'No joust shalt thou ride at my urging, for roughly he greets his foe, 345 Who holdeth without his station, and rideth nor swift nor slow. And I think me, of maidens' tresses, tho' frail be such cord and fair, Enough from such strife to bind thee, the chain of a single hair! And the man who shall show such meekness, he well doth his _mother_ love, Since his _sire_ would fain in the conflict his knightly mettle prove. 350 But follow thou aye thy mother, Sir Gawain, list well her rede. Turn thou pale at the glancing sword-blade, and shrink from the manly deed!' And thus on the gallant hero the bitter words he spake Fell sharply, he looked not for them, nor on Kay might he vengeance take, Full seldom a knight may do so, since shame on his lips setteth seal, 355 But they who thus speak discourteous, such shame shall they never feel. Then Gawain he quoth in answer, 'Where men knightly sword might bear, And have foughten, and I fought with them, then no man beheld me there, And saw that my cheek waxed paler at sight of wound or blow. I was ever thy friend--'twas needless that thou shouldst reproach me so!' 360 Then he strode from the tent, and he bade them bring hither his charger good, Nor spur on his heel he buckled, unarmed he his steed bestrode. So came he unto the Waleis (whose sense was of love held fast), And his shield to all eyes bare witness of three spears thro' its circle passed, For three jousts of late had he ridden, and he rode them with heroes twain, 365 Of Orilus too was he smitten--Then gently uprode Gawain, And he spurred not his steed to gallop, nor conflict nor strife he sought, For he rode but in love and in kindness, to seek him who here had fought. Fair spake Gawain the stranger, to greeting deaf was he, Frau Minne yet held him captive, how other might it be? 370 True son of Herzeleide, to this lot was he born, To lose himself for love's sake; such passion as had torn The hearts of these his parents, afresh in his heart awoke, And but little his ear might hearken what the mouth of Gawain spoke.