e is the most direct to the water-bridge, and that
one yonder leads straight to the sword-bridge." Then the knight, who
had been on the cart, says: "Sire, I am ready to share with you without
prejudice: take one of these two routes, and leave the other one to me;
take whichever you prefer." "In truth," my lord Gawain replies, "both of
them are hard and dangerous: I am not skilled in making such a choice,
and hardly know which of them to take; but it is not right for me
to hesitate when you have left the choice to me: I will choose the
water-bridge." The other answers: "Then I must go uncomplainingly to the
sword-bridge, which I agree to do." Thereupon, they all three part, each
one commending the others very courteously to God. And when she sees
them departing, she says: "Each one of you owes me a favour of my
choosing, whenever I may choose to ask it. Take care not to forget
that." "We shall surely not forget it, sweet friend," both the knights
call out. Then each one goes his own way, and he of the cart is occupied
with deep reflections, like one who has no strength or defence against
love which holds him in its sway. His thoughts are such that he
totally forgets himself, and he knows not whether he is alive or dead,
forgetting even his own name, not knowing whether he is armed or not, or
whither he is going or whence he came. Only one creature he has in mind,
and for her his thought is so occupied that he neither sees nor hears
aught else. [49] And his horse bears him along rapidly, following no
crooked road, but the best and the most direct; and thus proceeding
unguided, he brings him into an open plain. In this plain there was a
ford, on the other side of which a knight stood armed, who guarded it,
and in his company there was a damsel who had come on a palfrey. By this
time the afternoon was well advanced, and yet the knight, unchanged and
unwearied, pursued his thoughts. The horse, being very thirsty, sees
clearly the ford, and as soon as he sees it, hastens toward it. Then he
on the other side cries out: "Knight, I am guarding the ford, and forbid
you to cross." He neither gives him heed, nor hears his words, being
still deep in thought. In the meantime, his horse advanced rapidly
toward the water. The knight calls out to him that he will do wisely to
keep at a distance from the ford, for there is no passage that way; and
he swears by the heart within his breast that he will smite him if he
enters the water. But h