Chapter III: Book XII: Eidegast

Now he who his rest had broken, if rest he perchance might
win,
Methinks they who hear the story had counted it him for sin.
For, e'en as the venture telleth, sore toil had the hero
known,
And in sooth did he face such peril that his fame thro' all
lands hath flown.
Lancelot on the sword-bridge battled, and Meljakanz must sue
for grace, 5
Yet as naught was I ween his danger to the woe that Gawain
must face.
And that which is told of Garel, the valiant and knightly
king,
Who o'erthrew the lion 'fore the palace and made Nantes with
his daring ring--
And he sought the knife too, Garel, but he paid for his deed
full dear
In the pillar of marble--greater was the venture ye read of
here! 10
For the darts that were shot against Gawain, as his manly
courage bade,
For a mule were too great a burden if they all on its back
were laid!
The Perilous Ford hath its dangers; and Erec must sorrow
know,
When for Schoie-de-la-kurt he battled, and Mabonagrein would
fain lay low,
Yet ne'er had he faced such peril as fell here to knight
Gawain. 15
Nor Iwein, the gallant hero, who water would pour amain,
Nor feared of the stone the venture--Were these perils all
knit in one,
He who knoweth to measure danger saith Gawain greater deeds
had done!

What peril is this I tell of? If ye will, I the woe will
name,
Or too early perchance the telling? Swift-foot Orgelusé came, 20
And straight to the heart of the hero hath she taken her
silent way,
That heart that hath ne'er known trembling, that courage hath
ruled alway.
And how came it so stately lady might hide in so small a
space?
For narrow I ween was the pathway that led to her
resting-place.
And all sorrow he knew aforetime was as nought to this bitter
woe, 25
And a low wall it was that hid her when his heart did her
presence know
In whose service he never faltered, but was watchful as he
was true.
Nor find ye here food for laughter, that one who ne'er terror
knew,
A hero so brave in battle, should yield to a woman's hand.
Alas! woe is me for the marvel that no man may understand! 30
And Frau Minne she waxeth wrathful 'gainst him who the prize
hath won,
Yet dauntless and brave hath she found him, and shall find
him, till life be done.
Who harm on a wounded foeman shall work doth his honour
stain,
Yet in strength 'gainst his will did Love bind him, and it
turnèd to him for gain.

Frau Minne, wouldst have men praise thee? Then this will I
say to thee, 35
This strife shall be not to thine honour, since sore wounded
Gawain shall be.
And ever throughout his life-days has he lived as thou didst
command,
And he followed in this his father, and the men of his
mother's land.
For they yielded thee loyal service since the days Mazadan
was king,
Who Terre-de-la-Schoie from Fay-Morgan in thy service did
gallant bring. 40
And this do men tell of his children, no man from his fealty
fell.
And Ither of Gaheviess bare it, thy badge, and he served thee
well;
And never in woman's presence did one speak of the hero's
name
But their hearts yearned in love towards him, and they spake
it, nor thought it shame,
How then when they looked upon him? Then the tale first was
told aright! 45
Frau Minne, a faithful servant didst thou lose in that
gallant knight!

Slay Gawain if thou wilt, as his cousin Ilinot by thine hand
was slain,
Since thy power with the bitter torment of desire did the
knight constrain,
Till he strove for the love of his lady all the days of his
fair young life,
Florie of Kanedig was she, and he served her in many a
strife. 50
And he fled from the land of his fathers in the days of his
youth's unrest,
And was reared by this queen, and Britain ne'er saw him but
as a guest.
And the burden of Love weighed on him, and from Florie's land
he fled,
Till the day that in true love's service, as I told ye, men
found him dead.
And often the kin of Gawain thro' love have known sorrow
sore, 55
And of those by Frau Minne wounded could I name to ye many
more.
And why did the snow and the blood-drops move Parzival's
faithful heart?
'Twas his _wife_ wrought the spell, I think me! Yea, others
have known thine art,
Galoes and Gamuret hast thou vanquished, and in sooth hast
thou laid them low,
And the twain for their true love's guerdon must the death of
a hero know. 60
And Itonjé, Gawain's fair sister, must love Gramoflanz the
king,
And grieve for her love; and sorrow, Frau Minne, thou once
didst bring
On fair Surdamur and her lover: since thou sufferest not
Gawain's kin
To seek them another service, so on him wouldst thou honour
win!

Be mighty towards the mighty but here let Gawain go free, 65
His wounds they so sorely pain him, and the hale should thy
foemen be!
But many have sung of love's working who never so knew love's
power,
For myself, I would hold me silent--But true lovers shall
mourn this hour
What chanced unto him of Norway, for the venture he faced
right well,
And now, without help or warning, love's tempest upon him
fell! 70

Quoth the hero, 'Alas, for restless my resting-place shall
be,
One couch did so sorely wound me, and the other hath brought
to me
Sore torment of love and longing! Orgelusé must favour show
Unto me her true knight and servant, or small joy shall my
life-days know!'
As unresting he turned, and he stretched him, the bands from
his wounds were torn, 75
So restless he lay and wakeful awaited the coming morn.
And at last the day shone on him, and many a battlefield
And sword-strife more rest had brought him than the rest
which his couch might yield.

Would one liken his woe unto Gawain's, and be e'en such a
lover true,
Of his love-wounds let him be healèd, and then smitten by
darts anew, 80
And methinks he shall find that the sorrow and torment shall
vex him more
Than all the sum of the sorrow he hath borne for love's sake
before!

