Chapter XIV: Book VIII: Antikonie

Whosoe'er at Beaurosch had battled, methinks that Gawain had
won
The highest fame in both armies, save but for one knight
alone;
And none knew his red harness glowing, and none knew from
whence he came,
But high as a banner waveth, so high did it rise, his fame.
Yet of honour alike and good fortune had Gawain in full his
share-- 5
Now hence must he ride, for the moment of strife which he
sought drew near,
And far and wide stretched the woodland thro' which he must
wend his way--
No conflict he shunned, tho' all guiltless of the sin men on
him would lay.
But, alas! his charger failed him, Ingliart, with the
close-cropped ear,
In the land of the Moors at Tabronit no better the steeds
they rear. 10
And diverse the wood around him, here a bush and there a
field,
And so narrow at whiles, that pathway, it scarcely a space
might yield
For tent, or for knight's pavilion. Then fair dwellings met
his eye,
'Twas Askalon, and he prayed them if Schamfanzon at hand did
lie?
But many a marsh and moorland and many a steep hillside 15
Must he traverse, ere fair before him in the setting sun he
spied
A fortress stand so stately, it gleamed in the sunlight's
rays,
And he turned his steed towards it who rode here on unknown
ways.

Now list ye awhile the venture, and mourn ye awhile with me
The sorrow that fell on Gawain--And if old ye shall chance to
be 20
Or young, yet of this your friendship I pray you his grief to
weep;
Alas! were it best to tell ye, or silence a space to keep?
Nay, better to tell the story, how he whom Good Luck did call
Her friend, was by her forsaken, and how grief to his lot
must fall.

So proudly uprose the fortress that never did Carthage seem 25
So fair to the eyes of Æneas, when Dido, as failed her dream
Of love, turned to death and, seeking, found rest in his cold
embrace.
Would ye know what countless turrets those stately halls did
grace?
Scarce more had Akraton boasted, that city whose walls so
wide,
An man may believe the heathen, with Babylon only vied; 30
So high rose the circling ramparts, and where to the sea they
fell
No storm might they fear, but defiance could they bid to
their foes right well.

'Fore the city a plain outstretching lay fair for a mile or
more.
As Sir Gawain rode across it, five hundred knights he saw,
Yet one, o'er all the others, gallant and fair to sight; 35
Gaily they rode towards him all clad in raiment bright,
For so the venture telleth--With their falcons soaring high
Would they chase the crane, or other fair game that should
wingèd fly.
A tall steed from Spain's far kingdom, King Vergulacht
bestrode,
And his glance was as day in the night-time--Aforetime his
race abode 40
Where Mazadan reigned as monarch, by Fay Morgan's mystic
mount,
And amid the roll of his fathers he many a fay might count--
And even as in the spring-tide the May blossom bloometh fair
So rode the king in his beauty, and Gawain he bethought him
there,
As he saw him ride so stately, 'twas another Parzival, 45
Or Gamuret, as he came to Kanvoleis, as this venture erewhile
did tell.

Now into a pond so marshy a heron had taken flight
As it fled from before the falcon, and the king, as beseemed
a knight,
Sought not for the ford but followed as he saw his falcon's
need,
And wet he won in the aiding, and lost was his gallant steed, 50
And lost too his royal raiment, tho' safe was I ween the
bird.
The falconers took his garments, for this, so the tale I've
heard,
Was their right, and they needs must have them, and no man
might say them nay.
Another horse they brought him, for lost was his own for aye,
And fresh garments they put upon him, since such was the
chance of fate 55
That his falconers won the vesture that had decked their king
of late.

Then Sir Gawain, he rode towards them, and knightly and
worshipful
The greeting they gave unto him, not such as in Karidöl
Once fell to the lot of Erec, when after his well-fought
fight
He had fain drawn near to King Arthur, and with him his lady
bright, 60
Fair Enid, who graced his coming--But the dwarf Maliklisier
With a scourge full hardly smote him, 'neath the eyes of
Queen Guinevere.
At Tulmein he took his vengeance, where, within the ring so
wide
To win the hawk, the heroes in deeds of valour vied.
'Twas Idêr, the son of Noit, a hero true and bold 65
Whom he else had slain, whom Erec did there in surety hold.

But leave we all other venture, and hearken awhile to me,
For in sooth never fairer welcome shall it fall to your lot
to see.
Yet, alas! for ill it wrought him, Gawain, King Lot's brave
son--
An ye will I will cease my story ere the tale to its end be
run, 70
And for pity's sake keep silence--Yet perchance it were best
to tell
The ill that thro' others' treason on a gallant spirit fell.
And if I yet further pray ye this story strange to heed
Then in sooth, e'en as I, right truly will ye mourn for its
hero's need.

