Book XI · ARNIVE, part 5 of 6

¶Then in secret one looked upon him, and the chamber with blood was red, 335 And the lion alike and the hero they lay as the twain were dead. 'Twas a fair and gracious maiden who saw thro' a loop-hole high, And her face it grew wan, and the colour from her lips and her cheek must fly. And youth was so heavy-hearted that old age sore must mourn her tale. Yet Arnivé was wise, and her wisdom did here o'er the woe prevail, 340 And still for this deed must I praise her, she drew near to aid Gawain, And from peril of death she freed him who freedom for her would gain.

¶Then herself she was fain to behold him, and they gazed thro' the window small, And naught might they tell, those women, of what waited them in the hall. Was it news of a joyful future? Or of woe that should last for aye? 345 And the queen's heart it sore misgave her that the hero had died that day, (And the thought brought her grief and sorrow,) since he sought him no better bed, But silent he lay, and rested on the corse of the lion his head. And she spake, 'From my heart I mourn thee, if thy manhood so true and brave Hath won thee no better guerdon, and thy life thou hast failed to save. 350 If death here hath been thy portion for our sake, who shall strangers be, And thy truth to such fate hath brought thee, then for ever I'll mourn for thee. And thy virtue I'll praise, tho' the counting of thy years I may never know!' And she spake to the weeping women, as they looked on the knight laid low, 'Ye maids who shall be baptizèd, and by water have won a place 355 In God's kingdom, pray ye unto Him, that He show to this hero grace!'

¶Then she sent below two maidens, and she bade them to seek Gawain, And softly draw nigh unto him, nor pass from his side again Till they brought her full assurance how it went with the gallant knight, If perchance he should yet be living, or had found his death in fight. 360 So she gave to the twain commandment--Did they weep those maidens fair? Yea, both must weep full sorely for the grief that was here their share, When they found the hero lying, for his wounds they ran with blood Till the shield in blood was swimming--then they bent o'er the hero good, And with gentle hand the helmet one loosened from off his head, 365 And she saw a light foam gathered upon his lips so red, And she waited a space and hearkened, if perchance she might hear his breath, For but now had she thought him living, yet she deemed it might well be death. And his over-dress was of sable, and the mystic beasts it bore, Such as Ilinot the Breton as his badge with great honour wore. 370 (And courage and fame were his portion from his youth till his dying day.) From the coat with her ready fingers the sable she tore away, And she held it before his nostrils, for thus might she better know If yet he should live, since his breathing would stir the hair to and fro.

¶And the breath was yet there, and straightway she bade her companion bring 375 Fair water, the gentle maiden did swift on her errand spring. Then the maid placed her ring so golden betwixt his teeth closed fast, And deft was her hand in the doing, and between his lips she passed, Drop by drop, e'en as he might take it, the water, and little space Ere he lifted once more his eyelids, and he looked on the maiden's face. 380 And he thanked them, those two sweet children, and offered them service meet-- Alas! that ye here should find me, unseemly laid at your feet! If ye will on this chance keep silence, for good will I count the deed, And courtesy shall ye honour if ye give to my words good heed!'

¶Quoth the maid, 'Thou hast lain, and thou liest, as one who the prize doth hold, 385 In sooth thou art here the victor and in joy shall thy life wax old, To-day is thy day of triumph! But comfort us now I pray, Is it so with thy wounds that, naught fearing, we may joy in thy joy to-day?' Then he quoth, 'Would ye see me living, then help shall ye bring to me.' And he prayed of those gracious maidens that a leech to his wounds should see, 390 Or one who was skilled in healing, 'But if yet I must face the strife, Go ye hence, give me here my helmet, and gladly I'll guard my life!' But they spake, 'Nay, the strife is over, Sir Knight, send us not away, Yet one shall go, and the guerdon of messenger win straightway. To the four queens shall she betake her, and shall say that thou livest still, 395 And a chamber shall they prepare thee, and leechcraft with right goodwill, And with salves shall thy wounds be tended, and so mild shall their working be That thy pain shall be swiftly lessened, and healing be brought to thee!' Then one of the maids sprang swiftly, and she ran with no halting tread, With the news that the knight was living straightway to the court she sped. 400 'In sooth shall he be so living, if ever it be God's will, Rich in joy may we be henceforward and glad without fear of ill, For naught but good help he needeth,' 'Dieu Merci!' then quoth they all. Then the old queen wise her maidens did straightway around her call, And she bade them a bed prepare him, and a carpet she spread before, 405 And a fire on the hearth burnt brightly, and precious the salves they bore. And the queen with wisdom mixed them for the healing of cut or bruise. In that hour from among her women four maids did Arnivé choose, And she bade them disarm the hero, and his harness bear soft away, And with wisdom should they deal with him lest he feel himself shamed alway. 410 'A silk shall ye bear about ye, in its shadow the knight disarm, If yet he can walk he may do so, if else, bear him in your arms To where I by the bed await him, for his couch will I rightly care, If the strife in such wise hath fallen that no deadly wound he bear, Then I think me I soon may heal him, but if wounded he be to death 415 Then cloven our joy--with the hero are we slain tho' we yet draw breath!'