And near to the king sat Bené, nor her heart for the strife did fail, For full oft had she seen his valour, and she deemed he might well prevail. But yet had she known that Gawain was brother unto the maid, And 'twas _he_ who now stood in peril, of a sooth had she been dismayed. A golden ring from Itonjé she brought him for token fair, 115 'Twas the same as her gallant brother did over the Sabbins bear O'er the Poinzacleins came Bené in a boat, and this word she spake, 'From Château Merveil doth my lady, with the others, her journey take.' And she spake from the lips of Itonjé such steadfast words and true, That more, from the lips of a maiden, I ween never monarch knew. 120 And she prayed him to think of her sorrow, since all gain did she hold as naught For the gain of his love, and his service was all that her true heart sought. And glad was the king at the tidings, yet would fight with her brother still-- 'Twere better I had no sister, such rewarding would please me ill! Then they bare unto him his harness, 'twas costly beyond compare-- 125 No hero, by love constrainèd, who fought for love's guerdon fair, Were he Gamuret, or Galoes, or Killicrates, the valiant king, Had better decked his body the love of a maid to win-- And no richer silk had been woven in Ipopotiticon, Or brought from Kalomedenté, or the city of Akraton, 130 Or from far-off Agatyrsjenté, than the silk for his garment wove-- Then he kissed the small ring golden, the pledge of Itonjé's love, For he knew her for true and faithful, and tho' peril upon him pressed, Yet the thought of her love and her longing would guard, as a shield, his breast. All armed was now the monarch; twelve maidens on palfreys fair, 135 Each one a spear-shaft holding, the awning aloft would bear. And the king, he rode beneath it, and its shadow was o'er his head, As on to the strife he craved for the gallant hero sped. And on either side of the monarch there rode fair maidens twain, Tall and stately were they to look on, the noblest of all his train. 140 The messengers of King Arthur no longer they made delay, And, behold! they met with Gawain as they rode on their homeward way, And ne'er had they felt such sorrow, their voices they raised on high, And they cried aloud for his peril, and their love and their loyalty.