Nor love's torments alone vexed Gawain--Ever clearer it grew,
the light,
Till dark seemed the lofty tapers that erstwhile had shone so
bright.
Then up sprang from his couch the hero, and as blood, and as
iron, red 85
With wounds, and with rust, was his linen, yet beside him he
saw outspread
Hosen and shirt of woollen, and the change pleased our hero
well,
And robes lined with fur of the marten, and a garment that
o'er them fell,
(In Arras its stuff was woven, and from Arras 'twas hither
sent,)
And boots had they lain beside it, none too narrow for his
content. 90

In these garments anew he clothed him, and forth from the
chamber went
Gawain, and hither and thither his steps thro' the palace
bent,
Till he found the hall of his venture, no riches he e'er had
known
To liken unto the glories within this fair castle shown.
And there at one side of the palace a narrow dome he found, 95
And it rose high above the building, and a staircase within
it wound,
And above stood a shining pillar; nor of wood was it shapen
fair,
But so large and so strong that the coffin of Kamilla it well
might bear.
And Klingsor, the wise, he brought it from the kingdom of
Feirefis,
And his cunning and skill had fashioned both the hall and the
stair I wis! 100

No tent might so round be fashioned; did the Master Geometras
will
To raise such a work he had failèd, for unknown to his hand
the skill.
'Twas magic alone that wrought it--The venture it bids us
know
Of diamond, amethyst, topaz, carbuncle with red-fire glow,
Of chrysolite, emerald, ruby, and sardius, the windows tall, 105
That each one like to the other encircled this wondrous hall.
And rich as the window columns, and carven, the roof
o'erhead,
And herein was a greater marvel than all marvels ye yet have
read;

For, the vault below, no pillar was like to that column fair
That stood in the midst of the circle, and wondrous the power
it bare, 110
For so the venture telleth--Gawain fain would gaze around,
And alone did he climb the watch-tower, and precious the
jewels he found.
And he saw there a greater wonder, and the sight never vexed
his eye,
For he thought him upon the column all the lands of the earth
did lie.
And he saw the countries circle, and the mighty mountains'
crest 115
Meet, e'en as two hosts in battle, as one vision the other
pressed.
And folk did he see in the pillar, and on horse or afoot they
went,
They ran, and they stood: in a window he sat him on seeing
bent.

Came the agèd Queen Arnivé, with Sangivé her child, and there
Were two maidens, the gentle daughters that Sangivé erewhile
did bear. 120
And the four queens they came unto Gawain, and he saw them
and sprang upright;
And thus quoth the Queen Arnivé, 'Methinks thou shouldst
sleep, Sir Knight,
For though rest may no longer please thee, thou art wounded
too sore, I trow,
That thou further toil and labour shouldst yet for a season
know!'
Quoth the knight, 'Lady mine and my mistress, since thy
wisdom hath brought to me 125
My wit, and my strength, all my lifetime thy servant I fain
would be!'

Quoth the queen, 'If I so may read them, the words thou didst
speak but now,
And thou ownest me as thy mistress, then Sir Knight, to my
bidding bow,
And kiss at my will these ladies, as thou mayest, without
thought of shame,
Since nor mother nor maid before thee but a kingly birth may
claim!' 130
Then glad was Gawain at her bidding, and he kissed those
ladies three,
And Sangivé was first, then Itonjé, and the third was the
fair Kondrie.
And the five sat them down together, and Gawain saw those
maidens twain,
Their face and their form so gracious, and he looked, and he
looked again;
Yet one woman so worked upon him, for yet in his heart she
lay, 135
That their beauty by Orgelusé's he deemed but a cloudy day.
For he held with the Lady of Logrois none other might well
compare,
And his heart and his thoughts were captive to this lady so
sweet and fair.

Now 'twas done, and Gawain had been greeted with a kiss by
those ladies three,
And so fair were they all that I wot well their beauty would
fatal be 140
To a heart that was yet unwounded--Then he spake to the elder
queen,
And he prayed her to tell of the pillar, and the marvels he
there had seen.

Quoth Arnivé, 'By day and by night-time that pillar, I ween,
doth throw
Its light for six miles around it, so long as its power I
know.
And all that within that circuit doth chance on its face we
see, 145
In water, or on the meadow, and true shall the vision be.
The bird and the beast we see here, the guest and the woodman
true,
He who to this land is a stranger, or its ways of aforetime
knew.
Yea, all may we find within it, and it shineth for six miles
round;
And so fast and so firm it standeth none moveth it from the
ground, 150
And no hammer shall ever harm it, and no smith hath, I ween,
the skill.
'Twas stolen from Queen Sekundillé, I think me, against her
will!'

Now Gawain he saw at this moment on the column a goodly pair,
A knight with a lady riding, and he thought him the maid was
fair,
And clearly and well he saw them--and armed were both steed
and knight, 155
And his helmet was plumed and jewelled, and it gleamed in the
morning light.
And they rode at a hasty gallop thro' the defile out on the
plain:
Tho' I wot well he little knew it, yet they rode but to seek
Gawain!

And they came by the self-same pathway that Lischois he rode
afore,
The proud knight whom Gawain had vanquished, and in joust
from his charger bore. 160
And the lady she held the bridle of the knight who to joust
would ride,
And the sight to Gawain brought sorrow, and swiftly he turned
aside,
And behold! 'twas no lying vision, for without on the grassy
plain
By the river rode Orgelusé, and a knight at her side drew
rein.
E'en as hellebore within the nostril pierceth sharp, and a
man doth sneeze, 165
Thro' his eye to his heart came the Duchess, and she robbed
him of joy and ease!

