Gawain sat him by the maiden, (as I heard so the tale I tell,) And soft was his speech and gentle, and his words they beseemed him well. And tho' few were the years of Itonjé yet great was her courtesy, 75 And well did she know how to bear her as a maiden of high degree. And this question he asked the maiden, if a lover she aye had known? And with wisdom she made him answer, 'To whom might my love be shown, For ne'er to a man have I spoken, since the day I first saw the light, Save the words which thou now dost hearken as I speak unto thee, Sir Knight!' 80 'Yet mayst thou have heard the rumour of one who hath bravely fought, And striven for prize of knighthood, and with dauntless heart hath sought Fair service for fair rewarding?' In such wise spake the knight Gawain; But the maiden she quoth, 'Nay, no hero hath striven _my_ love to gain; Yon lady, the Duchess of Logrois, hath many a gallant knight 85 Who serve her for love, or for payment, and hither they come to fight, And we of their jousts are witness, yet none shall have come so nigh As _thou_ hast, Sir Knight, and this conflict thy glory hath raised on high!' Then he quoth to the lovely maiden, 'Whose pathway shall she have crossed With many a chosen hero? Say, who hath her favour lost?' 90 'That, Sir Knight, hath the valiant monarch, King Gramoflanz, he who bore From aforetime the crown of honour; so men say, and _I_ know no more!' Quoth Gawain, 'Thou shalt know more of him, since he draweth the prize anear, And with steadfast heart doth he seek it; from his lips I this tale did hear-- Of true heart would he do thee service, if such service shall be thy will, 95 And help at thine hand he seeketh that thy love may his torment still. It is well that a king face peril, if his lady shall be a queen, And _thou_ art the maid whom he loveth, if King Lot hath thy father been; Thou art she for whom his heart weepeth, if thy name shall Itonjé be, And sorrow of heart dost thou give him--By my mouth would he plead with thee.' 100