Chapter XII: Book VII: Obilot (1)

Awhile shall this venture follow the knight, who to fly was
fain
From shame, nor with guile had dealings, that hero bold,
Gawain.
For many a one hath held him for as brave, yea, for braver
knight
Than Parzival, who the hero of this wonder-tale is hight.
Yet he who his friend would ever with his words to the
heavens upraise 5
Is slow to speak well of another, or to yield him his meed of
praise;
But him shall the people follow whose praises with truth are
wrought,
Else whatever he speak, or hath spoken, shall ne'er under
roof be brought.
Who shall shelter the word of wisdom if wise men their aid
withhold?
But a song that is woven of falsehood is best left in the
outer cold, 10
Homeless, upon the snowdrift, that the mouth may wax chill
and sore
That hath spread for truth the story--such rewarding hath God
in store
As all true folk must wish him whose guerdon in toil is
told--
Who is swift to such deeds, I wot me, but blame for reward
shall hold,
And if good men and true shall praise him, then folly doth
rule their mind; 15
He will flee such who true shame knoweth, and in knighthood
his rule would find.

And true of heart was Sir Gawain, for courage as sentinel
Had guarded his fame, nor shadow of cowardice across it fell.
But his heart in the field of battle was strong as a mighty
tower,
Steadfast in sharpest conflict, yet foremost in danger's
hour. 20
And friend and foe bare witness to the fame of his
battle-cry;
Fain was Kingrimursel to rob him of his glory thus waxen
high--
Now far from the court of King Arthur for many a weary day,
I know not their tale to tell ye, did the valiant Gawain
stray;
So rode he, the gallant hero, from out of a woodland shade, 25
And his folk they were close behind him as he wended adown
the glade,
And there on a hill before him he was 'ware of a goodly sight
That would teach him fear, yet fresh courage it brought to
the gallant knight.

For the hero he saw full clearly how a host on their way
would fare
With pomp of warlike pageant, and banners borne high in air. 30
Then he thought, 'I too far have journeyed this host in the
wood to wait'--
And he bade them prepare the charger that was Orilus' gift of
late,
And red were its ears, and Gringuljet, I think me, they
called its name,
Without a prayer he won it--The steed from Monsalväsch came,
Lähelein, in a joust he took it, when lifeless its rider fell 35
By the Lake of Brimbane--Hereafter Trevrezent would the story
tell.

Thought Gawain, 'He who cowardly flieth ere the foe on his
track shall be
Flieth all too soon for his honour--this host would I nearer
see
Whatever may then befall me; they have seen me ere this I
trow,
And, for aught that may chance unto me, wit shall counsel me
well enow.' 40
Then down he sprang from his charger as one who his goal hath
found.
Countless I ween the army that in troops was toward him
bound,
And he saw many robes fair fashioned, and shields with their
blazon bright,
But he knew them not, nor the banners that danced on the
breezes light.

'Strange shall I be to this army,' quoth Gawain, 'strange are
they to me, 45
If they count this to me for evil then a joust shall they
surely see,
And a spear will I break with these heroes ere yet on my way
I ride!'
Gringuljet too was ready when his master would strife abide,
In many an hour of peril he the hero to joust had borne,
As Gawain had well bethought him when the steed he would ride
that morn. 50

There Gawain saw many a helmet, costly and decked full fair,
And new spears white, unsplintered, in sheaves to their goal
they bare;
To the pages hands were given those blazoned with colours
clear,
And the badge might ye read on the pennons that floated from
every spear.

And the son of King Lot, Sir Gawain, he saw there a crowded
throng, 55
There were mules with harness laden; heavy wagons with horses
strong,
And they hasted them, fain for shelter; and behind them a
wondrous store
Of goods, borne by travelling merchants as was ever the way
of yore.
And women were there in plenty, and of knightly girdle bright
The twelfth might some wear, the payment and pledge of love
holden light. 60
Not _queens_ were they hight, I think me, _Vivandierès_ was
their name--
And young and old behind them a rabble onward came,
And they ran till their limbs were weary; and a rope had fit
guerdon been
For many who swelled this army, and dishonoured true folk I
ween!

So they rode, and they ran, that army, and Gawain stood
beside the way, 65
So it chanced they who saw the hero deemed him part of their
host that day.
And never this side of the water, or in lands that beyond it
lie,
So gallant a host had journeyed, great their strength and
their courage high.

And close on their track there followed, spurring his steed
amain,
A squire of noble bearing, with a led horse beside his rein; 70
And a fair new shield he carried, and ever his spurs he
plied,
Nor thought to spare his charger, but swift to the strife
would ride,
And his raiment was fairly fashioned--Then Gawain his pathway
crossed,
And, greeting, he asked him tidings, who was lord of this
goodly host?