Quoth the king, 'Sir Knight, thus I think me, thou shalt to
the castle ride, 75
Thine _host_ will I be right gladly, tho' scarce may I be thy
_guide_;
Yet if this on my part shall vex thee the chase will I gladly
leave!'
Quoth Gawain, 'As it best may please thee, that do, nor for
my sake grieve,
Whate'er thou shalt do shall be well done--No grudge do I
bear thee, Sire,
But of right good-will I gladly will do as thou shalt
require.' 80

Quoth the king of Askalon further, 'Schamfanzon thou well
mayst see
Sir Knight, there my sister dwelleth, who as yet but a maid
shall be;
And she hath in fullest measure such beauty as poets sing--
An thou as a grace shalt hold it, my knights unto her shall
bring
Such word she shall well entreat thee in my stead, till I
come again. 85
And whenever I come, I think me, 'twill be sooner than thou
art fain
To look on my face, for gladly wilt thou spare me when thou
shalt see
My sweet sister, nor e'er bemoan thee, tho' my coming o'er
late shall be!'

'Nay, gladly again I'll see thee, and gladly thy sister
greet,
Tho' as host never queen has done me such service as host
finds meet' 90
Thus spake the gallant Gawain--Then a knight bare the king's
behest
To his sister, that she, as fitting, should so care for the
stranger guest
That however long his absence the hours should as minutes
fly--
(An ye will, I will cease my story that now runneth but
mournfully!)

Nay, further I'll tell the venture,--Steed and pathway the
hero bore 95
Where as one were both Burg and palace, and he held him
before the door.
And he who shall e'er have builded a house, he shall better
know
To tell of this mighty castle, and the strength of its walls
to show.
Yea, indeed 'twas a Burg, none better might this earth on its
bosom bear
And around it, far outstretching, the ramparts towered high
in air. 100

Leave we the praise of the castle, and speak of the castle's
queen,
A maiden fair, for of women I shall better speak I ween,
And as fitting I'll sing her praises--Was she fair to the
eye? 'Twas well;
Was she true of heart? Then gladly will men of her praises
tell.
And so both in mind and manner might she vie with that lady
true, 105
The Margravine, who from Heitstein afar o'er her marches
threw
A light,--Well for him who dwelleth as friend in her presence
fair,
Such pastime as there his portion he findeth not other-where!
For I praise but a woman's virtue, as I see, and shall surely
know,
True and pure must she be, the maiden, on whom I shall praise
bestow. 110
And he whom this venture singeth is a gallant man and true,
For no dealing have I with falsehood, or with one who his
deeds shall rue,
As repentance, slowly piercing, but turneth his bliss to
bale,
And his soul knoweth wrath and sorrow, or ever his life-days
fail.

To the castle court rode Gawain, and the goodly company 115
To whom the king had sent him, who shamed for his sake should
be.
Then the knight to his lady led him, as she sat in her
beauty's glow,
Queen Antikonie--Could the merchants a woman's fame bestow,
Of such goods had she made rich purchase; 'gainst falsehood
she set her face,
And hers was the crown of honour, and a maiden's maiden
grace. 120
Ah! woe's me for him of Veldeck, that death thus cut short
his days,
None is there of all men living who so well could have sung
her praise.

Then Gawain, he looked on the maiden, and the messenger spake
the word
E'en as the king had bade him, and the queen his message
heard.
Then gently she spake to the hero, 'Come thou near unto me,
Sir Knight, 125
Thyself shalt be my master in courtesy, as is right;
And gladly I'll do thy bidding--If well it shall please thee
here,
'Twill be even as thou shalt order--Yea, since my brother
dear
Hath bid me well entreat thee, I'll kiss thee, if so I may.
I'll do, or leave it undone, e'en as thou the word shalt
say!' 130

Courteous she stood before him, quoth Gawain, 'Thy lips so
red
In sooth were made for kissing, be kiss and greeting sped!'
So full and warm and rosy were the lips that Gawain pressed,
No stranger sure had kissed her as kissed this stranger
guest.
Unchecked he sat him by her, and sweet words passed between, 135
Soft spake they to each other; and oft renewed, I ween,
His prayers and her denials, yea, sorely grieved was he,
And fain to win her favour--Then she spake as I tell to ye:

'Bethink thee, Sir Knight, thou art wise else, with this I
enough have done,
For I ween at my brother's bidding mine uncle Gamuret won 140
Less welcome from Queen Anflisé than the welcome _I_ gave to
thee,
An our tending were weighed together methinks hers would
lighter be.
Nor know I, Sir Knight, whence thou comest, nor e'en what
shall be thy name,
That, after such short approving, thou shouldst to my love
lay claim!'

Then out spake the gallant Gawain, 'Then know here assuredly 145
O! queen, of my father's sister the brother's son am I;
Wilt thou give me sweet love's rewarding, for my birth shalt
thou not delay,
Hand in hand, and to equal measure, it paceth with thine
alway!'
The maiden who filled the wine-cup she had passed from out
the hall,
And the women who sat beside them must now to their mind
recall 150
The task that elsewhere did wait them; nor longer the knight
stood there
Who erst to the queen had brought him--As Gawain was now
aware
That no man was here beside them, he thought how a mighty
bird
Is oft trapped by a little falcon--nor further he spake a
word,
But he passed his arm around her beneath her mantle's fold, 155
And love laid such stress upon them, the maid and the hero
bold,
That belike a thing had chanced there, an no eye had been
there to see,
Of one mind were the twain--yet heart-sorrow drew near to
them speedily.

