'Now arm thee for deadly warfare!'--unarmed was as yet Gawain, 125 'Now I prithee bring here my harness!' and the host to his will was fain. And from head to foot she armed him, the maiden fair and tall, And her father he sought the charger--Now a shield hung upon the wall, And the wood it was tough and well hardened, (else Gawain ne'er this tale might tell,) And the shield and the horse were brought him--and the host he bethought him well; 130 And, as once more he stood before him, he spake, 'List thou well, Sir Knight, I will tell thee how thou shalt bear thee, and guard thee thy life in fight:' 'My shield shalt thou carry with thee! Of war shall it bear no trace For but seldom I strive in battle, nor I count it me as disgrace. When thou comest, Sir Knight, to the castle, do this, it shall serve thy steed: 135 At the doorway a merchant sitteth, buy of him that which thou shalt need, Then give him thy steed, he will hold it, nor care thou what thou shalt buy, As a pledge will he hold thy charger, and will give it thee joyfully If unhurt from the Burg thou comest!' Quoth Gawain, 'Say, shall I not ride?' 'Nay, nay, for sore peril neareth, and the maidens their faces hide!' 140 'Thou shalt find that fair palace lonely, deserted by great and small, And no token of living creature shalt thou see in that stately hall. And may God's grace watch o'er thy footsteps, and His blessing go with thine hand When thou comest into the chamber where the "Lit Merveil" shall stand. And the couch, and the rollers beneath it, in Morocco they first were made 145 For the Ruler of all the Faithful; and were it in the balance weighed 'Gainst all treasures of crown and kingdom it still would outweigh them all. And I wot, there shall ill o'ertake thee, and God knoweth what shall befall, But I pray that the end be joyful! Yet hearken, Sir Knight, to me, This sword and this shield that thou holdest, in thine hand must they ever be, 150 For surely when thou shalt think thee that the peril hath done its worst, Then _first_ mayst thou look for conflict, and _then_ shall the storm-cloudburst!'