Book XI · ARNIVE, part 6 of 6

¶And all this was done as she bade them, disarmed was the knight Gawain, Then they led him where help they gave him who well knew to ease his pain. And of wounds did they find full fifty, or perchance they were even more, But the darts had not pierced too deeply since ever his shield he bore. 420 Then the queen in her wisdom took her warm wine, and a sendal blue, And Dictam, the herb of healing, and she wiped with her hand so true The blood from his wounds, and she closed them, and the flow of the life-blood stayed. And wherever his helm was indented the stones on his head had made Sore bruises, yet they must vanish 'fore the salves and their healing power, 425 And the master-skill of Arnivé who tended him in that hour!

¶And she quoth, 'Ease I well may give thee, whiles Kondrie doth come to me, And all help that may be in leechcraft of her friendship she telleth free. Since Anfortas so sore doth suffer, and they seek aid from far and near, This salve shall from death have kept him, from Monsalväsch 'twas brought me here.' 430 When Gawain heard she spake of Monsalväsch, then in sooth was he glad at heart, For he deemed it was near--Then this hero, who ne'er had in falsehood part, Spake thus to the queen, 'Now, Lady, my senses that far were fled, Hast thou won back again, and mine anguish I ween hast thou minishèd, What of strength shall be mine, or of wisdom, I owe to thine hand alone, 435 Thy servant am I!' But the queen spake, 'Sir Knight, thou such faith hast shown That we all must rejoice in thy welfare, and strive for it faithfully. But follow my rede, nor speak much, a root will I give to thee That shall win thee refreshing slumber, thou shalt care not for drink or meat Till the night, then such food I'll bring thee thou shalt need not ere morn to eat.' 440

¶Then a root 'twixt his lips she laid there, and straightway he fell asleep, And throughout the day he slumbered, and in coverings they happed him deep. Rich in honour and poor in shaming, soft and warm, there in peace he lay, Yet he sneezed, and at whiles he shivered, for the salve wrought on him alway. And a company of fair women passed within and without the door, 445 And fair was the light of their faces, and stately the mien they bore. And she bade them, the Queen Arnivé, that silence they all should keep, None should call, and no maiden answer, so long as the knight should sleep. And she bade them fast close the palace, nor burger, nor squire, nor knight, Should hear what had there befallen till the dawn of the morning light. 450

¶But new sorrow drew nigh to the women--The knight slept till even grey, Then Arnivé the queen in her wisdom drew the root from his lips away. And straightway he woke, and he thirsted, and they brought him of drink and meat, And he raised himself and, rejoicing, as they brought him so would he eat: And many a maid stood before him, such fair service he ne'er had known, 455 So courteous their mien and bearing--then he looked at them one by one And he gazed at each and the other, yet still his desire was set On the lady Orgelusé, for ne'er saw he woman yet, In all the days of his lifetime, who so near to his heart did lie; Tho' many his prayer had hearkened, and some did their love deny! 460 Then out spake the gallant hero to Arnivé, his leech so wise, 'Lady, 'twill ill beseem me, nor deal I in courteous guise, If these ladies stand here before me, I would they might seated be, Or if such be thy will it were better shouldst thou bid them to eat with me!' 'Nay, Sir Knight, none I ween may sit here save I, the queen, alone, 465 And shamed would they surely hold them were such service not gladly done, For our joy shalt thou be; yet I think me that if this be thy will indeed, Whate'er shall be thy commandment, we will give to thy words good heed.' But nobly born were those ladies, and their courtesy did they show, For all with one voice they prayed him he would e'en let the thing be so, 470 And while he should eat they would stand there; so waited they on the guest And passed hence when the meal was ended and Gawain was laid to rest.