Quoth the squire, 'Sir Knight thou mockest, were I lacking in
courtesy, 75
And have chastisement earned, then I pray thee that my
penance shall other be
That shall wound not so sore mine honour--For God's sake lay
thine hate aside,
Methinks thou right well shalt know them, these knights that
before us ride,
Why askest thou me? Of a surety to each other shall ye be
known
As well, nay, a thousand times better, than I unto thee had
shown!' 80

Then many an oath he sware him, he knew not the race or name
Of the folk who went there before him, 'My journey hath won
but shame,
Since in truth must I make confession that never before
to-day
Mine eyes have beheld these heroes, tho' mine aid men right
oft would pray!
Then the squire he quoth unto Gawain, 'Sir Knight, _mine_ the
wrong hath been, 85
Thy question I should have answered, here my wisdom hath
failed I ween!
Now pass judgment on me, I pray thee, of thy friendly heart
and true,
Hereafter I'll gladly tell thee, first must I my folly rue.'
'Then, lad, by thy words of repentance, sure token of
courtesy,
The name of this gallant army I prithee to tell to me!' 90

'Sir Knight, he who rides before us, and no man his way doth
bar,
Is King Poidikonjonz; and beside him Duke Astor he rides to
war,
Of Lanveronz is he ruler--and there rideth beside the twain
One whose roughness and ways discourteous Love's payment have
sought in vain.
He beareth the brand unknightly, Meljakanz that prince is
hight, 95
He wooeth nor wife nor maiden, but their love will he take
with might,
And, methinks, men for that should slay him--Poidikonjonz'
son is he,
And here will he fight with his army, and he fighteth right
valiantly,
And dauntless his heart; but such manhood it profiteth
naught, I trow--
An ye threaten, perchance, her sucklings, she fighteth, the
mother sow! 100
And never a voice shall praise him whose strength lacketh
knighthood fair,
And methinks to the truth of my speaking many men will their
witness bear.'

'Now hearken to greater marvels, and mark thou the words I
say,
One with a mighty army doth follow upon our way
Whom folly doth drive to battle--The young King Meljanz of
Lys, 105
Scorned love wrought in him fierce anger, and pride vexed him
needlessly,'

And courteous he spake to Sir Gawain. 'What I saw, I Sir
Knight will say:
The sire of the young King Meljanz, as he on his death-bed
lay,
He bade them draw near unto him, the princes from out his
land,
For his gallant life lay forfeit, a pledge in stern Death's
cold hand, 110
And to Death he needs must yield him--In grief o'er his
coming end
To the faith of the princes round him his son would the king
commend,
And he chose out one from among them, the chief of his
vassals true,
And his faith was proved and steadfast, and from false ways
afar he flew.
And he gave the lad to his keeping, and he quoth, 'Now, with
hand and heart, 115
True service henceforward show him, bid him aye act a kingly
part
To vassal alike and stranger; bid him list to the poor man's
prayer,
And freely give of his substance.' Thus he left him unto his
care.'

'And Prince Lippaut did as his monarch, dying, of him did
pray,
Nor failed in aught, but true service he did to his lord
alway. 120
And he took the lad to his castle, and the prince had two
children fair,
He loved them well, and I think me, e'en to-day they his love
shall share.
One maiden in naught was lacking, save in age, that a knight
might crave
Her love for his love's rewarding; Obie was the name they
gave
To this maid; Obilot, her sister; and the elder maid, I ween, 125
Hath wrought ill, for she, and none other, the cause of this
strife hath been.'

'It so fell that one day the young king for his service
reward would pray,
'Twas an ill thought, she quoth, and she asked him why his
wits he had cast away?
And she spake unto him, 'I think me, e'en if thou so old
shouldst be,
That 'neath shield thou the hours hadst counted that in
worthy strife might flee; 130
With helmet on head hadst mingled in knightly venture bold,
Till the tale of thy days, if reckoned, full five years more
had told;
If there thou hadst won thee honour, and hither hadst come
again,
And bowed thyself to my bidding, if a _yea_ I to speak were
fain
To that which thou now desirest, all too soon should I grant
thy prayer-- 135
Thou art dear, I will ne'er deny it, as Galoes to Annora
fair;
For death did she seek, and I think me that her seeking was
not in vain,
When she lost him, her well belovèd, and her knight in a
joust was slain.'

'Now sore doth it grieve me, Lady, that love worketh so in
thee,
That thine anger with words of scorning thus venteth itself
on me. 140
For true service,' quoth he, 'winneth favour, an love thus be
well approved;
O'er-weening thy pride thus to taunt me that madness my
speech had moved!
Small wisdom in this thou showest, 'twere better thou hadst
bethought,
How thy father is but my vassal, and save of my grace hath
naught!'