Alas! I wot well 'gainst Frau Minne all helpless shall be
Gawain--
Then he looked on the knight who rode there, and he spake to
the queen again,
'Lady, a knight I see there, who rideth with well-aimed
spear,
Nor will cease from the goal he seeketh--Well! I ween he may
find it here, 170
Since he craveth some deed of knighthood I am ready with him
to fight,
But say, who shall be the maiden?' she quoth, ''Tis the lady
bright
Who is Duchess and queen of Logrois,--Now 'gainst whom doth
she bear ill-will?
For the Turkowit rideth with her, and unconquered shall he be
still.
With his spear such fame hath he won him, as were riches for
kingdoms three, 175
And against a hand so valiant 'twere best not to venture
thee;
For strife is it all too early, and thou shalt be hurt too
sore,
And e'en wert thou whole I should rede thee to strive with
him nevermore!'
Quoth Gawain, 'If indeed I be lord here then he who so near
shall seek
Deeds of knighthood, shall shame mine honour if vengeance I
fail to wreak. 180
Since he lusteth for strife, O Lady, thou shalt give me mine
armour here!'
Then the ladies, the four, bewailed them with many a bitter
tear:
And they quoth, 'Wilt thou deck thy glory? wilt thou greater
honour know?
Strive not now, shouldst thou fall before him then greater
shall wax our woe.
But e'en if thou be the victor, if thou girdest thine harness
on 185
Thou must die who so sore art wounded, and with thee are we
all undone!'

Gawain, he was sorely anguished, and the cause have ye heard
aright,
For he counted himself dishonoured by the coming of such a
knight
And his wounds, they must sorely pain him, yet love's torment
it vexed him more,
And the grief of these four fair ladies, and the love they
towards him bore. 190
Then he bade them to cease from weeping, and harness and
sword he craved,
And his charger; and those fair women they led forth the hero
brave.
And he bade them go forth before him, and adown the steps
they wind
To the hall where the other maidens so sweet and so fair they
find.

Then Gawain for his perilous journey was armed 'neath the
light of eyes 195
Tear-dimmed, and they secret held it, and none knew save the
merchant wise.
And they bade him the steed make ready, and the hero he
slowly stept
To the place where his charger waited--nor light on its back
he leapt,
But scarcely his shield might he carry, for in sooth was he
wounded sore.
And thro' centre and rim was it piercèd, and traces of battle
bore! 200

Then again he bestrode his charger, and he turned from the
Burg away,
And he rode to his host so faithful; and never he said him
Nay,
But all that he asked he gave him, a spear both strong and
new,
(Many such had, I ween, been his tribute from that plain
where they jousted true,)
Then Gawain bade him ship him over, in a ferry they sought
the shore, 205
And the Turkowit, who high courage and the thought of sure
victory bore;
For so well against shame was he armèd that ill-deeds from
before him fled,
And his fame was so high accounted, that they made of the
sward their bed
Who would ride a joust against him--From their charger they
needs must fall,
And of those who had faced his valour, his spear had
o'erthrown them all. 210
And this was the rule of the hero, that by spear-thrust, and
no sword-blade,
Would he win to him fame in battle, or his honour be
prostrate laid.
And to him who should face his onslaught, and o'erthrow him,
the self-same day
Would he yield, nor defend him further, but would give him
his pledge straightway.

And thus heard Gawain the story from him who the pledge did
hold, 215
For his pledge Plippalinòt took there, when the tale of the
joust was told.
Did one fall while the other sat still, with goodwill of the
heroes twain
Did he take that which one must forfeit, and the other
methinks should gain,
Of the charger I speak, hence he led it, for he deemed they
enough had fought.
Who was victor, and who the vanquished, from the Burg were
the tidings brought, 220
For the women, they looked on the jousting, and many a
conflict saw.
Then he bade Gawain seat him firmly, and the charger he led
to shore,
And his shield and his spear he gave him--and the Turkowit
swiftly came
As one who his joust can measure, nor too high nor too low
his aim.
And Gawain turned his horse against him--of Monsalväsch,
Gringuljet, 225
And it answered unto the bridle, and his spear 'gainst the
foe he set.

Now forward!--the joust be ridden--Here rideth King Lot's
fair son,
Undaunted his heart--Now know ye where the helm hath its
fastening won?
For there did his foeman strike him; but Gawain sought
another aim,
And swift thro' the helmet's visor with sure hand the
spear-point came, 230
And plain to the sight of all men was the fate of the joust
that day,
On his spear short and strong the helmet from his head Gawain
bare away,
And onward it rode, the helmet! But the knight on the grass
lay low,
Who was blossom and flower of all manhood till he met with
such mighty foe.
But now he in joust was vanquished, and the jewels from his
helm were seen 235
To vie with the dew on the herbage and the flowers on the
meadow green.
And Gawain, he rode back unto him, and his pledge did he take
that day,
And the boatman he claimed the charger, who was there should
say him Nay?

Thou art joyful, and yet hast small reason,' spake the lady
of Gawain's love,
(As of old were her words of mocking,) 'Since wherever thy
shield doth move 240
The lion's paw doth follow--And thou thinkest fresh fame to
gain
Since the ladies have looked on thy jousting---Well thou
mayst in thy bliss remain,
Since the Lit Merveil hath dealt gently and but little harm
hath wrought!
And yet is thy shield all splintered as if thou hadst bravely
fought--
Thou art doubtless too sorely wounded to yearn for a further
fray? 245
And such ill to the 'Goose' be reckoned, that I called thee
but yesterday.
So eager wert thou to vaunt thee, as a sieve hast thou
piercèd thro'
Thy shield, one would deem it riddled with the darts that
toward thee flew.
But _to-day_ mayst thou well shun danger--If thy finger shall
wounded be
Ride hence to the maids of the castle, for well will they
care for thee! 250
Far other strife were _his_ portion, to whom I a task would
give,
Did thine heart yet yearn for my favour, and thou wouldst in
my service live!'

