And his mouth was red and glowing--Then his host he drew anigh, And many a proud knight followed, to greet him courteously, And e'en as 'twas done the heroes they spake with a great amaze 'Ne'er saw they a man so goodly!'--And all would the mother praise 935 Who such son to the world had given--And in truth and in courtesy They spake, 'Whatsoe'er he asketh for his service fulfilled shall be, And favour and love await him if his worth win its meed alway,' And of those who hereafter saw him none were there who said them nay. By his hand the host then took him, and forth from his chamber led, 940 And the prince fain would hear the story how the night hours with him had sped, 'Were it otherwise, I think me that living I scarce might wake, 'Twas well that my mother bade me thus shelter with thee to take Ere yet from her I had ridden--May God requite ye both, For mercy Sir Knight, and kindness, hast thou shown to me nothing loth.' 945 So went our hero witless where to God and the host they'd sing, And the prince by the Mass would teach him that which health to the soul shall bring. He would rede him well of the Offering--How to sign himself with the Cross, And thus work on the Devil vengeance, who seeketh for aye our loss! Then again to the hall of the castle and the morning meal they came, 950 And the host set his guest beside him, and he ate without fear or shame. Then out spake the prince so courteous, 'An it seemeth not ill to thee, Fain am I to know thy dwelling, and from whence thou art come to me?' Then frankly he told the story how his mother's side he fled, Of the ring and the clasp so golden, and the winning the harness red. 955 And the prince he knew the Red Knight, and his fate it pleased him ill, And the name of his guest he asked not but 'The Red Knight' he called him still. Then e'en as the meal was over, were they tamed the ways so wild, For the host to his guest he quoth thus 'Thou speakest as doth a child, Why hold not thy peace of thy mother, and otherwise turn thy speech? 960 An thou follow henceforth my counsel far wiser the ways I'll teach!'