And tho' sorely Gamuret sorrowed, yet had he in half a day So many spear-shafts broken, were it Tourney indeed this fray Then had he a woodland wasted. Did I think me to count each spear One hundred in fight had he shattered, each blazoned with colours clear-- But the heralds, they won his pennons, in sooth were they theirs of right-- 365 Then toward the fair pavilion he turned him, the gallant knight. And the Waleis squire rode after; and his was the coat so fair, All pierced and hewn with sword-thrust, which he did to his lady bear; And yet with gold was it precious, and it shone with a fiery glow, And right well might ye see its richness. Then joy did the queen's heart know, 370 And she spake, 'A fair woman sent thee, with this knight, to this distant land! Now, courteous, I must bethink me lest these heroes ashamed shall stand Who have risked their fate in this venture--goodwill unto all I bear, For all do I count my kinsmen, since Adam's flesh we share, Yet Gamuret's hand, I think me, the highest prize hath won.' 375 But by wrath constrained they battled till the shadows of night drew on, And the inner host the outer by force to their tents had brought, Save for Askalon's king and Morhold thro' the camp they their way had fought. Some were winners, and some were losers, and many sore shame had earned, While others won praise and honour. Then the foe from each other turned, 380 Here no man might see--He who holdeth the stakes, if no light he show, Who would cast the dice in the darkness? To such sport were the weary slow! Men well might forget the darkness where Gamuret did abide, 'Twas as day--That in sooth it was not, but light shone on every side From many small tapers clustered. There, laid on the olive wood, 385 Was many a costly cushion, and by each couch a carpet good. Then the queen, she rode to the doorway with many a maid of rank, For fain would they see, those ladies, the brave king of Zassamank.