'For that which he holds can he serve thee,' she spake,
'higher is my aim, 145
For fief will I hold of no man, none shall me as vassal
claim!
And so high do I prize my freedom that no crown it shall be
too high,
That an earthly head e'er weareth!' Then he spake out
wrathfully,
'Methinks thou hast been well tutored, that thy pride shall
have waxed so great,
An thy father such counsel gave thee, then penance on wrong
shall wait-- 150
'Tis meet that for this I arm me, some wounded shall be, some
slain,
An they call it or war, or Tourney, many spears shall they
break in twain!'

'Thus in anger he left the maiden, and all did his wrath
bemoan,
Yea, full sore it grieved the lady--Her father must well
atone,
Tho' he sware as his lord reproached him, guiltless of wrong
was he, 155
(Or straight were his ways or crooked, his peers should his
judges be,
All the princes in court assembled)--that he to this strait
was brought
Thro' no sin of his own--And eager the prince from his lord
besought
His favour and love as of old time, but in vain he for peace
might pray,
For anger it ruled the monarch, and his gladness was reft
away.' 160

'Tho' hasty the prince they counselled a prisoner to make his
lord,
His host had he been, and such treason of a true knight were
aye abhorred.
Farewell, the king ne'er bade him, but he rode forth in wrath
and pride,
And his pages, the sons of princes, aloud in their sorrow
cried.
Long time with the king they dwelt there, and goodwill they
to Lippaut bare, 165
For in truth did he aye entreat them, nor failed them in
knighthood fair.
'Tis my master alone who is wrathful, tho' he, too, Lippaut's
care might claim,
A Frenchman, the lord of Beauvais, Lisavander they call his
name.
And the one alike and the other, ere a knight's shield they
thought to bear,
Must renounce the prince's service, and war against Lippaut
swear; 170
And some shall be prince's children, and some not so highly
born,
Whom the king to the ranks of knighthood hath lifted, I ween,
this morn.'

'And one who in strife is skilful and bold doth the vanguard
lead,
Poidikonjonz of Gros, and with him hath he many an armed
steed.
And Meljanz is son to his brother; and haughty of heart the
twain, 175
The young as the old, I think me discourtesy here doth
reign!'

'Thus these two kings, moved by anger, will forth unto
Beaurosch ride,
Where with toil he would win the favour that the maid to his
love denied.
And there with thrust and onslaught shall be broken many a
spear;
Yet so well is Beaurosch guarded that, tho' twenty hosts were
here, 180
Each one than our army greater, it ne'er to our force would
yield!
The rear-guard knoweth naught of my journey, from the others
I stole this shield,
Lest perchance my lord should find here a joust, and with
onslaught fierce
And clash of the meeting chargers the spear thro' his shield
might pierce.'

Then the squire he looked behind him, and his lord on his
track did ride, 185
Three steeds and twelve spears unsplintered sped onward his
rein beside.
And I ween that his haste betrayed him, he would fain in the
foremost flight
The first joust for his own have challenged, so read I the
tale aright.

Then the squire he spake unto Gawain, 'Thy leave I, Sir
Knight, would pray,'
And he turned him again to his master--What should Gawain do
alway 190
Save see how this venture ended? Yet awhile he doubted sore,
And he thought, 'If I look on conflict, and fight not as aye
of yore,
Then methinks shall my fame be tarnished; and yet if I here
delay,
E'en tho' it may be for battle, then in sooth is it reft
away,
My meed of worldly honour--To fight not, methinks, were best, 195
First must I fulfil my challenge.' But afresh doubt vexed his
breast,
For he deemed that his warlike errand but little might brook
delay,
Yet how could he take his journey thro' this army that barred
his way?
And he quoth, 'Now God give me counsel, and strengthen my
manhood's might,'
And on to the town of Beaurosch rode Gawain as gallant
knight. 200

So before him lay Burg and city; fairer dwelling no man might
know;
Already it shone before him with its turrets in goodly row,
The crown of all other castles--Before it the army lay
On the plain 'neath the walls of the city; thro' the lines
must he take his way,
And right well he marked, Sir Gawain, many tents in a goodly
ring, 205
And strange banners waved beside them, which strange folk to
the fight would bring;
And doubt in his heart found dwelling, by eagerness cleft in
twain--
Then straight thro' the host encamped there rode the gallant
knight Gawain.

One tent-rope it touched the other, tho' the camp it was long
and wide,
And he saw how they lay, and he noted the task which each one
there plied. 210
Quoth they, '_Soit bien venu_' then '_Gramercy_' the knight
for an answer gave--
And troops from Semblidag lay there, hired soldiers both
strong and brave;
And closely they camped beside them, the archers from
Kahetei--
And strangers are oft unfriendly; As King Lot's son he passed
them by
No man of them all bade him tarry, so he rode o'er the grassy
plain, 215
And toward the beleaguered city Sir Gawain he turned his
rein.

