Then the prince drew forth from its scabbard his shining blade so keen, 'Now see, he who fights against me, must withstand my sword I ween, And lest he, on his part, should slay me, it is fit that with mail and shield, I ward me against his spear-thrusts, and the blows that his arm may wield.' 200 Swiftly the lad made answer, 'Little good would it do the deer An their coats were e'en such as thine is, they would fall still beneath my spear.' Full wroth were the knights and scornful that their lord thus long had talked With this lad with the face of an angel, and the speech as of one distraught; Then the prince he spake full gently, 'God keep thee in His good grace, 205 I would that my shield's bright mirror might show me as fair a face! Nay, an the Giver of all gifts but gave thee wit enow To match with a mien so goodly, full rich wert thou then I trow! May He keep all sorrow from thee, and thy life be a summer's day--' And with that he turned his bridle, and wended once more his way. 210 Then adown the woodland pathway they rode, till they came full soon Where the carles of Queen Herzeleide toiled hard thro' the sultry noon: The fields must they plough and harrow, if a harvest they hoped to reap, So they goaded the patient oxen to their toil on the hillside steep. Then the prince he gave them 'Good-morrow,' and asked if there passed that way 215 A maiden in need and sorrow? and they dared not to say him nay; But they answered him e'en as he prayed them, and they spake 'Yea, at early morn Two knights and a maiden passed here, and the maiden, she wept forlorn, And the knights as they rode beside her, spurred ever her flying steed.' Then the prince knew his foe, Meljakanz, and his wrath waxed hot indeed, 220 On his tracks he followed swiftly, and they who this venture tell, Say he won back in fight the maiden ere the shadows of evening fell.