'Twas well, not evil, with them--Now hear how the king, their foe, As he rode in his might to battle, must tidings of evil know. 'Twas a squire who fain had told them, all crimson his spurs with blood; 395 'Before Pelrapär on the meadow have they foughten those heroes good, 'Twas a bitter strife and knightly; thy seneschal fell that day, Kingron, who led thine army, to King Arthur must take his way. As he in departing bade them lies the army upon the plain. Pelrapär shalt thou find well guarded 'gainst thyself and thine armies twain, 400 There within is a gallant hero, and naught doth he crave but strife; In the camp of thy hired soldiers is many a rumour rife, They say from the good Round Table cometh Ither of Cumberland To the help of the queen, and knightly and valiant methinks his hand! 'Twas his arms that rode forth for jousting, and no man his deeds shall blame, 405 In such wise hath he borne his armour as winneth him meed of fame.' Quoth the king to the squire, 'My lady, the queen, she desireth me, And she and her land so goodly I trow shall my portion be. And Kingron the seneschal told me, and surely the truth he spake, That famine doth plague the city, and peace they ere long must make, 410 And the queen she her love shall proffer'--His wrath must the squire abide. Then the king and his host passed onward, and a knight did toward them ride, And he spared not his horse but spurred it, and told them the self-same tale, And the king deemed the loss o'er-heavy, and courage and joy must fail.