Then a grief were his words to Lippaut, and he quoth, 'By thy knightly fame, And thy courtesy, do thou hear me, for free shall I be from blame. Two daughters have I, and I love them, and dear to my heart are they, In the joy God in them hath given would I live to my dying day. 470 Yea, well is me for my children, tho' sorrow thro' them I win, And the one of my two fair daughters methinks hath her share therein, And unlike, tho' alike, we share it--for thro' Love doth my lord and king Work sorrow to her, and thro' Hatred his forces 'gainst me would bring. And thus do I read the riddle, my lord worketh ill to me, 475 Since a _son_ I lack, but I wot well that my _daughters_ shall dearer be. What, then, if for them I suffer? Then my woe do I count for weal-- Who hath never an heir save his daughter, tho' the sword ne'er her grip may feel, Yet other defence may she bring him, she may win him a son and heir; And such is my hope!'--Quoth Gawain, 'God grant thee this favour fair!' 480 Then Lippaut he sorely pressed him, 'In God's name give thy pleading o'er,' Spake the son of King Lot, 'I pray thee, of thy courtesy ask no more, Nor let me betray mine honour--Yet this will I do, Sir Knight, I will think the thing o'er, and my answer shalt thou have ere it draw to night.' Then he thanked him, the prince, and he rode forth; in the courtyard he found alway 485 His child with the Burg-grave's daughter; with rings did the maidens play. 'Now, daughter mine, whence camest thou?' thus to Obilot he spake, 'Father, I came from the castle, to the strange knight my way I'ld take, I would pray him as knight to serve me, methinks he will hear my prayer, And do for my sake such service as winneth rewarding fair!' 490 'Nay, I fear me, my little daughter, for he saith me nor yea, nor nay, But plead thou as I have pleaded.' To the guest did she run straightway. So came she to Gawain's chamber, he greeted her courteously, At her fairy feet he sat him, and thanked her that, maidenly, She spake for him to her sister; and he quoth, 'Now if ever a knight 495 Had fought for so small a maiden, I were ready for thee to fight!'