And he who the Burgers challenged his harness glowed red as flame, 'The Nameless Knight' they called him for none knew from whence he came; And I tell it to ye as I heard it, to Meljanz he rode, this knight, 735 But three days back, and the Burgers must mourn it in coming fight That he swore his aid to their foeman--Twelve squires unto him he gave, To serve him as meet in the jousting, and to follow to onslaught brave. And the spears their hand might proffer those spears he right swiftly brake, And clear rang his joust o'er the tumult, when he did as his captives take 740 King Schirniel and his brother; nor he would from his pledge release The knight whom he here had vanquished, the Duke of Marangliess. And bravely they fought mid the foremost, and he vanquished them as they stood, Yet their folk still held them valiant tho' reft of their leaders good. And there fought the young King Meljanz, and all were they friend or foe, 745 They owned greater deeds of valour a young knight might seldom show; By his hand were the strong shields cloven--Ah! the spears that he brake in twain As the forces together mingling dashed swift o'er the battle-plain. And his young heart for conflict lusted, and none gave him of strife his fill. And it vexed him sore, till Gawain would joust with him at his will. 750 Then Gawain took a spear of Angram, that he won him at Plimizöl, And twelve were those spears--The war-cry of Meljanz was 'Barbigöl!' Of his kingdom of Lys 'twas chief city--Gawain aimed his joust so true, And Oraste Gentesein taught sorrow to the king since it pierced him thro' That strong shaft of reed; his shield piercing, it brake in his arm of might-- 755 And a fair joust again was ridden, and Gawain smote the King in flight; And the hinder bow of the saddle it brake, and those heroes twain They stood on their feet, and valiant, they battled with swords amain. 'Twere more than enough such labour for two churls on the threshing-floor, And each one bare the sheaf of the other, and each smote the other sore. 760