant knight, And many a lovely lady, had come to behold the fight; And a goodly folk were gathered—Now Arthur's men drew near, And they looked upon the monarch, how they found him ye now shall hear. 70 Of PalmÂt was the high seat 'neath him, and with silk was the couch spread o'er, And maidens, so fair and graceful, they knelt low the king before, And with iron hose they shod him; and high o'er the monarch's head, A silk, Ecidemon-woven, both broad and long, was spread, On twelve spear-shafts tall was it lifted, from the sunlight to be a shade— 75 Then came the men of King Arthur, and this was the word they said: 'Sire, King Arthur hath hither sent us, and ever hath he been known As one whom all men have honoured, and whom all shall as victor own. Yea, honour enow is his portion—And yet wouldst thou mar his fame, Since upon the son of his sister thou thinkest to bring this shame! 80 And e'en had Sir Gawain wrought thee worse ill by far, I ween, That the fame of the great Round Table might here for a shield have been. And stainless shall be their knighthood who own Arthur for king and lord! Quoth the king, 'The strife I sware him e'en to-day my hand shall dare, 85 And Gawain to-day shall face me, if well or if ill he fare. For this hath been truly told me, that King Arthur draweth near With his queen, and his host of warriors; I bid them welcome here! Tho' it may be the angry Duchess shall counsel him to mine ill, Yet hearken and heed, ye children, the strife shall be foughten still. 90 For here have I many a follower, and hindered of none will be, What one man can do unto me that bear I right joyfully! And if now I should fear to face that to which I my pledge have sworn, Of Love's service and Love's rewarding henceforward were I forlorn! In her favour I found aforetime my life and my life's best bliss— 95 God knoweth how he hath pleased her, she oweth me much for this!— And tho' ever I did disdain me to fight with one man alone, Yet Gawain hath so bravely borne him that him as I my peer I'll own. And I think me I shame my manhood when such easy strife I fight; And yet have I fought, believe me, (ye can ask if it seem ye right,) 100 With folk whom mine hand hath proven to be valiant men and true, But ne'er have I fought but one man! No praise shall be here my due, From the lips of gracious women, tho' the victory be mine to-day— And greatly my heart rejoiceth that her bands have been reft away For whose sake I fight this conflict; so many a distant land 105 Are vassals unto King Arthur, and pay tribute unto his hand, It may well be with him she cometh, for whose sake both joy and pain Unto death I would gladly suffer, if she be for my service fain. And what better fate can befall me than that this my fair lot shall be, That she looketh upon my service, and her eyes shall my victory see!' 110 And near to the king sat BenÉ, nor her heart for the strife did fail, For full oft had she seen his valour, and she deemed he might well prevail. But yet had she known that Gawain was brother unto the maid, And 'twas he who now stood in peril, of a sooth had she been dismayed. A golden ring from ItonjÉ she brought him for token fair, 115 'Twas the same as her gallant brother did over the Sabbins bear 'From ChÂteau Merveil doth my lady, with the others, her journey take.' And she spake from the lips of ItonjÉ such steadfast words and true, That more, from the lips of a maiden, I ween never monarch knew. 120 And she prayed him to think of her sorrow, since all gain did she hold as naught For the gain of his love, and his service was all that her true heart sought. And glad was the king at the tidings, yet would fight with her brother still— 'Twere better I had no sister, such rewarding would please me ill! Then they bare unto him his harness, 'twas costly beyond compare— 125 No hero, by love constrainÈd, who fought for love's guerdon fair, Were he Gamuret, or Galoes, or Killicrates, the valiant king, Had better decked his body the love of a maid to win— And no richer silk had been woven in Ipopotiticon, Or brought from KalomedentÉ, or the city of Akraton, 130 Or from far-off AgatyrsjentÉ, than the silk for his garment wove— Then he kissed the small ring golden, the pledge of ItonjÉ's love, For he knew her for true and faithful, and tho' peril upon him pressed, Yet the thought of her love and her longing would guard, as a shield, his breast. All armed was now the monarch; twelve maidens on palfreys fair, 135 Each one a spear-shaft holding, the awning aloft would bear. And the king, he rode beneath it, and its shadow was o'er his head, As on to the strife he craved for the gallant hero sped. And on either side of the monarch there rode fair maidens twain, Tall and stately were they to look on, the noblest of all his train. 