So came they unto the linden where the wounded knight they found, On his side the herb of healing the hand of Gawain bound; Quoth the knight, 'Now, how went it with thee since first thou didst find me here? Thou leadest with thee a lady who plotteth thine ill, I fear! 'Tis thro' her I so sore am wounded; at the Perilous Ford, I ween, 305 Did she force such a joust upon me as well-nigh my death had been! So, if thou thy life now lovest, I warn thee to let her be, And turn thee aside, nor ride with her, but warning to take by me-- And yet may my wounds be healèd, if rest for awhile I gain, And, Sir Knight, thereto canst thou help me!' 'That will I,' quoth knight Gawain. 310 Then the wounded knight spake further, 'A spital shall stand near by, And if I but now might reach it for awhile I in peace might lie, Thou seest my lady's palfrey, it can carry, methinks, the twain If she rideth afore, I behind her, so help me its back to gain.' From the bough of the mighty linden Sir Gawain he loosed the steed, 315 And the bridle he took that the palfrey he might to the lady lead-- 'Away from me!' cried the sick man, 'thou treadest on me I trow!' Then he led it apart, and the lady she followed so soft and slow, For she knew what her lord did purpose; as the maid to her horse he swung, Up started the knight, and swiftly on the charger of Gawain sprung! 320 And, methinks, an ill deed he did there--With his lady he rode away, And I ween that with sin was tainted the prize that he won that day! Then sore did Gawain bemoan him, but the lady laughed loud and clear; (And, were it a jest, he thought him such mirth were unfitting here,) As his charger was taken from him her sweet lips in this wise spake, 325 'First wert thou a _knight_, then, in short space, I thee for a _leech_ must take, Now art thou become my _footman_! yet thou shouldst in no wise despair, Such skill sure should bring thee comfort! Wouldst thou _still_ in my favours share?'