'The Duchess, is she, of Logrois,' quoth Gawain in his courtesy, 725 'In her service have I come hither, and, so it was told to me, Thou thyself hast sought her dwelling, and how it rejoiced thee there, Thou canst without shame declare us, as a widower dost thou fare.' Quoth Arthur, 'She doth, as her captive, thy kinsman Gaherjet hold, And Garel, who in many a conflict hath shown h'm a hero bold; 730 From my very side was he taken, one charge had we made so nigh That almost we gained the portal, when lo! from the gate did fly Meljanz of Lys! How he battled! On high flew a banner white And the host who fought beneath it took captive my gallant knight. And the banner it bare a blazon of crimson, a bleeding heart, 735 And right through the midst was it pierced by the shaft of a sable dart, As one who to death is smitten--'Lirivoin' was the battle-cry Of the army who fought beneath it, and their hand did the victory buy. My nephew, Iofreit, was taken, and grief for his sake I know-- Yestreen did I keep the rear-guard, and the chance it hath worked me woe!' 740 Sore mourned the king for his sorrow--quoth the Duchess, with courteous mien, 'Sire, I speak thee free of all shaming, I had greeted thee not, I ween. Thou mayst well have wrought me evil, tho' no wrong had I done to thee, And I would that God's wisdom teach thee that harm to make good to me. The knight to whose aid thou camest, if combat with me he dared, 745 Hath found me, methinks, defenceless, with side to the foeman bared. If yet for such strife he lusteth, nor of conflict hath had his fill, With never a sword or a weapon I think to withstand him still.' Then Gawain, he quoth to King Arthur, 'Wilt thou that we fill the plain With knights? For we well can do so--I think me such grace to gain 750 From the Duchess that all the captives from thine host she will swiftly free, And, many a new spear bearing, her knighthood we here may see.' 'Yea, such were my will,' quoth Arthur; then the Duchess she gave command, And many a gallant hero she summoned from Logrois' land-- And I wot well a host so goodly the earth ne'er had seen before-- 755 Then Gawain, he prayed leave of the monarch, he would to his tent withdraw, And the king's will was e'en as Gawain's, and all they who hither rode With the knight, they turned their bridles, and with him in his camp abode.