For straight stepped within the doorway an old and
grey-haired knight,
And loudly he called on Gawain, and shouted a shout of might, 160
For well did he know the hero, and fiercely his cry did ring,
'Alas! alas! woe upon us, since the hand that hath slain our
king
Is fain now to force his daughter!' At the sound of his
battle-cry
The folk that within the castle abode to the hall did hie,
So it fell out--Then quoth Sir Gawain to the queen, 'Now,
Lady mine, 165
Say thou how we best may ward us 'gainst this wrathful folk
of thine,
For sure they will come against us--An I had but my sword at
hand!'
Then out spake the gentle maiden, 'Their might shall we best
withstand
An we to yon tower betake us that riseth my bower beside,
Perchance they will then bethink them, and the storm shall we
override.' 170

Here a knight, and there a merchant, already the maid must
hear,
With the cry of the angry townsfolk, as the twain to the
tower drew near;
And sore was her friend beset there, tho' she prayed them
from strife to cease,
So loud rose the angry tumult none hearkened her words of
peace.

'Gainst the portal the foe pressed onward, Gawain stood
within the door, 175
And held off the angry rabble; an iron bolt he tore
From its fastenings wherewith to arm him, and before his
strong right hand
Full oft fled his evil neighbours, they durst not his blows
withstand.
While the queen, with flying footsteps, hither and thither
sought
To find, perchance, some weapon 'gainst the foe that so
fiercely fought. 180
At length did she chance on some chess-men, and a
chess-board, wide and fair,
That hung by a ring of iron; to Gawain she brought it there,
As a shield four-square it served him; yea, many a game was
played
On that board ere 'twas hewn in battle--Now hear of the royal
maid;

Were it king, or queen, or castle, she hurled them against
the foe, 185
Heavy and large the chess-men, and in sooth I would have ye
know
They who by her shaft were stricken must ever a fall abide.
Right bravely the queen so gracious now fought by her hero's
side,
And she bare herself so knightly, that never the Burger maids
Of Tollenstein at Shrove-tide such dauntless skill displayed. 190
And yet they but fight for folly, and weary themselves for
naught--
An a woman bear trace of battle, on her womanhood shame is
brought,
(For I know what befits a woman,) unless love shall have bid
her fight
To prove her faith--Now faithful and true was that lady
bright,
As Schamfanzon might bear witness--Yet, tho' high of heart
was she, 195
Many tears that conflict cost her; for in sooth shall it ever
be
That Love is brave as steadfast, yet tender and true of
heart--
Would ye know how in such fierce conflict Sir Gawain would
bear his part?

When the strife but leisure gave him to gaze on the maid
aright,
Her lips so red and glowing, her eyes so soft and bright-- 200
More slender was she and shapely than ever a lowland hare
That ye truss on the spit, so graceful her limbs, and her
form so fair;
Full well might her charms awaken desire in the heart of man.
And smaller, I ween, the maiden, where her golden girdle ran
Around her waist, than ants are, and their slender shape ye
know-- 205
The sight wrought in Gawain courage his foemen to overthrow,
For she shared his need; his chastising none other than death
should be,
And help was there none--Then his anger flamed high and wroth
was he
As he looked on that gentle maiden, and no fear was his but
hate,
And sorely his foemen rued it who met at his hand their fate. 210

Came King Vergulacht, and he saw well how his folk 'gainst
Gawain did fight;
Nor do I in this deceive ye, nor can I account him right
That not as a host he bare him, when he saw his gallant guest
Thus stand, as one man against many--But straight thro' the
throng he pressed,
In such wise, I must mourn for Gandein, the monarch of Anjou
fair, 215
That his daughter, so true a lady, so faithless a son must
bear.
From the strife his folk he called not, short space must they
stay their hand
While the king would don his armour, he lusted to lead the
band.

Too mighty the force for Gawain, nor I ween shall ye count it
shame
That he closed the door upon them--Then in wrath and haste
there came 220
The knight who to battle bade him 'fore Arthur at Plimizöl
But short time back--They called him the Landgrave
Kingrimursel,
And sore did Gawain's need vex him, he wrung his hands amain,
For in sooth had he pledged his honour his foe should in
peace remain
Till _one_ man alone o'ercame him--Old and young from the
tower he drave, 225
Yet the portal would they force open, as their king
commandment gave.

Then the Landgrave he cried on Gawain, 'Sir Knight, I would
in to thee
As a friend, that this bitter conflict I may share, if it so
must be,
For then must my monarch slay me, or leave thee in life
to-day.'
Peace Gawain would swear unto him, and he made to the tower
his way-- 230
Then doubtful, the foemen thronging, their hand for a space
must hold,
For their Burg-grave he was, and his bidding had they
hearkened both young and old.
Then, as ceased the noise of battle, thro' the doorway he
sprang, Gawain,
And the Landgrave, he stood beside him, swift and bold were
those heroes twain.

