For she bade one speak to the Burg-grave, Scherules they called his name, 375 Saying, 'This shall he do at my bidding for the sake of his manly fame; 'Neath the olive-trees by the Burg-moat stand seven steeds, I trow, In them shall he find his guerdon, and riches beside enow. A merchant will here deal falsely--I pray he prevent such deed. I trust in his hand; none shall blame him, if the goods he doth hold for meed.' 380 The squire went below as she bade him, and his lady's plaint he bare; 'From knavery must we guard us,' quoth Scherules, 'I forth will fare.' So he rode where Gawain was seated whose courage might never fail, And he found there all weakness lacking, high heart that for naught would quail, And a face so fair to look on--Scherules he saw him well, 385 And his arms and hands so skilful that a knightly tale might tell. And he spake, 'Thou art here a stranger, Sir Knight, sure good wit we need Since here thou hast found no lodging; as sin shalt thou count such deed. I will now myself be marshal, folk and goods, all I call mine own That freely shall do thee service; nor host to his guest hath shown 390 Such favour as I would show thee.' 'Thy favour,' quoth Knight Gawain, 'As yet shall be undeservèd, yet to follow thee am I fain.' Then Scherules, of honour worthy, he spake of a true heart free, 'Since the office hath fallen to me, thy guardian 'gainst loss I'll be, If the outer host would rob thee, thou shalt call to thine aid mine hand,' 395 Then, smiling, he spake to the servants whom he saw round their master stand, 'Now load ye again your harness that never a piece shall fail, For hence must we ride, and shelter shall ye find in the lower vale.' With the Burg-grave he rode, Sir Gawain, nor Obie her wrong would own, But she sent a minstrel maiden whom her father right well had known, 400 And she bade her bear the tidings, a false coiner had passed that way, 'And goodly and rich is his lading; by his knighthood my father pray, Since many a hireling serves him for steed, and garb, and gold, That he here let them take their payment, 'twere enow, were they sevenfold.'