A horn of gold beside him, he leant upon his sword, Thus when I erst espied him 'mid clouds of light he soar'd; His words so low and tender brought life renewed to me. My guardian, my defender, thou shalt my champion be! Thus she sang, while all present looked at her in amazement. "She dreams!" they cried. "Frederick of Telramund," the King cried, "it is hard to believe wrong of this maiden. Think, while yet there is time, of what ye say! Do not let any hate in thy heart make thee wrong a defenceless girl," he cautioned, while all the nobles protested that it seemed impossible she could have done so foul a thing as that of which she was accused. "Her dreamy mood may deceive thee," Frederick said, "but it has never deceived me. Do ye not hear that she raves about a lover? I declare that I have spoken truly, and who will dare give me the lie?" Whereupon all the nobles of Brabant came forward to uphold their Lord. "We stand by thee, Frederick of Brabant," they cried. "I have always known thee to be honourable," the King replied, turning his eyes sadly upon Elsa, who still stood gazing ahead of her, as if half dreaming, or maybe seeing the vision she had described. "Elsa of Brabant, I have no choice but to let Heaven decide for thee. I have no proof of thy guilt or innocence. This knight Frederick is known to me as an honourable man, and I cannot slight his word, so Heaven alone can help thee." The King drew his sword and struck it against the ground. "Answer me, Frederick, wilt thou do battle here with whoever may appear to defend this Lady?" "I will, right valiantly," he answered, his wife urging him on to all that he said. "And thou, Elsa, wilt thou name thy champion, and leave thy honour in his hands?" "Aye," she answered, simply. "Then name the man," the King demanded. "Now we shall hear the name of her lover," Frederick said hastily. "It will surely be he who was her accomplice." "To whomsoever will defend me I will give all my lands and love," she answered firmly, waiting for some knight to stand out from the others, and declare for her cause and defence. Each looked at the other, but no one spoke or moved. Then the King cried: "Sound the trumpet! Call the warrior knight by thy bugle!" The Herald advanced with four trumpeters, whom he turned toward north, south, east, and west, and had them sound their trumps. "Who will here do battle for Elsa of Brabant," he shouted. No one answered and the lonely, defenceless Elsa looked about pitifully, in great anxiety. "Ah, ye see how poor a cause she hath!" Frederick called, pointing to her. "Dear sovereign, once again I beg the right to call for a defender. My knight dwells afar off, and cannot arrive at once."