Now when the Burgers saw well that help drew anigh their wall They deemed that an evil counsel which aforetime seemed good to all-- 270 Then out spake their lord, Duke Lippaut, 'Alas! for the woeful hour That Beaurosch must seal its portals against the foeman's power! Yet if I against my master in open field had fought, Then mine honour, methinks, were smitten, and my courtesy brought to naught. His grace would beseem me better, and gladden me more, I ween, 275 Than the hatred which now he showeth, of such hate have I guiltless been. A joust that his hand had smitten but little would grace _my_ shield. Or if _his_ of the sword bare token that I 'gainst my king would wield. Methinketh, tho' wise the woman, she were shamed an she praised such deed-- Yea, say that my king were captive in my tower, I my lord had freed, 280 And myself had become his prisoner--what had pleased him best to do Of evil, I'ld gladly bear it, as befitted a vassal true, And I thank my God of a true heart that I here, a free man, stand, Tho' spurred by love and anger my king doth invade my land!' Then he quoth again to the Burgers, 'Now may wisdom with ye be found 285 To counsel me in the perils that compass my path around.'