Then they spake, 'Wilt thou look upon her, the queen, our lady true?' And the knight made answer straightway, that thing would he gladly do. To the palace they came, and the stairway steep and high to the portal led, 115 And the light of a fair face met him when his footsteps so far were sped. Of his eyes should she be the sweetness--There shone from that lady bright A radiant glow and dazzling, ere she welcomed the stranger knight. Now Kiot of Katelangen and Manfilot, Dukes the twain, Led hither their brother's daughter who as queen o'er this land did reign: 120 (For the love of God their harness, shield, and sword, had they put away These princes true and stalwart, fair of face tho' their hair was grey.) Midway adown the staircase all courteous the maid they led, And she kissed the gallant hero, and the lips of the twain were red; And she gave him her hand, and she led him, Sir Parzival, to the hall, 125 And they sat them adown together in the midst of the courtiers all. And feeble and faint the maidens, and the knights who stood there around, And vassal alike and hostess, small joy in their life they found. Yet Kondwiramur, her beauty did high o'er all others stand, Were it Enid, or fair Jeschuté or Kunnewaaré of far Lalande, 130 Whoe'er men had deemed the fairest when they women's beauty weighed, Their fame to the earth was smitten by the glance of this royal maid. Yea, even the twain Isoldé, tho' men praise them evermore, They must yield the crown of beauty to the lady Kondwiramur. (And her name in our tongue betokens her shapely form and fair) 135 And well had they done, the mothers, who had borne such a goodly pair As these twain who sat here together, naught did they who stood around But gaze on the one and the other--Many friends had our hero found.