es and wealth
from Babylon to Ghent would he let Meleagant escape, if he once got him
in his power: for he has him to thank for too much harm and shame! But
events will soon turn out so as to make this possible; for this very
Meleagant, whom he threatens and presses hard, had already come to court
that day without being summoned by any one; and the first thing he did
was to search until he found my lord Gawain. Then the rascally proven
traitor asks him about Lancelot, whether he had been seen or found, as
if he himself did not know the truth. As a matter of fact, he did not
know the truth, although he thought he knew it well enough. And Gawain
told him, as was true, that he had not been seen, and that he had not
come. "Well, since I don't find him," says Meleagant, "do you come and
keep the promise you made me: I shall not longer wait for you." Then
Gawain makes answer: "I will keep presently my word with you, if it
please God in whom I place my trust. I expect to discharge my debt to
you. But if it comes to throwing dice for points, and I should throw
a higher number than you, so help me God and the holy faith, I'll not
withdraw, but will keep on until I pocket all the stakes." [428] Then
without delay Gawain orders a rug to be thrown down and spread before
him. There was no snivelling or attempt to run away when the squires
heard this command, but without grumbling or complaint they execute
what he commands. They bring the rug and spread it out in the place
indicated; then he who had sent for it takes his seat upon it and gives
orders to be armed by the young men who were standing unarmed before
him. There were two of them, his cousins or nephews, I know not
which, but they were accomplished and knew what to do. They arm him so
skilfully and well that no one could find any fault in the world with
them for any mistake in what they did. When they finished arming him,
one of them went to fetch a Spanish steed able to cross the fields,
woods, hills, and valleys more swiftly than the good Bucephalus. [429]
Upon a horse such as you have heard Gawain took his seat--the admired
and most accomplished knight upon whom the sign of the Cross was ever
made. Already he was about to seize his shield, when he saw Lancelot
dismount before him, whom he was not expecting to see. He looked at
him in amazement, because he had come so unexpectedly; and, if I am not
wrong, he was as much surprised as if he had fallen from the clouds.
However