Then he thought,'Must I e'en as a smuggler, in hiding-place
bestow
My goods, then the town is safer, methinks, than the plain
below,
Nor on gain shall my thoughts be turnèd, for this be my care
alone,
An Fate will so far befriend me, to guard that which is mine
own!' 220
To the city gate he rode thus, and he found that which worked
him woe,
None too costly the Burgers deemed it, but their portals
against the foe
Had they walled up; well armed the watch-towers, and he saw
on each rampart high
Archers, with cross-bow bended that their bolts 'gainst the
foe might fly.
For defence and defiance ready on the battlements they stood. 225
Up the hillside toward the castle he turned him, that hero
good.

Tho' little he knew the pathway to the Burg came the gallant
knight,
And straightway his eyes beheld them, full many a lady
bright,
For the prince's wife had come there, from the hall abroad to
gaze,
And daughters twain stood by her, bright as the sunlight's
rays. 230

Then they spake in such wise as Gawain right well their words
might hear--
'Now, who is this,' quoth the mother, 'who doth to our aid
draw near?
Where goes he with pack-horse laden?' Spake the elder
daughter fair,
'Nay, mother, 'tis but a merchant!' 'Yet he many a shield
doth bear.'
'Such shall oft be the wont of merchants!' Then the younger
sister spake, 235
'Thou sayest the thing that is not, and shame to thyself
shouldst take,
For surely he is no merchant! My knight shall he be
straightway,
If his service here craveth guerdon, such debt I were fain to
pay!'

Now the squires they saw how a linden and olive-trees stood
fair
Beneath the walls, and they thought them how a welcome shade
were there. 240
What would ye more? Then King Lot's son he straight to the
ground did spring
Where the shade was best, and his servants, they swift to
their lord would bring
A cushion fair and a mattress, and the proud knight he sat
thereon;
From on high gazed a crowd of ladies--Then, as he his rest
had won,
They lift adown from the pack-steeds the chests, and the
harness bright, 245
And beneath the trees they laid them who rode here with the
gallant knight.

Spake the elder duchess, 'Daughter, what merchant think thou
would fare
In such royal guise? Thou wrongest his rank who now sitteth
there!'
Then out quoth the younger sister, 'Discourteous she aye
shall be,
With pride and scorn did she treat him, our king, Meljanz of
Lys, 250
When her love he besought--unseemly such words and ways I
trow!'
Then spake Obie, for anger moved her, 'I see naught in that
man below!
There sitteth, methinks, a merchant, and he driveth a goodly
trade;
He would that they well were guarded, the chests that his
steeds do lade,
And like to a brooding dragon, O foolish sister mine, 255
O'er his treasure-chest he watcheth, this gallant _knight_ of
thine!'

And each word that they spake, the maidens, fell clear on
Gawain's ear--
Leave we their speech, of the city and its peril ye now must
hear.

A water that ships had sailed on 'neath a bridge of stone
flowed past,
And the land here was clear of foemen, nor its flood held
their armies fast. 260
A marshal came swiftly riding 'fore the bridge on the plain
so wide,
And a goodly camp had he marked out ere his lord to the field
should ride.
And he came e'en as they were ready, and with him came many
more--
I will tell ye their names who, for truth's sake, and the
love they to Lippaut bore,
Here rode to his aid--His brother, men called him Duke
Marangliess, 265
And two swift knights came with him from the land of
Brevigariez;
King Schirniel, the gallant monarch who ware crown in
Lirivoin,
And with him there rode his brother, the monarch of
Avendroin.

Now when the Burgers saw well that help drew anigh their wall
They deemed that an evil counsel which aforetime seemed good
to all-- 270
Then out spake their lord, Duke Lippaut, 'Alas! for the
woeful hour
That Beaurosch must seal its portals against the foeman's
power!
Yet if I against my master in open field had fought,
Then mine honour, methinks, were smitten, and my courtesy
brought to naught.
His grace would beseem me better, and gladden me more, I
ween, 275
Than the hatred which now he showeth, of such hate have I
guiltless been.
A joust that his hand had smitten but little would grace _my_
shield.
Or if _his_ of the sword bare token that I 'gainst my king
would wield.
Methinketh, tho' wise the woman, she were shamed an she
praised such deed--
Yea, say that my king were captive in my tower, I my lord had
freed, 280
And myself had become his prisoner--what had pleased him best
to do
Of evil, I'ld gladly bear it, as befitted a vassal true,
And I thank my God of a true heart that I here, a free man,
stand,
Tho' spurred by love and anger my king doth invade my land!'
Then he quoth again to the Burgers, 'Now may wisdom with ye
be found 285
To counsel me in the perils that compass my path around.'

