And a feast they to-day must look on such as no man before had seen, Since vanquished by Klingsor's magic both lady and knight had been. Unknown were they yet to each other, tho' one portal it shut them in, 165 And never a man and a maiden might speech of each other win; And a good thing Gawain he thought it that this folk should each other meet, And much he rejoiced in their gladness, and his own lot it seemed him sweet; Yet ever he looked in secret on his lady and love so fair, And his heart it waxed hot within him, and love's anguish he needs must bear. 170 But the day drew near to its closing, and faint waxed the waning light, And fair thro' the clouds of heaven gleamed the messengers of the night, Many stars so bright and golden, who speed on their silent way When the night would seek for shelter in the realm of departing day; And after her standard-bearers, with her host doth she swiftly tread-- 175 Now many a fair crown golden in the palace hung high o'erhead, And with tapers they all were lighted around the stately hall, And they bare unto every table a host of tapers tall; And yet the story telleth that the Duchess she was so fair, That ne'er was it night in her presence tho' never a torch were there! 180 For her glance was so bright and radiant it brought of itself the day; And this tale of fair Orgelusé full oft have I heard men say. He had spoken, methinks, untruly who said that he e'er had seen A host so rich and joyous, and joyous his guests, I ween; And ever with eager gladness each knight and each gentle maid 185 Looked well on each other's faces, nor shrank from the glance afraid. If friendship they here desirèd, or each other would better know, Then naught of their joy would I grudge them, methinks it were better so! Tho' I wot well there none was a glutton, yet still had they ate their fill, And they bare on one side the tables, and Gawain asked, with right goodwill, 190 If here there should be a fiddler? and many a gallant squire Was skilled on the strings, and gladly would play at the host's desire, Yet were they not all too skilful, and the dances were old alway, Not new, as in fair Thuringia the dances they know to-day.