Then the little maiden tender spake out so frank and free, 'Sir Knight, as God is witness, the first man thou aye shalt be With whom I have held free converse; if in this my maiden shame And my courtesy I wrong not, then joy as reward I claim! 500 For ever my mistress taught me how speech is the crown of thought, And I pray thee, Sir Knight, to help us--Thro' sorrow thine aid I sought; An thou wilt, all our need I'll tell thee, nor do thou be wroth with me, For I do as befits a maiden, and my prayer to _myself_ shall be. For altho' our name be diverse, yet methinks that _thou_ art _I_, 505 Take thou my name, and maiden and knight art thou verily. This grace from us both do I pray here, and if I from hence must go Ashamed, and my prayer unanswered, then, Sir Knight, I would have thee know That thy knightly fame must answer to thy knightly courtesy, Since my maidenhood sought for shelter in vain in thy chivalry. 510 But if thou indeed wilt hearken, and do me this thing I ask, With a true heart true love I'll give thee as rewarding for knightly task.' 'And art thou true man and courteous, then surely thou'lt do my will, For see, wilt thou serve a maiden, I am worthy thy service still. 'Tis true that my father kinsman and cousin for help hath prayed, 515 But for that shalt thou not refuse us, for my love shalt thou give thine aid!' Then he quoth, 'Thy lips, sweet maiden, would bid me my word forswear, Wouldst have me my pledge to forfeit? On my knightly honour fair I pledged my word--An I fail me, 'twere better methinks to die. Yet, e'en an I did thee service for thy love, still long years must fly 590 Ere yet thou shalt be a woman, and my service might well approve.' Then he thought how Parzival trusted less in God than in woman's love, And the words he spake bare the message of the maid unto Gawain's heart; And he vowed to the little lady to bear arms on her father's part, And, laughing, he spake, 'My sword-blade thy little hand must guide, 525 If my foeman a fair joust seeketh, then thou must against him ride; And for me shalt thou strive in conflict, for tho' men think they see _me_ fight Yet _thou_ in my stead shalt have battled,--so keep I my pledge aright.'