Chapter XIII: Book VII: Obilot (2)

Had God given him not such valour, this knight of the Table
Round,
Then in sooth had one made petition for the fame that he
there had found.
'Twas all as one, both armies, 'gainst the twain did he set
his hand,
That of Gros as of Lys--Many chargers did he win from each
knightly band,
And straightway the hero brought them where his host's banner
waved on high, 685
And he asked who was there who should need them? And many
swift reply;
Then he gave them e'en as they answered, and rich were they
all, I trow,
Thro' this brother-in-arms whose friendship they here for a
space should know.

Then there came a knight fast spurring, nor spears did he
think to spare
The Lord of Beauvais and Gawain they rode 'gainst each other
there, 690
And the young knight, Lisavander, midst the flowers of the
field he lay,
From his saddle behind his charger did Gawain thrust the
prince that day.
For the sake of his squire shall this grieve me, who yestreen
so courteous spake,
And told to Gawain the tidings, and whence all this woe did
wake.
He dismounted, and bent o'er his master, and Gawain he knew
his face, 695
And he gave him the steed he had won there, and the squire
thanked his hand of grace.

Now see ye how Kardefablet himself on the ground doth stand
From a joust that was ridden against him, and aimed by young
Meljanz' hand;
From the ground his warriors lift him, and loud rings the
battle-cry
'Jamore!' and the clashing sword-blades to the challenge make
swift reply. 700
And closer the fight draws round him, onslaught on onslaught
pressed,
And the blows ring loud and deafening that fall on each
knightly crest.
Then Gawain called his men around him, and swift to his aid
he sped,
And he covered the knight with the banner of his host that
flew high o'erhead,
And many brave knights had been felled there--Tho' witness I
never knew, 705
Yet in sooth ye may well believe me for the venture it
telleth true!

Then the Count of Montane rode 'gainst Gawain, and a goodly
joust they ran,
And behind his horse, on the meadow, lay the brave Knight
Lahduman,
And the hero, proud and gallant, his pledge unto Gawain gave.
And nearest of all to the ramparts fought Duke Astor with
heroes brave, 710
And many a joust was ridden, and many a spear was crossed;
'Nantes! Nantes!' came the war-cry pealing, the cry of King
Arthur's host,
Firm they stood, and no whit they yielded, the captive Breton
knights,
And hirelings from Erec's kingdom and men spake of their
deeds of might--
The Duke of Lanveronz led them--So well did they fight that
day 715
That Poidikonjonz well might free them, since his captives
they were alway;
At the mountain Cluse from King Arthur, in the days that were
long gone by,
As his prisoners did he win them, when they stormed him right
valiantly.
And here, as was aye their custom, where'er they might chance
to fight,
They shouted 'Nantes' as their war-cry, 'twas the way of
these men of might; 720
And many had waxed grey-bearded, and on every Breton breast
Or high on their helmet gleaming stood a Gampilon for their
crest.
For as Ilinot's arms they bare it, who was Arthur's gallant
son--
And Gawain he sighed as he saw it (small fame he 'gainst
these had won).
And his heart awoke to sorrow for the blazon right well he
knew, 725
And it filled him again with anguish for the death of his
kinsman true.
And his eyes ran o'er with tear-drops, and he passed them
upon the field,
Nor with them would he fight--Thus to friendship a hero full
oft shall yield!

Then he rode on to Meljanz' army, whom the Burgers with might
withstood,
And their rightful meed of honour they won from the warriors
good; 730
Tho' perforce 'gainst o'ermastering numbers they had failed
to hold the field,
And backward within their trenches awhile to the foe must
yield.

And he who the Burgers challenged his harness glowed red as
flame,
'The Nameless Knight' they called him for none knew from
whence he came;
And I tell it to ye as I heard it, to Meljanz he rode, this
knight, 735
But three days back, and the Burgers must mourn it in coming
fight
That he swore his aid to their foeman--Twelve squires unto
him he gave,
To serve him as meet in the jousting, and to follow to
onslaught brave.
And the spears their hand might proffer those spears he right
swiftly brake,
And clear rang his joust o'er the tumult, when he did as his
captives take 740
King Schirniel and his brother; nor he would from his pledge
release
The knight whom he here had vanquished, the Duke of
Marangliess.
And bravely they fought mid the foremost, and he vanquished
them as they stood,
Yet their folk still held them valiant tho' reft of their
leaders good.

