And while they listen’d for the distant hunt, And chiefly for the baying of Cavall, 185 King Arthur’s hound of deepest mouth, there rode Full slowly by a knight, lady, and dwarf; Whereof the dwarf lagg’d latest, and the knight Had vizor up, and show’d a youthful face, Imperious, and of haughtiest lineaments. 190 And Guinevere, not mindful of his face In the King’s hall, desired his name, and sent Her maiden to demand it of the dwarf; Who being vicious, old and irritable, And doubling all his master’s vice of pride, 195 Made answer sharply that she should not know. “Then will I ask it of himself,” she said. “Nay, by my faith, thou shalt not,” cried the dwarf; “Thou art not worthy ev’n to speak of him;” And when she put her horse toward the knight, 200 Struck at her with his whip, and she return’d Indignant to the Queen; at which Geraint Exclaiming, “Surely I will learn the name,” Made sharply to the dwarf, and ask’d it of him, Who answer’d as before; and when the Prince 205 Had put his horse in motion toward the knight, Struck at him with his whip, and cut his cheek. The Prince’s blood spirted upon the scarf, Dyeing it; and his quick, instinctive hand Caught at the hilt, as to abolish him: 210 But he from his exceeding manfulness And pure nobility of temperament, Wroth to be wroth at such a worm, refrain’d From ev’n a word, and so returning said: “I will avenge this insult, noble Queen, 215 Done in your maiden’s person to yourself: And I will track this vermin to their earths; For though I ride unarmed, I do not doubt To find, at some place I shall come at, arms On loan, or else for pledge; and, being found, 220 Then will I fight him, and will break his pride, And on the third day will again be here, So that I be not fall’n in fight. Farewell.” “Farewell, fair Prince,” answered the stately Queen, “Be prosperous in this journey, as in all; 225 And may you light on all things that you love, And live to wed with her whom first you love. But ere you wed with any, bring your bride, And I, were she the daughter of a king, Yea, though she were a beggar from the hedge, 230 Will clothe her for her bridals like the sun.”