"What if you fall? (since thus you tempt the Fates) 66 The yew will flourish where the lily fades; The laidliest widows find consoling mates With far less trouble than the comeliest maids; Wherefore, Sir Husband, have a cheerful mind, Whate'er may chance your wife will be resign'd." That loving comfort, arguing sense discreet, 67 But coldly pleased the knight's ungrateful ear, But while devising still some vile retreat, The trumpets flourish and the walls frown near; Just as the witching night begins to fall They pass the gates and enter in the hall. Soon in those times primaeval came the hour 68 When balmy sleep did wasted strength repair, They led Sir Gawaine to the lady's bower, Unbraced his mail, and left him with the fair; Then first, demurely seated side by side, The dolorous bridegroom gazed upon the bride. No iron heart had he of golden tongue, 69 To beauty none by nature were politer; The bride was tall and buxom, fresh and young, And while he gazed, his tearful eyes grew brighter; "'For good, for better,' runs the sacred verse, Sith now no better--let me brave the worse." With that he took and kiss'd the lady's hand, 70 The lady smiled, and Gawaine's heart grew bolder, When from the roof by some unseen command, Flash'd down a sword and smote him on the shoulder-- The knight leapt up, sore-bleeding from the stroke, While from the lattice caw'd the merriest croak! Aghast he gazed--the sword within the roof 71 Again had vanish'd; nought was to be seen-- He felt his shoulder, and remain'd aloof. "Fair dame," quoth he, "explain what this may mean." The bride replied not, hid her face and wept; Slow to her side, with caution, Gawaine crept. "Nay, weep not, sweetheart, but a scratch--no more," 72 He bent to kiss the dew-drops from his rose, When presto down the glaive enchanted shore-- Gawaine leapt back in time to save his nose. "Ah, cruel father," groan'd the lady then, "I hoped, at least, thou wert content with ten!" "Ten what?" said Gawaine.--"Gallant knights like thee, 73 Who fought and conquer'd my deceitful sire; Married, as thou, to miserable me, And doom'd, as thou, beneath the sword to expire-- By this device he gains their arms and steeds, So where force fails him, there the fraud succeeds." "Foul felon host," the wrathful knight exclaims, 74 "Foul wizard bird, no doubt in league with him! Have they no dread lest all good knights and dames Save fiends their task, and rend them limb from limb? But thou for Gawaine ne'er shalt be a mourner, Thou keep the couch, and I--yon farthest corner!"