But Orgelusé, that lovely lady, bare herself in no friendly wise, For she rode in the track of Gawain, and so wrathful, I ween, her guise That were I in the stead of Gawain little comfort my soul might take That she from my care would free me, and with fair love atonement make. 220 Then they rode on an open moorland, and a herb did Sir Gawain see Whose root had the power of healing, and down to the ground sprang he, And dug up the root, and swiftly he sprang on his steed again. And the lady she looked upon him, and she spake in a mocking vein, 'Now in sooth if this my companion can at one-while be leech and knight, 225 For starvation he need not fear him if his salve-box he bear aright!' Quoth Gawain, ''Neath a mighty linden a wounded knight I saw, Methinks, if again I find him, this herb shall the poison draw From his wounds, and new strength may give him!' She spake, 'Now I well were fain To look on thy skill, for who knoweth what knowledge I thence may gain!' 230 Now a squire he rode swift behind them, 'twas the lady's messenger, Fain was he to do her bidding--As the horse-hoofs they drew anear Gawain would await his coming, and his steed for a space he held, Yet he deemed him he saw a monster when first he the squire beheld, For Malcréature did they call him, and Kondrie was his sister fair, 235 And e'en such a face as the sister, I ween, did the brother bear. From his mouth, as the tusks of a wild-boar, stood the teeth out to left and right, Unlike was his face to a man's face, and fearful in all men's sight. And the locks of his hair were shorter than those which from Kondrie hung Adown on her mule, stiff as bristles, and sharp, from his head they sprung. 240 And beside the river Ganges, in the land of Tribalibot, Dwell such folk, if awhile ye hearken ye shall learn how befell their lot.