Quoth Gawain to the Duchess, 'Lady, tho' deep were my wounds
I trow
They ere this have found help and healing--If such help I
from thee might know
That thou, gracious, wouldst own my service, no peril would
be so great, 255
But I, for thy love and rewarding, the issue would gladly
wait!'
Quoth she, 'Then shalt thou ride with me new honour perchance
to gain!'
Then rich in all joy and contentment was that valiant knight
Gawain--
And the Turkowit went with the boatman, and he bade him the
tidings bear
To the Burg, and there pray the maidens to have of the knight
good care. 260

And his spear it was yet unsplintered, tho' both horses they
spurred amain
To joust, his right hand yet held it, and he bare it from off
the plain.
And many a maiden saw him, and wept as he rode away.
Quoth Arnivé, 'Our joy and comfort hath chosen to him to-day
A joy for the eyes and a sorrow for the heart, yea, both
flower and thorn, 265
Alas! that he rides with the Duchess, since he leaveth us
here forlorn.
To the Perilous Ford he rideth, and his wounds sure shall
work him ill!'
(Maids four hundred must weep for his going, yet new tasks
would he fain fulfil.)

But yet tho' his wounds they pained him, his sorrow had taken
flight
When he looked upon Orgelusé, so fair was her mien and
bright. 270
Then she quoth, 'Thou shalt win me a garland of fresh leaves
from off a tree,
And I for the gift will praise thee--If thou doest this deed
for me
Thou shalt find in my love rewarding!' Then he quoth,
'Wheresoe'er it stand,
The tree that shall bring such blessing as reward unto this
mine hand,
If I not in vain bemoan me, but win hearing for this my
grief, 275
Then thy garland, tho' death it bring me, shall lack not a
single leaf!'

And tho' many a blossom bloomed there yet their colour it was
as naught
To the colour of Orgelusé, and Gawain on her beauty thought
Till it seemed him his grief of aforetime and his anguish had
fled away--
And thus with her guest did she journey a space from the Burg
that day, 280
And the road it was straight and easy, and it led thro' a
forest fair,
And Tamris I ween and Prisein were the names that the trees
did bear,
And the lord of the wood was Klingsor--Then Gawain the hero
spake,
'Say, where shall that garland blossom which the spell of my
grief shalt break?'

(In sooth he had best o'erthrown her, as oft shall have
chanced I trow 285
To many a lovely lady.) Then she quoth, 'Thou shalt see the
bough
Whose plucking shall win thee honour!' O'er the field ran a
deep ravine,
And so near did they ride to the chasm that the tree from
afar was seen.
Then she quoth, 'Now, Sir Knight, one guardeth that tree who
my joy hath slain,
If thou bring me a bough from off it, no hero such prize
shall gain 290
As from me shall be thy rewarding! And here must I hold my
way,
Nor further may I ride with thee; but make thou no more
delay,
God have thee in His safe keeping! Thine horse must thou
straightway bring
To the gulf, and with sure hand urge it o'er the Perilous
Ford to spring.'

So still on the plain she held her, and on rode the gallant
knight, 295
And he hearkened the rush of water that had riven a path with
might
Thro' the plain--it was deep as a valley, and no man its
waves might ford;
Then Gawain spurred his steed towards it, and he sprung o'er
the flood so broad,
And yet but the charger's fore-feet might light on the
further side,
And they fell in the foaming torrent; and the lady in anguish
cried, 300
For swift and wide was the water; yet Gawain he had strength
enow,
Tho' heavy the weight of his armour, for he saw where there
grew a bough
That hung o'er the foaming torrent, and he grasped it, for
life was dear,
And he gained on the bank a footing, and he drew from the
waves his spear.

Up and down the stream swam the charger, and Gawain to its
aid would go, 305
Yet so swift was the rush of the water he followed with pain
its flow,
For heavy I ween his harness, and his wounds they were deep
and sore:
Then he stretched out his spear as a whirlpool bare the
charger towards the shore--
For the rain and the rush of the waters had broken a passage
wide,
And the bank at the place was shelving, and the steed swept
towards the side-- 310
And he caught with the spear its bridle, and drew it towards
the land
Till the hero at last might reach it and lay on the rein his
hand.

And Gawain, the gallant hero, drew his horse out upon the
plain,
And the steed shook itself in safety, nor the torrent as
prize might gain
The shield--Then he girt his charger, and the shield on his
arm he took: 315
And if one weepeth not for his sorrow methinks I the lack may
brook,
Tho' in sooth was he in sore peril--For love he the venture
dared,
For the fair face of Orgelusé, his hand to the bough he
bared.
And I wot, 'twas a gallant journey, and the tree it was
guarded well,
He was _one_, were he _twain_, for that garland his life must
the payment tell. 320
King Gramoflanz, he would guard it, yet Gawain he would pluck
the bough.
The water, men called it Sabbins, and the tribute was harsh
enow
That Gawain would fetch when both charger and knight did the
wild waves breast.
Tho' the lady was fair, _I_ had wooed not! To shun her
methinks were best.

When Gawain erst the bough had broken and its leaves in his
helm did wave, 325
Uprode a knight towards him, and his bearing was free and
brave.
Nor too few were his years nor too many; and in this he his
pride had shown,
What evil so e'er befell him he fought not with _one_ alone,
_Two_ or more must they be, his foemen! So high beat his
gallant heart,
That whate'er _one_ might do to harm him unscathed might he
thence depart. 330
To Gawain this son of King Irôt a fair 'good-morrow' gave,
'Twas King Gramoflanz--'To the garland that doth there in
thine helmet wave
I yield not my claim!' thus quoth he, 'Sir Knight, were ye
_two_ I trow,
Who here for high honour seeking had reft from my tree a
bough,
I had greeted ye not, but had fought ye, but since thou alone
shalt be, 335
Thou canst ride hence, for strife unequal I deem it a shame
to me!'

And Gawain, too, was loth to fight him, for no armour the
king did wear,
And naught but a yearling falcon he did on his white hand
bear.
(And the sister of Gawain gave it, Itonjé the maid was
hight.)
His headgear in Sinzester fashioned was of peacock's plumage
bright, 340
And green as grass was the mantle of velvet that wrapped him
round,
And with ermine lined, and on each side it swept even unto
the ground.

