'And I saw in thy mien and bearing that that pledge would have 'seemed thee ill 785 Which two heroes afore had given, tho' first had they fought their fill.' 'E'en such fate as theirs were my portion--But this thing I needs must say, Tho' little I like a devil, were he victor as thou this day For love of his gallant doings the women had deemed him sweet, Yea, as sugar were fain to eat him!' 'Now thou praisest me more than meet!' 790 'Nay, of flattery know I little, thou shalt see that I hold thee dear In other wise!' Then the hero bade Rassalig draw anear. And courteous he spake, King Kailet, 'My kinsman with valiant hand Hath made of thee here his captive?' 'Yea, Sire, so the thing doth stand, And I hold him for such a hero that Assagog's kingdom fair 795 Should fail not to yield him homage, since the crown he may never wear, Our prince Eisenhart! In her service was he slain who shall now be wife To thy kinsman, as knight so faithful he gave for her love his life. With my kiss have I sealed forgiveness, yet my lord and my friend I lost! If thy cousin by knightly dealing will repay of his death the cost 800 I will fold my hands as his vassal: and wealth shall be his and fame, All that Eisenhart from Tánkaneis as his heritage thought to claim. Embalmed here the hero lieth, and I gaze on his wounds each day Since this spear thro' his true heart piercing, my lord and my king did slay!'