But King Lot's son he thought in this wise, 'To this deed have I little mind, 645 My name, it shall gain small honour if this man here his death shall find, If for no sin of his I slay him, who is true and valiant knight-- 'Twas _her_ love that spurred him 'gainst me, for whose favour I too would fight; 'Tis her beauty that doth constrain me, 'tis she that doth work me woe, Then why not, for the sake of my lady, show mercy to this my foe? 650 If perchance for mine own I win her, if mine own such bliss may be, Then _he_ cannot take her from me since stronger am I than he! And if o'er our strife she watcheth, then she must of a surety own That I, who for love would serve her, true service and good have shown!' Then out spake the gallant Gawain, 'I were loth thy life to take, 655 But hence will I let thee, scatheless, for fair Orgelusé's sake!' Weary were they, small wonder, then the fallen knight arose, And down on the grassy meadow apart sat those gallant foes. Then the master boatman stepped forth from the water unto the land, And a grey and yearling falcon he carried upon his hand. 660 This right was his o'er the meadow, who jousted upon the plain, The charger of him who was vanquished he did as his tribute gain. From his hand, who was there the victor, should he take, as a gift, the steed, And bowing, thank him fairly, nor stint of his praise the meed. And such payment he oft had taken on the flowery meadow green, 665 Nor otherwise had his living; save at whiles, when such chance had been, That a bird in his falcon's clutches had fluttered in grief and pain. Nor plough drave he thro' those furrows, for enough did he deem his gain. And son of a folk so knightly was he born to a knight's estate, And courteous, I ween, his bearing who there on Gawain did wait. 670