140 The messengers of King Arthur no longer they made delay, And, behold! they met with Gawain as they rode on their homeward way, And ne'er had they felt such sorrow, their voices they raised on high, And they cried aloud for his peril, and their love and their loyalty. For the strife had near found its ending, and victor was Gawain's foe, 145 For his strength, it was more than Gawain's, and well-nigh had he laid him low, When the pages who rode towards them called loudly on Gawain's name, For well did they know the hero, and it grieved them to see his shame. Then he, who erewhile would fight him, of conflict would have no more, 'AccursÈd am I, and dishonoured, and all blessing from me hath flown, Since my luckless hand, unwitting, so sinful a strife hath known. Methinks it is too unseemly! yea, guilty am I alway, And born 'neath a star of Ill Fortune, and forced from all bliss to stray. And the arms that to-day I carry are the same that of old I bore, 155 For they are of Ill-luck the token, e'en to-day as they were of yore. Alas! that with gallant Gawain I have foughten so fierce a fight, 'Tis myself whom I here have vanquished, and my joy shall have taken flight. With the first blow I struck against him misfortune hath reached my side, And peace shall have sped far from me, and her face from my face doth hide!' 160 And Gawain heard, and saw his sorrow, and he spake out right wonderingly, 'Alas, Sir Knight, who art thou, who speakest thus well of me? If I might such words have hearkened the while I had strength and power, Then my honour had ne'er been forfeit, for the victory is thine this hour! And fain would I know how men call him with whom I shall find my fame, 165 Since hereafter I needs must seek it, so tell me, I pray, thy name— For ever was I the victor when I fought with one man alone.' 'Yea, gladly my name I'll tell thee who aforetime my face hast known, And true service I fain would do thee wherever such chance befall, For thy kinsman am I, and cousin, and men call me Parzival!' 170 Then out quoth Gawain, 'So, 'tis fitting, here Folly her goal hath found, And her ways full straight hath she wroughten which aforetime but crooked wound. Here have two hearts, leal and faithful, their hate 'gainst each other shown, And thy hand which hath won the victory hath the twain of us overthrown. And for both of us shalt thou sorrow, for thyself by thyself laid low, 175 And the thought it shall surely grieve thee if thy true heart true faith doth know!' Then, e'en as the words were spoken, no longer the knight Gawain Might stand for very weakness, for the blows they had dulled his brain, And his footsteps they failed and faltered, and prone on the grass he lay— Then down sprang the squire of King Arthur, and aid did he bring straightway, 180 With his head-gear of peacock's feathers the face of Gawain he fanned Till his care new strength had brought him—Now on to the field did ride, From the armies twain, much people, they flocked hither from either side. And each one would seek his station, for here should the fight be fought, 185 And the lists, they were set with tree-trunks, each smooth as a mirror wrought. Gramoflanz the cost had given, since from him had the challenge come, A hundred in all the tree-trunks, and brightly they shone each one. And no man should come within them, and the place between was wide, Full forty lengths from each other stood the fifty on either side, 190 Each blazoned with many colours; and here should the combat be; And on either side the army from the strife should hold them free. As by moat and rampart sundered, so should they in peace remain, In this wise they sware, the foemen, King Gramoflanz and Gawain. To this combat, by none awaited, came the folk from either side, 195 At the self-same hour, fain were they to know what should there betide, For they marvelled much who had fought here, and had shown such knightly skill; Or who should such strife have challenged, for alone was it foughten still, And neither side their comrades had bidden unto the ring, But alone had each knight come hither, and men deemed it a wondrous thing. 