Then the hero did as she bade him, and he sat 'neath the window small, And he prayed her, 'Sit thou within there!' 'Nay! ne'er did such chance befall That here by a man I sat me!' Then he asked her, what did she here? That, so far from the home of men-folk, thou dost dwell in this desert drear 100 Seemeth me all too great a wonder, say, Lady, how shalt thou live, Since no man abideth by thee who succour or food can give?' Then she quoth, ''Tis the Grail that doth feed me, and It feedeth me well I ween, From Its marvels the sorceress Kondrie, (of her own will the task hath been,) Doth bring me each Sabbath vigil what serveth me for the week.' 105 A little space she kept silence, then further the maid did speak: 'An it otherwise were with me as I would, I need little care For the food, since the Grail doth feed me I never too ill shall fare!' But he deemed that she lied unto him, and with false words would speak him fair, And, mocking, he spake,'Now, who gave thee that ring which I see thee wear? 110 For ever 'twas told unto me that hermit, or man, or maid, Must forswear all love!'--'Now I think me, if in truth thou these words hast said, For false maiden thou sure dost hold me! Yet if falsehood I ever learn, And thou shalt be near to witness, 'twere time _then_ with wrath to burn! God knoweth, ill ways I hated, and falsehood I never knew; 115 This troth plight that here thou seest I had from a lover true, Tho' never was love's fulfilment our portion while he might live, 'Twas the heart of maiden bade me the love of a maiden give. And he lieth in death beside me, and his token I ever wear Since the day that Duke Orilus slew him--and grief for his sake I bear--' 120