And there fought the young King Meljanz, and all were they
friend or foe, 745
They owned greater deeds of valour a young knight might
seldom show;
By his hand were the strong shields cloven--Ah! the spears
that he brake in twain
As the forces together mingling dashed swift o'er the
battle-plain.
And his young heart for conflict lusted, and none gave him of
strife his fill.
And it vexed him sore, till Gawain would joust with him at
his will. 750

Then Gawain took a spear of Angram, that he won him at
Plimizöl,
And twelve were those spears--The war-cry of Meljanz was
'Barbigöl!'
Of his kingdom of Lys 'twas chief city--Gawain aimed his
joust so true,
And Oraste Gentesein taught sorrow to the king since it
pierced him thro'
That strong shaft of reed; his shield piercing, it brake in
his arm of might-- 755
And a fair joust again was ridden, and Gawain smote the King
in flight;
And the hinder bow of the saddle it brake, and those heroes
twain
They stood on their feet, and valiant, they battled with
swords amain.
'Twere more than enough such labour for two churls on the
threshing-floor,
And each one bare the sheaf of the other, and each smote the
other sore. 760

And a spear must Meljanz carry that had smitten him thro' the
arm,
And thro' conflict fierce the hero in blood and sweat waxed
warm.
Then Gawain by force he drave him within a portal wide,
And he bade him his pledge to swear him, nor the young king
his will defied;
Were he not so sorely wounded then so swiftly he ne'er were
known, 765
To yield himself to a foeman, but his prowess had longer
shown.

Then Lippaut the prince, the land's host, his valour might
not restrain
With the monarch of Gros he battled; and alike must they
suffer pain,
Both man and steed from the bow-shots, for their skill they
were fain to show,
They of Semblidag, and Kahetines, for they fled as they bent
the bow. 770
And the Burgers must well bethink them the foe from their
lines to hold,
But foot-soldiers had they, and sheltered by their ramparts
they battled bold.
And he who of life was forfeit for the wrath of a maid must
pay,
For her folly and scorn on her people brought sorrow enow
that day.
But what part therein had Lippaut? I think me his lord of
old, 775
King Schaut, ne'er had thus beset him! Now faint waxed those
heroes bold.

But Meljakanz still fought bravely--Do ye think it was whole,
his shield?
Not a hand's-breadth wide was the fragment--Then he bare him
across the field
Duke Kardefablet, and I think me the Tourney it came to stand
On the meadow fair and flowery, for fast locked was either
band. 780
Then Gawain he rode swiftly to them, and he pressed Meljakanz
so sore,
E'en Launcelot, gallant hero, ne'er wrought him such grief
afore
When the sword bridge he crossed to battle--Her captivity
pleased him ill,
The Queen Guinevere, and he thought him by the sword-blade to
free her still.
King Lot's son he rode full gallop--Meljakanz, what could he
do 785
But spur his steed towards him? And many that joust must
view.
Who lay there behind his charger? He whom the gallant knight
Of Norroway had smitten to earth with his spear of might.
And many a knight and lady they looked on this joust so fair,
And they spake in praise of Gawain, and his fame would aloud
declare. 790
And the maidens right well might see it as they looked from
the hall on high.
Underfoot was Meljakanz trampled; many steeds did o'er him
fly,
And tare with their hoofs his surcoat, who fodder might taste
no more,
And they covered the prostrate hero with rain of sweat and
gore.
'Twas a day of doom for the chargers, but the vultures at
will might feast; 795
And Duke Astor he came to the rescue, and from them of Jamore
released
Meljakanz, or else was he captive, and he raised him from off
the ground--
And the Tourney was o'er, and the combat methinks had its
ending found.

Now who had as knight best ridden, or best for a maiden
fought?
Nay, I know not, an I would name them small leisure such task
had brought. 800
For Maid Obilot's sake with the townsfolk a knight valiant
deeds had dared;
Without, a Red Knight fought bravely, and the fame 'twixt
those two was shared.

When the guest of the outer army had learnt he no thanks
might win
From the king he had served, since Meljanz was captive the
town within,
He rode where his squires were waiting, and thus to his
prisoners spake, 805
'Sir Knights, ye your word have pledged me; ill-chance doth
me here o'ertake,
For King Meljanz of Lys is captive--Now if ye such grace can
find
With his captors, that for _your_ freedom _his_ fetters they
will unbind,
Such service I'ld gladly do him!' To the King of Avendroin
He spake, and to Duke Marangliess, and King Schirniel of
Lirivoin. 810
And this oath must they swear unto him, ere they rode the
walls within,
To loose Meljanz, or if they failed here, to help him the
Grail to win.
But never a word could they tell him of where It was hid, the
Grail,
Save 'twas guarded by King Anfortas, but further, their lore
must fail.

When thus they spake, quoth the Red Knight, 'Then if it shall
still betide
That my wish find not here fulfilment, ye to Pelrapär shall
ride,
And unto the fair queen yielding say, "He who in days of yore
Faced Kingron for her and Klamidé, for the Grail now
sorroweth sore,
As he yearneth for her, his lady, and after the twain in
thought
And deed is he ever striving." To her be this message brought 820
And ye heroes bear it truly, and as on your way ye ride
God have ye in His safe keeping, for the world and its ways
are wide.'

