Book XIII · KLINGSOR, part 4 of 10

¶Then Bené, the maid, and Arnivé, they wrought with a willing hand That the host he might sleep in comfort, nor the Duchess aside did stand, 240 But she aided the twain, and Gawain was led of the helpers three To a chamber fair where his slumber that even should joyful be. Two couches alone did he see there, but no man to me hath told Of their decking, for other matters, I ween, doth this story hold.

¶Quoth Arnivé unto the Duchess, 'Now, Lady, think thou how best 245 This knight whom thou broughtest hither, shall beneath this roof-tree rest, If aid at thine hand he craveth, to grant it shall honour thee; No more would I say, save this only, his wounds they shall bandaged be With such skill he might bear his armour--But if he bemoan his grief Then methinks it were good and fitting that thou bring to his woe relief. 250 If thou wakest anew his courage, then we all in his gladness share-- Now think thou no ill of my counsel, but have for thy knight good care!' Then the Queen Arnivé left them, (yet leave had she craved before,) And Bené she bare the taper, and Gawain he made fast the door.

¶If the twain to their love gave hearing? The tale how should I withhold, 255 I would speak, were it not unseemly that love's secrets aloud be told, For courtesy doth forbid it; and he who would tell the tale Worketh ill to himself, o'er love's dealings true hands ever draw the veil.

¶Now betwixt his love and his lady had the joy of Gawain waxed small, An the Duchess would have no pity, then healing might ne'er befall. 260 They who sat in the seat of the wise men, and knew many a mystic word, Kancor, and Thèbit, and Trebuchet, the smith who Frimutel's sword Once wrought, ('twas a wondrous weapon, and men of its marvels tell)-- Nay, all the skill of physicians, tho' they meant to the hero well And plied him with roots well mingled--Had a woman ne'er sought his side, 265 Then vain were their skill, in his torment methinks had he surely died!

¶Fain would I make short the story, he the rightful root had found That helped him unto his healing, and the chain of his grief unbound, And brought light in the midst of his darkness--(Breton by his mother's side Was Gawain, and King Lot his father) thus the healing task he plied, 270 And sweet balsam for bitter sorrow was his lot till the dawn of day. Yet that which had wrought him comfort it was hid from the folk alway, But all there, both knights and ladies, they beheld him so gay and glad That their sorrow was put far from them and their heart was no longer sad. Now list how he did the message whom Gawain he had sent afar, 275 Yea unto the land of Löver, unto Bems by the fair Korka, For there he abode, King Arthur, and his lady, the gracious queen, With fair maids and a host of vassals; this the lot of the squire had been.

¶'Twas yet in the early morning, when his message he fain had brought, And the queen, in the chapel kneeling, on the page of her psalter thought; 280 Then the squire bent his knee before her, and he gave her a token fair, For she took from his hand a letter, and the cover must writing bear That was writ by a hand she knew well, ere yet she the name might know, From the squire, of him who had sent him, as she looked on him kneeling low. Then the queen she spake to the letter, 'Now blessed that hand shall be 285 That wrote thee; for care was my portion since the day that mine eyes might see The hand that hath writ this writing'--She wept, yet for joy was fain, And she quoth to the squire, 'Of a surety thy master shall be Gawain!'

¶'Yea, Lady, he truly offers true service as aye of yore, With never a thought of wavering, yet his joy it shall suffer sore, 290 If so be thou wilt not upraise it; and never it stood so ill With his honour as now it standeth--And more would he tell thee still, In joy shall he live henceforward if comfort he gain from thee; And I wot that yet more shall be written than what thou hast heard from me.'

¶Then she quoth, 'I have truly read there the cause that hath brought thee here, 295 And service I think to do him with many a woman dear, Who to-day shall I ween be reckoned to have won to them beauty's prize-- Save Parzival's wife and another, Orgelusé, in all men's eyes, Thro' Christendom none shall be fairer--Since far from King Arthur's court Gawain rode, sore grief and sorrow have made of my life their sport. 300 And Meljanz de Lys hath told me he saw him in Barbigöl-- Alas!' quoth the queen, 'that ever mine eyes saw thee, Plimizöl! What sorrow did there befall me! Since that day might I never greet Kunnewaare of Lalande, she hath left me, my friend and companion sweet. And the right of the good Round Table was broken by words of scorn, 305 And four years and a half and six weeks have left us, I ween, forlorn, Since the Grail Parzival rode seeking; and after him rode Gawain To Askalon--Nor Jeschuté nor Hekuba come again Since the day that they parted from me, and grief for my friends so true Hath driven my peace far from me, nor joy since that day I knew!' 310 And the queen spake much of her sorrow: then the squire would her counsel know, 'Now do thou in this my bidding, in secret thou hence shalt go, And wait till the sun be higher, and the folk all at court shall be, Knights, servants, and gentle ladies, and vassals of all degree; And then to the court ride swiftly, nor think who shall hold thy steed, 315 But spring from its back, and hasten where the king shall thy coming heed. They will ask of thee news of venture, but thou, do thou act and speak As one who from peril flieth, whom the flames would devouring seek, And they may not prevail to hold thee, nor win from thy lips the tale, But press thou thro' them to the monarch, and to greet thee he will not fail. 320 Then give to his hand the letter, and swiftly from it he'll read Thy tale, and thy lord's desiring; I doubt not the prayer he'll heed!'