Then many a wise man answered, 'Thou hast wrought in no wise
amiss,
Might innocence win its guerdon, then thou never hadst come
to this.'
Then all with one voice they counselled that the gates be
opened wide,
And that he should bid their bravest forthwith unto jousting
ride. 290
And they quoth, 'So to fight were better than thus our
ramparts high
To defend 'gainst our king, and the armies twofold that
around us lie,
For the most part they are but children who ride with their
king to-day,
And 'twere easy to take a hostage, so wrath oft is turned
away.
And the king he shall be so minded, that if here knightly
deeds be done, 295
He shall free us perchance from our peril, and the ending of
wrath be won.
Far better in field to seek them than forth from our walls be
brought
As their captives--Nay, e'en to their tent-ropes, methinks,
we with ease had fought
Were it not for the King Poidikonjonz, 'neath his banner the
bravest fight;
And there is our greatest peril, the captive Breton knights, 300
Duke Astor it is who leads them, and foremost in strife are
they;
And the king's son is there, Meljakanz; higher his fame
to-day
Had Gurnemanz been his teacher! Yet never he feareth fight;
But help have we found against them,'--Now their rede have ye
heard aright.

Then the prince he did as they counselled, the portals he
open brake, 305
And the Burgers who ne'er lacked courage their way to the
field would take.
Here one jousted, and there another; and the armies they made
their way
With high courage towards the city, right good was their
vesper-play.
On both sides the troops were countless; manifold was their
battle-cry,
And Scotch and Welsh might ye hearken, for in sooth here I
tell no lie. 310
And stern were their deeds of knighthood as fitting so stern
a fight,
And bravely those heroes battled, till weary each gallant
knight.

And they were little more than children who with the king's
army came,
And they took them as pledge in a corn-field, who thought
there to win them fame,
And he who had ne'er won token of love from a lady fair, 315
Might never more costly raiment on his youthful body bear;
Of Meljanz the venture telleth that in harness bright he
rode,
On high flamed his youthful courage--A charger the king
bestrode
That Meljakanz won when in jousting his foe from his steed he
swung,
'Twas Kay, and so high he smote him that aloft from a bough
he hung; 320
There Meljakanz won the charger that Meljanz would ride that
day,
And foremost of all the heroes he strove in the knightly
fray.
And Obie beheld his jousting, and watched him with eager eye,
As she stood there among her maidens, and gazed from the
palace high.

So quoth she unto her sister, 'See, sister mine, thy knight 325
And _mine_, unlike do they bear them, for thine hath no will
to fight,
He thinketh for sure this city and castle we needs must lose.
An here we would seek defenders, other champion we needs must
choose!'
And the younger must bear her mocking--then she spake, 'Yet I
trust my knight,
He hath time yet to show his courage, and thy mockery put to
flight. 330
For here shall he do me service, and his gladness shall be my
care,
An thou holdest him for a merchant, with me shall he trade
full fair!'

As with words they strove, the maidens, he hearkened, the
Knight Gawain,
Yet he made as tho' he heard not as he sat on the grassy
plain.
And if knightly soul should hearken, nor feel in the hearing
shame, 335
'Twould but be that death had freed him from burden of praise
or blame.

Now still lay the mighty army that Poidikonjonz had led,
Save one gallant youth with his vassals, who swift to the
combat sped,
And Lanveronz was his dukedom--Here came Poidikonjonz the
king,
And the old man wise one and other again to the camp would
bring, 340
For the vesper-play was ended--In sooth had they fought right
well,
And for love of many a maiden full many a deed befell.

Then out spake the King Poidikonjonz to Lanveronz' gallant
knight,
''Twere fitting to wait for thy leader, an thou lusted for
fame to fight.
Dost think thou hast borne thee bravely? See the brave Knight
Lahduman, 345
And here is my son Meljakanz,--Came these two in the van,
And I myself, then, I think me, that a fair fight thou sure
shouldst see
Wert thou learnèd enow in combat to know what a fight should
be!
I come not again from this city till of strife we have had
our fill,
Or man and woman yield them as prisoners to my will!' 350

Quoth Duke Astor, 'The king, thy nephew, O sire fought before
the gate
With his army of Lys--Should thine army here slumber
o'er-long and late
The while these others battled? Say when didst thou teach
such lore?
Must I slumber while others battle then I'll slumber as ne'er
of yore!
Yet believe me, had I not been there then the Burgers had won
them fame, 355
And a fair prize their hand had taken--I have guarded thee
here from shame;
In God's Name be no longer wrathful! Such valour thy folk
have shown,
They won more than they lost,--I think me fair Obie the same
will own!'

Yet Poidikonjonz was wrathful with his nephew, Meljanz the
king,
Tho' of many a joust the token the young knight from the
field must bring, 360
And youthful fame ne'er mourneth such pledge of strife, I
ween--
Now hear ye again of the maiden who the cause of this strife
had been.

