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 abode40
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 fate55
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 bore95
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.