and many a piteous
complaint he made to Sir Gareth, and ever he wept as he had been a
child. With that came his mother, the Queen of Orkney, Dame Morgawse,
and when she saw Sir Gareth readily in the visage she might not weep,
but suddenly fell down in a swoon, and lay there a great while like as
she had been dead. And then Sir Gareth recomforted his mother in such
wise that she recovered and made good cheer. Then the king commanded
that all manner of knights that were under his obeissance should make
their lodging right there for the love of his nephews. And so it was
done, and all manner of purveyance purveyed, that there lacked nothing
that might be gotten of tame nor wild for gold or silver. And then by
the means of the damosel Savage Sir Gawaine and Sir Gareth were healed
of their wounds; and there they sojourned eight days.

Then said King Arthur unto the damosel Savage: I marvel that your
sister, Dame Lionesse, cometh not here to me, and in especial that she
cometh not to visit her knight, my nephew Sir Gareth, that hath had so
much travail for her love. My lord, said the damosel Linet, ye must of
your good grace hold her excused, for she knoweth not that my lord,
Sir Gareth, is here. Go then for her, said King Arthur, that we may
be appointed what is best to be done, according to the pleasure of my
nephew. Sir, said the damosel, that shall be done, and so she rode unto
her sister. And as lightly as she might she made her ready; and she came
on the morn with her brother Sir Gringamore, and with her forty knights.
And so when she was come she had all the cheer that might be done, both
of the king, and of many other kings and queens.

CHAPTER XXXIV. How Sir Gareth acknowledged that they loved each other to
King Arthur, and of the appointment of their wedding.

AND among all these ladies she was named the fairest, and peerless. Then
when Sir Gawaine saw her there was many a goodly look and goodly words,
that all men of worship had joy to behold them. Then came King Arthur
and many other kings, and Dame Guenever, and the Queen of Orkney. And
there the king asked his nephew, Sir Gareth, whether he would have that
lady as paramour, or to have her to his wife. My lord, wit you well that
I love her above all ladies living. Now, fair lady, said King Arthur,
what say ye? Most noble King, said Dame Lionesse, wit you well that my
lord, Sir Gareth, is to me more liefer to have and wield as my husband,
than any king or