'Now if thou be true and faithful of his woe wilt thou make an end, And _both_ would I serve right gladly--This ring he to thee doth send, I prithee to take it, Lady! In sooth do I mean thee well, And if thou wilt trust unto me no word of the tale I'll tell!' Then crimson she blushed, the maiden, and e'en as her lips were red 105 So red grew her cheek, yet the blushes as they came so they swiftly sped. And she stretched forth her hand so shyly toward the little ring of gold, For e'en at a glance she knew it, and her hand did the token hold. Then she spake, 'Now, Sir Knight, I see well, if I freely to thee may speak, That thou comest from him, whom, desiring, my heart doth for ever seek. 110 My words shalt thou still hold secret, as courtesy biddeth thee, This ring have I seen aforetime, for it oft hath been sent to me; From the hand of the king it cometh, and I know it for token true, From my hand did he first receive it. What sorrow so e'er he knew, Of that do I hold me guiltless; what he asked, that in thought I gave, 115 Had we met I had ne'er withholden the boon he from me did crave.' 'This day have I kissed Orgelusé, who thinketh his death to win, I ween 'twas the kiss of Judas which all men count to him for sin! And honour and faith forsook me, when the Turkowit, brave Florand, And Gowerzein's Duke, fair Lischois, I kissed here at thy command. 120 From my heart I might not forgive them, for my true love they hate alway-- But speak thou no word to my mother.' Thus the maiden Gawain did pray. 'Sir Knight, it was _thou_ didst pray me to take from their lips this kiss, Tho' no will for forgiveness had I, and my heart sickeneth sore for this! If joy shall be e'er our portion, our help in thine hand shall be, 125 And I know well, above all women, the king he desireth me; And his will shall he have, for I love him o'er all men on earth that live-- God send thee good help and good counsel, that joy thou to us mayst give!'