And they came to the goodly circle where Gawain and his men should lie-- And, methinks, who such gallant succour by the might of his hand could buy Were reckoned of men a hero! Then Gawain bade his Marshal find A place for the host to camp on, but, such was their leader's mind, He deemed it best that their circle apart from the rest should be, 795 And 'twas even the hour of noontide ere all were lodged fittingly. Then Arthur, the noble monarch, a message would straightway send; Unto Rosche Sabbins, and the city, a squire on his way should wend To King Gramoflanz should he speak thus, 'Since conflict the king doth pray, And he lusteth to fight my nephew, the strife shall he not delay, 800 For Sir Gawain is fain to meet him--But bid him to meet us here, As a gallant man do we know him, were he other, 'twould cost him dear!' And the messenger of King Arthur he rode on his errand fain-- Then forth, with Lischois and Sir Florand, rode the gallant knight, Gawain, And he prayed them to show them to him who from many a land afar 805 Had ridden for love's high service, and had fought in his lady's war. And he met them and gave them greeting in such wise that the heroes knew Sir Gawain for courteous lover, and faithful knight and true.