Book VIII · ANTIKONIE, part 2 of 7

¶'Nay, gladly again I'll see thee, and gladly thy sister greet, Tho' as host never queen has done me such service as host finds meet' 90 Thus spake the gallant Gawain--Then a knight bare the king's behest To his sister, that she, as fitting, should so care for the stranger guest That however long his absence the hours should as minutes fly-- (An ye will, I will cease my story that now runneth but mournfully!)

¶Nay, further I'll tell the venture,--Steed and pathway the hero bore 95 Where as one were both Burg and palace, and he held him before the door. And he who shall e'er have builded a house, he shall better know To tell of this mighty castle, and the strength of its walls to show. Yea, indeed 'twas a Burg, none better might this earth on its bosom bear And around it, far outstretching, the ramparts towered high in air. 100

¶Leave we the praise of the castle, and speak of the castle's queen, A maiden fair, for of women I shall better speak I ween, And as fitting I'll sing her praises--Was she fair to the eye? 'Twas well; Was she true of heart? Then gladly will men of her praises tell. And so both in mind and manner might she vie with that lady true, 105 The Margravine, who from Heitstein afar o'er her marches threw A light,--Well for him who dwelleth as friend in her presence fair, Such pastime as there his portion he findeth not other-where! For I praise but a woman's virtue, as I see, and shall surely know, True and pure must she be, the maiden, on whom I shall praise bestow. 110 And he whom this venture singeth is a gallant man and true, For no dealing have I with falsehood, or with one who his deeds shall rue, As repentance, slowly piercing, but turneth his bliss to bale, And his soul knoweth wrath and sorrow, or ever his life-days fail.

¶To the castle court rode Gawain, and the goodly company 115 To whom the king had sent him, who shamed for his sake should be. Then the knight to his lady led him, as she sat in her beauty's glow, Queen Antikonie--Could the merchants a woman's fame bestow, Of such goods had she made rich purchase; 'gainst falsehood she set her face, And hers was the crown of honour, and a maiden's maiden grace. 120 Ah! woe's me for him of Veldeck, that death thus cut short his days, None is there of all men living who so well could have sung her praise.

¶Then Gawain, he looked on the maiden, and the messenger spake the word E'en as the king had bade him, and the queen his message heard. Then gently she spake to the hero, 'Come thou near unto me, Sir Knight, 125 Thyself shalt be my master in courtesy, as is right; And gladly I'll do thy bidding--If well it shall please thee here, 'Twill be even as thou shalt order--Yea, since my brother dear Hath bid me well entreat thee, I'll kiss thee, if so I may. I'll do, or leave it undone, e'en as thou the word shalt say!' 130

¶Courteous she stood before him, quoth Gawain, 'Thy lips so red In sooth were made for kissing, be kiss and greeting sped!' So full and warm and rosy were the lips that Gawain pressed, No stranger sure had kissed her as kissed this stranger guest. Unchecked he sat him by her, and sweet words passed between, 135 Soft spake they to each other; and oft renewed, I ween, His prayers and her denials, yea, sorely grieved was he, And fain to win her favour--Then she spake as I tell to ye:

¶'Bethink thee, Sir Knight, thou art wise else, with this I enough have done, For I ween at my brother's bidding mine uncle Gamuret won 140 Less welcome from Queen Anflisé than the welcome I gave to thee, An our tending were weighed together methinks hers would lighter be. Nor know I, Sir Knight, whence thou comest, nor e'en what shall be thy name, That, after such short approving, thou shouldst to my love lay claim!'

¶Then out spake the gallant Gawain, 'Then know here assuredly 145 O! queen, of my father's sister the brother's son am I; Wilt thou give me sweet love's rewarding, for my birth shalt thou not delay, Hand in hand, and to equal measure, it paceth with thine alway!' The maiden who filled the wine-cup she had passed from out the hall, And the women who sat beside them must now to their mind recall 150 The task that elsewhere did wait them; nor longer the knight stood there Who erst to the queen had brought him--As Gawain was now aware That no man was here beside them, he thought how a mighty bird Is oft trapped by a little falcon--nor further he spake a word, But he passed his arm around her beneath her mantle's fold, 155 And love laid such stress upon them, the maid and the hero bold, That belike a thing had chanced there, an no eye had been there to see, Of one mind were the twain--yet heart-sorrow drew near to them speedily.

¶For straight stepped within the doorway an old and grey-haired knight, And loudly he called on Gawain, and shouted a shout of might, 160 For well did he know the hero, and fiercely his cry did ring, 'Alas! alas! woe upon us, since the hand that hath slain our king Is fain now to force his daughter!' At the sound of his battle-cry The folk that within the castle abode to the hall did hie, So it fell out--Then quoth Sir Gawain to the queen, 'Now, Lady mine, 165 Say thou how we best may ward us 'gainst this wrathful folk of thine, For sure they will come against us--An I had but my sword at hand!' Then out spake the gentle maiden, 'Their might shall we best withstand An we to yon tower betake us that riseth my bower beside, Perchance they will then bethink them, and the storm shall we override.' 170

¶Here a knight, and there a merchant, already the maid must hear, With the cry of the angry townsfolk, as the twain to the tower drew near; And sore was her friend beset there, tho' she prayed them from strife to cease, So loud rose the angry tumult none hearkened her words of peace.

¶'Gainst the portal the foe pressed onward, Gawain stood within the door, 175 And held off the angry rabble; an iron bolt he tore From its fastenings wherewith to arm him, and before his strong right hand Full oft fled his evil neighbours, they durst not his blows withstand. While the queen, with flying footsteps, hither and thither sought To find, perchance, some weapon 'gainst the foe that so fiercely fought. 180 At length did she chance on some chess-men, and a chess-board, wide and fair, That hung by a ring of iron; to Gawain she brought it there, As a shield four-square it served him; yea, many a game was played On that board ere 'twas hewn in battle--Now hear of the royal maid;