Quoth King Vergulacht, 'Why tarry? Why stand we here as on
guard, 235
When of foemen but _two_ shall dare us, and none other the
tower gates ward?
Much my cousin doth take upon him, when he dareth to shield
my foe,
Yea, _himself_ should wreak vengeance on him, if his faith he
were fain to show!'

Of true heart then they chose a true man, and unto the king
he spake,
'Now, Sire, upon our Landgrave no vengeance we think to take, 240
Nor shall harm at _our_ hand befall him--May God so turn thy
mind
That, instead of shaming, honour thou shalt from this venture
find.
For shame shall it bring upon thee, and an ending to thy fair
fame,
If he who as host doth hail thee shall here at thine hand be
slain.
And thy kinsman is he, this other who hath brought him into
this land; 245
So, lest cursing and shame be thy portion, we pray thee to
stay thine hand,
And grant thou a truce thro' the daylight, and the fleeting
hours of night,
Then bethink thee for shame or honour, and do as shall seem
thee right!'

'And our queen who hath ne'er known falsehood, thy sister,
Antikonie,
See there as she standeth by him and weepeth full bitterly. 250
Canst thou see such sight without rueing, since one mother
bare ye both?
And bethink thee, sire, thou art wise else, thou didst send
him, nothing loth,
Alone to this gentle maiden, nor further a guardian gave;
For _her_ sake it were well to spare him!' Then the king bade
those warriors brave
To call a truce--He'ld bethink him how vengeance he best
might take 255
For his father's death--Yet all guiltless Gawain, for
another's sake,
Must he bear the shame; with a lance-thrust by Ekunât was he
slain
As to Barbigöl Prince Iofreit, a prisoner, he would have
ta'en,
Who had ridden erewhile with Gawain--In such wise the chance
befell
That they deemed that _Gawain_ had slain him--So men do the
venture tell. 260

And scarce was the truce bespoken ere of men was the field
bereft,
Each betook him unto his lodging, nor one on the ground was
left.
Then the queen threw her arms around him, and with many a
kiss so sweet
She gave to her gallant cousin such rewarding as seemed her
meet,
Since so bravely he stood by Gawain, and sheltered the twain
from wrong, 265
And she spake, 'Now art thou my cousin, nor unfaith shall to
thee belong.'

Now hearken and I will read ye that word which I spake of
late,
How a true heart sore was darkened--I ween 'twas an evil fate
That led Vergulacht to Schamfanzon; such deed he ne'er did
learn
From sire or aye from mother, with shame did the young knight
burn, 270
And torment sore and suffering his better self must know
As his sister 'gan upbraid him, small mercy the maid would
show.

And thus spake the noble maiden, 'Now had it but been God's
will,
That I, a man born, might sword bear, and knightly tasks
fulfil,
To strive with me hadst thou come here, methinks thou hadst
come too late,-- 275
But now am I all defenceless, a maiden, and no man's mate.
And yet a shield I carry, and fair its device shall be,
And honoured of all--Its blazon would I read here, Sir King,
to thee,
That thou henceforth mayst know it--Pure heart and upright
mind,
That true man beneath its cover a shelter may ever find. 280
And that, o'er the gallant hero whom thou sentest unto my
care,
Did I hold, and 'gainst thee, his foeman, I did, as beseemed
me, bear,
For none other armour had I--And if thou repent the ill
Thou hast done to thy guest, me, thy sister, hast thou
wronged more deeply still;
For this is the right of woman, so ever 'twas told to me, 285
That if ever unto the shelter of a maiden a knight shall
flee,
Then they who as foemen follow shall straightway leave their
chase--
In such wise they ever bear them who would not their shield
disgrace--
Now, Sir Vergulacht, that thy guest fled to _me_ as his hope
of life,
Hath loaded with shame thine honour, since thou aided, nor
checked, thestrife!' 290

Then Kingrimursel quoth sternly, 'Yea, Sire, 'twas at _thy_
command,
That on Plimizöl's plain I bade him, Sir Gawain, to seek this
land.
On thy royal word safe conduct I sware him, that should he
ride
Hither we twain were pledged him no evil should here betide,
Save but from _one_ foeman only--Now, Sire, thou hast here
done ill 295
In that, spite of thine oath so knightly, thy word thou didst
not fulfil.
And here shall my fellows hearing give judgment betwixt us
twain,
If thus thou wrongest _princes_, what as _king_ mayst thou
hope to gain
From us of faith and honour?--If honoured thou fain wouldst
be,
Then, courteous, make confession that near of kin are we; 300
True cousin am I, no bastard, and e'en if such chance had
been,
Even then, in this thy dealing, thou hadst done me a wrong, I
ween!
A knight am I in whom no man hath found a taint of shame,
And I think me that free from falsehood, yea, to death will I
guard my fame,
For in God have I ever trusted, and, methinks, He holds not
in store 305
Such fate for the days of the future as I knew not in days of
yore.
Yet they who shall hear the story, how the nephew of Arthur
rode
To Schamfanzon 'neath my safe-conduct, where'er shall be his
abode--
An he come from the land of the Breton, or from France, or
from Provence fair,
Burgundian he, or Gallician, or the arms of Punturtois bear-- 310
When he hear of the grief of Gawain then _my_ fame shall be
swiftly sped,
And shame be my meed for the danger that threatened that
knightly head.
At the tale of this strife shall my glory wax narrow, and
blame grow wide;
And, as joy in the past dwelt with me, so henceforward shall
shame abide.'

