How there waited without by the gateway strange warriors aweless-bold
All-armed in sunbright hauberks and in royal-rich array,
Whose names and whose kindred no man in Burgundy might say.
Thereat was the King astonied, and he marvelled whence they came,
These lordly knights from whose raiment so shone the splendour-flame,
These wielders of goodly bucklers, broad shields and stainless-fair:
Yea, it misliked him that no man could say what folk they were.
Then to the King made answer Ortwein, Metz’s lord—
Stalwart he was, and a dauntless wielder of spear and sword:
“Forasmuch as in no wise we know them, bid one bring hither to thee