None too tall yet strong was the charger on which the king
did ride,
From Denmark by land they brought it, or it came o'er the
waters wide.
And the monarch he rode unarmèd, nor even a sword would bear. 345
Quoth King Gramoflanz, 'Thou hast foughten, if thy shield may
the truth declare,
For but little unharmed remaineth, and it seemeth sure to me
That the "Lit Merveil" was thy portion, and this venture hath
fallen to thee!'

'Now hast thou withstood the peril that myself I were fain to
dare,
Had not Klingsor been ever friendly, and warfare with her my
share 350
Who in Love's strife is ever victor, since her beauty doth
win the day;
And she beareth fierce wrath against me, and in sooth hath
she cause alway!
Eidegast have I slain, her husband, and with him I slew
heroes four;
Orgelusé herself, as my captive, I thence to my kingdom bore,
And my crown and my land would I give her, yet what service
my hand might yield, 355

Of all would she naught, but with hatred her heart 'gainst my
pleading steeled.
And a whole year long I held her, and a whole year long I
prayed,
Yet never she hearkened to me, and ever my love gainsaid.
And thus from my heart I bemoan me, since I know that her
love to thee
She hath promised, since here I meet thee, and death wouldst
thou bring to me. 360
If with _her_ thou hadst hither ridden, perchance had I here
been slain,
Or perchance ye had died together--such guerdon thy love
might gain!'

'And my heart other service seeketh, and mine aid lieth in
thine hand,
Since here thou hast been the victor thou art lord o'er this
wonder-land;
And if thou wilt show me kindness help me now a fair maid to
win 365
For whose sake my heart knoweth sorrow, to King Lot is she
near of kin,
And no maiden of all earth's maidens hath wrought me such
grief and pain!
Her token I bear--I prithee, if thou seest that maid again
Swear thou to her faithful service--I think me she means me
fair,
And for her sake I fight, for her favour I many a peril dare; 370
For since with true words Orgelusé her love hath denied to
me,
Wherever for fame I battled, whate'er might my portion be,
Of joy or of grief, _she_ hath caused it, Itonjé, for whom I
fight,
Yet alas! I have ne'er beheld her! Now do me this grace, Sir
Knight,
If aid thou art fain to give me, then take thou this golden
ring, 375
And unto my lovely lady, I prithee, the token bring.
Thou art free from strife, I fight not till thou bring with
thee two or more.
What honour were mine if I slew thee? I ever such strife
forbore!'

'Yet in sooth I can well defend me, as a man should,' quoth
knight Gawain,
'Thou thinkest small fame will it bring thee if I here at
thine hand be slain, 380
But what honour shall _I_ have won me by breaking this bough,
I pray?
For none will account it glory if I slay thee unarmed to-day!
But yet will I do thy message--Give me here the finger-ring,
And thy sorrow of heart, and thy service, I will to thy lady
bring.'
Then the king he thanked him freely--But Gawain he quoth in
this wise, 385
'Now tell me, Sir Knight, who may he be who doth conflict
with me despise?'

'An thou count it me not for dishonour,' quoth the king,
'here my name be told,
King Irôt he was my father, who was slain by King Lot of old.
And King Gramoflanz do men call me, and my heart doth such
valour know
That never, for evil done me, will I fight with but one for
foe, 390
Saving one man alone, hight Gawain, of _him_ have I heard
such fame
That to fight with him I am ready, and vengeance from him I
claim.
For his father he dealt with treason, in fair greeting my
father slew,
Good cause have I here for mine anger and the words that I
speak are true.
Now dead is King Lot, and Gawain, his fame o'er all knights
stands high 395
Of the Table Round, and I yearn still till the day of our
strife draw nigh.'

Then out quoth King Lot's son dauntless, 'Wouldst pleasure
thy lady still,
If indeed she shall be thy lady, and dost speak of her father
ill?
And reckonest to him false treason, and her brother art fain
to slay!
Then indeed must she be false maiden if she mourn not thy
deeds alway! 400
If true daughter she were, and sister, for the twain would
she surely speak,
And forbid thee, methinks, thine hatred on kinsmen so near to
wreak.
If so be that thy true love's father hath broken his troth,
yet thou
Shouldst, as kinsman, avenge the evil that men spake of the
dead, I trow!
His _son_ will not fear to do so, and little methinks he'll
care 405
If small aid in his need he findeth from the love of his
sister fair.
He, himself, will be pledge for his father, and his sin be
upon _my_ head,
For Sir King, I who speak am Gawain, and thou warrest not
with the dead!
But I, from such shame to free him, what honour be mine or
fame,
In strife will I give to the scourging ere thou slander my
father's name!' 410

Quoth the king, 'Art thou he whom I hated with a hatred as
yet unstilled?
For alike with both joy and sorrow thy valour my soul hath
filled.
And _one_ thing in thee doth please me, that at last I may
fight with thee,
And I rede thee to wit that great honour in this hast thou
won from me,
Since I vowed but to fight with thee only--And our fame shall
wax great alway, 415
If many a lovely lady we bring to behold the fray.
For I can bring fifteen hundred, and thou art of a fair host
king
At Château Merveil; and on thy side thine uncle can others
bring
From the land that he rules, King Arthur, and Löver its name
shall be,
And the city is Bems by the Korka, as well shall be known to
thee. 420
There lieth he now with his vassals, and hither can make his
way,
In eight days, with great joy; so I bid thee to meet me the
sixteenth day,
When I come, for my wrong's avenging, to Ioflanz upon the
plain,
And the pay for this garland's plucking I there from thine
hand shall gain!'

