When Arthur the Mass had hearkened, then Gramoflanz did they see With Gowerzein's Duke and Florant; to the king came the comrades three, And each one a boon would crave here, for each of the three was fain To be one of the good Round Table, nor this grace did they fail to gain. And if lady or knight would ask me who was richest of all that band, 695 Who sat as guests in the circle, and were gathered from every land, Then here will I speak the answer, 'twas Feirefis Angevin, But think not from my lips of his riches a further tale to win. Thus in festive guise, and gaily, they rode to the circle wide, And often to maid had it chancèd (so closely the guests must ride) 700 Were her steed not well girthed she had fallen--with banners waving high From every side of the meadow to each other the groups drew nigh; And a Buhurd fair was ridden without the Table Round, And in courtly guise and skilful no man rode _within_ its bound; There was space without for the chargers, and they handled their steeds with skill, 705 And rode each one against the other till the ladies had looked their fill. Then in order fair they seat them when 'twas time for the guests to eat, And cup-bearer, steward, and butler, they bethink them as shall be meet, How, courteous, to do their office--No lack of food had they, And many a maid was honoured as she sat by her knight that day. 710 And many thro' fond heart's counsel had been served by knightly deed-- And Feirefis, and the Waleis, to the maidens they gave good heed, And they looked on the one and the other, and a fair choice was theirs, I ween, For never on field or meadow may the eye of man have seen So many sweet lips and fair faces as shone there at the Table Round, 715 And the heathen was glad for their beauty, and the joy that his heart had found. Now hail to the hour that cometh, and the tidings they soon shall hear From the welcome lips of a maiden who draweth the host anear; For a maiden came towards them, and her raiment was fair to see, And e'en as in France the custom so 'twas fashioned right cunningly. 720 Her mantle was costly velvet, and blacker, I ween, its hue Than the coat of a sable jennet; and with gold was it woven thro' With turtle-doves, all shining, the badge of the Grail were they. And they looked and they marvelled at her as toward them she