Hate enow did she bear to Gawain who was guiltless of ill
intent,
And shame would she bring upon him--A servant the maiden sent
Below, to Gawain as he sat there, 'Now ask thou, without
delay, 365
If his steeds be for sale--In his coffers, perchance, he doth
bear alway
Goodly raiment that we may purchase; say thou if it so shall
be,
Then we ladies above in the castle will buy of him readily.'

So the serving man went, and his greeting was wrath, for Sir
Gawain's eye
Taught fear to his heart, and in terror the lad from his face
would fly, 370
And he asked not, nor gave the message his lady had bid him
bear.
Nor Gawain held his peace, 'Thou rascal, from hence shalt
thou swiftly fare,
For many a blow will I give thee if again thou dost dare draw
near!'
Then the lad hied him back to his lady; what she did shall ye
straightway hear:

For she bade one speak to the Burg-grave, Scherules they
called his name, 375
Saying, 'This shall he do at my bidding for the sake of his
manly fame;
'Neath the olive-trees by the Burg-moat stand seven steeds, I
trow,
In them shall he find his guerdon, and riches beside enow.
A merchant will here deal falsely--I pray he prevent such
deed.
I trust in his hand; none shall blame him, if the goods he
doth hold for meed.' 380

The squire went below as she bade him, and his lady's plaint
he bare;
'From knavery must we guard us,' quoth Scherules, 'I forth
will fare.'
So he rode where Gawain was seated whose courage might never
fail,
And he found there all weakness lacking, high heart that for
naught would quail,
And a face so fair to look on--Scherules he saw him well, 385
And his arms and hands so skilful that a knightly tale might
tell.
And he spake, 'Thou art here a stranger, Sir Knight, sure
good wit we need
Since here thou hast found no lodging; as sin shalt thou
count such deed.
I will now myself be marshal, folk and goods, all I call mine
own
That freely shall do thee service; nor host to his guest hath
shown 390
Such favour as I would show thee.' 'Thy favour,' quoth Knight
Gawain,
'As yet shall be undeservèd, yet to follow thee am I fain.'

Then Scherules, of honour worthy, he spake of a true heart
free,
'Since the office hath fallen to me, thy guardian 'gainst
loss I'll be,
If the outer host would rob thee, thou shalt call to thine
aid mine hand,' 395
Then, smiling, he spake to the servants whom he saw round
their master stand,
'Now load ye again your harness that never a piece shall
fail,
For hence must we ride, and shelter shall ye find in the
lower vale.'

With the Burg-grave he rode, Sir Gawain, nor Obie her wrong
would own,
But she sent a minstrel maiden whom her father right well had
known, 400
And she bade her bear the tidings, a false coiner had passed
that way,
'And goodly and rich is his lading; by his knighthood my
father pray,
Since many a hireling serves him for steed, and garb, and
gold,
That he here let them take their payment, 'twere enow, were
they sevenfold.'

To the prince did she tell, the minstrel, all that his
daughter said-- 405
Now to win so rich a booty that his hirelings may be well
paid,
The need right well he knoweth who hath ridden forth to war,
And Lippaut, the prince so faithful, by his soldiers was
pressed full sore--
Then he thought, 'I must win this treasure or by love or by
force to-day.'
And swiftly he rode; but Scherules, he met him upon his way, 410
'Now whither dost ride so swiftly?' 'A knave would I here
pursue,
A false coiner is he, I think me, if the tale I have heard be
true!
Now guiltless in sooth was Gawain, 'twas but thro' his steeds
and gold
That suspicion on him had lighted--Then loud laughed the
Burg-grave bold,
And he quoth, 'Nay, sire, they misled thee, they lied who
thus told the tale 415
Were it wife, or man, or maiden--Nor knighthood my guest
shall fail,
Far otherwise shalt thou judge him, no die he methinks shall
hold;
Ne'er bare he the purse of the changer, if the tale shall
aright be told.
Look thou on his mien, and hearken his word, in my house is
he,
An knighthood aright thou readest then thou knighthood in him
shalt see, 420
And ne'er was he bold in falsehood--Whoever hath done him
wrong,
An my child it were, or my father; whose wrath waxeth fierce
and strong,
An my kinsman it be, or my brother, then the rudder of strife
shall turn
'Gainst myself, for I will defend him from the wrong that he
ne'er did earn,
If I with thy will may do so. The knight's garb would I
gladly change 425
For the hermit's robe of sackcloth, and afar thro' the wide
world range
In a land where none may know me, than here thou shouldst
reap thee shame!
Methinks it would better fit thee to welcome such guests as
came,
Who have heard the tale of thy sorrow, than to rob them of
goods and gold;
'Twould better beseem my master as treason such deed to
hold!' 430

The prince spake, 'I fain would see him.' 'Methinks 'twill
not harm my guest.'
So he rode where he looked on Gawain, and two eyes and a
heart confessed
(The eyes and the heart of Lippaut) that the stranger was
fair to see,
And knighthood and manly virtue the mate to his mien should
be.

