est
that it compelleth him set his shield over his horse's head lest he be
drowned of the abundance of rain. In this mis-ease rideth he down
beside the river that runneth in the forest until he seeth in a launde
across the river a knight and a damsel right gaily appointed riding at
pleasure, and the knight carrieth a bird on his fist, and the damsel
hath a garland of flowers on her head. Two brachets follow the knight.
The sun shineth right fair on the meadow and the air is right clear and
fresh. Messire Gawain marvelleth much of this, that it raineth so
heavily on his way, whereas, in the meadow where the knight and the
damsel are riding, the sun shineth clear and the weather is bright and
calm. And he seeth them ride joyously. He can ask them naught for
they are too far away. Messire Gawain looketh about and seeth on the
other side the river a squire nearer to him than is the knight.

"Fair friend" saith Messire Gawain, "How is this that it raineth upon
me on this side the river, but on the other raineth it not at all?"

"Sir," saith the squire, "This have you deserved, for such is the
custom of the forest."

"Will this tempest that is over me last for ever?" saith Messire Gawain.

"At the first bridge you come to will it be stayed upon you," saith the
squire.

XXIII.

Therewith the squire departeth, and the tempest rageth incontinent
until he is come to the bridge; and he rideth beyond and cometh to the
meadow, and the storm is stayed so that he setteth his shield to rights
again upon his neck. And he seeth before him a castle where was a
great company of folk that were making great cheer. He rideth until he
cometh to the castle and seeth right great throng of folk, knights and
dames and damsels. Messire Gawain alighteth, but findeth in the castle
none that is willing to take his reins, so busied are they making
merry. Messire Gawain presenteth himself on the one side and the other,
but all of them avoid him, and he seeth that he maketh but an ill stay
therewithin for himself, wherefore he departeth from the castle and
meeteth a knight at the gate.

"Sir," saith he, "What castle is this?"

"And see you not," saith the knight, "that it is a castle of joy?"

"By my faith" saith Messire Gawain, "They of the castle be not
over-courteous, for all this time hath none come to take my reins."

"Not for this lose they their courtesy," saith the knight, "For this is
no more than you have deserved. They t