Then the guest courteous spake to his hostess, 'I would, an it seem thee right, Thou shouldst say why thy foeman threaten, why they seek thee with war-like might! 400 Thou hast here many gallant heroes, it grieveth me sore to see Thy land thus with hate o'erladen, for woe must it bring to thee.' 'Wouldst thou know? Then, Sir Knight, I will tell thee--A knight did me service true, And the fruit of all manly virtue his life as its decking knew, And gallant and wise was the hero, and his faith as a goodly tree 405 Was fast-rooted, and none so courteous but were shamed by his courtesy. And modest was he as a woman, tho' dauntless and strong, I trow, And a knight e'en as he free-handed ere his day never land might know. (But they that shall come hereafter, other folk shall their doings see.) A fool was he in false dealing, and a Moor, as myself shall be; 410 And his father's name was Tánkaneis, a king of a kingly heart, And his son, he who was my lover, men knew him as Eisenhart. That for love's sake I took his service, as a woman I did not well, It hath brought me but lasting sorrow since no joy to his portion fell, They deem I to death betrayed him! Yet such treason were far from me, 415 Tho' his folk bring such charge against me; and dear to my heart was he, Far dearer than _they_ e'er held him. Nor witnesses here shall fail To speak to the truth of my saying, if it please them to tell the tale. His gods and mine, they know it, the truth--I must sorrow deep Since my womanly shame hath brought him a guerdon I needs must weep! 420