Then King Gramoflanz prayed of Gawain to ride unto Rosche
Sabbin, 425
'For nearer methinks than the city no way o'er the flood
thou'lt win!'
But out quoth the gallant Gawain, 'I will back e'en as erst I
came,
But in all else thy will I'll follow.' Then they sware them
by their fair fame
That with many a knight and lady at Ioflanz they'ld meet for
strife
On the chosen day, and alone there would battle for death or
life. 430

And on this wise Gawain he parted for awhile from the noble
knight,
And joyful he turned his bridle, and the bough decked his
helm so bright.
And he checked not his steed, but spurred it to the edge of
the gulf once more,
Nor Gringuljet missed his footing, but he sprang well the
chasm o'er,
And he fell not again, the hero--Then the lady she turned her
rein 435
As he sprang to the ground, and tightened the girths of his
steed again,
And swiftly to give him welcome, I ween, she to earth did
spring,
And low at his feet she cast her, and she spake, 'I such need
did bring
Upon thee, Sir Knight, as I wot well was more than thy worth
might ask,
And yet have I felt such sorrow, for the sorrow of this thy
task, 440
And the service that thou hast done me, as I deem she alone
doth know
Who loveth in truth, and, faithful, doth weep o'er her
lover's woe!'

Then he quoth, 'Is this truth, and thy greeting be not
falsehood in friendly guise,
Then _thyself_ dost thou honour, Lady! For in this shall I be
so wise
That I know a knight's shield claimeth honour, and thou didst
against knighthood sin, 445
For so high doth it stand that from no man methinks doth he
mocking win,
Who as true knight hath ever borne him--This, Lady, I needs
must say,
Whoever had looked upon me had known me for knight alway,
Yet knighthood thou wouldst deny me when first thou my face
didst see,
But henceforth that may rest--Take this garland I won at thy
will for thee, 450
But I bid thee henceforth beware thee that never thy beauty
bright
Shall again in such wise mislead thee to dishonour a gallant
knight,
For I wot, ere such scorn and mocking again at thine hand I
bore,
Thy love thou shouldst give to another, I would ask for it
nevermore!'

Then she spake as she wept full sorely, that lady so sweet
and fair, 455
'Sir Knight, did I tell unto thee the woe that my heart doth
bear,
Thou wouldst own that full sore my sorrow--If I shall
discourteous be,
Then he whom I wrong may forgive me of true heart with
forgiveness free.
For of such joy no man can rob me as the joy that I lost
awhile
In that knight of all knights the bravest, Eidegast, who knew
naught of guile! 460
So brave and so fair my true love, his fame was as sunlight's
ray,
And for honour he strove so truly that all others, in this
his day,
Both here and afar, born of woman, they owned that his praise
stood high
O'er that of all men, and no glory might e'er with his glory
vie.
A fountain, for aye upspringing, of virtue, his gallant
youth, 465
And falsehood ne'er shamed his honour nor darkened the light
of truth.
Into light came he forth from the darkness, and his honour
aloft he bore,
That none who spake word of treason might reach to it
evermore.
From the root in a true heart planted it waxed and it spread
amain,
Till he rose o'er all men as Saturn doth high o'er the
planets reign. 470
And true as the one-horned marvel, since the truth I am fain
to tell,
The knight of my love and desiring,--for whose fate maids may
weep full well,
Thro' its virtue I ween it dieth--And I, I was as his heart,
And my body was he! Ah! woe is me, that I must from such true
love part!
And King Gramoflanz, _he_ slew him, the knight thou but now
didst see, 475
And the bough thou hast brought unto me from the tree of his
ward shall be.'

'Sir Knight, did I ill-entreat thee, I did it for this alone,
I would prove if thine heart were steadfast, and my love
might to thee atone.
I know well my words did wound thee, yet they were but to
prove thee meant,
And I pray thee, of this thy goodness, be thine anger with
pity blent, 480
And forgive me the ill I did thee. I have found thee both
brave and true,
As gold that is tried in the furnace shineth forth from the
flame anew,
So, methinks, doth it shine, thy courage. He, for whose harm
I brought thee here,
As I thought me afore, and I think still, his valour hath
cost me dear.'

Quoth Gawain, 'If awhile death spare me, such lesson I'll
read the king 485
As shall put to his pride an ending, and his life in sore
peril bring.
My faith as a knight have I pledged him, hereafter, a little
space,
To meet him in knightly combat, nor our manhood shall we
disgrace.
And here I forgive thee, Lady, and if thou wilt not disdain
My counsel so rough, I'll tell thee wherewith thou mayst
honour gain, 490
What shall 'seem thee well as a woman, nor in aught shall
unfitting be,
Here we twain are alone, I pray thee show favour and grace to
me!'
But she quoth, 'In an arm thus mail-clad but seldom I warmly
lay;
Yet would I not strive against thee, thou shalt on a fitting
day
Win rewarding for this thy service--Thy sorrow will I bemoan, 495
Till thou of thy wounds art healèd and all thought of thine
ill be flown;
To Château Merveil I'll ride with thee.' 'Now waxeth my joy
indeed!'
Quoth the hero, of love desirous, and he lifted her on her
steed,
And close clung his arm around her: 'twas more than she
deemed him worth
When first by the spring she saw him, and mocked him with
bitter mirth. 500

Then joyful Gawain he rode hence; yet the lady she wept
alway,
And he mourned with her woe, and he prayed her the cause of
her grief to say,
And in God's Name to cease from weeping! Then she quoth, 'I
must mourn, Sir Knight,
Because of the hand that slew him, the knight of my love, in
fight;
For that deed to my heart brought sorrow, tho' I naught but
delight had known 505
When Eidegast's love rejoiced me; yet was I not so o'erthrown
But since then I might seek his mischief, whatever the cost
might be,
And many fierce jousts have been ridden that were aimed at
his life by me.
And here, methinks, canst thou aid me, and avenge me on him,
my foe,
And repay me for this sore sorrow that my heart doth for ever
know.' 510