As he made an end of speaking stood a vassal the king before, 315
And, as Kiot himself hath told us, Liddamus was the name he
bore.
And I speak here of Kiot the singer, and so sweet was I ween
his song
That none wax of the hearing weary, tho' the days of their
life be long.
And I rede ye to wit that Kiot of old was a Provençal,
Who found writ in a book of the heathen this story of
Parzival. 320
And in French again he sang it, and I, if no wit shall fail,
Would fain in his footsteps follow, and in German would tell
the tale.

Quoth the Prince Liddamus in his anger, 'Now say, what doth
he do here
In the house of my lord, who his father hath slain, and hath
brought anear
The brand of shame? My king's courage is known thro' many a
land, 325
'Twould better beseem his honour to avenge him with his own
hand;
One death for the other payeth--and the need waxeth here as
there.'
And Gawain he stood in sore peril, and fear for his life must
bear.

Quoth Kingrimursel, 'Who to threaten is swift, he as swift
should be
To mingle in strife, yet but lightly thy foeman he holdeth
thee! 330
An wide were the field or narrow, yet Sir Liddamus, I know
well
This man were safe from thine onslaught e'en tho' shame at
his hand befell,
For ne'er wouldst thou dare to avenge it, who yet dost so
loudly boast--
And swifter were we to hearken if ever in battle host
We had seen thee ride the foremost! But strife ever wrought
thee pain, 335
And afar from the field of battle to linger thou aye wast
fain.
Yea, _more_ hast thou learnt--The beginning of strife didst
thou ever see,
Then hence wouldst thou fly as swiftly as a maiden is wont to
flee.
And the prince who thy counsel hearkens, and doeth as thou
shalt say,
Shall find that the crown he weareth but loosely shall sit
alway!' 340

'And fain, in a joust so knightly, were I to have faced
Gawain,
Nor feared me aught, for such combat had we sworn fast
betwixt us twain.
And here had we fought, as fitting, 'neath the eye of the
king my lord,
And wroth am I now, for dearer, methought, had he held his
word!
Now swear thou to me, Sir Gawain, when a year from this day
be past, 345
To meet me again in combat--If thou 'scape my lord's wrath at
last,
And thy life for a prey he leave thee, yet we twain must
fight our fight.
At Plimizöl first I bade thee; at Barbigöl, if it seem thee
right,
Before Meljanz, the youthful monarch, the strife shall
methinks be fought;
And around my heart till the day come shall sorrow's wreath
be wrought, 350
And gladly I'll hail that dawning, and face thee, thou hero
bold,
Tho' the guerdon be but of sorrow, that shall there by thine
hand be told.'

So there, as the Landgrave bade him, the hero Gawain swore,
And his oath, and his pledge so knightly, he plighted as erst
of yore.
But Duke Liddamus, he bethought him of words that he fain
would say, 355
And with cunning skill and wisdom his speech did he weave
that day.

Thus he spake for all men to hear him, for the time of speech
was come,
'Now if strife ever call upon me, if the battle be lost or
won,
If I fight as beseems a hero, or fly as a coward flies,
If the meed of my warlike bearing be honour in all men's
eyes, 360
Then reward me I pray, Sir Landgrave, with rewarding as I
shall win;
But if honour or praise be withholden I count it not me for
sin!'

Nor here did his speech find ending. 'If _Turnus_ thou fain
wouldst be,
Then good, thou shalt find me _Tranzes_; thou mayst well
wreak thy will on me,
If so be thou hast aught against me, but 'tis _thou_ who dost
boast too loud, 365
Yea, e'en an thou wert the highest of my peers, these princes
proud;
For Prince am I too, and Landgrave, and I have in Galicia's
land
Many Burgs so fair and stately that e'en far as Vedrun stand.
And tho' thou and this Breton stranger were minded to work me
ill,
Yet not even a fowl for thy threatening would fly, but abide
thee still!' 370

'He came from the land of the Breton whom thou hither for
strife didst hale.
Take _thou_ vengeance for king and kinsman, if such vengeance
may aught avail;
With _him_, not with _me_, thy quarrel, avenge thou thine
uncle's life
On him who of life hath robbed him, it toucheth me not, this
strife,
For I wot well in naught I wronged him, and none for such
wrong makes moan. 375

What need to bewail thine uncle? His son sitteth on his
throne,
And I ask for no higher ruler, since Fleurdamur, the queen,
Was his mother, his sire Kingrisein, and his grandsire
Gandein hath been.
And still in my mind it dwelleth how Galoes and Gamuret,
Those heroes twain, were his uncles, nor lie I, nor truth
forget. 380
And I think me that in all honour my castles and lands so
wide
I may take from his hand, with their banners, and serve him
whate'er betide!'

