Then Gramoflanz did they counsel, King Arthur he well might pray To take good heed to his army that no knight from his ranks should stray 500 For combat, as e'en that morning, but to send unto him _one_ knight, The son of King Lot, Sir Gawain, for with _him_ had he come to fight. And straightway he sent the message by two courtly lads and wise, And he spake, 'Now look well for the maiden who is fairest in all men's eyes, Look well by whom Bené sitteth; and so ye play well your part, 505 Ye shall see in what wise she bear her, if joyful, or sad at heart. Ye shall prove these her ways in secret, in her eyes ye right well may see If yet for a friend she mourneth; and this too your task shall be, Ye shall give to my friend, fair Bené, this letter and golden ring, She knoweth for whom is the token--Now see that ye do this thing!' 510 In the other camp, the meanwhile, did Itonjé the tidings hear That her gallant brother, Gawain, and he whom her soul held dear, The fairest knight that a maiden within her heart might hold, Would fight, the one with the other, and their hand might no man withhold. Then her maiden shame it yielded to the flood of her grief so sore, 515 And none shall rejoice at her sorrow, for the pain undeserved she bore. Then her mother and Queen Arnivé they led the maid aside To a tent so small and silken, and Arnivé her grief would chide, And she bade her cease her weeping--There was naught that the maid might say, But to speak aloud the secret she hid in her heart alway; 520 Then out quoth the royal maiden, 'Of my brother shall he be slain Who is lord of my heart and my true love! Let his hand from such deed refrain!' To a noble youth spake Arnivé, 'Now get thee unto my son, And bid him come hither quickly, with him would I speak alone.' Then the lad he brought King Arthur--Now this was Arnivé's mind, 525 If she told unto him the story perchance he might counsel find, And by him should that strife be hindered, for which the maiden fair So sorely wept, and such sorrow and anguish of heart must bear.