Then, as weariness it bade them, the knights they craved for rest-- Then Scherules took Count Lahduman, and Gawain his gallant guest 850 And many a knight whom he found there, whom Gawain with valiant hand Had o'erthrown on the field of battle tho' strife they might well withstand. And the Burg-grave rich he bade them to sit them in order fair, And he and his wearied vassals would stand 'fore their monarch there Till Meljanz his fill had eaten--And they treated him courteously, 855 But Gawain, o'er-much he deemed it, and he spake out, frank and free, 'Methinks an the king allow thee, Sir Host, thou shouldst take a seat.' Thus spake Gawain in his wisdom, as his courtesy found it meet. But the host gave his prayer denial, 'The king's man is that gallant knight My master, this were his office if the king had but deemed it right 860 To take, as of old, his service--My lord thro' his courtesy Will not see the face of his monarch while exiled from grace is he. An it pleaseth God of friendship to sow here the seed once more, Then joyful we'll do his bidding with one will, as in days of yore.' Then spake the youthful Meljanz, 'Yea, courteous knights and true 865 Were ye, when I dwelt among ye, nor your rede did I ever rue. An I now had thy counsel followed, this even had seen me glad; Now give me thine aid Count Scherules, for the trust that I ever had In thy faith, with this knight my captor, and with him my second sire Duke Lippaut--for well I think me they will do as thou shalt require-- 870 Yea, pray them to show me favour, for friends had we been to-day Had not Obie such jest played on me as no maiden I ween should play!'