Then mournful I ween was the maiden, as Gawain to the saddle sprung, And all they who stood around her they wept and their hands they wrung, Then he quoth to his host, 'God grant me that hereafter I may repay 115 The care and the kindly counsel I have won from thy lips to-day.' Then leave did he pray of the maiden, and her sorrow was sore to see, He rode hence, and they whom he left here they mourned for him bitterly. And now, if ye fain would hearken what unto Gawain befell, The tale of his wondrous venture right gladly to ye I'll tell. 160 And in this wise I heard the story--As he came to the castle gate, A merchant with merchandise costly without did his coming wait. And so rich were his wares, and precious, that in sooth I were glad at heart If I, in so great a treasure, my portion might bear and part. Then, Sir Gawain, he sprang from his charger, for ne'er had he seen before 165 Outspread in the open market such goods as were here in store. And the booth was of velvet fashioned, four-square, and both wide and high, And that which lay there for purchase no monarch might lightly buy. The Baruch of Bagdad scarcely had paid that which lay therein; Nor the Patriarch of Rankulat might think him such prize to win. 170 Yea, and great as shall be the treasure that was found but awhile ago In the land of the Greeks yet their Emperor such riches might hardly know! And e'en if these twain had helped him the price he had failed to pay That a man must count for the treasure that here before Gawain lay.