There Gawain saw many a helmet, costly and decked full fair, And new spears white, unsplintered, in sheaves to their goal they bare; To the pages hands were given those blazoned with colours clear, And the badge might ye read on the pennons that floated from every spear. And the son of King Lot, Sir Gawain, he saw there a crowded throng, 55 There were mules with harness laden; heavy wagons with horses strong, And they hasted them, fain for shelter; and behind them a wondrous store Of goods, borne by travelling merchants as was ever the way of yore. And women were there in plenty, and of knightly girdle bright The twelfth might some wear, the payment and pledge of love holden light. 60 Not _queens_ were they hight, I think me, _Vivandierès_ was their name-- And young and old behind them a rabble onward came, And they ran till their limbs were weary; and a rope had fit guerdon been For many who swelled this army, and dishonoured true folk I ween! So they rode, and they ran, that army, and Gawain stood beside the way, 65 So it chanced they who saw the hero deemed him part of their host that day. And never this side of the water, or in lands that beyond it lie, So gallant a host had journeyed, great their strength and their courage high. And close on their track there followed, spurring his steed amain, A squire of noble bearing, with a led horse beside his rein; 70 And a fair new shield he carried, and ever his spurs he plied, Nor thought to spare his charger, but swift to the strife would ride, And his raiment was fairly fashioned--Then Gawain his pathway crossed, And, greeting, he asked him tidings, who was lord of this goodly host? Quoth the squire, 'Sir Knight thou mockest, were I lacking in courtesy, 75 And have chastisement earned, then I pray thee that my penance shall other be That shall wound not so sore mine honour--For God's sake lay thine hate aside, Methinks thou right well shalt know them, these knights that before us ride, Why askest thou me? Of a surety to each other shall ye be known As well, nay, a thousand times better, than I unto thee had shown!' 80