'Let him fight who hath lust for fighting, for weary of
strife am I,
Tho' I know well who fame in battle doth win, for his victory
Hath reward from the lips of women, yet for never a maiden's
sake 385
Will I evil entreat this body, or bid it such ill-road take.
Nay, why should I be a Wolfhart? Since barred is the battle
way,
And no lust of strife hath beguiled me that I know not the
thing I say.
If thou shouldst for aye despise me, yet Rumolt I'll take as
guide,
Who gave counsel unto King Gunther, ere yet to the Huns he
hied. 390
For he bade him in Worms abide still, where was plenty and
e'en to spare,
And content his soul with the flesh-pots and the riches of
Rhineland fare!'

But ready of wit was the Landgrave, and he spake, 'Yea, the
tale be told
E'en to day, and no man shall marvel, for we know well thy
ways of old.
Thou wouldst urge me to strife, yet thy counsel is e'en what
a cook once gave 395
To the Nibelung lord, little recked he such counsel, the hero
brave.
For he and his, little doubting, went boldly to meet their
fate,
And avenged was the death of Siegfried, and sated was
Kriemhild's hate!
And Sir Gawain, I ween, must give me my death, or himself
must feel
The weight of my bitter vengeance as we battle for woe or
weal!' 400

'Thou dost well,' Liddamus made answer, 'yet I think me of
treasure fair,
All that Arthur might hold, or India, if one such to my feet
should bear,
And say 'twas mine own, he might have it ere I fought e'en
for such a prize.
An thou wilt, win thee fame and honour, I, I think me, am all
too wise.
God knoweth, no Segramor am I, whom men must with fetters
bind 405
So keenly for strife he lusted, far other was aye my mind.
Yet mine be my monarch's favour, for Sibech ne'er drew a
sword,
But ever he fled with the flying, yet men hearkened well his
word;
And many for counsel prayed him, and great gifts and lands
enow
The hand of Ermenrich gave him, tho' no helmet e'er felt his
blow. 410
And Sir Kingrimursel, I rede thee, thou shalt mark me with
never a scar!'
Then out spake King Vergulacht sternly, as he ended their
wordy war:

'Peace, peace, nor so loudly wrangle, Sir Knights, all too
bold are ye,
For too near is your monarch's presence, and of speech are ye
both too free;
And that thus ye should strive before me, tho' your strife be
of _word_, not _deed_, 415
Ill beseemeth both king and vassal, so hearken my word, and
heed.'

This befell in the hall of the palace, 'neath the eyes of his
sister fair,
And Gawain stood beside the maiden, and heroes and knights
were there.
Quoth the king to his gentle sister, 'Now take thou with thee
thy guest
And the Landgrave, while I bethink me the word that shall
'seem me best. 420
And all ye who wish well unto me, shall follow and give me
rede.'
Quoth the maid, 'Of good faith seek counsel, for better
'twill serve thy need!'
Gat the king to his council-chamber; the king's daughter had
comrades three,
Cousin, and guest, and beside them black care bare them
company.
Gawain, as right well beseemed her, by the hand to her bower
she led. 425
And she quoth, 'Now shall all lands rue it if here thou shalt
be ill-sped!'
And the son of King Lot, Sir Gawain, with the maiden went
hand in hand,
And none thought them shame, for so gracious was the custom
of that fair land.

So passed they unto her chamber, the queen and those heroes
twain,
And that none 'gainst her will should enter was the care of
her chamberlain. 430
Only her bower maidens as befitted them there might be,
And the queen, in all love and honour, her guest tended
royally.
And the Landgrave in naught gainsaid her, for belike did he
bear a part
In the fear for her guest's well-doing that lay dark on the
maiden's heart.
So the twain with the queen abode there till the strife of
the day was o'er, 435
And the night and the hour of feasting had come in their
course once more.
Then the slender maidens bare them sweet drinks, and the wine
so red,
And with fish and fowl in plenty, I ween, was the table
spread.
Fair and white was the bread to look on, and the Landgrave
and Knight Gawain,
Who had passed thro' such deadly peril, to taste of the food
were fain. 440
And each as the queen might bid him ate that which should
please him best,
And no lack did they find, for right queenly the maid did
entreat her guest,
And vainly the heroes prayed her to cease from her kindly
care.
Of the many who knelt before them no maid but was young and
fair;
Yea, fair with the opening beauty of the rose that is yet
unblown, 445
And soft lay their locks as the feathers of a falcon the
knight hath flown.