200 But now as the fight was foughten on the flower-besprinkled plain, Came King Gramoflanz, to wreak vengeance for the garland upon Gawain; And he heard what thing had chanced there, that so fierce the fight had been That never a fiercer conflict with sword might a man have seen, And the twain who fought together had never a cause to fight— 205 Then the king, from out his army, rode straight to the gallant knights; And he found them battle-weary, and much he mourned their pain; Tho' scarcely his strength might bear him, up-sprang the knight Gawain, And the twain they stood together—Now BenÉ rode with the king, And with him, as the strife was ended, she came to the battle-ring, 210 And she saw Gawain all powerless, whom, for honour and fair renown, O'er all the world had she chosen to crown with joy's fairest crown. And she spake, as her arms around him in a close embrace she flung, 'Accurst be the hand that such sorrow on so fair a form hath brought, 215 For in sooth all manly beauty its mirror in thee hath sought!' On the sward did she bid him seat him, and, the while that she wept full sore, With tender hand from his eyelids she wiped the sweat and gore; And heavy and hot his harness—Then Gramoflanz quoth again, 'In sooth must I grieve for thy sorrow, since my hand wrought it not, Gawain; 220 If to-morrow again thou comest, and wilt meet me upon this field, Then gladly will I await thee, and will face thee with spear and shield. Now as lief would I fight with a woman as with thee, who art brought so low, For how shall I win me honour if strength shall have failed my foe? Go, rest thee to-day, for 'tis needful, and then wouldst thou take the place 225 Of thy father, King Lot, I am ready to meet thee here, face to face.' But Parzival stood unwearied, nor as yet a sign he bare Of pallor, nor strength had failed him, and he faced the monarch fair, And he loosed from his head the helmet, that the king his face might see, And he spake, 'Sir, if this my cousin in aught shall have wrongÈd thee 230 Then take me as his pledge, unwearied, as thou seest, is yet mine hand, And the wrath thou dost bear against him I may well with my sword withstand.' Then spake the King of Rosche Sabbins, 'Sir Knight, at the morrow's morn For my garland he payeth tribute, and its fame shall anew be born, Or to such a pass shall he bring me that shame shall my portion be— 235 Thou mayst otherwise be a hero, but this conflict is not for thee!' In wrath spake the lips of BenÉ, 'Fie on thee! thou faithless hound, Thro' him whom thy false heart hateth thine heart hath its freedom found. She to whom thou wouldst do love-service, she liveth at his command, Thyself hast renounced the victory which else might have crowned thine hand. 240 Thou hast no claim on Love's rewarding, and if ever within thine heart Love had for awhile her dwelling with falsehood she bare a part!' And quoth,'Now, Lady, grieve not, this strife must needs betide. But stay thou here with thy master, and say to his sister sweet 245 That I am in truth her servant, in all that a knight finds meet.' But now as BenÉ hearkened, and knew of a truth Gawain Was brother unto her lady, and must fight on the grassy plain, Then drave griefs plough its furrows thro' her heart, both deep and sore, And filled them with flood of sorrow, for truth in her heart she bore. 250 And she quoth, 'Ride hence, accursÈd, thou false and faithless one, For steadfast love and loyal thine heart hath never won!' The king and his knights they rode hence, and the lads of Arthur's train They took the heroes' chargers, weary with strife the twain. Then Parzival, and Gawain, and BenÉ, that maiden bright, 255 They rode to the camp of King Arthur with many a gallant knight. And Parzival in manhood had so borne the prize away That all men were glad at his coming, and rejoiced in his fame that day. And more, if I can, would I tell ye—the wise men of either host Spake but of this man, of his valour in this wise they made their boast, 260 'Wot ye well who hath here been victor? 