Gawain, he would hold it secret, yet his eyes they were fain to weep,
Little good had they been for cisterns, since the water they failed to keep.
And for love must he weep, for Arthur such love had toward him shown,
He had cherished him from his childhood, and had dealt with him as his own;
And the twain they had never wavered, but their faith to each other kept, 555
And nor falsehood nor thought of doubting betwixt their two hearts had crept.
But Arnivé was 'ware of his weeping, and quoth, 'Now shalt thou begin
To joy with the shout of rejoicing, thus comfort we all shall win.
'Gainst sorrow shouldst thou defend thee—See the host that now draweth nigh,
Methinks 'tis the Duchess' army, with their coming shall joy wax high.' 560
Now many a tent and banner they saw wind across the plain,
But one shield did they bear before them, and Arnivé beheld again,
And she knew, as of yore, the blazon, and Isayé she called the name
Of the knight, he should be king's marshal, and Uther Pendragon came!
But the shield it was borne by another, graceful of limb and tall, 565
And she said, 'He shall be queen's marshal, and Maurin his name they call.'
But little she knew, Arnivé, that dead were both king and knight,
And Maurin, he held the office that afore was his father's right.
To the bank in the meadow of conflict rode the host—They who served the queen
Found a resting-place for the ladies, and a fair camp it was I ween. 570
By the side of a swift, clear streamlet they set up the tents so fair,
And, apart, many goodly circles for the king and his knights prepare.
And methinks they had left behind them, wherever the host must ride,
A mighty track of hoof-prints on the field and the roadways wide!
Gawain, by the mouth of Bené, his host Plippalinòt prayed 575
To hold vessel and boat in safe keeping that no crossing that day be made.
And the maid from the hand of Gawain took the first gift of his rich store,
'Twas a swallow, the harp was costly, such as harpers in England bore.
Then joyful, she sought her father, and Gawain, he gave command
To shut fast the outer portals, since a host at the gate did stand; 580
And old and young they listed the word that he courteous spake:
'On the further side of the river an army its camp doth make,
And never, by land or by water, a mightier host I saw,
Would they fight, then I pray ye help me my knighthood to prove once more!'
With one voice did they make the promise—Then they asked of the Duchess fair, 585
If the host should be hers? But she answered, 'Believe me, of all men there
I know neither shield nor bearer; perchance he who wrought me ill
Hath entered my land, and thought him to bow Logrois unto his will.
He hath found it right well defended! My people might well defy,
From their tower and their battlements lofty, e'en such army as here doth lie! 590
Hath he wrought there fresh deeds of knighthood, then King Gramoflanz sure hath thought
To revenge himself for the garland that my knight from his tree hath brought.
But whoever they be, I know well, they shall many a joust have seen,
And many a spear at Logrois by mine army hath splintered been.'
And never a lie had she spoken—For Arthur must peril face 595
As he rode thro' the land of Logrois; and many of Breton race
In knightly joust had fallen—But Arthur their ill repaid
In the self-same coin, and on both sides sore stress on the host was laid.
Battle-weary, so came they hither of whom one full oft must hear
That they sold their lives full dearly, and did never a foeman fear. 600
And either side had suffered, both Garel and Gaherjet,
King Meljanz of Lys, and Iofreit, son of Idol, in durance set
Ere even the end of the Tourney—From Logrois they captive bare
The Duke of Vermandois, Friam, and Count Richard, he of Nevers,
Who naught but one spear had needed ere he against whom he rode 605
Had fallen 'neath his stroke so mighty, and no man his joust abode.
With his own hand King Arthur made him his captive, this gallant knight;
Then, dauntless, they spurred them onward, and the armies they met in fight,
And a forest, methinks, it cost them! For no man the jousts might know
That were ridden, a rain of splinters fell thick at each mighty blow; 610
And the Bretons, they bore them bravely 'gainst the Lady of Logrois' host,
And Arthur himself the rear-guard would keep at sore conflict's cost.
And in this wise they fought and they vexed them through the hours of the livelong day,
Till the greater part of the army outwearied with conflict lay.
And well might Gawain have told her, the Duchess, that to his aid 615
They had ridden her land, then, I wot well, no strife had their way delayed,
But he would that no lips should tell her till her own eye the truth had seen—
Then he dealt as should well befit him had King Arthur his foeman been,
And made ready to march against him with rich tents and warlike gear.
And no man of them all repented that he came as a stranger here, 620
For with open hand Sir Gawain his gifts upon all did shower
In such wise that ye might have deemed well he drew nigh to his dying hour.
And servant, and knight, and lady, they looked on his gifts so fair,
And all, with one mouth, they praised him who brought help in their sore
despair;
And all, for his sake, were joyful—Then the hero he bade prepare 625
Strong chargers, and well-trained palfreys, such as well might a lady bear.
Nor the knights should be lacking armour—Strong squires in coat of mail
Were ready to do his bidding, nor should one of their number fail.
And in this wise he gave his orders, four knights he aside did take:
His chamberlain one; and another, cup-bearer he fain would make; 630
The third he would make his steward; and his marshal the fourth should be,
For this was his prayer, and the four knights said 'Yea' to him willingly.
At peace lay King Arthur's army, and no greeting did Gawain send,
Yet I wot well it sorely grieved him! With the morning the host did wend,
With the blast of many a trumpet, their way unto Ioflanz' plain, 635
And the rear-guard was armed, yet no foeman did they find in their path again.