Now see how they followed swiftly, fair maidens twice told four, 155 And this was I ween their office, four tapers tall they bore; Nor the others deemed too heavy the weight of a precious stone, And by day the sun shone thro' it, and as Jacinth its name is known. 'Twas long and broad, and for lightness had they fashioned it fair and meet To serve at will for a table where a wealthy host might eat. 160 And straight to the host they stepped them, and they bowed their fair heads low, And four laid the costly table on the ivory white as snow, The stools they had placed aforetime--and courteous they turned aside, And there by their four companions stood the eight in their maiden pride. And green were the robes of these maidens, green as grass in the month of May, 165 Of Samite in Assagog woven, and long and wide were they. At the waist were they girt with a girdle, narrow, and long, and fair, And each of these gentle maidens ware a wreath on her shining hair. Now Iwan, the Count of Nonel, and Jernis, the lord of Reil, To the Grail were their daughters summoned from many a distant mile. 170 And they came, these two princesses, in raiment wondrous fair, And two keen-edged knives, a marvel, on cloths did those maidens bear. Of silver white and shining were they wrought with such cunning skill, And so sharp, that methinks their edges e'en steel might they cut at will. And maidens four went before them, for this should their office be 175 To bear lights before the silver; four children from falsehood free. Six maidens in all they entered and took thro' the hall their way, Now hearken, and I will tell ye the service they did that day. They bowed, and the twain who carried the silver they laid it low On the Jacinth, and courteous turning to the first twelve in order go. 180 And now, have I counted rightly, here shall eighteen maidens stand; And lo! see six more come hither in vesture from distant lands, Half their robes were of silk, gold inwoven, half of silk of Nineveh bright, For both they and the six before them, parti-coloured their robes of light.