'Twas Parzival, he alone!' And so fair was his face to look on none fairer was ever known. So thought they who looked upon him, and they swear it, both man and maid— So he came to the tent of Gawain; and little his host delayed, But he bade them bring costly raiment, and rich as was his own gear, 265 And alike were they clad, the heroes, and all folk must the marvel hear That Parzival came among them, of whose glory all men had heard, And the fame of his deeds so knightly, and no mouth but spake this word. Quoth Gawain, 'Art thou fain to look on four queens who are kin to thee, And other fair ladies with them, then thy guide will I gladly be.' 270 Quoth Gamuret's son, 'If fair ladies be here thou shalt vex them not With the sight of my face, for no kindness from woman shall be my lot Since by PlimizÖl's bank they hearkened to the shame that upon me fell: May their honour of God be guarded, for ever I wish them well, I were fain ne'er to look on woman, but live me a life apart' 'Yet so must it be,' quoth Gawain; then Parzival he led To the four queens, who gave him greeting and kissed him with lips so red. But sorely it vexed the Duchess, that she, too, must kiss this knight, Who little had cared for her kisses, nor would for her favours fight— 280 Tho' her lands and her love she proffered when he before Logrois fought, And she rode far to overtake him—thus shame in her anger wrought. But the others they spake him gently, with never a thought of wrong, Till shame from his heart was driven, and joy in its stead waxed strong. Then Gawain of right and reason, if BenÉ his grace would hold, 285 Bade her seal her lips to silence, to her lady no word be told, 'That King Gramoflanz for his garland doth hatred toward me bear, And at the set time to-morrow our strife must be foughten fair, Speak no word of this to my sister, and do thou thy tears give o'er;' And she spake, 'I do well to weep thus, and to mourn, and to sorrow sore, 290 For whoever shall fall in the combat my lady must sorrow know, And however the battle goeth, the issue shall be for woe. And well may we mourn the venture, my lady and I alike, What boots it to be her brother, if thou at her heart wilt strike?' Now the host to their tents betook them, and the mid-day meal was spread 295 For Gawain, and the knights and ladies who should break at his table bread, And Parzival as companion should have the Duchess fair— And Gawain, he besought his l ady for the hero to have good care; But she quoth, 'To my care dost thou give him, who can make of a woman sport? How should I care for this man? Yet would I gainsay thee naught; 300 And if this be thy will, I will do it, tho' for payment I mocking know'— Quoth Gamuret's son, 'Nay, Lady, thou doest me wrong I trow, At least have I so much wisdom, if I know myself aright, That women are free from my mocking, since ill 'twould beseem a knight!' Whatever they set before them no lack had they there of meat, 305 And courteous was their service, and with joy all the folk did eat. Of the tears she had wept but lately, and for sorrow her cheeks grew pale, And nothing she ate, for she thought still, 'Now wherefore doth BenÉ weep? For I sent her but now to the monarch who my heart doth his captive keep, 310 And for whose sake I grieve me sorely—Have I done aught to vex my knight? Doth he think to renounce my service and no more for my love to fight? If, with steadfast heart and manly, he thinketh on me no more, Poor maid, I must die of sorrow, and the love that to him I bore!' The noontide hour was over ere the feast had ended here, 315 Then hither rode King Arthur, and his queen, fair Guinevere, With a host of knights and ladies, to where, within their sight, Mid the band of gracious maidens sat that true and valiant knight; And to Parzival such greeting and such welcome fair they gave That from many sweet lips sweet kisses he won, that hero brave! 320 And Arthur would do him honour, and with many a gracious word He thanked him for the valour that had spread his name abroad, And the fame that had waxed so goodly, and that stood so high and fair, That of right o'er all men living the crown of worth he bare. Quoth the Waleis unto King Arthur, 'Yet Sire, when I saw thee last 325 My honour so sore was wounded that it well-nigh to earth was cast; And in knighthood I paid such forfeit that of knighthood was I forlorn— But now have I hearkened to thee, and if thou be not forsworn Then honour still dwelleth with me, tho' my heart it misgives me sore! I would trust in thy word right gladly—But what of these knights who swore 330 True friendship and brotherhood with me, and from whom I must part in shame?' Then all with one voice they spake there—He had won for himself such fame And had wrought such brave deeds of knighthood in many a distant land, That his fame o'er the fame of all others did high and unspotted stand. Then the knights of the Duchess' army they came where by Arthur's side 335 Sat Parzival, fair to look on, 'mid the knightly circle wide. And the king in the tent received them, but so courtly was he and wise, That, tho' wide was the tent of Gawain, he thought best that in all men's eyes And strangers they were to each other who place in the circle found. 