Then out spake the gallant Gawain, 'Then know here assuredly 145 O! queen, of my father's sister the brother's son am I; Wilt thou give me sweet love's rewarding, for my birth shalt thou not delay, Hand in hand, and to equal measure, it paceth with thine alway!' The maiden who filled the wine-cup she had passed from out the hall, And the women who sat beside them must now to their mind recall 150 The task that elsewhere did wait them; nor longer the knight stood there Who erst to the queen had brought him--As Gawain was now aware That no man was here beside them, he thought how a mighty bird Is oft trapped by a little falcon--nor further he spake a word, But he passed his arm around her beneath her mantle's fold, 155 And love laid such stress upon them, the maid and the hero bold, That belike a thing had chanced there, an no eye had been there to see, Of one mind were the twain--yet heart-sorrow drew near to them speedily. For straight stepped within the doorway an old and grey-haired knight, And loudly he called on Gawain, and shouted a shout of might, 160 For well did he know the hero, and fiercely his cry did ring, 'Alas! alas! woe upon us, since the hand that hath slain our king Is fain now to force his daughter!' At the sound of his battle-cry The folk that within the castle abode to the hall did hie, So it fell out--Then quoth Sir Gawain to the queen, 'Now, Lady mine, 165 Say thou how we best may ward us 'gainst this wrathful folk of thine, For sure they will come against us--An I had but my sword at hand!' Then out spake the gentle maiden, 'Their might shall we best withstand An we to yon tower betake us that riseth my bower beside, Perchance they will then bethink them, and the storm shall we override.' 170 Here a knight, and there a merchant, already the maid must hear, With the cry of the angry townsfolk, as the twain to the tower drew near; And sore was her friend beset there, tho' she prayed them from strife to cease, So loud rose the angry tumult none hearkened her words of peace.