Book X · ORGELUSE, part 2 of 10

¶'Twas a stately Burg well builded, and it wound the hillside round, From afar as a mighty circlet the fortress the summit crowned. 80 E'en to-day men this honour give it, its wall shall be stormed in vain, For it openeth its gates to no foeman, whose hatred soe'er it gain! And a garden lay green around it, 'twas planted with trees so fair, Olive, pomegranate, fig-tree, and the vine which its grapes doth bear, And gaily they grew and flourished--as Gawain rode that garden bright 85 He saw there what wrought him sorrow, yet filled him with all delight!

¶A streamlet gushed forth from the hillside, there he saw that which grieved him naught, A lady so fair to look on that gladly her face he sought. The flower was she of all women, save Kondwiramur alone No fairer form nor feature might ever on earth be known. 90 So sweet and so bright to look on, so courteous and royal of mien, Orgelusé, was she, of Logrois, and men say that in her was seen The charm that desire awakeneth, a balm for the eyes of care, For no heart but was drawn toward her, and no mouth but would speak her fair!

¶Gawain gave her courteous greeting, and he spake, 'If such grace I gain 95 That thou willest I should alight here and awhile at thy side remain, If I see that my presence please thee, then sorrow be far from me, And joy in its stead dwell with me, no knight e'er might gladder be! May I die if the truth I speak not, no woman e'er pleased me more--' 'It is well, yet methinks I knew that,' then the knight for a space she saw; 100

¶And her sweet lips spake thus unto him, 'Now make of thy praise an end, For well might it work thee evil, and I care not that foe or friend, Whoever he be that cometh, his judgment on me shall speak, For sure if all lips shall praise me my fame it but waxeth weak! If the wise praise me e'en as the foolish, the false as the pure and true, 105 Then my fame shall be e'en as another's, for the many shall drown the few. But my praise do I hold, and but wisdom shall speak that which she doth know-- Who thou mayst be, Sir Knight, I know not, but 'tis time thou thy way shouldst go!'

¶'Yet o'er thee will I speak my verdict, if thou dwellest anear my heart Then thy dwelling is not within it, for without shalt thou have thy part. 110 And say thou my love desirest, how hast thou rewarding won? From the eyes swiftly shoot the glances, yet a sling, when the work is done, Smiteth gentler than looks which linger on that which doth sorrow wreak, Thy desire is but empty folly, thou shouldst other service seek! If thine hand for love's sake shall battle, if adventure hath bidden thee 115 By knighthood win love's rewarding, yet thou winnest it not from me. Nor honour shall be thy portion, but shame shalt thou win alone-- Now the truth have I spoken unto thee, 'twere best thou shouldst get thee gone!'

¶Then he quoth, 'Truth thou speakest, Lady, since mine eyes thus mine heart have brought In danger, for they beheld thee, and thy fetters around me wrought. 120 But now, since I be thy captive, I prithee entreat me well, Without thine own will hast thou done this, in silence I owned thy spell: Thou shalt loose me, or thou shalt bind me, for my will it shall be as thine, And gladly all woes I'ld suffer if so I might call thee mine!'

¶Then she quoth, 'Yea! so take me with thee, if thou countest upon thy gain, 125 And the love that shall be thy guerdon, thou shalt mourn it in shame and pain.

¶I would know if a man thou shalt be who bravely for me would fight-- And yet, if thou prize thine honour, thou wilt flee from this strife, Sir Knight! And should I yet further rede thee, and thou shouldst to my word say yea, Then seek thou elsewhere a lady--For, if thou my love dost pray, 130 Then joy and fair love's rewarding fall never unto thy share, But sorrow shall be thy portion if hence I with thee shall fare!'

¶Then answered Gawain, 'Without service, who thinketh true love to win? An one did so, then here I tell thee, 'twere counted to him for sin, For true love ever asketh service, yea after as aye before!' 135 Then she quoth, 'Wilt thou do me service? shame waiteth for thee in store, Tho' thy life be a life of conflict--No coward as my knight I'll own; See thou yonder path, 'tis no highway, o'er the bridge doth it wend adown To the garden, take thou the pathway, for there shalt thou find my steed-- Many folk shalt thou see and shalt hearken, but take thou of their words no heed, 140 Nor stay for their dance or singing, for tambour, or harp, or flute, But go thou to my horse, and loose it, that I go not with thee afoot!' Gawain sprang from off his charger--Yet awhile he bethought him well Where his steed might abide his coming: by the waters that rippling fell Was no tree unto which to bind it, and he knew not if he this dame 145 Might pray, would she hold his charger till once more with her own he came. Then she quoth, 'I see well what doth vex thee, thine horse shalt thou leave with me, I will guard it until thy coming tho' small good shall that be to thee!'

¶Then Gawain took his horse's bridle, 'Now hold this for me, I pray;' 'Now indeed art thou dull and foolish,' spake the lady, 'where thou dost lay 150 Thine hand, thinkest thou I'll hold it? such deed would beseem me ill!' Then the love-lorn knight spake gently, for fain would he do her will, 'Further forward I never hold it!' Then she quoth, 'I will hold it there, And do thou my bidding swiftly, bring my steed and with thee I'll fare;' Then he thought this a joyful hearing, and straightway he left her side, 155 And over the bridge so narrow to the garden gate he hied; There saw he many a maiden, and knights so brave and young, And within that goodly garden so gaily they danced and sung.