Then out spake the King Poidikonjonz to Lanveronz' gallant knight, ''Twere fitting to wait for thy leader, an thou lusted for fame to fight. Dost think thou hast borne thee bravely? See the brave Knight Lahduman, 345 And here is my son Meljakanz,--Came these two in the van, And I myself, then, I think me, that a fair fight thou sure shouldst see Wert thou learnèd enow in combat to know what a fight should be! I come not again from this city till of strife we have had our fill, Or man and woman yield them as prisoners to my will!' 350 Quoth Duke Astor, 'The king, thy nephew, O sire fought before the gate With his army of Lys--Should thine army here slumber o'er-long and late The while these others battled? Say when didst thou teach such lore? Must I slumber while others battle then I'll slumber as ne'er of yore! Yet believe me, had I not been there then the Burgers had won them fame, 355 And a fair prize their hand had taken--I have guarded thee here from shame; In God's Name be no longer wrathful! Such valour thy folk have shown, They won more than they lost,--I think me fair Obie the same will own!' Yet Poidikonjonz was wrathful with his nephew, Meljanz the king, Tho' of many a joust the token the young knight from the field must bring, 360 And youthful fame ne'er mourneth such pledge of strife, I ween-- Now hear ye again of the maiden who the cause of this strife had been. Hate enow did she bear to Gawain who was guiltless of ill intent, And shame would she bring upon him--A servant the maiden sent Below, to Gawain as he sat there, 'Now ask thou, without delay, 365 If his steeds be for sale--In his coffers, perchance, he doth bear alway Goodly raiment that we may purchase; say thou if it so shall be, Then we ladies above in the castle will buy of him readily.' So the serving man went, and his greeting was wrath, for Sir Gawain's eye Taught fear to his heart, and in terror the lad from his face would fly, 370 And he asked not, nor gave the message his lady had bid him bear. Nor Gawain held his peace, 'Thou rascal, from hence shalt thou swiftly fare, For many a blow will I give thee if again thou dost dare draw near!' Then the lad hied him back to his lady; what she did shall ye straightway hear: