That valiant viol-minstrel: his helm on his head was laced;
With blazonry splendour-tinted was his armour overtraced:
On his spear was a crimson pennon, a fluttering tongue of flame.
—Ah, soon with his royal masters into terrible peril he came!
And by this of his certain knowledge unto Gelfrat had one brought word
Concerning the ferryman’s slaying; and another withal had heard
The tale, even Elsè the stalwart: they raged with wrathful pain,
And they summoned their vassals, and ready with speed was their warrior-train.
But a little while thereafter, as singeth still the Lay,
To their banner came riding champions, whose hands in many a fray