So still on the plain she held her, and on rode the gallant knight, 295 And he hearkened the rush of water that had riven a path with might Thro' the plain--it was deep as a valley, and no man its waves might ford; Then Gawain spurred his steed towards it, and he sprung o'er the flood so broad, And yet but the charger's fore-feet might light on the further side, And they fell in the foaming torrent; and the lady in anguish cried, 300 For swift and wide was the water; yet Gawain he had strength enow, Tho' heavy the weight of his armour, for he saw where there grew a bough That hung o'er the foaming torrent, and he grasped it, for life was dear, And he gained on the bank a footing, and he drew from the waves his spear. Up and down the stream swam the charger, and Gawain to its aid would go, 305 Yet so swift was the rush of the water he followed with pain its flow, For heavy I ween his harness, and his wounds they were deep and sore: Then he stretched out his spear as a whirlpool bare the charger towards the shore-- For the rain and the rush of the waters had broken a passage wide, And the bank at the place was shelving, and the steed swept towards the side-- 310 And he caught with the spear its bridle, and drew it towards the land Till the hero at last might reach it and lay on the rein his hand. And Gawain, the gallant hero, drew his horse out upon the plain, And the steed shook itself in safety, nor the torrent as prize might gain The shield--Then he girt his charger, and the shield on his arm he took: 315 And if one weepeth not for his sorrow methinks I the lack may brook, Tho' in sooth was he in sore peril--For love he the venture dared, For the fair face of Orgelusé, his hand to the bough he bared. And I wot, 'twas a gallant journey, and the tree it was guarded well, He was _one_, were he _twain_, for that garland his life must the payment tell. 320 King Gramoflanz, he would guard it, yet Gawain he would pluck the bough. The water, men called it Sabbins, and the tribute was harsh enow That Gawain would fetch when both charger and knight did the wild waves breast. Tho' the lady was fair, _I_ had wooed not! To shun her methinks were best.