By the dais he marks this marvel of a man,
And courteously accosts him, that coward was never:
“Ye are welcome, good wight, I wis, to this place;
I am head of this hostel, Arthur my name;
May it list you alight, and lodge here, I pray you,
And whatso your will is, we shall weet after.”
“Nay, so help me,” said he, “the high God in heaven.
To wone any while, it was not mine errand.
’Tis because thy fame, Sir, is flaunted so high,
And thy burg and thy barons the best are holden,
Stoutest under steel-gear on steed to ride,
Worthiest and wightest of the world’s children,
Proved men to play with in all pure games,
And here courtesy is custom (I know it by tale),
That I have wended me hither, I wis, at this tide.
Full sure may ye be by this branch that I bear,
That I pass as in peace, and no peril I seek;
For with force had I fared in fighting array,
I have a hauberk at home and a helmet too,
A shield and a sharp spear, shining all bright,
And other weapons to wield, full well do I know;
But war I would not, and my weeds are the softer.
If so hardy thou be as by all thou art holden,
Thou wilt grant of thy grace the game that I ask
by right.”
Arthur made answer clear,
Said he, “Sir courteous knight,
If thou crave combat here
Thou failest not to fight.”