340 Would ye know who was this and that one? The tale it were all too long If Christian I named and paynim—Who were Klingsor's warriors strong; Who were they who so well were armÈd, and showed them such men of might When they rode from the city of Logrois, and would for their Duchess fight; Who had followed King Arthur hither—If each one, his land and kin, 345 I named in their rightful order 'twere ill to the end to win! But all men they spake together, there was none there like Parzival, For his face and his form so lovely many women might love him well; And nothing there failed unto him of aught that beseemed a knight Who beareth the crown of honour, and fighteth a goodly fight. 350 Then Gamuret's son upstood there, and he spake, 'Ye who shall be here Give counsel, and help me win that which my soul ever holdeth dear; A strange and a hidden wonder it drave me from out your band— Ye who brotherhood once have sworn me, and in friendship have clasped my hand, Now help me, by this your knighthood, mine honour to win again!' 355 And gladly would Arthur grant him that for which his desire was fain. Then aside with few folk he stepped him, and straitly he prayed this grace, That the strife, at the hour appointed, he in Gawain's stead might face, 'Right gladly will I defy him, King Gramoflanz, in his pride; I brake from his tree this morning a bough ere I thence did ride, 360 And for that he of need must fight me—For conflict I sought his land, And for nothing else came I hither but to fight with his strong right hand. I thought not I here should find thee, my cousin, it grieves me sore, For this king did I surely take thee, who never from strife forbore. Now let me, I prithee, fight him; if ever he know defeat 365 My hand shall such lesson teach him as he findeth not over sweet! They have given me back mine honour, and thy brother knight am I, And thy kinsman true, fair cousin, so grant to me, cousinly, That this combat be mine—I swear thee for us twain will I face the foe, And there do such deeds of valour that all men shall my manhood know!' 370 Quoth Gawain, 'In the court of King Arthur have I many a brother dear, And kinsman true, yet to no man may I grant what thou prayest here. That I stand at the last the victor, tho' my foe be a man of might. God reward thee that thou, of thy kindness, this conflict for me wouldst face, 375 But the day is not yet in its dawning when another may take my place!' Now Arthur the prayer had hearkened, of their speech he an end would make, Once more in the ring beside them his seat did the monarch take. And the cup-bearers did not tarry, the noble youths they bare Many golden cups so I look on thy truth and thy beauty with ever a steadfast mind, 595 As the Pole-star doth in the north pole the goal of its gazing find, And neither its post forsaketh; e'en so shall our true love be, And waver not, one from the other—So think thou, sweet maid, on me, How I mourned unto thee my sorrow, nor be weary of this my prayer— And if one would part thee from me, for the hatred that he shall bear 600 And think thou of woman's honour, nor be of thy favours loth; But still let me be thy servant, in thy service I fain would live, And, in all that I may, true service I will to my lady give!' Quoth Arthur, 'Fair niece, thou saidst truly, he greeteth thee without guile 605 Such tale doth this letter tell me that never, at any while, Have I found of true love such marvel! His grief shalt thou put away, As he too shall cure thy sorrow, so do thou thy weeping stay, And trust unto me, this combat shall be hindered—Yet say thou here, Thou wert captive, how hath it chanced then that ye hold each other dear? 610 Thou shalt give him thy fair love's payment, that he do thee service true.'— Spake ItonjÉ, 'See, here she standeth who us twain together drew, Our love, it had else been hidden—If thou will that I now may see Him whom my heart desireth she will summon him unto me!' Quoth Arthur, 'Now, show her to me; if I may, I this thing will guide 615 That your will shall be done, and hereafter ye twain shall in joy abide!' Quoth ItonjÉ, ''Twas none but BenÉ; and two of his squires are here, If thou wilt, do this thing, (for I think me my life shall to thee be dear,) Thou shalt see that the king cometh hither, that he looketh upon my face In whom all my joy is hidden, and my life shall be in his grace!' 