Quoth the grey-haired knight, 'Dost thou mean Him who was once of a Maiden born? Dost believe that a Man for men's sake He died on the cross this morn, And this day for His sake we hallow? Then such garb becomes thee ill! 265 For to-day all men call Good Friday, and the world it rejoiceth still O'er the day that her chains were riven; tho' she mourneth her Saviour's pain. Speak, knowest thou of faith more faithful than the faith God hath kept with men, Since He hung on the cross for men's sake? Such woe as He bare for thee, Sir Knight, sure must work thee sorrow, since baptized thou shalt surely be! 270 For _our_ sin His life was forfeit, or else had mankind been lost, And Hell as his prey had held us, and Hell's torments had paid sin's cost. Sir Knight, if thou be not heathen, thou shalt honour this Holy Day-- So do thou as here I counsel, ride thou on this woodland way, For near here a hermit dwelleth, as thy speech, so his rede shall be, 275 And if ruth for ill deed thou showest of thy sin will he speak thee free!' Then out quoth the old man's daughter, 'Nay, father, but speak not so, For too chill and cold is the morning, thou shalt bid him no further go. Far better to bid him warm him his steel-clad limbs, for strong And fair shall he be to look on, and the way is both cold and long. 280 Methinks were he thrice as mighty he would freeze ere his goal he reach, And here hast thou tent for shelter, and viands for all and each. Came King Arthur and all his vassals thou wouldst still have enough I trow, So do thou as host so kindly, and good-will to this young knight show!' Quoth the grey-haired sire, 'My daughters, Sir Knight, here give counsel good, 285 Each year, with tent of pilgrim, I wend thro' this lonely wood. If warm or cold be the season I care not, as year by year The time of our dear Lord's Passion draweth once more anear, He rewardeth His servant's service--Sir Knight, what I, for His sake, Brought here, as my guest, right willing, I pray thee from me to take!' 290