o'clock, [48] and then at a crossroads they met a
damsel, whom they both saluted, each asking and requesting her to
tell them, if she knows, whither the Queen has been taken. Replying
intelligently, she said to them: "If you would pledge me your word, I
could set you on the right road and path, and I would tell you the name
of the country and of the knight who is conducting her; but whoever
would essay to enter that country must endure sore trials, for before
he could reach there he must suffer much." Then my lord Gawain replies:
"Damsel, so help me God, I promise to place all my strength at your
disposal and service, whenever you please, if you will tell me now the
truth." And he who had been on the cart did not say that he would pledge
her all his strength; but he proclaims, like one whom love makes
rich, powerful and bold for any enterprise, that at once and without
hesitation he will promise her anything she desires, and he puts himself
altogether at her disposal. "Then I will tell you the truth," says
she. Then the damsel relates to them the following story: "In truth, my
lords, Meleagant, a tall and powerful knight, son of the King of Gorre,
has taken her off into the kingdom whence no foreigner returns, but
where he must perforce remain in servitude and banishment." Then they
ask her: "Damsel, where is this country? Where can we find the way
thither?" She replies: "That you shall quickly learn; but you may be
sure that you will meet with many obstacles and difficult passages, for
it is not easy to enter there except with the permission of the king,
whose name is Bademagu; however, it is possible to enter by two very
perilous paths and by two very difficult passage-ways. One is called the
water-bridge, because the bridge is under water, and there is the same
amount of water beneath it as above it, so that the bridge is exactly in
the middle; and it is only a foot and a half in width and in thickness.
This choice is certainly to be avoided, and yet it is the less dangerous
of the two. In addition there are a number of other obstacles of which I
will say nothing. The other bridge is still more impracticable and much
more perilous, never having been crossed by man. It is just like a sharp
sword, and therefore all the people call it 'the sword-bridge'. Now I
have told you all the truth I know." But they ask of her once again:
"Damsel, deign to show us these two passages." To which the damsel makes
reply: "This road her