e." "My lady, there is
no force so strong, in truth, as that which commands me to conform
absolutely to your desire. I do not fear to carry out any order you
may be pleased to give. And if I could atone for the death, which came
through no fault of mine, I would do so cheerfully." "What?" says she,
"come tell me now and be forgiven, if you did no wrong in killing my
lord?" "Lady," he says, "if I may say it, when your lord attacked me,
why was I wrong to defend myself? When a man in self-defence kills
another who is trying to kill or capture him, tell me if in any way he
is to blame." "No, if one looks at it aright. And I suppose it would
have been no use, if I had had you put to death. But I should be glad
to learn whence you derive the force that bids you to consent
unquestioningly to whatever my will may dictate. I pardon you all your
misdeeds and crimes. But be seated, and tell us now what is the cause of
your docility?" "My lady," he says, "the impelling force comes from
my heart, which is inclined toward you. My heart has fixed me in this
desire." "And what prompted your heart, my fair sweet friend?" "Lady, my
eyes." "And what the eyes?" "The great beauty that I see in you." "And
where is beauty's fault in that?" "Lady, in this: that it makes me
love." "Love? And whom?" "You, my lady dear." "I?" "Yes, truly."
"Really? And how is that?" "To such an extent that my heart will not
stir from you, nor is it elsewhere to be found; to such an extent that I
cannot think of anything else, and I surrender myself altogether to you,
whom I love more than I love myself, and for whom, if you will, I am
equally ready to die or live." "And would you dare to undertake the
defence of my spring for love of me?" "Yes, my lady, against the world."
"Then you may know that our peace is made."

(Vv. 2037-2048.) Thus they are quickly reconciled. And the lady, having
previously consulted her lords, says: "We shall proceed from here to the
hall where my men are assembled, who, in view of the evident need, have
advised and counselled me to take a husband at their request. And I
shall do so, in view of the urgent need: here and now I give myself to
you; for I should not refuse to accept as lord, such a good knight and a
king's son."

(Vv. 2049-2328.) Now the damsel has brought about exactly what she had
desired. And my lord Yvain's mastery is more complete than could be told
or described; for the lady leads him away to the hall, which was full