And well might Gawain have told her, the Duchess, that to his aid 615 They had ridden her land, then, I wot well, no strife had their way delayed, But he would that no lips should tell her till her own eye the truth had seen-- Then he dealt as should well befit him had King Arthur his foeman been, And made ready to march against him with rich tents and warlike gear. And no man of them all repented that he came as a stranger here, 620 For with open hand Sir Gawain his gifts upon all did shower In such wise that ye might have deemed well he drew nigh to his dying hour. And servant, and knight, and lady, they looked on his gifts so fair, And all, with one mouth, they praised him who brought help in their sore despair; And all, for his sake, were joyful--Then the hero he bade prepare 625 Strong chargers, and well-trained palfreys, such as well might a lady bear. Nor the knights should be lacking armour--Strong squires in coat of mail Were ready to do his bidding, nor should one of their number fail. And in this wise he gave his orders, four knights he aside did take: His chamberlain one; and another, cup-bearer he fain would make; 630 The third he would make his steward; and his marshal the fourth should be, For this was his prayer, and the four knights said 'Yea' to him willingly. At peace lay King Arthur's army, and no greeting did Gawain send, Yet I wot well it sorely grieved him! With the morning the host did wend, With the blast of many a trumpet, their way unto Ioflanz' plain, 635 And the rear-guard was armed, yet no foeman did they find in their path again.