Whosoe'er, by true love constrainèd, hath felt of true love
the pain, 435
Then his heart, as right well ye know it, doth forfeit to
Love remain,
And so doth she change and rule it that no mouth can the
wonder speak,
Be it heart of man or of maiden on which she her will would
wreak,
And the wise doth she bend to folly. Now the twain they were
lovers true,
King Meljanz and maiden Obie--His anger ye needs must rue, 440
Since in wrath he had ridden from her; of sorrow such load
she bare
That her spirit was moved to anger unfitting a maiden fair.
And, guiltless, must Gawain suffer, and others must feel her
pain;
She had womanly ways forsaken when she gave to her wrath the
rein.
Whene'er she beheld the hero as a thorn was he to her sight, 445
For her heart was fain that Meljanz be held for the bravest
knight,
And she thought, 'Doth he bring me sorrow, then sorrow I'll
gladly bear,
O'er all the world do I love him, my hero, so young and fair,
And my heart for his love aye yearneth.' Oft anger from love
doth grow,
Nor blame ye o'er-much the maiden if her love she by wrath
would show. 450

Now list how he spake, her father, as he looked on the Knight
Gawain
And 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
seen
So fair to mine eyes as thy face. In this our day of grief 455
Thy 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 thee
All 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, 460
Nor fight till the hour appointed; or else would I gladly
fare
As 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 fight
With 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 defend 465
Or 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. 470
Yea, well is me for my children, tho' sorrow thro' them I
win,
And the one of my two fair daughters methinks hath her share
therein,
And unlike, tho' alike, we share it--for thro' Love doth my
lord and king
Work 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, 475
Since a _son_ I lack, but I wot well that my _daughters_
shall dearer be.
What, then, if for them I suffer? Then my woe do I count for
weal--
Who hath never an heir save his daughter, tho' the sword
ne'er her grip may feel,
Yet other defence may she bring him, she may win him a son
and heir;
And such is my hope!'--Quoth Gawain, 'God grant thee this
favour fair!' 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 alway 485
His 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
knight 495
Had 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
be
With whom I have held free converse; if in this my maiden
shame
And my courtesy I wrong not, then joy as reward I claim! 500
For ever my mistress taught me how speech is the crown of
thought,
And I pray thee, Sir Knight, to help us--Thro' sorrow thine
aid I sought;
An thou wilt, all our need I'll tell thee, nor do thou be
wroth with me,
For I do as befits a maiden, and my prayer to _myself_ shall
be.
For altho' our name be diverse, yet methinks that _thou_ art
_I_, 505
Take thou my name, and maiden and knight art thou verily.
This grace from us both do I pray here, and if I from hence
must go
Ashamed, and my prayer unanswered, then, Sir Knight, I would
have thee know
That thy knightly fame must answer to thy knightly courtesy,
Since my maidenhood sought for shelter in vain in thy
chivalry. 510
But if thou indeed wilt hearken, and do me this thing I ask,
With a true heart true love I'll give thee as rewarding for
knightly task.'

'And art thou true man and courteous, then surely thou'lt do
my will,
For see, wilt thou serve a maiden, I am worthy thy service
still.
'Tis true that my father kinsman and cousin for help hath
prayed, 515
But for that shalt thou not refuse us, for my love shalt thou
give thine aid!'

Then he quoth, 'Thy lips, sweet maiden, would bid me my word
forswear,
Wouldst have me my pledge to forfeit? On my knightly honour
fair
I 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 fly 590
Ere 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, 525
If my foeman a fair joust seeketh, then thou must against him
ride;
And for me shalt thou strive in conflict, for tho' men think
they see _me_ fight
Yet _thou_ in my stead shalt have battled,--so keep I my
pledge aright.'

Then she spake, 'That will I, right gladly, thy shelter and
shield I'll be,
Thine heart, and thine heart's best comfort, since from grief
thou hast set me free. 530
Thy friend will I be and comrade, and whatever chance betide,
A roof 'gainst misfortune's stormcloud, safe dwelling wherein
to hide.
True peace this my love shall give thee, Good Fortune to thee
I'll bring;
That-thy strength may by naught be vanquished, I'll guard
thee 'gainst host and king.
Host am I alike and hostess--To combat I'll ride with thee, 535
An thou keepest my words in remembrance strength and bliss
shall thy portion be.'

