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!--
