And true of heart was Sir Gawain, for courage as sentinel Had guarded his fame, nor shadow of cowardice across it fell. But his heart in the field of battle was strong as a mighty tower, Steadfast in sharpest conflict, yet foremost in danger's hour. 20 And friend and foe bare witness to the fame of his battle-cry; Fain was Kingrimursel to rob him of his glory thus waxen high-- Now far from the court of King Arthur for many a weary day, I know not their tale to tell ye, did the valiant Gawain stray; So rode he, the gallant hero, from out of a woodland shade, 25 And his folk they were close behind him as he wended adown the glade, And there on a hill before him he was 'ware of a goodly sight That would teach him fear, yet fresh courage it brought to the gallant knight. For the hero he saw full clearly how a host on their way would fare With pomp of warlike pageant, and banners borne high in air. 30 Then he thought, 'I too far have journeyed this host in the wood to wait'-- And he bade them prepare the charger that was Orilus' gift of late, And red were its ears, and Gringuljet, I think me, they called its name, Without a prayer he won it--The steed from Monsalväsch came, Lähelein, in a joust he took it, when lifeless its rider fell 35 By the Lake of Brimbane--Hereafter Trevrezent would the story tell. Thought Gawain, 'He who cowardly flieth ere the foe on his track shall be Flieth all too soon for his honour--this host would I nearer see Whatever may then befall me; they have seen me ere this I trow, And, for aught that may chance unto me, wit shall counsel me well enow.' 40 Then down he sprang from his charger as one who his goal hath found. Countless I ween the army that in troops was toward him bound, And he saw many robes fair fashioned, and shields with their blazon bright, But he knew them not, nor the banners that danced on the breezes light. 'Strange shall I be to this army,' quoth Gawain, 'strange are they to me, 45 If they count this to me for evil then a joust shall they surely see, And a spear will I break with these heroes ere yet on my way I ride!' Gringuljet too was ready when his master would strife abide, In many an hour of peril he the hero to joust had borne, As Gawain had well bethought him when the steed he would ride that morn. 50