But Arnivé was 'ware of his weeping, and quoth, 'Now shalt thou begin To joy with the shout of rejoicing, thus comfort we all shall win. 'Gainst sorrow shouldst thou defend thee--See the host that now draweth nigh, Methinks 'tis the Duchess' army, with their coming shall joy wax high.' 560 Now many a tent and banner they saw wind across the plain, But _one_ shield did they bear before them, and Arnivé beheld again, And she knew, as of yore, the blazon, and Isayé she called the name Of the knight, he should be king's marshal, and Uther Pendragon came! But the shield it was borne by another, graceful of limb and tall, 565 And she said, 'He shall be _queen's_ marshal, and _Maurin_ his name they call.' But little she knew, Arnivé, that dead were both king and knight, And Maurin, he held the office that afore was his father's right. To the bank in the meadow of conflict rode the host--They who served the queen Found a resting-place for the ladies, and a fair camp it was I ween. 570 By the side of a swift, clear streamlet they set up the tents so fair, And, apart, many goodly circles for the king and his knights prepare. And methinks they had left behind them, wherever the host must ride, A mighty track of hoof-prints on the field and the roadways wide! Gawain, by the mouth of Bené, his host Plippalinòt prayed 575 To hold vessel and boat in safe keeping that no crossing that day be made. And the maid from the hand of Gawain took the first gift of his rich store, 'Twas a swallow, the harp was costly, such as harpers in England bore. Then joyful, she sought her father, and Gawain, he gave command To shut fast the outer portals, since a host at the gate did stand; 580 And old and young they listed the word that he courteous spake: 'On the further side of the river an army its camp doth make, And never, by land or by water, a mightier host I saw, Would they fight, then I pray ye help me my knighthood to prove once more!'