620 Then Arthur, the wise and courteous, would speak with the squires without, He greeted them as he saw them, and boldly the one spake out, 'Sire, King Gramoflanz, he prays thee, for thine honour as knight and king, That the oath sworn 'twixt him and Gawain thou wilt to fulfilment bring. And further, Sire, he prays thee that none other with him shall fight, 625 So great is thine host, must he face all, methinks it would scarce be right! But Gawain shalt thou send against him, for he willeth no other foe, And Gawain alone hath he challenged, as thyself thou shalt surely know!' Quoth King Arthur unto the pages, 'I will free us from blame alway, And sorely it grieved my nephew that he fought not the strife to-day. 630 And the knight who fought with your monarch, to victory was he born, The son of Gamuret is he—Three armies are here this morn, And from many a land came they hither, but never a man hath seen In combat so brave a hero, and glorious his deeds have been. For the faith and the need of Gawain will I do to the king this grace.' Then King Arthur and maiden BenÉ, with the squires they rode here and there, And in sooth those squires they looked on full many a lady fair, And they saw on the jewelled helmets many proud crests and knightly wave, And few for such sight shall vex them, for he who is rich as brave 640 Full many a friend he findeth! They 'lighted not from their steed, And the bravest men of the armies that lay camped on the flowery mead King Arthur would show unto them, they might gaze on them at their will, Knights, ladies, and gentle maidens, of beauty they saw their fill! In three portions it lay, the army, and two spaces there were between— 645 Then away from the camp rode King Arthur, far out on the plain so green, And he quoth, 'Now sweet maiden BenÉ, her plaint didst thou hear alway, ItonjÉ, the child of my sister, her weeping she will not stay. These my comrades who ride beside me, if they will, they may well believe Of her beauty their king hath robbed her, so sorely the maid doth grieve! 650 Now help me, ye twain, and thou, BenÉ, that the king he shall hither ride, E'en to-day, tho' the strife to-morrow he may, if he will, abide. I will bring Gawain to meet him on the plain, as he prayed but now— If he cometh to-day to mine army 'gainst the morn is he armed I trow, For Love such a shield shall give him that his foeman may ill withstand 655 The courage that Love doth kindle, and that nerveth anew the hand. And his princes shall he bring with him, for here would I do as best Doth lie in my power that the Duchess shall hearken to my behest, And peace shall be sealed between them—Now strive ye, my comrades dear, With skill for such happy ending, 'twill be to your honour here. 660 And further I make my mourning, wherein shall have been my sin That I wrought 'gainst your king that he beareth, in such measure, against my kin, Both love alike and hatred? Methinks, he doth hold us light! Another king, mine equal, had thought more of this my right. Doth he think to repay with hatred her brother, who loves him well? 665 If his heart such thought shall teach him, then he knoweth not true Love's spell!' Quoth one of the squires to King Arthur, 'What my king did to thee of ill, That, Sire, shall he do no longer, for courteous shall he be still. But thou knowest well the old hatred, and 'twere better the king should stay Within his camp, I think me, than ride to thine host to-day. 670 Of the same mind is still the Duchess, that she counteth him for her foe, And maketh her plaint against him, as many a man doth know!' 'With but few folk shall he come hither,' quoth Arthur, 'the while I'll pray Of that high and noble lady that her anger she put away. And an escort good I'll send him, Beau-corps, my sister's son, 675 Shall me ain were mine, And for aye am I Sorrow's captive! Now Good Fortune bring joy to all Who find peace in fair Love's fulfilment, they are blessÈd whate'er befall— May God give to this folk rejoicing! But I from their joy must flee, 895 And wend lonely as of aforetime, since gladness is not for me!' Then he stretched out his hand to his harness, and as oft was his wont of yore, Unaided he girt it on him, and soon was he armed once more. Now sorrow anew he seeketh—When he, who from joy would fly, Had armed himself, his charger he saddled right speedily, 900 And his shield and spear were ready—O'er his loss did they wail next morn, For no eye looked on his departing, he rode thence ere the day was born.
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