Then the son of Uther Pendragon, King Arthur, in this wise spake: For Round Table a silk so costly, Drianthasmé, he bade them take-- Ye have heard how it once was ordered, afar on Plimizöl's plain, 665 How they spread them there a Round Table, in such wise was it spread again-- 'Twas cut in a round, and costly it was, and right fair to see, And on the green turf around it the seats of the knights should be. It was even a goodly gallop from the seats to the Table Round, For the Table's self it was not, yet the likeness they there had found. 670 And a cowardly man might shame him to sit there with such gallant knights, And with sin would his food be tainted since he ate it not there of right. Thro' the summer night 'twas measured, the ring, both with thought and care, And from one end unto the other with pomp they the seats prepare. And the cost were too great for a poor king, as they saw it in noontide light, 675 When the trappings, so gay and costly, shone fair in the sun-rays bright. Gramoflanz and Gawain would pay it, the cost, since within their land He was but a guest, King Arthur, tho' he dealt with a generous hand. And the night, it seldom cometh but, as it is wont, the sun Bringeth back the day and the daylight when the hours of the night are run; 680 And e'en so it befell, and the dawning was clear and calm and bright, And many a flowery chaplet crowned the locks of many a knight; And with cheeks and lips unpainted saw ye many a lovely maid, And, if Kiot the truth hath spoken, knight and lady they were arrayed In diverse garb and fashion, with head-gear both high and low, 685 As each in their native country their faces were wont to show-- 'Twas a folk from far kingdoms gathered and diverse their ways were found-- If to lady a knight were lacking she sat not at the Table Round, But if she for knightly service had promised a guerdon fair, She might ride with her knight, but the others, they must to their tents repair. 690