To come with all their maidens to the King’s high festal-tide.
Then in the cedar-caskets for fair attire sought they,
And unfolded the flashing splendour of royal-rich array,
And the cloudy lace and the bracelets, whereof good store they had.
So with loveliest adorning were the winsome maidens clad.
There was many a young knight yearning that day in eager wise
That he might be found well-pleasing in the high-born ladies’ eyes.
That hope would he not have bartered, no, not for a kingdom’s fee.
The fair forms unbeholden ere this it was joy to see.
Then the great King gave commandment that a guard of honour should go