Now list, ere they close the council, to the rede they would
rede the king
And wise were the men who, wisely, good counsel in need
should bring;
And each spake as his mind should bid him, and that which his
heart deemed best,
And they turned the thing hither and thither, till the king
thus his speech addrest: 450

And he spake, 'One of late fought with me, as on venture bent
I rode
In the wood Læhtamreis--too proudly, perchance, I my steed
bestrode,
For a knight, who o'er great my fame deemed, in joust smote
me such a blow
That, behind my gallant charger, on the greensward he laid me
low.
And this oath must I swear unto him, in search of the Grail
to ride, 455
And my knightly pledge I gave him, were it other, I there had
died.
Now give me, I pray, your counsel, for 'gainst death was no
other shield
But to swear as my victor bade me, and, as knight, to a
knight to yield!'

'Yea, mighty and strong that hero,--nor sware I that oath
alone,
But he bade me, as true man truly, when a year should have
come and gone, 460
And the Grail I still were seeking, to ride unto Pelrapär
To the queen who the crown there weareth, the child of King
Tampentäre.
And there, as I looked upon her, I should yield me unto her
grace;
And from him should I bear this message in the day that I
sought her face.
He would say, "An she thought upon him 'twas his joy and his
labour's meed, 465
His hand from the King Klamidé aforetime her land had
freed."'

Then the speech to the end they hearkened; and Liddamus spake
this word,
'Give me leave to speak, ye shall follow, Sir Knights, when
my rede is heard,
For the oath that perforce thou swarest, its fulfiller shall
be Gawain,
And he, captive, his wings shall flutter in the snare wherein
_thou_ wast ta'en. 470
For here, where we stand to hearken, shall he swear us the
Grail to win,
And then of free will let him ride hence; for I deem men
would count it sin
Were he slain in thine house--Nay, me-seemeth 'twere better
to let him live,
For but ill would it please thy sister an thou didst not her
knight forgive!
Sore stress at our hands hath he suffered, and he now to his
death shall ride; 475
For far as the far sea's water shall circle the earth so wide
There standeth no Burg so mighty as Monsalväsch, its towers
shall fear
No foeman, and strait the pathway that wendeth its walls
anear,
And sore dangers that road encompass--Let him slumber in
peace this night,
And the word that we deem the wisest shall be told him with
morning light!' 480
Right well did the counsel please them, and ended, I ween,
the strife,
And Gawain, so the venture telleth, thus won at their hands
his life.

So they tended the dauntless hero right well thro' the hours
of night;
From the Mass came the folk on the morrow when the noontide
hour waxed bright,
And the hall was thronged and crowded with townsfolk and
warriors good, 485
When before the king, as they counselled, his foeman, Sir
Gawain, stood.
To naught other would he compel him than to that which ye
late did hear.
Now see ye the gentle maiden as she drew with her knight
anear,
And her uncle's son came with her, and many a hero brave
Of the king's men were fain to follow, and thus fair escort
gave. 490
Then the queen led Gawain to her brother with slender hand
and white,
And a chaplet of fair flowers woven she bare on her locks of
light,
Fair the flowers, yet the maid was fairer, and no blossom
around her head
But waxed pale and dim, if 'twas mated with her lips of
glowing red.
And he whom of true heart gently she kissed, as beseemed a
maid, 495
Such lances for her had broken as had wasted a woodland
shade.

Now hearken to me and heed me, as with gracious words I'ld
greet
Antikonie, free from falsehood, a maiden pure and sweet.
In such wise did she ever bear her that never a doubting
word,
Were one fain to sing her praises, from the lips of men was
heard; 500
For no heart but wished her gladness, and no mouth but spake
her free
From all thought of guile--Far-reaching, as a falcon's eye
can see,
Shone the light of her gracious presence, as the light of a
balsam rare
That burneth, and sheddeth perfume, and sweeteneth the
scented air.
And her will was ever gracious, as the will of a maid should
be, 505
And she spake to her royal brother of a true heart right
maidenly:

'I bring here to thee, my brother, the guest thou didst bid
me tend,
And I would thou shouldst well entreat him, as befitting my
knight and friend--
For better shall that become thee, to bear thee as brother
true,
Than to feel the world's hate, or to teach me to hate thee,
who hate ne'er knew.' 510

Quoth the king, 'Nay then, my sister, an I may, so stands my
will,
Thou shalt give me here thy counsel, for I think me I did but
ill,
And stained thereby mine honour, and dimmed my knightly fame;
And I deem me but little worthy that thou shouldst me as
brother claim.
E'en if all lands should do my bidding at thy prayer would I
yield them all, 515
Lest that sorrow of sorrows greatest, thine hatred, on me
should fall!
And honour and joy were ended an I said to thy pleading,
Nay--
Sir Gawain, I here entreat thee, since for fame thou didst
ride this way,
An thou knightly fame wouldst honour, so help me, that I may
win
Anew from my sister favour, and forgiveness for this my sin. 520
Far liefer were I to pardon the wrong thou hast done to me
Than to lose her, my sweetest sister--Now list what thy task
shall be,
Do thou swear to me here that truly thou wilt strive, as I
erst was fain
To strive, for the Grail's fair kingdom, and the honour thou
there shalt gain.'

In such wise the strife was ended, Sir Gawain far hence must
ride, 525
And with sword and spear do battle, and woe for the Grail
abide.
And the Landgrave forgave his monarch the wrong that he did
his word
When he brake his pledge unto Gawain--and no prince of the
land but heard.

