Now Meriadus made the lists ready for a great jousting, and called to that tournament all the knights who would aid him in his war.  Many a lord came at his bidding, and with them Gugemar, amongst the first.  Meriadus had sent letters to the knight, beseeching him, as friend and companion, not to fail him in this business.  So Gugemar hastened to the need of his lord, and at his back more than one hundred spears.  All these Meriadus welcomed very gladly, and gave them lodging within his tower.  In honour of his guest, the prince sent two gentlemen to his sister, praying her to attire herself richly, and come to hall, together with the dame whom he loved so dearly well.  These did as they were bidden, and arrayed in their sweetest vesture, presently entered in the hall, holding each other by the hand.  Very pale and pensive was the lady, but when she heard her lover’s name her feet failed beneath her, and had not the maiden held her fast, she would have fallen on the floor.  Gugemar rose from his seat at the sight of the dame, her fashion and her semblance, and stood staring upon her.  He went a little apart, and said within himself, “Can this be my sweet friend, my hope, my heart, my life, the fair lady who gave me the grace of her love?  From whence comes she; who might have brought her to this far land?  But I speak in my folly, for well I know that this is not my dear.  A little red, a little white, and all women are thus shapen.  My thoughts are troubled, by reason that the sweetness of this lady resembles the sweetness of that other, for whom my heart sighs and trembles.  Yet needs must that I have speech of the lady.”

Gugemar drew near to the dame.  He kissed her courteously, and found no word to utter, save to pray that he might be seated at her side.  Meriadus spied upon them closely, and was the more heavy because of their trouble.  Therefore he feigned mirth.

“Gugemar, dear lord, if it pleases you, let this damsel essay to untie the knot of your sark, if so be she may loosen the coil.”

Gugemar made answer that very willingly he would do this thing.  He called to him a squire who had the shirt in keeping, and bade him seek his charge, and deliver it to the dame.  The lady took the sark in hand.  Well she knew the knot that she had tied so cunningly, and was so willing to unloose; but for reason of the trouble at her heart, she did not dare essay.  Meriadus marked the distress of the damsel, and was more sorrowful than ever was lover before.

“Lady,” said he, “do all that you are able to unfasten this coil.”

So at his commandment she took again to her the hem of the shirt, and lightly and easily unravelled the tie.

Gugemar marvelled greatly when he saw this thing.  His heart told him that of a truth this was his lady, but he could not give faith to his eyes.

“Friend, are you indeed the sweet comrade I have known?  Tell me truly now, is there about your body the girdle with which I girt you in your own realm?”