'An thou count it me not for dishonour,' quoth the king, 'here my name be told, King Irôt he was my father, who was slain by King Lot of old. And King Gramoflanz do men call me, and my heart doth such valour know That never, for evil done me, will I fight with but one for foe, 390 Saving one man alone, hight Gawain, of _him_ have I heard such fame That to fight with him I am ready, and vengeance from him I claim. For his father he dealt with treason, in fair greeting my father slew, Good cause have I here for mine anger and the words that I speak are true. Now dead is King Lot, and Gawain, his fame o'er all knights stands high 395 Of the Table Round, and I yearn still till the day of our strife draw nigh.' Then out quoth King Lot's son dauntless, 'Wouldst pleasure thy lady still, If indeed she shall be thy lady, and dost speak of her father ill? And reckonest to him false treason, and her brother art fain to slay! Then indeed must she be false maiden if she mourn not thy deeds alway! 400 If true daughter she were, and sister, for the twain would she surely speak, And forbid thee, methinks, thine hatred on kinsmen so near to wreak. If so be that thy true love's father hath broken his troth, yet thou Shouldst, as kinsman, avenge the evil that men spake of the dead, I trow! His _son_ will not fear to do so, and little methinks he'll care 405 If small aid in his need he findeth from the love of his sister fair. He, himself, will be pledge for his father, and his sin be upon _my_ head, For Sir King, I who speak am Gawain, and thou warrest not with the dead! But I, from such shame to free him, what honour be mine or fame, In strife will I give to the scourging ere thou slander my father's name!' 410