For e'en at the hour of noontide, not in secret but openly He came to the court, and the courtiers his garments eyed curiously, And they thought that they well beseemed him, and were such as a squire should wear, And his horse on each flank was wounded, where the spurs they had smitten fair. And, e'en as the queen had taught him, he sprang straightway unto the ground, 335 And a crowd of eager courtiers pressed, thronging, his steed around. Mantle, sword, and spurs, e'en his charger might be lost, he would little care But he gat thro' the crowd to the heroes, and the knights they besought him there, Brought he news of some gallant venture? For the custom was aye of yore, That they ate not, nor man nor maiden, save unto the court they bore 340 The news of some deed of knighthood, and the court might claim its right, If so be 'twas a worthy venture, and one that beseemed a knight. Quoth the squire, 'Nay, I naught may tell ye, for my haste doth not brook delay, Of your courtesy then forgive me, and lead to the king the way, For 'tis meet that I first speak with him, and mine haste it doth work me ill; 345 But my tale shall ye hear, and God teach ye to aid me with right goodwill!' And so did his message urge him he thought not on the thronging crowd, Till the eyes of the king beheld him, and greeting he spake aloud. Then he gave to his hand the letter that bade to King Arthur's heart, As he read it, two guests, joy and sorrow, alike there the twain had part 350 And he spake, 'Hail! the fair day's dawning, by whose light I have read this word, And of thee, O son of my sister, true tidings at last have heard! If in manhood I may but serve thee as kinsman and friend, if faith Ever ruled my heart, 'twill be open to the word that Sir Gawain saith!'