Now hear ye his love so loyal--As he looked on these blood-drops bright, That stained with a stain of crimson the snow-flakes that lay so white, He thought, 'Say what hand hath painted these colours that here I see? Kondwiramur, I think well, these tints sure shall liken thee! And white snow and blood-drops crimson, do ever thy likeness share, 55 For this favour I praise God's working, and the world he hath wrought so fair! For in this wise I read the vision,--in this snow that so spotless lies, 'Gainst the blood-drops, that ruddy-gleaming, glow crimson beneath mine eyes, I find ever thy face so gracious, my lady, Kondwiramur, Red as blood-drops and white as the snowdrift, it rejoiceth me evermore!' 60 Then her sweet face arose before him, in that night she first sought his side, When on each cheek a tear-drop glistened, and a third to her chin did glide. And so true was his love and steadfast, little recked he of aught around, But wrapped round in love and longing, saw naught but the blood-stained ground. Frau Minne with force constrained him, as here on his wife he thought, 65 And by magic of colours mystic, a spell on his senses wrought. So held he him still, as sleeping--Would ye know who found him there? The squire of fair Kunnewaaré would forth unto Lalande fare, And as on his way he journeyed, by the woodland green he saw A helmet all battle-dinted, and a shield which yet traces bore 70 Of many a bitter conflict that was foughten for lady fair; And a knight there abode in armour, and his lance he aloft did bear As one who here patient waited the joust that he fain would ride. The squire swiftly turned his bridle and back to the camp he hied. Yet in sooth had he seen the stranger, and his lady's champion known, 75 He had ne'er been so swift to decry him, nor had wished he were overthrown, Nor e'en as he were an outlaw, set the heroes upon his track: The squire he of queen unfaithful, small wonder he knighthood lacked!