When Gawain erst the bough had broken and its leaves in his helm did wave, 325 Uprode a knight towards him, and his bearing was free and brave. Nor too few were his years nor too many; and in this he his pride had shown, What evil so e'er befell him he fought not with _one_ alone, _Two_ or more must they be, his foemen! So high beat his gallant heart, That whate'er _one_ might do to harm him unscathed might he thence depart. 330 To Gawain this son of King Irôt a fair 'good-morrow' gave, 'Twas King Gramoflanz--'To the garland that doth there in thine helmet wave I yield not my claim!' thus quoth he, 'Sir Knight, were ye _two_ I trow, Who here for high honour seeking had reft from my tree a bough, I had greeted ye not, but had fought ye, but since thou alone shalt be, 335 Thou canst ride hence, for strife unequal I deem it a shame to me!' And Gawain, too, was loth to fight him, for no armour the king did wear, And naught but a yearling falcon he did on his white hand bear. (And the sister of Gawain gave it, Itonjé the maid was hight.) His headgear in Sinzester fashioned was of peacock's plumage bright, 340 And green as grass was the mantle of velvet that wrapped him round, And with ermine lined, and on each side it swept even unto the ground. None too tall yet strong was the charger on which the king did ride, From Denmark by land they brought it, or it came o'er the waters wide. And the monarch he rode unarmèd, nor even a sword would bear. 345 Quoth King Gramoflanz, 'Thou hast foughten, if thy shield may the truth declare, For but little unharmed remaineth, and it seemeth sure to me That the "Lit Merveil" was thy portion, and this venture hath fallen to thee!' 'Now hast thou withstood the peril that myself I were fain to dare, Had not Klingsor been ever friendly, and warfare with her my share 350 Who in Love's strife is ever victor, since her beauty doth win the day; And she beareth fierce wrath against me, and in sooth hath she cause alway! Eidegast have I slain, her husband, and with him I slew heroes four; Orgelusé herself, as my captive, I thence to my kingdom bore, And my crown and my land would I give her, yet what service my hand might yield, 355