'For the winning his death I took gladly the service he
proffered me,
A king, who of earthly wishes the master and lord should be,
Sir Knight, he was named Anfortas--As his love-pledge to me
he sent
That which standeth without thy portals, from Tabronit it
came, that tent,
And great I ween is its value--But alas! for that gallant
king, 515
Such reward did he win in my service as all joy to an end
must bring
Where fain I my love had given, there must I fresh sorrow
know,
For bitter indeed was his guerdon!--As great, or e'en
greater, woe
Than the death of Eidegast brought me, was my lot thro'
Anfortas' fate.
Now say, how shall I, of all women most wretched, in this
estate, 520
If my _heart_ yet be true, be other than of senses and mind
distraught,
Yea, at times have I been beside me when I on Anfortas
thought;
After Eidegast did I choose him, my avenger and love to be--
Now hearken and hear how Klingsor won that booth thou
erewhile didst see:
When it fell so the brave Anfortas, who this token had sent
to me, 525
Was of love and of joy forsaken, then I feared lest I shamed
should be;
For Klingsor, such power he wieldeth by the force of his
magic spell,
That maiden or man to his purpose can he force as shall
please him well.
All gallant folk that he seeth, unharmed may they ne'er go
free--
Thus my riches to him I proffered, if so be he sware peace
with me. 530
And he that should brave the venture, and he that should win
the prize,
To _him_ I my love should offer; but if so be that in his
eyes
My love were a thing unworthy, the booth should be mine
again.
But now hast thou done my bidding, and it falleth unto us
twain;
And 'twas sworn in the ears of many, for thereby I hoped to
lure 535
My foe (yet in this I failèd) for the strife he might ne'er
endure.'

'Now courtly and wise is Klingsor; for his honour it pleased
him well
That many a deed of knighthood, at my will, in his land
befell,
By the hand of my valiant servants, with many a thrust and
blow.
All the week, every day as it passes, and the weeks into
years do grow, 540
My troops in their changing order beset him by night and day,
For at great cost my snares so cunning for Gramoflanz did I
lay.
And many have striven with him, yet must him as victor own;
Yet I still for his life am thirsting, and at last shall he
be o'erthrown.
And some were too rich for my payment, and but for my love
would serve, 545
Then I bid them for _that_ do me service, but reward did they
ne'er deserve.'

'And never a man beheld me but his service I swiftly won,
Save _one_, and he bare red armour; to my folk he much ill
had done,
For hither he rode from Logrois, and he there did my knights
o'erthrow
In such wise that they fell before him, and it pleased me but
ill I trow. 550
And, between Logrois and thy meadow, five knights they
followed fair,
And he cast them to earth, and their chargers the boatman
from thence must bear.
Then as he my knights had vanquished, I myself did the hero
pray
For my love and my land to serve me, but naught would that
red knight say,
Save he had a wife who was fairer, and should aye to his
heart be dear. 555
Then wroth was I at his answer, and the name of his wife
would hear:
"Wouldst thou know the name of my chosen?--She reigneth at
Pelrapär,
And _Parzival_ all men call me, and naught for thy love I
care,
Other sorrow the Grail doth give me!" Then in anger he rode
away;
Now, I prithee, here give me counsel, if evil I did that day, 560
When I, by heart-sorrow driven, proffered love to that
gallant knight?
Should I count my fair fame dishonoured?' Quoth Gawain to
that lady bright,
'A gallant knight is he, truly, who thus thy desire hath
crossed,
Had he to thy bidding hearkened no fame thou thro' him hadst
lost!'

Then Gawain, the courteous hero, and the lady his rein
beside, 565
Gazed lovingly on each other--and so far on their way did
ride,
That they drew anear to the castle, where the venture
erewhile befell,
And they who looked forth might see them---'Now, Lady,
'twould please me well
If thou do this thing that I ask thee, from all men my name
withhold,
Which the knight who once stole my charger aloud in thine
hearing told. 570
But do this that I say, if any shall pray thee to tell my
name,
Say, "I know not the name of my true knight, none spake it
when here he came."'
Then she quoth, 'I will keep it secret, since thou wouldst
not 'twere spoken here.'
And the knight and the lovely lady they rode to the Burg
anear.

Now the knights they had heard of the coming of one who, with
valiant hand, 575
Faced the venture, and slew the lion, and the Turkowit dared
withstand,
Yea, and had in fair joust o'erthrown him; and now on the
flowery plain,
The meadow of strife, rode the hero, and they looked on the
knight Gawain,
From the battlements could they see him; and the forces
together draw;
And with ringing blast of trumpet they pass thro' the castle
door, 580
And rich banners on high were tossing, and their steeds o'er
the plain they flew,
And he deemed that they came for battle, so swift they
towards him drew.
As Gawain from afar might see them to the lady he spake
again,
'Do they come here with thought of battle?' But she quoth,
'They are Klingsor's men,
From afar have they seen thy coming, and they ride their new
lord to greet, 585
With joy would they bid thee welcome! Refuse not this honour
meet,
Since 'tis gladness that doth constrain them.' There, too, in
a vessel fair
Plippalinòt came to meet them, and his daughter with him did
bear;
And swift o'er the flowery meadow the maiden towards them
stept,
And joyful she hailed the hero for whom she aforetime wept. 590

Then Gawain gave her courteous greeting, and stirrup and foot
she kissed,
And she turned her to Orgelusé, nor the lady her welcome
missed.
And she prayed him to 'light from his charger the while that
she held the rein,
And then to the ship she led them, the lady and knight
Gawain;
And there, in the place of honour, a carpet and cushions lay, 595
And the Duchess by Gawain sat her, as the maiden the twain
did pray.
And her office the maid forgat not, she disarmèd the hero
there,
And in sooth it is said that the mantle she did for his
robing bear
Which had served him that night for cover, when he did 'neath
her rooftree lie,
And now was the hour for its wearing and it wrapped him right
royally. 600
So clad was Gawain in her mantle, and his own robe beneath he
wore,
And the harness he laid from off him on one side the maiden
bore.

