hty and horrible that the
blood rayeth out from the Lord of the Moors by the mouth and the nose
so that his habergeon is all bloody thereof and he may no more endure.
Thereupon he yieldeth him prisoner to Messire Gawain, that is right
glad thereof and his five knights likewise. The Lord of the Moors
goeth to his tent to alight, and Messire Gawain with him and alighteth.
And Messire Gawain taketh the horse and saith to one of the knights,
"Keep this for me."

And all the knights are repaired to their tents, and with one accord
say they all that the knight of the Red Shield with the eagle of gold
thereon hath done better than we, and they ask the Lord of the Moors
whether he accordeth with them, and he saith "Aye."

"Sir," saith he to Messire Gawain, "You, then, are the warden of this
castle of Camelot."

"Gramercy, lord!" saith Messire Gawain. He calleth the five knights
and saith unto them: "Lords, my will is that you be there on my behalf
and that you shall safeguard the same by consent of the knights that
are here present."

"Sir, right gladly do we agree thereto."

"Sir," saith Messire Gawain to the Lord of the Moors, "I give you
moreover as my prisoner to the Widow Lady that harboured me last night."

"Sir," saith he, "This have you no right to do. Assembly of tourney is
not war. Hence have you no right to imprison my body in castle, for
well am I able to pay my ransom here. But tell me, what is your name?"

"I am called Gawain."

"Ha, Messire Gawain, many a time have I heard tell of you albeit never
tofore have I seen you. But sith that the castle of Camelot is in your
keeping, I promise you loyally that before a year and a day neither the
castle nor none of the Lady's land need fear nought from me nor from
any other so far forth as I may hinder him, and hereto do I pledge me
in the presence of all these knights that are here. And, so you would
have of me gold or silver, thereof will I give you at your will."

"Sir," saith Messire Gawain, "Gramercy! I consent freely to as much as
you have said."

Messire Gawain taketh leave and turneth him again toward the castle of
Camelot, and sendeth by a squire the horse of the Lord of the Moors to
the daughter of the Widow Lady, that made great joy thereof. And the
five knights drive before them the horses they have taken booty.
Whereof great also was the joy. No need to wonder whether Messire
Gawain were well harboured that night at the castle. He recou