Book VI · ARTHUR, part 12 of 12

¶Then forth went full many a vassal on a toilsome and weary way, To gaze on the wondrous castle where in magic fetters lay Four hundred gracious maidens, and four queens, right fair to see. Château Merveil was the castle; and no hate shall they earn from me, I grudge them naught they may win there! No woman rewardeth me, 975 For she to whom I do service, from payment hath set me free!

¶Then out spake the Greek, Sir Klias, 'Yea, there was I overthrown!' (And thus in the ears of all men did he frankly the truth make known) 'For the Turkowit he thrust me from my charger unto my shame; And four queens who there lie captive the knight unto me did name; 980 And old are the twain, and the others as yet they shall children be, And the first maid is called Itonjè, and the second shall be Kondrie, And the third she is named Arnivè, and Sangivè the fourth is hight!' Then fain to behold the wonders of that castle was many a knight, Yet their journey brought little profit, for sorrow o'ertook them there. 985 Yet I mourn not o'ermuch for their sorrow; for he who would labour bear, And strife, for the sake of a woman, for guerdon shall gladness know, Tho' grief shall be mixed with his gladness, and his joy shall be crossed with woe. And I know not the which shall be stronger, or if sorrow shall joy outweigh, But so runneth the world for ever, where Frau Minne she holdeth sway! 990 Now Gawain he must make him ready, and he girded his armour on, For the strife that afar should wait him, in the kingdom of Askalon. And sad was many a Breton, and ladies and maidens fair Of a true heart did they bemoan them that Gawain must to conflict fare. And orphaned and reft of glory henceforth was the Table Round. 995 Then Sir Gawain he well bethought him, since victor he would be found, And he bade the merchants bring him good shields both hard and light, And little he recked their colour so they served his need in fight. On laden mules they brought them, and methinks that they sold them dear; And three did he take as his portion--and the hero he chose him here 1000 Seven chargers well fit for battle, and he chose him as friends so good Twelve spears of sharp steel of Angram, and the hilts were of hollow wood. They were reeds grown in heathen marshlands, Oraste Gentesein their name. Then Gawain he prayed leave, and rode forth, dauntless, to seek him fame, And with royal hand, for his journey, King Arthur he gave the knight 1005 Red gold, and rich store of silver, and jewels gleaming bright, And heavy the weight of his treasure--Then the hero rode swift away, And I ween 'twas towards sore peril that his pathway must lead that day.

¶Then she sailed to her distant kingdom, the young Queen Ekuba, I speak of the heathen princess; and they scattered to lands afar 1010 The folk who awhile abode there, on the fair plain of Plimizöl; And King Arthur and all his courtiers they gat them to Karidöl. Yet first they prayed leave, Klamidé and Kunnewaaré of fair Lalande, And Duke Orilus and his lady, Jeschuté of Karnant. Yet till the third day with Klamidé in the plain did the twain abide, 1015 And the marriage-feast was holden ere yet from the place they ride. Yet small was the pomp; in his kingdom, I ween, should it greater be. And free was his hand and knightly, and he dealt right courteously, For many a knight at his bidding henceforth must his man remain, And many a wandering minstrel did he gather within his train, 1020 And he led them into his kingdom, and in honour, rich gifts, and land He gave unto them, nor churlish would any refuse his hand.

¶Now Duke Orilus and Jeschuté, to Brandigan the twain would fare For the love that unto Klamidé and Kunnewaaré they bare. For they thought them that fitting honour to their sister they scarce had done 1025 Till as queen they had seen her crownèd, and set on the royal throne. Now I know well if wise the woman, and true of heart she be, Who seeth this story written, of a sooth will she own to me That better I speak of women than I spake of one erewhile; For true was fair Belakané, and free from all thought of guile, 1030 For dead was her love, yet lifeless he still o'er her heart did reign. And a dream filled fair Herzeleide with torment of fear and pain. And Queen Guinevere bewailed her full sorely for Ither's death, (And little I grudge her mourning, for no truer knight e'er drew breath). And I wot when King Lac's fair daughter rode forth such a shameful ride 1035 Then sorely I mourned the sorrow that, guiltless, she must abide. Sore smitten was Kunnewaaré, and torn was her golden hair; Now the twain they are well avengèd, and glory for shame they bear!

¶And he who doth tell this story, he weaveth his ventures fair, And he knoweth right well to rhyme them, in lines that break and pair. 1040 And fain were I more to tell ye, an she give to my words good heed Who treadeth with feet far smaller than the feet that shall spur my steed!