Book X · ORGELUSE, part 9 of 10

¶So came he unto the hero, and with courteous word and fair He prayed of his hand the tribute, and the steed that should be his share. Quoth Gawain, the gallant hero, 'No merchant methinks I be To pay here or toll or tribute, from such tax do I hold me free!' Then he spake out, the master boatman, 'Sir Knight, since full many a maid 675 Hath seen thee stand here the victor, by thee be my tribute paid. My right o'er the plain must thou own here, in knightly joust thine hand Hath won for mine own this charger; nor thy fame shall the lower stand, For he, whom thine hand o'erthrew here, the world with his praises rung, And with truth, unto this day's dawning, have men of his glory sung; 680 But now he of God is stricken, and his joy hath an ending found, But thou, in his stead, I think me, with honour and fame art crowned!'

¶Quoth Gawain, 'He first o'erthrew me, and I but that deed repaid. If tribute for joust be due here, by him be that tribute paid! Look well on this mare, he won it, thou canst take it if such thy will. 685 The charger that standeth by me, as mine own will I claim it still-- Tho' never a steed be thy portion, on that steed I hence will go, Thou speakest of right, wouldst thou take it, then first I would have thee know (Yea, thou thyself wilt own it) 'tis unfitting I take my way Afoot, and right sore 'twould grieve me if that charger were thine alway! 690 For to-day in the early morning it was mine without doubt or fear, And childish thou art if thou thinkest thus lightly to win it here! 'Twas Duke Orilus, the Burgundian, who gave me the steed of old, Which Urian stole this morning, and the tale thou for truth shalt hold. And the foal of a mule shalt thou win thee ere thy prize be this steed of mine-- 695 Yet a fair gift in sooth will I give thee, for the steed shall the knight be thine, Thou accountest him honour-worthy--if he say thee or yea or nay, And if well or ill it doth please him I abide by my word alway!'

¶Then joyful I ween was the boatman, and with smiling lips he spake, 'Now methinks that a gift so costly it hath ne'er been my lot to take, 700 And I deem myself all unworthy--Yet, Sir Knight, be he mine indeed, Then the guerdon is more than I asked for and o'er my deserts my meed. For his praises they rang so clearly that five hundred steeds all told, Swift-footed and strong for battle, too low for his price I'ld hold! If a rich man thou thus wilt make me, then this thing shalt thou do for me, 705 To my boat shalt thou captive bring him, that I hold him as pledge from thee.' King Lot's son he spake in answer, 'Yea this will I do, and more, To thy boat first, and then from out it will I lead him within thy door, And there will I yield him captive'--'And there will I welcome thee!' Spake the boatman, and low he bowed him, and thanks spake he fair and free. 710 And he quoth, 'Dear my lord and master, if it please thee to be my guest, And abide in my house till the morning, then softly I'll bid thee rest. Nor won boatman e'er higher honour, and blest be the eventide That seeth a knight so gallant 'neath the shade of my roof-tree bide.'

¶Then out quoth Gawain, 'That will I, for in truth I had prayed this grace, 715 For weary am I with battle, and fain would I rest a space. She who to this sorrow led me, her sweetness she maketh sour, And heart's joy shall be dear to purchase, and sorrow doth crown each hour, And the guerdon for this her service unlike to herself shall be-- Alas! I had found a treasure, yet but loss hath it brought to me! 720 And one breast thro' that loss now sinketh that awhile swelled so proud and high, When joy was from God my portion, for a heart did beneath it lie. Now I think me that heart hath vanished, and where shall I comfort seek? Shall I helpless abide that Frau Minne her wrath upon me shall wreak? Yea, had she the heart of a woman she would give me my joy again 725 Who maketh her sweetness bitter, and turneth my bliss to pain!'

¶Then the boatman he heard how he wrestled with sorrow, by love constrained, And he quoth, 'So is here the custom, in the forest as on the plain, As far as Klingsor ruleth, be he coward or valiant knight, "Sad to day, to-morrow joyful," So it goeth for peace or fight. 730 Perchance the truth thou knowst not? This land is a wonder-land, And ever by day and by night-time if good luck shall not aid thine hand Little good may thy manhood do thee! See thou how the sun sinks low, I think me, Sir Knight, it were better that we should to my vessel go!' Then Lischois he was led by Gawain, and never a word he spake, 735 And the boatman he followed after and the steed by its rein did take.

¶So sailed they across the water, and they came to the further coast, And the boatman he prayed Sir Gawain, 'Be thou in mine house the host.' And so rich was the house and stately, that scarce in King Arthur's land, E'en in Nantes that noble city, did a fairer dwelling stand. 740 And he led Lischois thro' the doorway, and he gave him unto the care Of the host and his folk--Then the boatman spake thus to his daughter fair, 'Fair times and a goodly lodging be the lot of this noble knight Who standeth here, go thou with him, for I deem me it shall be right, And tend him as best shall seem thee, nor stint thou in aught thy care, 745 For great good hath he brought unto us, and 'tis meet he thy grace should share!'

¶To his son's care he gave the charger---Then the maiden her sire's behest Fulfilled as right well became her, for she led the noble guest To a chamber fair, where the flooring was hid 'neath a carpet green Of rushes and fresh-plucked blossoms, as the way of the land had been. 750 There the gentle maid unarmed him--quoth Gawain, 'God show grace to thee, For had not thy sire thus bade thee too great were thy care for me!' And she quoth, 'For my father's bidding I do not this deed, Sir Knight, But rather that this my service may find favour before thy sight.'