Her hand 'neath her chin soft-rounded had loosened the wimple's fold, And flung it aback on her head-gear,--(if a woman ye thus behold, Know ye that for strife she longeth and mischief she hath in mind)-- Would ye know how else she had robed her ye naught in my song shall find, For how might I tell her raiment and name ye her robes aright, 195 When mine eyes, on her fair face gazing, saw naught but her beauty bright? As Gawain drew near the lady, she hailed him with scornful mien, 'Now welcome, thou goose! for of all men most foolish art thou, I ween, All too bent shalt thou be on my service, wert thou wise thou wouldst let it be--' Then he quoth, 'Yet shalt thou be gracious who now art so wroth with me, 200 For so harshly thou dost chastise me thou in honour must make it good, And my hand shall be fain to serve thee till thou winnest a milder mood; Ask thou what of me thou willest--Shall I lift thee upon thy steed?' But she quoth, 'I will no such service, for methinks all too great such meed For a hand that is yet unproven--Ask thou for a lesser grace!' 205 On the flowery sward she turned her, and she looked not on Gawain's face, But she laid her hand on the bridle, and she light to the saddle sprung, And she bade him to ride before her, and she spake with a mocking tongue, 'Now indeed would it be great pity did I stray from so brave a knight, By God's grace will we keep together, so ride thou within my sight!' 210 Now he who my rede would follow his peace shall he hold awhile, Lest he speak but the word of folly, till he know if she wrought of guile, For as yet the truth ye know not, nor the thing that was in her heart. And were it the time for vengeance, then I too might bear my part, And take from this lady payment for the wrong she hath done Gawain; 215 Nor of that she shall do hereafter shall aught unavenged remain.