shall fall. And the stake is full many a maiden fast bound in a magic thrall, No man ere this day hath freed them--And with them many noble knights 95 Shall lie as yet imprisoned; and if thou with hand of might Shall loose them, thou winnest glory, and God showeth grace to thee, And joyful, o'er light and beauty, king and ruler thou sure shalt be! And maidens from many a country shall honour thee as their king. Nor think, if thou now dost ride hence, such deed shame on thee should bring, 100 Since on this field Lischois Giwellius hath yielded him to thine hand, And left unto thee his honour; who erstwhile in every land Hath done gallant deeds of knighthood, of right may I praise his name, No knight showed a higher courage, or won him a fairer fame. And in no heart the root of virtue it showeth such fair increase 105 In blossom and flower of God's planting, save in Ither of Gaheviess!' 'And he who at Nantes slew Prince Ither my ship bare but yesterday, Five steeds hath he given unto me, (God keep him in peace alway,) Princes and kings once rode them, but now they afar must fare, And tidings of him who o'erthrew them must they carry to Pelrapär. 110 For thus have they sworn the victor--His shield telleth many a tale Of jousting so fair and knightly--He rode hence to seek the Grail!' Quoth Gawain, 'Say, whence came he hither? Mine host, since he rode so near, Knew he naught of the wondrous venture? Or did he the marvel hear?' 'Sir Knight, ne'er a word hath he heard here, I guarded me all too well, 115 Lest unseemly my deed be reckoned if unasked I the tale should tell. And hadst thou thyself not asked me thou never from me hadst known The venture that here awaits thee, wrought of terror and pain alone. If thou wilt not forego this peril, and thy life shall the forfeit pay, Then never a greater sorrow have we known than we know to-day. 120 But if thou shalt here be victor, and over this land shalt reign, Then my poverty hath an ending, and my loss shall be turned to gain; Such trust in thy free hand have I, I shall joy without sorrow know If thy glory here winneth glory, and thy body be not laid low!'