Book X · ORGELUSE, part 8 of 10

¶Then, ere he his hand had given, the hero he bade him rise, On the flowery mead they sat them: then Gawain he bethought him wise, 590 (For his sorry steed it vexed him) the horse of his vanquished foe With spur and with rein would he test there, if 'twere good for his need or no. ('Twas armed as beseemed a warhorse, and the covering was fair to see, Of velvet and silk was it fashioned, what trapping might better be?) Since the venture such prize had brought him, who should hinder him in his need 595 If for his own use he took it? so he vaulted upon the steed:

¶And he joyed in the free, swift movement, and he cried, 'Now, how shall this be? Of a sooth it is thou, Gringuljet, that false Urian stole from me. He knoweth best how he took it, and shameful I count his deed. Now, who thus for battle armed thee, since thou art of a truth my steed? 600 Sure 'tis God who hath sent thee to me, and this fair gift shall end my woe.' Then he sprang to the ground, and he sought him the token he well might know, On its shoulder the Grail-Dove branded--In a joust did Lähelein slay Its rider, the knight of Prienlaskors, and the charger he bare away. Then Orilus was its master, and he gave it to knight Gawain 605 On Plimizöl's shore--greatly joyed he when the charger he won again.

¶Blithe was he, and high of courage, who awhile was sad and sore, Yet love unto ruth constrained him, and the service so true he bore To the lady who yet would shame him, and his thoughts ever toward her flew. Then up sprang proud Lischois lightly, and his good sword he gripped anew, 610 For it lay where Gawain had cast it when he wrested it from his hand: And the ladies look down on the heroes, as for combat once more they stand.

¶The shields were so hacked and riven that the knights they must cast them by, And, shieldless, to strife betake them, and they bare them right gallantly. And a crowd of fair maidens o'er them from the palace window saw 615 The strife that below was foughten: and fierce anger awoke once more, For too nobly born I wot me was each man that he might brook That his fame should be lightly yielded, and maids on his shaming look. And helmet and sword were smitten, for shields 'gainst cold death were they, He who saw the heroes strive there had mourned for their toil that day. 620 Lischois Giwellius bare him, that fair youth, as knight so brave, True courage, and deeds undaunted, the counsel his high heart gave. And many a swift blow dealt he, as quick on Gawain he sprung, And lightly avoided from him, and his blade round his head he swung. But Gawain stood firm and undaunted, and he thought him, 'Now, let me hold 625 Thee once in mine arms, I'll repay thee thy dealings, thou hero bold!'

¶And fiery sparks might ye look on, and the flash of the glittering blade Well wielded by hand of hero--Nor one in his station stayed, For they pressed each one on the other, backward, forward, to either side, Yet this conflict so fierce, I wot me, did ne'er of revenge betide, 630 And no hatred they bare to each other--Then the arms of Gawain at last He clasped round his gallant foeman, and the knight to the ground he cast. And I think, an I friendship sware here, I would shrink from such fond embrace, E'en tho' brotherhood it were sealing--Nor with ye would such clasp find grace!

¶Then Gawain he bade him yield him, yet Lischois, who against his will 635 Had striven when first he felled him, was all unready still. And he quoth, 'Wherefore thus delay thee, 'tis needless, take thou my life, For better to die than to yield me--Since I wot well that in this strife The fame that was mine aforetime hath vanished beneath thy blow, Of God must I be accursèd, since my glory such goal doth know! 640 For the love of fair Orgelusé have I served her with knightly hand, And many a knight have I felled here, for none might my arm withstand. Now shalt thou be heir to my glory, for it falleth to thee of right If thou, who my fame hath ended, here endeth my life, Sir Knight.'

¶But King Lot's son he thought in this wise, 'To this deed have I little mind, 645 My name, it shall gain small honour if this man here his death shall find, If for no sin of his I slay him, who is true and valiant knight-- 'Twas her love that spurred him 'gainst me, for whose favour I too would fight; 'Tis her beauty that doth constrain me, 'tis she that doth work me woe, Then why not, for the sake of my lady, show mercy to this my foe? 650 If perchance for mine own I win her, if mine own such bliss may be, Then he cannot take her from me since stronger am I than he! And if o'er our strife she watcheth, then she must of a surety own That I, who for love would serve her, true service and good have shown!' Then out spake the gallant Gawain, 'I were loth thy life to take, 655 But hence will I let thee, scatheless, for fair Orgelusé's sake!'

¶Weary were they, small wonder, then the fallen knight arose, And down on the grassy meadow apart sat those gallant foes. Then the master boatman stepped forth from the water unto the land, And a grey and yearling falcon he carried upon his hand. 660 This right was his o'er the meadow, who jousted upon the plain, The charger of him who was vanquished he did as his tribute gain. From his hand, who was there the victor, should he take, as a gift, the steed, And bowing, thank him fairly, nor stint of his praise the meed. And such payment he oft had taken on the flowery meadow green, 665 Nor otherwise had his living; save at whiles, when such chance had been, That a bird in his falcon's clutches had fluttered in grief and pain. Nor plough drave he thro' those furrows, for enough did he deem his gain. And son of a folk so knightly was he born to a knight's estate, And courteous, I ween, his bearing who there on Gawain did wait. 670