less, he
promises them enough to arouse good hope in them. They all alike join in
thanking him, for they place great confidence in his prowess, and they
think he must be a very good man, when they see the lion by his side as
confident as a lamb would be. They take comfort and rejoice because of
the hope they stake on him, and they indulge their grief no more. When
the time came they led him off to bed in a brightly lighted room; both
the damsel and her mother escorted him, for they prized him dearly, and
would have done so a hundred thousand times more had they been informed
of his prowess and courtesy. He and the lion together lay down there and
took their rest. The others dared not sleep in the room; but they closed
the door so tight that they could not come out until the next day at
dawn. When the room was thrown open he got up and heard Mass, and then,
because of the promise he had made, he waited until the hour of prime.
Then in the hearing of all he summoned the lord of the town and said:
"My lord, I have no more time to wait, but must ask your permission
to leave at once; I cannot tarry longer here. But believe truly that
I would gladly and willingly stay here yet awhile for the sake of the
nephews and the niece of my beloved lord Gawain, if I did not have a
great business on hand, and if it were not so far away." At this the
damsel's blood quivered and boiled with fear, as well as the lady's and
the lord's. They were so afraid he would go away that they were on the
point of humbling themselves and casting themselves at his feet, when
they recalled that he would not approve or permit their action. Then the
lord makes him an offer of all he will take of his lands or wealth, if
only he will wait a little longer. And he replied: "God forbid that ever
I should take anything of yours!" Then the damsel, who is in dismay,
begins to weep aloud, and beseeches him to stay. Like one distracted and
prey to dread, she begs him by the glorious queen of heaven and of the
angels, and by the Lord, not to go but to wait a little while; and
then, too, for her uncle's sake, whom he says he knows, and loves, and
esteems. Then his heart is touched with deep pity when he hears her
adjuring him in the name of him whom he loves the most, and by the
mistress of heaven, and by the Lord, who is the very honey and sweet
savour of pity. Filled with anguish he heaved a sigh, for were the
kingdom of Tarsus at stake he would not see her burned to