Thy land and thy castles, I claim them for spoil of this sword of mine!”
Then the King was exceeding astonied, amazed did the earl-folk stand,
As they hearkened to that strange challenge, to the champion’s haughty demand,
As he claimed for his victory-guerdon the people and land of their lord;
And as flame burst forth their anger to hear that arrogant word.
“Nay, how should it be for mine honour,” answered the King thereto,
“If I staked the realm that my father ruled nobly his whole life through
On a combat’s issue, to lose it or hold it by bodily might?
Sooth, this were a sorry maintaining of the name and the fame of a knight!”
“Nay, nought I abate of my challenge,” that aweless champion cried;