"A miracle! a miracle!" shouted the people.
"The Swan drew the Boat to Shore"
G. Rochegrosse
Reproduction authorised by the publishers, A. Durand et Fils, Paris
As he drew near, they saw that the knight was clad in silver armour which shone dazzling white in the sun. Amid a general hush, the swan drew the boat to shore, and the knight stepped out. Before greeting the King or court, he dismissed the swan in a tender little song of farewell!
"I give thee thanks, my faithful swan,
Turn thee again and stem the tide;
Go back to that blest land of dawn
Where thou and I did once abide;
Full well thy loving task is done,
Farewell, farewell, beloved swan!
My faithful swan!"
Then while the swan bent its head in sad obedience and sailed away on the current, the knight turned to the King.
"Hail, O King!" he said courteously. "I have come in answer to your summons to do battle in Elsa's cause."
"You are right welcome, noble knight, from wheresoever you come," answered the King. Then turning to Elsa, he continued, "Do you accept this knight to be your champion?"
"'Tis the knight of my dream!" she murmured, sinking at his feet.
The King struck his shield three times with his sword.