So they tended the dauntless hero right well thro' the hours of night; From the Mass came the folk on the morrow when the noontide hour waxed bright, And the hall was thronged and crowded with townsfolk and warriors good, 485 When before the king, as they counselled, his foeman, Sir Gawain, stood. To naught other would he compel him than to that which ye late did hear. Now see ye the gentle maiden as she drew with her knight anear, And her uncle's son came with her, and many a hero brave Of the king's men were fain to follow, and thus fair escort gave. 490 Then the queen led Gawain to her brother with slender hand and white, And a chaplet of fair flowers woven she bare on her locks of light, Fair the flowers, yet the maid was fairer, and no blossom around her head But waxed pale and dim, if 'twas mated with her lips of glowing red. And he whom of true heart gently she kissed, as beseemed a maid, 495 Such lances for her had broken as had wasted a woodland shade. Now hearken to me and heed me, as with gracious words I'ld greet Antikonie, free from falsehood, a maiden pure and sweet. In such wise did she ever bear her that never a doubting word, Were one fain to sing her praises, from the lips of men was heard; 500 For no heart but wished her gladness, and no mouth but spake her free From all thought of guile--Far-reaching, as a falcon's eye can see, Shone the light of her gracious presence, as the light of a balsam rare That burneth, and sheddeth perfume, and sweeteneth the scented air. And her will was ever gracious, as the will of a maid should be, 505 And she spake to her royal brother of a true heart right maidenly: 'I bring here to thee, my brother, the guest thou didst bid me tend, And I would thou shouldst well entreat him, as befitting my knight and friend-- For better shall that become thee, to bear thee as brother true, Than to feel the world's hate, or to teach me to hate thee, who hate ne'er knew.' 510