Whosoe'er, by true love constrainèd, hath felt of true love the pain, 435 Then his heart, as right well ye know it, doth forfeit to Love remain, And so doth she change and rule it that no mouth can the wonder speak, Be it heart of man or of maiden on which she her will would wreak, And the wise doth she bend to folly. Now the twain they were lovers true, King Meljanz and maiden Obie--His anger ye needs must rue, 440 Since in wrath he had ridden from her; of sorrow such load she bare That her spirit was moved to anger unfitting a maiden fair. And, guiltless, must Gawain suffer, and others must feel her pain; She had womanly ways forsaken when she gave to her wrath the rein. Whene'er she beheld the hero as a thorn was he to her sight, 445 For her heart was fain that Meljanz be held for the bravest knight, And she thought, 'Doth he bring me sorrow, then sorrow I'll gladly bear, O'er all the world do I love him, my hero, so young and fair, And my heart for his love aye yearneth.' Oft anger from love doth grow, Nor blame ye o'er-much the maiden if her love she by wrath would show. 450 Now list how he spake, her father, as he looked on the Knight Gawain And bade him a kindly welcome--In this wise he spake again, 'Sir Knight, it may be that thy coming the dawn of our bliss hath been; Thro' many a land have I journeyed, but no face have I ever seen So fair to mine eyes as thy face. In this our day of grief 455 Thy coming shall bring us comfort, thro' thee may we find relief.' Then he prayed him take part in the conflict--'If harness shall lack to thee All thou needest will I prepare thee, so here thou wilt fight for me.' Then out quoth the gallant Gawain, 'That would I of right goodwill, I am strong, and well armed for battle, yet from strife must I hold me still, 460 Nor fight till the hour appointed; or else would I gladly fare As thou farest, the fate of battle with thee were I fain to share. But now must I needs forego it, for 'tis fitting I first should fight With the foeman to whom I pledged me on mine honour as faithful knight. By the favour I claim from all true knights my fame must I there defend 465 Or die on the field--To this conflict, Sir Knight, I my way would wend!'