And further his host would tell him, 'One knight, he doth never fail To ride forth, a fair joust seeking. (If his service shall nought avail With her who hath sent him hither, what boots it how well he fight?) Proud Heuteger is the hero, of him may I speak with right 500 For since our besiegers threaten there dawneth never a day But before the gates 'neath the castle, that knight doth his charger stay. And oft from that dauntless hero many tokens we needs must bear, That he smote through our shields at his spear-point, and costly their worth and rare When the squire from the shield doth break them. Many knights 'fore his joust must fall; 505 He would that all men may behold him, and our women they praise him all. And he who is praised of women, one knoweth that he doth hold The prize in his hand, and his heart's joy in full measure shall aye be told!' But now would the sun, grown weary, its wandering rays recall; 'Twas time that the ride was ended--Then he sought with his host the hall, 510 And the evening meal was ready; and I needs of that feast must tell, 'Twas laid in a fitting order, and knightly 'twas served, and well. And the queen with mien so stately she unto his table came, (Here stood the fish, there the heron) and she counted it not for shame To ride adown from her palace, that herself she might be aware 515 If they cared for the guest as 'twas fitting, and with her rode her maidens fair. Low she knelt (and but ill it pleased him) and cut as it seemed her best For the knight a fitting portion; she was glad in her goodly guest. And she filled for him the wine-cup, and care for his needs would take, And well did he mark, the hero, her mien, and the words she spake. 520 And his fiddlers sat at the table, and over against the knight Was his chaplain: with shy looks shamefast, he spake to the lady bright: 'I looked not to find such welcome as, Lady, thou gavest me, Too much must I deem the honour! If rede I might give to thee, Then to-day I had claimed naught from thee save was due to my worth alone, 525 Nor adown the hill hadst thou ridden, nor such service to me hadst shown. And, Lady, if I may venture to make unto thee request, Let me live but as best befits me, thou dost honour o'ermuch thy guest!'