If he stunned them at first, more still were they then,
all the host in the hall, the high and the low.
The man on his mount now moved in his saddle,
his red eyes roving ferociously about,
bowing his bristled brows, beaming green,
waving his beard, awaiting whoever would rise.
When no one came to his call, he coughed loudly,
and cleared his throat coarsely, and began to speak:
“What, is this Arthur’s house,” he uttered then,
“that the rumors brag about in realms all over?
Where’s your vanity and your victories now?
Your rage and your wrath, and your great words?
Now the revel and reputation of the Round Table
is overwhelmed with a word of one man’s speech,
for you tremble with dread without striking a blow!”
With this he laughs so loud that the lord was insulted;
the blood of shame shot into his shining face
            so fair;
            he swelled with wrath like wind,
            as did everyone there.
            Bold as he was, the king
            stood near that cavalier,