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.