Then Gawain for his perilous journey was armed 'neath the light of eyes 195 Tear-dimmed, and they secret held it, and none knew save the merchant wise. And they bade him the steed make ready, and the hero he slowly stept To the place where his charger waited--nor light on its back he leapt, But scarcely his shield might he carry, for in sooth was he wounded sore. And thro' centre and rim was it piercèd, and traces of battle bore! 200 Then again he bestrode his charger, and he turned from the Burg away, And he rode to his host so faithful; and never he said him Nay, But all that he asked he gave him, a spear both strong and new, (Many such had, I ween, been his tribute from that plain where they jousted true,) Then Gawain bade him ship him over, in a ferry they sought the shore, 205 And the Turkowit, who high courage and the thought of sure victory bore; For so well against shame was he armèd that ill-deeds from before him fled, And his fame was so high accounted, that they made of the sward their bed Who would ride a joust against him--From their charger they needs must fall, And of those who had faced his valour, his spear had o'erthrown them all. 210 And this was the rule of the hero, that by spear-thrust, and no sword-blade, Would he win to him fame in battle, or his honour be prostrate laid. And to him who should face his onslaught, and o'erthrow him, the self-same day Would he yield, nor defend him further, but would give him his pledge straightway.