In the joust, that which Kay had aimed at he smote, for his spear did pierce The Waleis' shield, yet swift payment was his, for in onslaught fierce The seneschal of King Arthur fell prone on the fallen tree, 285 Where the geese erewhile had hid them, and hurt full sore was he, And dead lay his gallant charger--''Twixt a stone and the saddle-bow, Right arm, and left leg had he broken--so mighty his overthrow That all that had decked his charger, girths, saddle, bells of gold, By the force of the fall were shattered, thus the stranger his payment told, 290 And with one blow, for twain repaid him--the one that erst for his sake, A maiden had borne and the other, which he from Kay's hand must take. Thus he who knew naught of falsehood was guided of truth to know Her message in blood-drops threefold, on the white of the drifted snow. 'Twas tear-drops, not blood, that he saw there, and well might his senses fail, 295 And the thoughts of his heart wax heavy, as he mused on the wondrous Grail, And sorely the semblance grieved him that spake of his wife and queen. Yet tho' o'er the twain he sorrowed, the greater woe, I ween, Was the woe that Frau Minne wrought him, for there liveth not heart so strong, But longing and love united break its power, ere the time be long. 300 Count we here those twain as ventures? Nay, 'twere better methinks to hold, That they were naught but pain and sorrow, that vanquished the hero bold. Now ye unto whom I tell this, I rede ye to mourn Kay's woe, For full oft as his manhood bade him, he many a strife did know. And in many a land they speak thus, that Kay, Arthur's seneschal, 305 Was a firebrand, hell-born, yet I wot well far other the tale I'ld tell. From reproach would I gladly free him, tho' few but should say me nay, Yet a gallant man and a worthy, I swear was this knight, Sir Kay. And my mouth to this truth beareth witness, and more would I tell to thee; Unto Arthur's Court came strangers in many a company, 310 And their manners and ways were diverse, nor all there might honour claim, But Kay an he saw false dealing, he counted such ways as shame, And his face he turned from the sinner, yet he who dealt courteously, And true man with true men would hold him, Kay served him right heartily.