To the castle court rode Gawain, and the goodly company 115 To whom the king had sent him, who shamed for his sake should be. Then the knight to his lady led him, as she sat in her beauty's glow, Queen Antikonie--Could the merchants a woman's fame bestow, Of such goods had she made rich purchase; 'gainst falsehood she set her face, And hers was the crown of honour, and a maiden's maiden grace. 120 Ah! woe's me for him of Veldeck, that death thus cut short his days, None is there of all men living who so well could have sung her praise. Then Gawain, he looked on the maiden, and the messenger spake the word E'en as the king had bade him, and the queen his message heard. Then gently she spake to the hero, 'Come thou near unto me, Sir Knight, 125 Thyself shalt be my master in courtesy, as is right; And gladly I'll do thy bidding--If well it shall please thee here, 'Twill be even as thou shalt order--Yea, since my brother dear Hath bid me well entreat thee, I'll kiss thee, if so I may. I'll do, or leave it undone, e'en as thou the word shalt say!' 130 Courteous she stood before him, quoth Gawain, 'Thy lips so red In sooth were made for kissing, be kiss and greeting sped!' So full and warm and rosy were the lips that Gawain pressed, No stranger sure had kissed her as kissed this stranger guest. Unchecked he sat him by her, and sweet words passed between, 135 Soft spake they to each other; and oft renewed, I ween, His prayers and her denials, yea, sorely grieved was he, And fain to win her favour--Then she spake as I tell to ye: 'Bethink thee, Sir Knight, thou art wise else, with this I enough have done, For I ween at my brother's bidding mine uncle Gamuret won 140 Less welcome from Queen Anflisé than the welcome _I_ gave to thee, An our tending were weighed together methinks hers would lighter be. Nor know I, Sir Knight, whence thou comest, nor e'en what shall be thy name, That, after such short approving, thou shouldst to my love lay claim!'