Down they sat them, both wife and husband, and many a gracious maid, And many a knight might find there (if in sooth he such treasure prayed,) 520 From sweet lips sweet words of comfort--If for wooing such knight were fain, Then from many a maid who sat there no hatred his prayer would gain, No true woman shall e'er be wrathful if a true man for help shall pray, For ever the right she holdeth to yield, or to say him 'Nay,' And if labour win joy for payment then such guerdon shall true love give-- 525 And I speak but as in my lifetime I have seen many true folk live-- And service sat there by rewarding, for in sooth 'tis a gracious thing When a knight may his lady hearken, for joy shall such hearing bring. And Feirefis sat by King Arthur, nor would either prince delay To the question each asked the other courteous answer to make straightway-- 530 Quoth King Arthur, 'May God be praised, for He honoureth us I ween, Since this day within our circle so gallant a guest is seen, No knight hath Christendom welcomed to her shores from a heathen land Whom, an he desired my service, I had served with such willing hand!' Quoth Feirefis to King Arthur, 'Misfortune hath left my side, 535 Since the day that my goddess Juno, with fair winds and a favouring tide, Led my sail to this Western kingdom! Methinks that thou bearest thee In such wise as he should of whose valour many tales have been told to me; If indeed thou art called King Arthur, then know that in many a land Thy name is both known and honoured, and thy fame o'er all knights doth stand.' 540 Quoth Arthur, 'Himself doth he honour who thus spake in my praise to thee And to other folk, since such counsel he won of his courtesy Far more than of my deserving--for he spake of his kindly will. Yea, in sooth shall my name be Arthur, and the tale would I hearken still Of how to this land thou camest, if for _love's_ sake thou bearest shield, 545 Then thy love must be fair, since to please her thou ridest so far afield! If her guerdon be not withholden then love's service shall wax more fair, Else must many a maid win hatred from the knight who her badge doth bear!'