Then wrathful, I ween, was Arnivé that the messenger said her Nay,
Nor told her aught of his errand, nor whither his journey lay.
And in this wise she quoth to the porter, 'Now, whatever the hour may be,
Be it day, be it night, when he cometh, send tidings thereof to me,
In secret would I speak with him; thou art wise, as full well I know!' 5
Yet wroth was she still with the footman—Then she would to the Duchess go,
And win from her lips the answer, but ready was she of wit,
And the name that he bare, her hero, her mouth spake no word of it.
Gawain he would have her silent, in her hearing his prayer found grace,
And she spake not, nor might Arnivé learn aught of his name and race. 10
Then the sound as of many trumpets thro' the hall of the palace rang,
And joyful the blasts—Then rich carpets around on each wall they hang,
And no foot but fell on a carpet would it tread on the palace floor,
A poor man had surely feared him for the riches that there he saw.
And many a couch they stood there, around the stately hall, 15
Soft were they as down, and rich cushions they laid upon each and all.
But Gawain with his toil was wearied, and he slept tho' the sun was high,
And his wounds, with such skill they bound them, tho' his love should beside him lie,
And he in his arms should hold her, he had gotten no hurt I ween.
And sounder his daylight's slumber than his sleep of the night had been 20
When his love had so sorely vexed him; he slept till the vesper bell,
Yet still in his sleep he battled for the lady he loved so well.
Then rich garments of fair silk fashioned, and heavy with broidered gold,
Did the chamberlain bear unto him—Then out quoth the hero bold,
'More robes such as these, and as costly, I ween, shalt thou hither bear, 25
For Gowerzein's Duke shall need them, and Florand, the hero fair,
For in many a land hath he battled, and hath won for him glory's meed—
Now see that thou make them ready, and do my behest with speed!'
Then he prayed, by a squire, the boatman send hither the captive knight,
And Lischois did he send at his bidding by the hand of his daughter bright. 30
And the maiden Bené brought him for the love that she bare Gawain,
And the good that he vowed to her father that morn when she wept amain,
And the knight he left her weeping, and rode on his toilsome way—
And the highest prize of his manhood it fell to his lot that day.
The Turkowit too had come there, and Gawain the twain did greet 35
In all friendship, and then he prayed them beside him to take their seat
Till their robes should be brought unto them; and costly they needs must be,
For never was fairer raiment than the garb of those heroes three.
For one lived of yore named Sarant, (a city doth bear his name,)
From out of the land of Triande in the days that are gone he came. 40
In the land of Queen Sekundillé stood a city so great and fair,
(E'en Nineveh or Akraton with its glories might scarce compare,)
And the city, men called it Thasmé; there Sarant won meed of fame,
Since he wove there a silk with cunning, Saranthasmé should be its name.
Think ye it was fair to look on? How might it be otherwise, 45
For much gold must he give for the payment who would win to him such a prize.
Such robes ware these two and Gawain: then they gat them unto the hall,
And on one side the knights they sat them, on the other the ladies all,
And he who a woman's beauty had wisdom to judge aright
Must reckon Gawain's fair lady the first of these ladies bright. 50
And the host and his guests so gallant they gazed on her radiant glow,
As they stood before Orgelusé; and her knights she again must know,
And her Turkowit, gallant Florand, and Lischois, the young and fair,
Were set free, without let or hindrance, for the love that Gawain must bear
To the lovely lady of Logrois—Then their victor they thanked amain, 55
Who was dull to all ill, yet had wisdom in all that might true love gain.
As the captives thus free were spoken, Gawain the four queens must see
As they stood by the side of the Duchess, and he spake in his courtesy,
And he bade the two knights go nearer, and with kiss greet those ladies bright,
The three younger queens, and joyful, I ween, was each gallant knight. 60
And there was the maiden Bené, with Gawain had she sought the hall,
And I think me a joyful welcome she found there from each and all.
Then the host would no longer stand there, and the twain did he pray to sit
By the maidens, as best should please them, and it grievèd them not one whit,
Such counsel it grieveth no man! Then the gallant Gawain spake, 65
'Now which of these maids is Itonjé? Beside her my seat I'ld take!'
Thus in secret he spake to Bené, and she showed him the maiden fair,
'She, with eyes so clear and shining, and red lips, and dusky hair!
Wouldst thou speak with the maid in secret? Then thy words be wise and few:'
Thus quoth Bené the wise in counsel, who Itonjé's love-tale knew, 70
And knew that King Gramoflanz loved her, and did service for her heart's love,
And his faith as a knight unstainèd would fain to the maiden prove.
Gawain sat him by the maiden, (as I heard so the tale I tell,)
And soft was his speech and gentle, and his words they beseemed him well.
And tho' few were the years of Itonjé yet great was her courtesy, 75
And well did she know how to bear her as a maiden of high degree.
And this question he asked the maiden, if a lover she aye had known?
And with wisdom she made him answer, 'To whom might my love be shown,
For ne'er to a man have I spoken, since the day I first saw the light,
Save the words which thou now dost hearken as I speak unto thee, Sir Knight!' 80
'Yet mayst thou have heard the rumour of one who hath bravely fought,
And striven for prize of knighthood, and with dauntless heart hath sought
Fair service for fair rewarding?' In such wise spake the knight Gawain;
But the maiden she quoth, 'Nay, no hero hath striven my love to gain;
Yon lady, the Duchess of Logrois, hath many a gallant knight 85
Who serve her for love, or for payment, and hither they come to fight,
And we of their jousts are witness, yet none shall have come so nigh
As thou hast, Sir Knight, and this conflict thy glory hath raised on high!'
Then he quoth to the lovely maiden, 'Whose pathway shall she have crossed
With many a chosen hero? Say, who hath her favour lost?' 90
'That, Sir Knight, hath the valiant monarch, King Gramoflanz, he who bore
From aforetime the crown of honour; so men say, and I know no more!'