And the thoughts of the knight will I tell ye, _'There_ Liassé, Liassé _here_,-- God will free me from care since I see here Liassé that maiden dear 140 The child of a gallant father!'--Yet her fairness was naught I wot, 'Gainst her beauty who sat beside him, in whom God no wish forgot. (The maiden was queen of the country) Yea, e'en as by morning dew Refreshed, the rose from its calyx forth buddeth in beauty new, And is white and red together--And grief to her guest it wrought, 145 To whose courtesy naught was lacking since Gurnemanz' side he sought, And his words had from folly freed him; and had bidden him questions spare Save only where they were needful--So he sat by that lady fair, And never a word his lips spake, tho' he sat close the maid beside-- Yet to those who know more of woman such silence doth oft betide. 150 Then the queen to herself said softly, 'This man disdaineth me, He deemeth my fairness faded. Nay, perchance it yet may be That in this thing he doeth wisely, his hostess in sooth am I, And he is my guest, the first speech should be mine assuredly! Gently he looks upon me tho' never a word we speak, 155 And courteous hath been his bearing, 'twere well I the silence break; Too long have I yet delayed me since here side by side we sit.' To her guest did she turn, the maiden, and she spake as it seemed her fit: 'Sir Knight, it were well as hostess that the first words came from me, Since I wot well my kiss as hostess a greeting hath won from thee, 160 And thou offeredst me thy service, so my maiden hath borne me word, Our guests scarce are wont to do so, tho' the tidings I fain had heard. Now tell me, my guest, I prithee, since the tale I am fain to know, From whence art thou come to my kingdom, and whither thou yet wouldst go?' 'Lady, at early morning I rode from my host away, 165 A brave knight is he and faithful, yet he sorroweth sore to-day, And Prince Gurnemanz do men call him, in Graharz he holds command, From thence I to-day have ridden, thence came I unto this land!'