Then they prayed his leave, and they rode hence--And the
knight to his squires he spake,
'Here is booty none may gainsay us, of these steeds ye at
will may take;
But leave me one for my riding, since sore wounded mine own
shall be.' 825
Spake the Squires, 'Sir Knight, we must thank thee for the
grace thou hast shown us free,
For our lifetime hast thou enriched us.' Then he chose in his
charger's stead,
With the close-cropped ears, Ingliart, the same that from
Gawain fled,
When Meljanz he made his captive, and the twain they must
fall in field,
And the Red Knight's hand had caught it, when hewn was many a
shield. 830

Then Farewell the hero bade them--Full fifteen steeds they
tell,
To the squires he left, unwounded, in sooth might they thank
him well.
And they prayed him to linger with them, and abide with them
yet a space,
But far hence lay the goal he was seeking, and the road he
was fain to trace.
So he turned him about, the hero, to where ease should be
bought full dear 835
For naught but strife was he seeking--In the days that ye
read of here
No knight e'en as he had battled--Then the outer host would
ride
To where they might find a lodging, and in peace for a space
abide.

And within, Lippaut spake, and asked them how matters had
gone that day?
That Meljanz was taken captive, that tale did he know alway. 840
And all was as he would have it, and comfort the hour would
bear--
And Gawain loosed the sleeve full gently from his shield,
lest perchance it tear,
For he deemed it o'er good for tearing, and Clauditté she
held it fast,
And 'twas slashed in the sides and the centre with the spears
that had thro' it passed;
And he bade her to Obilot bear it, and glad was the little
maid, 845
On her bare white arm soft-rounded the tattered sleeve she
laid,
And spake, 'Who hath done this for me?' whene'er she her
sister saw,
And wrathful her elder sister her maiden mischief bore.

Then, as weariness it bade them, the knights they craved for
rest--
Then Scherules took Count Lahduman, and Gawain his gallant
guest 850
And many a knight whom he found there, whom Gawain with
valiant hand
Had o'erthrown on the field of battle tho' strife they might
well withstand.
And the Burg-grave rich he bade them to sit them in order
fair,
And he and his wearied vassals would stand 'fore their
monarch there
Till Meljanz his fill had eaten--And they treated him
courteously, 855
But Gawain, o'er-much he deemed it, and he spake out, frank
and free,

'Methinks an the king allow thee, Sir Host, thou shouldst
take a seat.'
Thus spake Gawain in his wisdom, as his courtesy found it
meet.
But the host gave his prayer denial, 'The king's man is that
gallant knight
My master, this were his office if the king had but deemed it
right 860
To take, as of old, his service--My lord thro' his courtesy
Will not see the face of his monarch while exiled from grace
is he.
An it pleaseth God of friendship to sow here the seed once
more,
Then joyful we'll do his bidding with one will, as in days of
yore.'

Then spake the youthful Meljanz, 'Yea, courteous knights and
true 865
Were ye, when I dwelt among ye, nor your rede did I ever rue.
An I now had thy counsel followed, this even had seen me
glad;
Now give me thine aid Count Scherules, for the trust that I
ever had
In thy faith, with this knight my captor, and with him my
second sire
Duke Lippaut--for well I think me they will do as thou shalt
require-- 870
Yea, pray them to show me favour, for friends had we been
to-day
Had not Obie such jest played on me as no maiden I ween
should play!'

Then out spake the gallant Gawain, 'Afresh shall be knit a
band
That naught but death can sever'--Then they came whom the Red
Knight's hand
Without had taken captive, on the height would they seek
their king, 875
And they told him all that befell them; and Gawain must list
the thing,
And they told of the arms of the hero, how their strength
before his must fail,
And how he their pledge had taken, and had bidden them seek
the Grail;
And he thought how the knight of this venture was none other
than Parzival,
And his thanks uprose to high Heaven that no evil did there
befall, 880
But that God apart had held them, and they met not in strife
that day.
And courteous I ween were those heroes that they tore not the
veil away,
But both of them there were nameless, and none knew from
whence they came,
Yet I wot well the world around them rang fair with their
warlike fame.

To Meljanz he spake, Scherules, 'Now, Sire, wilt thou list to
me? 885
Look thou again on my master, and such rede as is given to
thee
By friends on both sides shalt thou hearken, and thine anger
shalt thou recall;'
And all deemed it good, the counsel, so they rode to the
royal hall,
The inner force of the city, as the Marshal was fain to pray.
Then Gawain took the Count Lahduman, and the captives he made
that day, 890
And he gathered them all around him, and the pledge that to
him they gave
When he erst on the field o'erthrew them, must they yield to
the Burg-grave brave,
And gladly they did his bidding--To the palace the heroes
fare,
And rich garments as fit for a monarch did the wife of the
Burg-grave bear;
And a veil did she give unto Meljanz that should serve him
for a sling 895
For the arm that Gawain had wounded, when his spear smote the
youthful king.

