So smooth 'neath his feet the pavement, scarce might be his footing hold, Then fain would he seek the venture, but, so is the marvel told, As ever he stood before it the couch from its station fled, And swift as the winds of heaven o'er the glittering floor it sped. 230 (And Gawain he found all too heavy the shield that his hand gripped fast, And yet did his host give counsel it should ne'er on one side be cast.) Thought Gawain, 'Now, how may I reach thee, since still thou dost fly from me? Methinks thou shalt have a lesson, it may be I may spring to thee!' Then still stood the couch before him, and straight from the ground he leapt 235 And stood firm in the midst of the marvel, and again o'er the floor it swept, And hither and thither turning in the four walls its goal it found, And blow upon blow fell swiftly, till the Burg echoed back the sound. And many a charge did he ride there, with crash, as of thunder-cloud, Or as trumpeters blow together when their blasts thro' the hall ring loud, 240 And the one vieth with the other, and each for a fair prize blows. Less loud should have been their tumult than the tumult that there arose! And waken and watch must Sir Gawain, altho' on a bed he lay. How best might the hero guard him? The noise he was fain to stay, And his head with his shield he covered--There he lay, and would wait His will 245 Who hath help in His power, and helpeth all those who entreat Him still, And shutteth His ear to no man who in sorrow for aid doth pray. And the man who is wise and steadfast, as dawneth his sorrow's day, Doth call on the hand of the Highest, that shall ne'er be too short to reach, And the aid that shall meet their lacking He sendeth to all and each. 250 And so was it now with Gawain--Thro' Whose grace he had gotten fame, He called on His power and His mercy to shelter him here from shame.