The lords of the King’s household went out from before him, and gathered themselves together to consider their judgment.  They kept silence for a great space, for it was grievous to them to deal harshly with so valiant a knight.  Whilst they thus refrained from words a certain page hastened unto them, and prayed them not to press the matter, for (said he) “even now two young maidens, the freshest maids in all the realm, seek the Court.  Perchance they bring succour to the good knight, and, so it be the will of God, may deliver him from peril.”  So the lords waited right gladly, and presently they saw two damsels come riding to the palace.  Very young were these maidens, very slender and gracious, and daintily cloaked in two fair mantles.  So when the pages had hastened to hold their stirrup and bridle, the maidens dismounted from their palfreys and entering within the hall came straight before the King.

“Sire,” said one of the two damsels, “hearken now to me.  My lady commands us to pray you to put back this cause for a while, nor to deliver judgment therein, since she comes to plead with you for the deliverance of this knight.”

When the Queen heard this message she was filled with shame, and made speed to get her from the hall Hardly had she gone than there entered two other damsels, whiter and more sweetly flushed even than their fellows.  These bade the King to wait for a little, since their mistress was now at hand.  So all men stared upon them, and praised their great beauty, saying that if the maid was so fair, what then must be the loveliness of the dame.  When, therefore, the demoiselle came in her turn, the King’s household stood upon their feet to give her greeting.  Never did woman show so queenly to men’s sight as did this lady riding to the hall.  Passing sweet she was to see, passing simple and gracious of manner, with softer eyes and a daintier face than girl of mother born.  The whole Court marvelled at her beauty, for no spot or blemish might be found in her body.  She was richly dressed in a kirtle of vermeil silk, broidered with gold, and her mantle was worth the spoil of a king’s castle.  Her palfrey was of good race, and speedy; the harness and trappings upon him were worth a thousand livres in minted coin.  All men pressed about her, praising her face and person, her simplicity and queenlihead.  She came at slow pace before the King, and dismounting from the palfrey, spoke very courteously in this fashion.

“Sire,” said she, “hearken to me, and you, lord barons, give heed to my pleading.  You know the words Graelent spake to the King, in the ears of men, when the Queen made herself a show before the lords, saying that often had he seen a fairer lady.  Very hasty and foolish was his tongue, since he provoked the King to anger.  But at least he told the truth when he said that there is no dame so comely but that very easily may be found one more sweet than she.  Look now boldly upon my face, and judge you rightly in this quarrel between the Queen and me.  So shall Sir Graelent be acquitted of this blame.”