grace, 275 By the sin and the lust of women set apart from the human race! Now this son of the herbs and the planets loud mocked at the gallant knight, Who, courteous, would wait his coming; no charger he rode of might, But a mare so feint and feeble and halting in every limb, And oft to the ground it stumbled 'neath its rider so harsh and grim. 280 I wot well e'en Dame Jeschuté rode a better steed that day When Parzival's hand avenged her, and her shaming was put away! The squire he looked well upon Gawain, and thus in his wrath he spake, 'If thou be a _knight_, I think me, and my lady with thee wilt take Thou shalt sorely repent the journey--A fool thou in truth must be, 285 And such peril shall be thy guerdon as winneth great praise to thee, If so be that thou canst withstand it--Yet, if but a _servant_ thou, Of buffets and blows, I think me, full soon wilt thou have enow!' Then out quoth Gawain, 'My knighthood such chastisement ne'er might feel, 'Tis good but for worthless youngsters who shrink from the touch of steel; 290 But _I_ hold me free of such insults, and e'en if it so shall be That thou and this lovely lady your mock'ry shall pour on me, Then _one_ sure shall taste my vengeance, nor think thou that I wax wroth For ill tho' thou be to look on I hold thee but light in troth!' With that by the hair he gripped him, and he swung him from off his horse, 295 The squire glared wrathful on him, and his bristles, so sharp and coarse, Took vengeance sore on Gawain, his hand did they cut and tear Till the blood dripped crimson from it--then loud laughed the lady fair, 'Now in sooth this is good to look on, to see ye twain in wrath!' So rode the twain, the squire's horse came halting upon their path. 300