And now as they sat together for the first time the lady fair
Might look on his face and know him--Then unto the twain they
bare
Two game-birds that well were roasted, and with them a flask
of wine, 605
And two cakes did the maiden bring them on a cloth that was
white and fine--
The birds were the prey of the falcon--but Gawain and his
lady bright
Must seek water themselves, if to wash them ere they ate here
should seem them right,
And this did the twain; and joyful was the knight that he now
might eat
With her, for whose sake he would suffer joy, or sorrow, as
seemed her meet. 610
And oft as the cup she gave him that her sweet lips had
touched, anew
Sprang his joy that he thus drank with her, and his sorrow
behind him drew,
And it halted nor might o'ertake him, and his gladness on
swift foot sped,
So fair was her mouth and so rosy her lips that from grief he
fled.

And no longer his wounds they pained him--Then the ladies
from out the tower 615
They looked on the feast, and below them there rode in the
self-same hour,
On the further side of the river, brave knights who would
show their skill.
And the boatman alike and his daughter Gawain thanked with
right goodwill,
Ere yet he might ferry them over, and the lady spake with him
there,
For the food and the drink they had brought them--Then out
quoth the lady fair, 620
'Now what hath that knight befallen, who yestreen, ere I rode
away,
Was o'erthrown in a joust by another? Was he slain, or doth
live alway?'

Quoth the boatman, 'He liveth, Lady, and he spake but this
day with me,
He was given to me for his charger: if thy will be to set him
free,
In his stead will I have the "swallow" that Queen Sekundillé
sent 625
To Anfortas, be thine the hero, with the harp were I well
content!'

'Both the harp and the other riches that the booth may within
it hold,'
Quoth the lady, 'are his who sits here, he may give them, or
aye withhold,
Let him do as he will! If he love me, Lischois he methinks
will loose,
Nor freedom unto the other, my prince, will he here refuse. 630
Florand of Itolac is he, of my night-watch was he the chief,
And as he as Turkowit served me, so his sorrow shall be my
grief!'

Quoth Gawain to his lovely lady, 'Ere it weareth to eventide
Thou shalt look on the twain in freedom!' Then they came to
the further side,
And the Duchess, so fair to look on, he lifted upon her
steed, 635
And many a noble horseman were waiting them on the mead,
And greeting fair they gave them; and they turned to the Burg
again,
And joyful they rode around them and skilful they drew the
rein,
And the Buhurd was fair to look on--What more shall I tell ye
here?
Gawain, and his lovely lady, at the castle they found good
cheer, 640
In such wise did the ladies greet them at Château Merveil
that day,
And good fortune had here befallen that such bliss should be
his alway.
Then Arnivé she straightway led him to a chamber, and they
who knew
Of such lore his hurts they tended, and they bound up his
wounds anew.

Quoth Gawain unto Arnivé, 'Give me, Lady, a messenger!' 645
Then straightway she sent a maiden, and the maid brought
again with her
A footman, both true and manly, as behovèd him well to be.
And an oath did he swear unto Gawain, to serve him right
faithfully,
And, were it for joy or for sorrow, his errand to secret hold
From all men, both there and elsewhere, till he came where it
might be told. 650
Then they brought to him ink and parchment, and Gawain, King
Lot's fair son,
Wrote clear with his hand the message, and thus did the
writing run--
To them who abode in Löver's fair country, King Arthur brave
And his queen, with a faith unstainèd, true service and good
he gave;
And he said, had he fame deservèd, and they would not his
praise were slain, 655
They should come to his aid in his trouble, and show to him
truth again,
And with following of knights and ladies to Ioflanz their way
should wend,
Where he came himself, and his honour would in mortal strife
defend.
And further, this thing he told them, the foemen on either
side
Had pledged themselves in all honour and pomp to the field to
ride; 660
And therefore he, Gawain, prayed them, both lady alike and
knight,
If they bare goodwill towards him, with their king to behold
the fight.
For so should it be to their honour. He commended him to them
all
Who were of his service worthy, for the strife that should
there befall!--

No seal did he put to the letter, yet token enough it bare 665
Of him who should be the writer. Quoth Gawain to the footman
there,
'No longer shalt thou delay thee, the king and the queen
abide
In the city of Bems by the Korka; seek the queen in the
morning-tide
And the thing she shall bid thee, do thou. But this shalt
thou secret hold,
That I in this land am master shall unto no ear be told. 670
Nor of this thing be thou forgetful, that thou shalt my
servant be,
And do thou, without delaying, the errand I give to thee!'

Then the footman from thence he gat him, and Arnivé she
softly went,
And she asked of him what was his errand? and whither his
road was bent?
And he quoth, 'Nay, I may not tell thee, for an oath have I
sworn to-day, 675
God keep thee, for I must ride hence!' To the army he took
his way.

BOOK XIII

KLINGSOR

ARGUMENT

Book XIII. tells of the goodly feast that was holden in Château Merveil, and of the wedding of Gawain and Orgelusé. How Gawain's squire did his bidding; and how King Arthur and Queen Guinevere pledged themselves to ride to Ioflanz to behold the conflict between Gawain and Gramoflanz.

How Gawain fared in Château Merveil; and how Arnivé told him the history of Klingsor, and of his unlawful love.

Of the coming of King Arthur and his host; how they fought before Logrois; and came with great pomp to the plain of Ioflanz.

How Gawain and the dwellers in Château Merveil followed to the
plain;
of the goodly camp prepared for them; of the wonder of the court
and
Kay's jealousy; and how the four queens were made known to King
Arthur.