Now many brave knights they sat there, and grief passed their face before, 125 For a squire sprang swift thro' the doorway, and a lance in his hand he bore, (And thus did he wake their weeping) from the point did the blood run fast Adown to the hand of the holder till 'twas lost in his sleeve at last. And then thro' the lofty palace was weeping and wailing sore, The folk of thirty kingdoms could scarce have bemoaned them more. 130 And thus to each of the four walls with the lance in his hand he drew, Till he reached once again the doorway, and passed him the portal thro'. And stilled was the lamentation, and the grief that this folk must know When the squire bare the lance before them, and thus bade them to think on woe. (An here ye be not outwearied I gladly would tell the tale, 135 How the feast in this Burg was ordered, for in courtesy naught did fail.) At the end of the hall a doorway of steel did they open fair, And two noble children entered--Now hearken what guise they bare, An a knight for love would serve them, with love they his task might pay, Two fair and gracious maidens as e'er man might woo were they. 140 And each wore on her hair loose flowing, a chaplet of blossoms bound With silken band, beneath it their tresses sought the ground. And the hand of each maiden carried a candlestick all of gold, And every golden socket did a burning taper hold. Nor would I forget the raiment these gentle maidens ware, 145 For one was Tenabroc's countess, ruddy-brown was her robe so fair, And the self-same garb wore the maiden who beside the countess paced, And with girdles rich and costly were they girt round each slender waist. And behind them there came a Duchess and her fellow; of ivory white Two stools they bare, and glowing their lips e'en as fire is bright. 150 Then they bowed, the four, and bending, the stools 'fore the host they laid, Nor was aught to their service lacking, but fitly their part they played. Then they stood all four together, and their faces were fair to see, And the vesture of each fair maiden was like to the other three.