Now the squire might betake him homewards, since his errand so well had sped, He gat forth at the early dawning, ere the sun should be high o'erhead, And the queen's chamberlain he gave him a charger, and robes beside, And gold lest his pledge be forfeit, and glad on his way he hied, For had he not won from King Arthur what should end his lord's sorrow sore? 405 And I know not the days of his journey, but in safety he came once more To Château Merveil; then joyful was Arnivé, for as she bade The porter bare news of his coming, how his steed he no whit had stayed, But swiftly had done his errand. Then in secret she made her way To where by the castle drawbridge the squire did his charger stay, 410 And she asked him much of his journey, and why he in haste must ride? Quoth the squire, ''Tis forbidden, Lady! my errand I needs must hide, An oath have I sworn of silence, and my lord he might well be wroth If to thee I should tell the tidings, for so should I break mine oath, And a fool would he surely hold me! Ask himself what thou fain wouldst learn!' 415 Yet she strove still with many a question from his purpose the squire to turn, Then weary was he of her pleading, and in anger this word he spake, 'Without cause dost thou here delay me, for I think not mine oath to break!' So he went where he found his master, and the Turkowit brave Florand, And Lischois, and the lady of Logrois, many ladies did with them stand, 420 And the squire made his way to his master, and up stood the knight Gawain, And he took him aside, and welcome he bade him in joyful strain, 'Now tell unto me, my comrade, the tidings thou here hast brought, If thy news be for joy or for sorrow, what speak they of me at court?'