n! And yet it is only right to
pardon you this time; for it never happened to you before." Thereupon
my lord Yvain approached the King, leading the horse in his hand by the
bridle, and wishing to make it over to him. "Sire," says he, "now take
this steed, for I should do wrong to keep back anything of yours." "And
who are you?" the King replies; "I should never know you, unless I heard
your name, or saw you without your arms." Then my lord told him who
he was, and Kay was overcome with shame, mortified, humbled, and
discomfited, for having said that he had run away. But the others were
greatly pleased, and made much of the honour he had won. Even the King
was greatly gratified, and my lord Gawain a hundred times more than any
one else. For he loved his company more than that of any other knight
he knew. And the King requested him urgently to tell him, if it be his
will, how he had fared; for he was very curious to learn all about his
adventure; so the King begs him to tell the truth. And he soon told him
all about the service and kindness of the damsel, not passing over
a single word, not forgetting to mention anything. And after this he
invited the King and all his knights to come to lodge with him, saying
they would be doing him great honour in accepting his hospitality. And
the King said that for an entire week he would gladly do him the honour
and pleasure, and would bear him company. And when my lord Yvain had
thanked him, they tarry no longer there, but mount and take the most
direct road to the town. My lord Yvain sends in advance of the company
a squire beating a crane-falcon, in order that they might not take the
lady by surprise, and that her people might decorate the streets against
the arrival of the King. When the lady heard the news of the King's
visit she was greatly pleased; nor was there any one who, upon hearing
the news, was not happy and elated. And the lady summons them all and
requests them to go to meet him, to which they make no objection or
remonstrance, all being anxious to do her will.

(Vv. 2329-2414.) [316] Mounted on great Spanish steeds, they all go to
meet the King of Britain, saluting King Arthur first with great courtesy
and then all his company. "Welcome," they say, "to this company, so full
of honourable men! Blessed be he who brings them hither and presents us
with such fair guests!" At the King's arrival the town resounds with
the joyous welcome which they give. Silken stuffs are tak