Book X · ORGELUSE, part 10 of 10

¶Then a squire, the host's son, must bear there soft cushions, a goodly store, 755 And along the wall he laid them, and over against the door. And a carpet he spread before them that Gawain he might seat him there; And as one who knew well his office a cushion so rich he bare, With a covering of crimson sendal, that down on the couch he laid; And a seat like unto the other for the host he beside it made. 760 Came another squire and he carried fresh linen the board to spread, (For thus gave the host commandment,) and he bare with the linen bread. And the hostess she followed after, and she looked well upon Gawain, And she gave him a heartfelt greeting, and she spake, 'Now such grace we gain From thine hand we are rich henceforward as we never have been before, 765 Sir Knight, sure our good luck waketh since such fortune it hither bore!'

¶Then when they had brought him water, and the host sat beside his guest, With courteous mien Sir Gawain this prayer to his host addrest, 'Now I pray let this maid eat with me,' 'Sir Knight, ne'er was she allowed To sit with knights, or eat with them, lest she wax of their grace too proud. 770 And yet so much do we owe thee, loth were I to say thee nay. So, daughter, sit thou beside him, and as he shall speak obey!'

¶Then she blushed for shame all rosy, yet she did as her father bade, And down on the couch by Gawain sat Bené the gracious maid. (And two stalwart sons had the boatman beside that maiden sweet) 775 Three game-birds, I ween, that even were slain by the falcon fleet, And all three did they bear unto Gawain, and a broth with herbs beside, And the maiden she courteous served him as she sat by the hero's side; For she carved for him dainty morsels, and laid them on bread so white With her slender hands, and gently she spake to the stranger knight, 780 'Wilt thou send a bird to my mother? for else hath she none, I ween.' Then gladly he told the maiden his will e'en as hers had been In this thing as in all other--to the hostess the bird they bare, And they honoured the hand of the hero, nor the boatman his thanks would spare.

¶Purslain and lettuce brought they, in vinegar steeped, I ween 785 Had he sought here his strength to nourish little good might such food have been; And if one should o'er-long feed on it then the colour it waxeth pale, Such pallor as truth betrayeth, if the mouth to its speaking fail. And if with false red it be hidden, it fadeth, and bringeth shame, But she who is true and steadfast she winneth the higher fame. 790

¶If one by goodwill were nourished, then Gawain, he right well had fed, To her child naught the mother grudgeth, and as free gave the host his bread. Then they bare away the tables, and the hostess she bade him rest, And bedding I ween in plenty they brought for the gallant guest. And one was of down, and the covering above it of velvet green, 795 Yet the velvet was none of the richest tho' fair had its fashion been. And a cushion must serve for cover, beneath it should Gawain lie; Nor the silk had with gold been purchased, 'twas won in far Araby. Of silk, too, the cunning stitching, and the linen was fair, and white As snow that they laid above it, and a pillow they brought the knight. 800 And a cloak of her own she lent him, for wrapping, that maiden fair, 'Twas new, and of ermine fashioned, and such as a prince might wear.

¶Then leave the host courteous prayed him ere he laid himself down to sleep, And men say that alone with Sir Gawain the maiden her watch did keep, And I think if he more had prayed her she never had said him Nay-- 805 Then he slept, for he well might slumber, God keep him till dawn of day!