Yet, gladly as I would free him, to Frau Minne Gawain must bow, And his joy shall awhile be darkened--Small profit my words, I trow, And the wisdom I fain had taught him, for no man may love withstand, And love alone giveth wisdom, and nerveth with strength the hand! 500 And to Gawain she gave this penance, afoot must he wend his way While his lady she rode beside him--To a woodland they came alway, And he led the steed to a tree-trunk, and the shield that awhile it bare He hung round his neck as befitting, and lightly bestrode the mare, And scarcely the steed might bear him--Then they came to a builded land, 505 And a castle so fair and stately he saw there before him stand, And his heart and his eyes bare witness no fortress was like this hall, So knightly and fair the palace, and so countless its turrets tall. And many a maiden looked forth from its casements, he thought to see Four hundred and more, o'er all others, I ween, _four_ might fairest be. 510 Then the lady and her companion they rode a well-trodden road To a water whose waves ran swiftly, and ships sailed the flood so broad. By the landing there lay a meadow, where men jousts were wont to ride, And the towers of that stately castle rose fair on the further side. Then Gawain, that gallant hero, saw a knight who rode swift and near, 515 As one who for combat lusted, and he spared not or shield or spear.