Book XI · ARNIVE, part 2 of 6

¶Quoth Gawain, 'Yet 'twould sorely vex me, if I, but to save me pain, Rode hence, doing naught, and those ladies had looked for mine aid in vain. Long since have I heard of this castle, and since it so near doth stand No man from the task shall bring me; to the venture I set my hand!' 80 Then the host he did sore bemoan him, and he spake to his guest so true, 'Now as naught is all other peril, what perils around thee drew, To the peril of this adventure, to its awe, and its anguish dire, And naught but the truth am I speaking, for no man ever spake me liar! But that gallant knight, Sir Gawain, for naught would he turn aside, 85 But he quoth, 'Now mine host give counsel how the strife I may best abide, If thy words be the words of wisdom, and God give me the strength thereto, Thy will and thy rede I'll follow, and knightly the deeds I'll do! Sir Host, of a sooth it were ill done, did I fail here a blow to strike, And coward should I be accounted of foeman and friend alike.' 90 Then first did the host bemoan him, such sorrow he ne'er might know, And he quoth to his guest, 'If it may be that Heaven such grace shall show That death be not here thy portion, then this land unto thee shall fall. And the stake is full many a maiden fast bound in a magic thrall, No man ere this day hath freed them--And with them many noble knights 95 Shall lie as yet imprisoned; and if thou with hand of might Shall loose them, thou winnest glory, and God showeth grace to thee, And joyful, o'er light and beauty, king and ruler thou sure shalt be! And maidens from many a country shall honour thee as their king. Nor think, if thou now dost ride hence, such deed shame on thee should bring, 100 Since on this field Lischois Giwellius hath yielded him to thine hand, And left unto thee his honour; who erstwhile in every land Hath done gallant deeds of knighthood, of right may I praise his name, No knight showed a higher courage, or won him a fairer fame. And in no heart the root of virtue it showeth such fair increase 105 In blossom and flower of God's planting, save in Ither of Gaheviess!'

¶'And he who at Nantes slew Prince Ither my ship bare but yesterday, Five steeds hath he given unto me, (God keep him in peace alway,) Princes and kings once rode them, but now they afar must fare, And tidings of him who o'erthrew them must they carry to Pelrapär. 110 For thus have they sworn the victor--His shield telleth many a tale Of jousting so fair and knightly--He rode hence to seek the Grail!'

¶Quoth Gawain, 'Say, whence came he hither? Mine host, since he rode so near, Knew he naught of the wondrous venture? Or did he the marvel hear?' 'Sir Knight, ne'er a word hath he heard here, I guarded me all too well, 115 Lest unseemly my deed be reckoned if unasked I the tale should tell. And hadst thou thyself not asked me thou never from me hadst known The venture that here awaits thee, wrought of terror and pain alone. If thou wilt not forego this peril, and thy life shall the forfeit pay, Then never a greater sorrow have we known than we know to-day. 120 But if thou shalt here be victor, and over this land shalt reign, Then my poverty hath an ending, and my loss shall be turned to gain; Such trust in thy free hand have I, I shall joy without sorrow know If thy glory here winneth glory, and thy body be not laid low!'

¶'Now arm thee for deadly warfare!'--unarmed was as yet Gawain, 125 'Now I prithee bring here my harness!' and the host to his will was fain. And from head to foot she armed him, the maiden fair and tall, And her father he sought the charger--Now a shield hung upon the wall, And the wood it was tough and well hardened, (else Gawain ne'er this tale might tell,) And the shield and the horse were brought him--and the host he bethought him well; 130 And, as once more he stood before him, he spake, 'List thou well, Sir Knight, I will tell thee how thou shalt bear thee, and guard thee thy life in fight:'

¶'My shield shalt thou carry with thee! Of war shall it bear no trace For but seldom I strive in battle, nor I count it me as disgrace. When thou comest, Sir Knight, to the castle, do this, it shall serve thy steed: 135 At the doorway a merchant sitteth, buy of him that which thou shalt need, Then give him thy steed, he will hold it, nor care thou what thou shalt buy, As a pledge will he hold thy charger, and will give it thee joyfully If unhurt from the Burg thou comest!' Quoth Gawain, 'Say, shall I not ride?' 'Nay, nay, for sore peril neareth, and the maidens their faces hide!' 140

¶'Thou shalt find that fair palace lonely, deserted by great and small, And no token of living creature shalt thou see in that stately hall. And may God's grace watch o'er thy footsteps, and His blessing go with thine hand When thou comest into the chamber where the "Lit Merveil" shall stand. And the couch, and the rollers beneath it, in Morocco they first were made 145 For the Ruler of all the Faithful; and were it in the balance weighed 'Gainst all treasures of crown and kingdom it still would outweigh them all. And I wot, there shall ill o'ertake thee, and God knoweth what shall befall, But I pray that the end be joyful! Yet hearken, Sir Knight, to me, This sword and this shield that thou holdest, in thine hand must they ever be, 150 For surely when thou shalt think thee that the peril hath done its worst, Then first mayst thou look for conflict, and then shall the storm-cloudburst!'

¶Then mournful I ween was the maiden, as Gawain to the saddle sprung, And all they who stood around her they wept and their hands they wrung, Then he quoth to his host, 'God grant me that hereafter I may repay 115 The care and the kindly counsel I have won from thy lips to-day.' Then leave did he pray of the maiden, and her sorrow was sore to see, He rode hence, and they whom he left here they mourned for him bitterly. And now, if ye fain would hearken what unto Gawain befell, The tale of his wondrous venture right gladly to ye I'll tell. 160