Then they prayed his leave, and they rode hence--And the knight to his squires he spake, 'Here is booty none may gainsay us, of these steeds ye at will may take; But leave me one for my riding, since sore wounded mine own shall be.' 825 Spake the Squires, 'Sir Knight, we must thank thee for the grace thou hast shown us free, For our lifetime hast thou enriched us.' Then he chose in his charger's stead, With the close-cropped ears, Ingliart, the same that from Gawain fled, When Meljanz he made his captive, and the twain they must fall in field, And the Red Knight's hand had caught it, when hewn was many a shield. 830 Then Farewell the hero bade them--Full fifteen steeds they tell, To the squires he left, unwounded, in sooth might they thank him well. And they prayed him to linger with them, and abide with them yet a space, But far hence lay the goal he was seeking, and the road he was fain to trace. So he turned him about, the hero, to where ease should be bought full dear 835 For naught but strife was he seeking--In the days that ye read of here No knight e'en as he had battled--Then the outer host would ride To where they might find a lodging, and in peace for a space abide. And within, Lippaut spake, and asked them how matters had gone that day? That Meljanz was taken captive, that tale did he know alway. 840 And all was as he would have it, and comfort the hour would bear-- And Gawain loosed the sleeve full gently from his shield, lest perchance it tear, For he deemed it o'er good for tearing, and Clauditté she held it fast, And 'twas slashed in the sides and the centre with the spears that had thro' it passed; And he bade her to Obilot bear it, and glad was the little maid, 845 On her bare white arm soft-rounded the tattered sleeve she laid, And spake, 'Who hath done this for me?' whene'er she her sister saw, And wrathful her elder sister her maiden mischief bore.