Then out quoth the gallant Gawain, 'Yea, maiden, the twain
I'll share,
Since my life I vow to thy service, thy love and thy comfort
fair.'
And the hand of the little maiden the while in his strong
clasp lay--
Then she quoth, 'To fulfil mine office I must hence to the
Burg away, 540
Wouldst thou fare forth without my aiding, and without my
token fight?
Nay, for that all too dear I hold thee--My part will I play
aright,
And my token I will prepare thee, and if thou my pledge shalt
bear
Then 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, 545
They thanked with sweet words and kindly, and thus he his
speech addrest,
'When older ye twain shall be waxen, were they spears, every
woodland bough,
And the forest bare naught but spear-shafts, then too poor
were the crop, I trow!
If your childhood shall thus be powerful, what then of your
maidenhood?
For your favour brave knights shall shatter both strong
shield and spear-shaft good!' 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
say
What 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
willingly
Nor be wroth with thee for the taking, we should strive not
o'er that I ween!' 555
Then Lippaut the prince o'ertook them half-way on the
hillside green,
And he saw Obilot and Clauditté, as up towards the Burg they
sped,
And he bade them stand still, and await him, and his daughter
towards him fled.

'Father, I never needed thy help as I do to-day,
Now give me I pray thy counsel, for the knight he hath said
me yea.' 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 maid 565
On 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 me
How 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, 575
If service from him thou winnest thou shalt give him his
payment fair,
If thy mother she too be willing--God grant he may bring us
aid,
That gallant knight and worthy; what trust I on him have
laid!
Tho' never a word to the hero had I spoken before to-day,
Yet last night in a dream I saw him, as asleep on my couch I
lay.' 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 bear
And rich stuffs as yet unsevered, and silk of Tabronit fair
From 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 bade 595
That 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. 600
So this was the gift that she gave him, a rich silk of Orient
bright,
That was brought from the land of the paynim, and had covered
her arm so white.
But they sewed it not to the garment, nor wrought it at all
with thread,
And Clauditté to Gawain bare it, when home from the Burg she
sped.

And free from all care was the hero; and three were his
shields so bright, 605
And on one straightway he bound it, and glad was the gallant
knight;
And fairest thanks he gave her, and oft would he praise the
road
On which the maid had trodden when she sought him in his
abode,
And so gently bade him welcome, and with sweet words and
maiden wile
Had 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, 615
Twelve breast-works wide, and a deep moat before every
earth-work lay.
Thus they shielded them well from onslaught, and to every
earth-work wide
Were 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. 620
And the rich Duke fought full knightly; he was brother to
Lippaut's wife,
And stronger in heart than others who yet bear them well in
strife,
And for men of war are reckoned--In conflict he grief would
bear--
With nightfall his host drew nearer, from far land would he
hither fare,
For but seldom from stress of battle or conflict he turned
aside, 625
And four of their gates he guarded right well in his warlike
pride.

The force from beyond the river passed o'er it ere morning
light,
And entered the walls of Beaurosch, as Lippaut should deem it
right.
But they of Jamore had ridden o'er the bridge before the
gate,
And every door was guarded, and warlike their foes they wait, 630
Ere ever the day had dawnèd--Scherules one door would ward,
Which he and the brave Knight Gawain would let not from out
their guard.
And there had ye heard lamentation from the lips of many a
knight,
And the best they were who mourned thus, they had failed here
to see the fight,
For the vesper-play was ended ere yet they a joust might
share. 635
Yet needless their lamentation, for countless they proffered
there
To 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 side
Full 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, 640
And spears with bright colours blazoned--A Regensburg silk, I
ween,
Had been held of little value 'fore Beaurosch on the meadow
green.
For many a coat emblazoned had ye looked upon that day,
Whose goal had methinks been higher in the cost that its lord
would pay.

And the night, as of old her custom, had yielded her place to
day, 645
Nor by song of the lark might they know it, for they
hearkened far other lay,
Whose voice was the voice of warfare with the crash of the
splintered spear,
As a cloud that is cleft and riven when the thunderbolt
falleth near.
And the King of Lys' young army sought the host of Lirivoin,
And there, with his warriors, battled the monarch of
Avendroin; 650
And many a joust rang loudly, e'en as when one is wont to
throw
Chestnuts 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, 655
And yield them a meed of blessing, bade a priest a Mass to
sing;
And he sang unto God and the heroes--And the prize of their
fame waxed fair,
For this was their pious bidding--Then they would to their
post repair,
But their rampart ere this was guarded by many a gallant
knight,
The followers they of Scherules, and well would those heroes
fight. 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 been
I 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, 665
And drums strove amain with the trumpets, and smote on the
listening ear.
If a grass blade were left untrampled by the conflict I knew
it not--
E'en now shall the Erfurt vineyards show such tokens of
strife, I wot!

Then hither he came, Duke Astor, and he fought with the men
of Jamore,
And for sharp joust the spears they whetted, and many a
knight they bore 670
From 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 plain
Sped 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 afar 675
The 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