"Her dreamy mood may deceive thee," Frederick said, "but it has never deceived me. Do ye not hear that she raves about a lover? I declare that I have spoken truly, and who will dare give me the lie?" Whereupon all the nobles of Brabant came forward to uphold their Lord.
"We stand by thee, Frederick of Brabant," they cried.
"I have always known thee to be honourable," the King replied, turning his eyes sadly upon Elsa, who still stood gazing ahead of her, as if half dreaming, or maybe seeing the vision she had described.
"Elsa of Brabant, I have no choice but to let Heaven decide for thee. I have no proof of thy guilt or innocence. This knight Frederick is known to me as an honourable man, and I cannot slight his word, so Heaven alone can help thee." The King drew his sword and struck it against the ground.
"Answer me, Frederick, wilt thou do battle here with whoever may appear to defend this Lady?"
"I will, right valiantly," he answered, his wife urging him on to all that he said.
"And thou, Elsa, wilt thou name thy champion, and leave thy honour in his hands?"
"Aye," she answered, simply.
"Then name the man," the King demanded.
"Now we shall hear the name of her lover," Frederick said hastily. "It will surely be he who was her accomplice."