Then their swords they ungirt, and they hung them in their
place on the castle wall--
And the squires of Gawain came swiftly, and, joyful, he
hailed them all, 530
For not one in strife was wounded--for a man of the Burger
folk,
Ere the battle waxed hot, had claimed them, and wise were the
words he spoke,
And their peace he prayed from the foemen, and he held them
awhile in ward,
Were they French, or from land of the Breton, till again to
their rightful lord
He might send them in peace--Some were children, and some
were lads strong and young-- 535
And glad were their hearts when they saw him, and awhile on
his neck they hung,
And weeping they kissed Sir Gawain, yet no sorrow I ween was
there,
But from joy sprang the crystal tear-drops that ran o'er
their faces fair.

And one came from the land of Cornwall, Count Laiz he, and
Tinal's son;
And a noble lad was with him whose father his death had won 540
At Schoie-de-la-Kurt, Gandelus, the son, and Gurzgrei, the
sire--
(Thro' that venture full many a maiden must weep for her
heart's desire)
And his aunt was the maid Liassé, and fair was the lad of
face
And of feature, for Love had touched them, and had wrought
them with hand of grace,
And fain were all men to see him--Six were there those twain
beside, 545
Eight lads, all of noble bearing and birth, with Gawain did
ride.
And as kinsmen right well they loved him, and they served him
for payment fair;
What payment gave he? Meed of honour their guerdon, and
tender care!
Then Gawain quoth unto the children, ''Tis well, for I now
have seen,
Fair kinsmen, that ye had mourned me, if slain I perchance
had been, 550
(And well might he see their sorrow, for as yet they mourned
full sore,)
Where were ye in hour of battle? Much sorrow for ye I bore.'
Then they answered, and none spake falsely, 'As thou sat'st
in the high hall place
A hawk flew astray, and we ran thence, and joined for awhile
the chase.'

Then all they who sat or stood there, nor ceased for awhile
their gaze, 555
Saw well that Gawain was a true knight, and a man whom all
men might praise;
Then the king gave the leave he prayed for, and he spake unto
all farewell,
Save the queen alone, and the Landgrave, he whom men called
Kingrimursel.
For the queen took the twain, and the children who followed
as Gawain's squires,
And she led them where gentle maidens should serve as she
should require, 560
And in peace, as became fair maidens, each maid did her
lady's will,
And fair were the hands and gracious that did gracious tasks
fulfil.

Straightway when the meal was ended Gawain from the feast
uprose,
Thus Kiot hath told the story--and as blossom from root
up-grows,
So afresh from a true heart's true faith did sorrow spring
forth amain-- 565
Quoth the hero unto the maiden, 'Now, Lady, an God be fain
To leave to me life and wisdom, wherever my way I take
True service, true knight befitting, will I do for thy gentle
sake.
The rede did I hear and hearken that spake thee of falsehood
free,
And thy fame o'er the fame of all maidens shall high as the
heavens be. 570
And Heaven Itself shall bless thee, and thy gifts all be
gifts of God!
Now, Lady, thy leave I crave here, since 'tis time on my way
I rode.
Give me leave, then, and let me ride hence, for I ween for
the future days
Shalt thou be thine own best defender, and thy virtue shall
crown thy praise!'

Then sorrow of heart was her portion that the knight thus her
side must leave, 575
Sore she wept, and her gentle maidens awhile with her grief
must grieve.
And the queen she spake out freely, 'An more I had done for
thee,
Then my joy had o'ercome my sorrow, yet better it might not
be;
Little peace for thee here might blossom--but, believe me, be
ill thy share,
Or should deeds of knighthood lead thee where sorrow thou
needs must bear, 580
Then, Sir Gawain, my heart findeth portion in thy lot, be it
loss or gain!'
On his mouth, with her red lips glowing, the maiden she
kissed Gawain.
Then joy fled afar from the hero, and sorrow hath pierced his
heart,
Too early the twain they deemed it, from each other for aye
to part.

Meantime had his squires bethought them, and his steed to the
palace brought, 585
Where the boughs of a mighty linden might shadow the outer
court;
And the Landgrave's folk they sought him, and together they
took their way
Without the walls; ere they parted this grace would Sir
Gawain pray,
Since his squires might no more fare with him, that the
Landgrave with them in ward
Should ride forthwith unto Beaurosch, 'There Scherules the
Burg doth guard, 590
Thou shalt pray him that these fair children to Dianasdron he
bring
Where many a Breton dwelleth, and shall yield them unto the
king
Or to Guinevere, his Lady'--So sware him Kingrimursel,
And, with kindly words and courteous, to Sir Gawain he bade
'Farewell.'
Short the space ere both steed and rider were clad in their
mail of might, 595
Kinsmen and squires, he kissed them, and alone rode that
gallant knight,
For, as this his oath had bade him, to the Grail must his
pathway wend,
And many a pain and peril must he know ere his task should
end.

BOOK IX

TREVREZENT

ARGUMENT