So came he unto the hero, and with courteous word and fair He prayed of his hand the tribute, and the steed that should be his share. Quoth Gawain, the gallant hero, 'No merchant methinks I be To pay here or toll or tribute, from such tax do I hold me free!' Then he spake out, the master boatman, 'Sir Knight, since full many a maid 675 Hath seen thee stand here the victor, by _thee_ be my tribute paid. My right o'er the plain must thou own here, in knightly joust thine hand Hath won for mine own this charger; nor thy fame shall the lower stand, For he, whom thine hand o'erthrew here, the world with his praises rung, And with truth, unto this day's dawning, have men of his glory sung; 680 But now he of God is stricken, and his joy hath an ending found, But _thou_, in his stead, I think me, with honour and fame art crowned!' Quoth Gawain, 'He first o'erthrew me, and I but that deed repaid. If tribute for joust be due here, by _him_ be that tribute paid! Look well on this mare, he won it, thou canst take it if such thy will. 685 The charger that standeth by me, as mine own will I claim it still-- Tho' never a steed be thy portion, on _that_ steed I hence will go, Thou speakest of _right_, wouldst thou take it, then first I would have thee know (Yea, thou thyself wilt own it) 'tis unfitting I take my way Afoot, and right sore 'twould grieve me if that charger were thine alway! 690 For to-day in the early morning it was _mine_ without doubt or fear, And childish thou art if thou thinkest thus lightly to win it here! 'Twas Duke Orilus, the Burgundian, who gave me the steed of old, Which Urian stole this morning, and the tale thou for truth shalt hold. And the foal of a mule shalt thou win thee ere thy prize be this steed of mine-- 695 Yet a fair gift in sooth will I give thee, for the _steed_ shall the _knight_ be thine, Thou accountest him honour-worthy--if he say thee or yea or nay, And if well or ill it doth please him I abide by my word alway!'