the people of Brabant with the title of Protector.  Telramund is overwhelmed by his misfortunes, but Ortrud urges him to make another trial to regain what he has lost.  The knight, she says, had won by witchcraft, and if but the smallest joint of his body could be taken from him, he would be impotent.  Together they instil disquiet and suspicion into the mind of Elsa as she is about to enter the minster to be married.  After the wedding guests have departed, her newly found happiness is disturbed by doubt, and a painful curiosity manifests itself in her speech.  Lohengrin admonishes, reproves, and warns in words of tenderest love.  He had given up greater glories than his new life had to offer out of love for her.  A horrible fear seizes her:  he who had so mysteriously come would as mysteriously depart.  Cost what it may, she must know who he is.  She asks the question, but before he can reply Telramund rushes into the room with drawn weapon.  Elsa has but time to hand Lohengrin his sword, with which he stretches the would-be assassin dead on the chamber floor.  Then he commands that the body be carried before the King, whither he also directs her maids to escort his wife.  There is another conclave of King and nobles.  Lohengrin asks if he had acted within his right in slaying Telramund, and his deed is approved by all.  Then he gives public answer to Elsa’s question: 

  In distant lands, where ye can never enter,
  A castle stands and Montsalvat its name;
  A radiant temple rises from its center
  More glorious far than aught of earthly fame. 
  And there a vessel of most wondrous splendor,
  A shrine, most holy, guarded well doth rest,
  To which but mortals purest service render—­
  ’Twas brought to earth by hosts of angels blest! 
  Once every year a dove from heaven descendeth
  To strengthen then its wondrous powers anew: 
  ’Tis called the Grail—­and purest faith it lendeth
  To those good knights who are its chosen few. 
  To serve the Grail whoe’er is once elected
  Receives from it a supernatural might;
  From baneful harm and fraud is he protected,
  Away from him flees death and gloom of night! 
  Yea, whom by it to distant lands is bidden
  As champion to some virtuous cause maintain,
  Well knows its powers are from him never hidden,
  If, as its knight, he unrevealed remain. 
  Such wondrous nature is the Grail’s great blessing,
  Reveal’d must then the knight from mortals flee: 
  Let not rest in your hearts a doubt oppressing,—­
  If known to you he saileth o’er the sea. 
  Now list what he to you in troth declareth: 
  The Grail obeying here to you I came. 
  My father Parzival, a crown he weareth,
  His knight am I and Lohengrin my name! {1}