And Gawain by the mouth of Scherules, Obilot his lady prayed;
Fain would the hero see her, his life in her hand he laid,
And would crave from her lips dismissal--and further the hero
spake,
'I leave the king here, her captive, and I pray her such
thought to take 900
That she may in such wise entreat him, that her honour shall
wax apace!'
And Meljanz spake, 'Well I know this, Obilot is of maiden
grace
And maiden worth the glory; and joyful am I at heart
If her captive I be, for in gladness methinks shall I have my
part,'
Then out quoth the gallant Gawain, 'Her prisoner art thou
alone, 905
'Tis _she_ who hath captive made thee, and _my_ glory is here
her own.'

Before them rode Scherules--As was fitting for royal court,
Nor man was there nor maiden but had robed them in such sort
That one, in poor guise and scanty, might scarce have been
seen that day--
They who sware their pledge to the Red Knight with Meljanz
must take their way. 910
And there in the hall of the castle they sat in their order
four,
Lippaut, his wife, and his daughters, as the guests passed
within the door.

Up sprang the host and hastened his lord and king to greet,
And close pressed the crowd around them as friend with foe
did meet;
By Gawain's side stood Meljanz. 'Now, an it were here thy
will, 915
Thy friend of old, the Duchess, with kiss would she greet
thee still.'
And Meljanz to his host made answer, '_Two_ ladies I think to
see
From whom I'll take kiss and greeting--but the _third_ naught
shall win from me.'

And the parents wept; but the maiden, Obilot, was glad and
gay,
And they greeted their king with kisses; and two beardless
kings that day 920
They kissed, with the Duke of Marangliess, and the gallant
Knight Gawain.
And they brought him his little lady, and the fair child he
clasped again,
And e'en as a doll he held her so close to his manly breast,
As joy and delight constrained him, and to Meljanz his speech
addrest:
'Thine hand hath surety pledged me, of that shall thou now be
free, 925
In my right arm I hold my lady, _her_ captive thou now shalt
be.'

Then Meljanz he stept him nearer, and she held fast to
Gawain's hand,
And she took the pledge of her monarch mid the knights who
did round them stand.
'Sir King, 'twas ill-done I think me, if a _merchant_ he be
my knight
As my sister hath said, to yield thee as his captive on field
of might!' 930
Thus spake Obilot, the maiden; then to Meljanz she gave
command,
He should yield his pledge to her sister, and swear it hand
clasped in hand;
'Thou shalt have her for Love, for thy knighthood, as her
Love and her Lord art thou
Henceforward, of true heart gladly, and ye twain to my will
shall bow!'

God spake by the lips of the maiden, her will it was done
straightway, 935
And Frau Minne with power and wisdom again o'er their hearts
held sway,
And knit afresh the meshes, and fettered the twain anew;
From the folds of her flowing mantle her small hand Obie
drew,
And she touched the arm of her lover, and weeping, her lips
so red
Kissed the wound he had won in jousting, since it was for her
sake he bled. 940
And his arm was bathed in the tear-drops that flowed from her
eyes so bright--
How waxed she thus bold 'fore the people? 'Twas Love bade her
claim her right;
And fulfilled was the wish of Lippaut, and naught of his
bliss should fail,
Since God had willed that his daughter henceforth as his
queen he hail!

How the wedding feast was holden, ask them who took their
share 945
Of wedding gifts, or wandering, to Beaurosch had thought to
fare.
If they fought, or were fain to rest them, of that I no word
may tell,
But they say in the hall of the palace Sir Gawain would bid
farewell
To her for whose leave he came there, and sore wept the
little maid
And spake, 'Now take me with thee,' but Gawain her wish
gainsaid, 950
And scarce might her mother tear her from the knight--leave
he prayed them there,
And Lippaut he proffered service for the good-will he towards
him bare.
And his gallant host, Scherules, with his folk he would not
delay
To ride awhile with the hero; and he wended a woodland way,
And they gave him guides for his journey, and food lest he
ill should fare, 955
And he bade them farewell, and sorrow Gawain for the parting
bare.

BOOK VIII

ANTIKONIE

ARGUMENT

Book VIII. tells how Gawain came to Schamfanzon, and how King Vergulacht committed him to the care of his sister Antikonie. How Gawain wooed the maiden, and of the wrath of her people. Of the adventure of the chess-board, and how Kingrimursel came to the help of Gawain. How Antikonie reproached King Vergulacht, and how the nobles counselled their monarch. Of the oath Gawain sware to the King, and how he rode forth to seek the Grail.