Book XII · EIDEGAST, part 8 of 8

¶And now as they sat together for the first time the lady fair Might look on his face and know him--Then unto the twain they bare Two game-birds that well were roasted, and with them a flask of wine, 605 And two cakes did the maiden bring them on a cloth that was white and fine-- The birds were the prey of the falcon--but Gawain and his lady bright Must seek water themselves, if to wash them ere they ate here should seem them right, And this did the twain; and joyful was the knight that he now might eat With her, for whose sake he would suffer joy, or sorrow, as seemed her meet. 610 And oft as the cup she gave him that her sweet lips had touched, anew Sprang his joy that he thus drank with her, and his sorrow behind him drew, And it halted nor might o'ertake him, and his gladness on swift foot sped, So fair was her mouth and so rosy her lips that from grief he fled.

¶And no longer his wounds they pained him--Then the ladies from out the tower 615 They looked on the feast, and below them there rode in the self-same hour, On the further side of the river, brave knights who would show their skill. And the boatman alike and his daughter Gawain thanked with right goodwill, Ere yet he might ferry them over, and the lady spake with him there, For the food and the drink they had brought them--Then out quoth the lady fair, 620 'Now what hath that knight befallen, who yestreen, ere I rode away, Was o'erthrown in a joust by another? Was he slain, or doth live alway?'

¶Quoth the boatman, 'He liveth, Lady, and he spake but this day with me, He was given to me for his charger: if thy will be to set him free, In his stead will I have the "swallow" that Queen Sekundillé sent 625 To Anfortas, be thine the hero, with the harp were I well content!'

¶'Both the harp and the other riches that the booth may within it hold,' Quoth the lady, 'are his who sits here, he may give them, or aye withhold, Let him do as he will! If he love me, Lischois he methinks will loose, Nor freedom unto the other, my prince, will he here refuse. 630 Florand of Itolac is he, of my night-watch was he the chief, And as he as Turkowit served me, so his sorrow shall be my grief!'

¶Quoth Gawain to his lovely lady, 'Ere it weareth to eventide Thou shalt look on the twain in freedom!' Then they came to the further side, And the Duchess, so fair to look on, he lifted upon her steed, 635 And many a noble horseman were waiting them on the mead, And greeting fair they gave them; and they turned to the Burg again, And joyful they rode around them and skilful they drew the rein, And the Buhurd was fair to look on--What more shall I tell ye here? Gawain, and his lovely lady, at the castle they found good cheer, 640 In such wise did the ladies greet them at Château Merveil that day, And good fortune had here befallen that such bliss should be his alway. Then Arnivé she straightway led him to a chamber, and they who knew Of such lore his hurts they tended, and they bound up his wounds anew.

¶Quoth Gawain unto Arnivé, 'Give me, Lady, a messenger!' 645 Then straightway she sent a maiden, and the maid brought again with her A footman, both true and manly, as behovèd him well to be. And an oath did he swear unto Gawain, to serve him right faithfully, And, were it for joy or for sorrow, his errand to secret hold From all men, both there and elsewhere, till he came where it might be told. 650 Then they brought to him ink and parchment, and Gawain, King Lot's fair son, Wrote clear with his hand the message, and thus did the writing run-- To them who abode in Löver's fair country, King Arthur brave And his queen, with a faith unstainèd, true service and good he gave; And he said, had he fame deservèd, and they would not his praise were slain, 655 They should come to his aid in his trouble, and show to him truth again, And with following of knights and ladies to Ioflanz their way should wend, Where he came himself, and his honour would in mortal strife defend. And further, this thing he told them, the foemen on either side Had pledged themselves in all honour and pomp to the field to ride; 660 And therefore he, Gawain, prayed them, both lady alike and knight, If they bare goodwill towards him, with their king to behold the fight. For so should it be to their honour. He commended him to them all Who were of his service worthy, for the strife that should there befall!--

¶No seal did he put to the letter, yet token enough it bare 665 Of him who should be the writer. Quoth Gawain to the footman there, 'No longer shalt thou delay thee, the king and the queen abide In the city of Bems by the Korka; seek the queen in the morning-tide And the thing she shall bid thee, do thou. But this shalt thou secret hold, That I in this land am master shall unto no ear be told. 670 Nor of this thing be thou forgetful, that thou shalt my servant be, And do thou, without delaying, the errand I give to thee!'

¶Then the footman from thence he gat him, and Arnivé she softly went, And she asked of him what was his errand? and whither his road was bent? And he quoth, 'Nay, I may not tell thee, for an oath have I sworn to-day, 675 God keep thee, for I must ride hence!' To the army he took his way.