Then he spake to the squire, 'Now tell me if Sir Gawain be glad at heart?' 355 'Yea, sire, at thy will, with the joyful I ween shall he have his part,' (And thus quoth the squire in his wisdom,) 'yet his honour he sure shall lose, And no man fresh joy may give him, if thine aid thou shalt here refuse. At thy succour his gladness waxeth, and from out of dark sorrow's door Shall grief from his heart be banished, if thou hearken his need so sore. 360 As of yore doth he offer service to the queen, and it is his will That the knights of the good Round Table as their comrade account him still, And think on their faith, nor let him be 'spoiled of his honour's meed, But pray thee his cry to hearken, and make to his aid good speed!' Quoth King Arthur, 'Dear friend and comrade, bear this letter unto the queen, 365 Let her read therein, and tell us why our portion hath twofold been, And at one while we joy and we sorrow. How King Gramoflanz is fain In the pride of his heart, and his malice, to work ill to my knight, Gawain; He thinketh for sure that my nephew shall be Eidegast, whom he slew, Thence grief hath he won; deeper sorrow I'ld teach him, and customs new!' 370 Then the squire he would pass where a welcome so kindly he did receive, And he gave to the queen the letter, and many an eye must grieve, And with crystal tears run over, as with sweet lips she read so clear The words that within were written, and the need of Gawain they hear, And his prayer did she read before them; nor long would the squire delay 375 With skill to entreat the ladies, and aid at their hand to pray. King Arthur, Sir Gawain's uncle, he wrought with a hearty will That his vassals might take the journey: nor did she abide her still, Guinevere, the wise and the courteous, for she prayed them make no delay, Her ladies, but bravely deck them, and get on their stately way. 380 Quoth Kay aloud in his anger, 'If ever I dared believe That so gallant a man as Gawain of Norway on earth should live I would cry to him, "Come thou nearer!" Fetch him swift, else he swift will go, As a squirrel away he flasheth, and is lost ere his place ye know!'