The castle lay to one side,

and down below a market,

into which they both rode.

Now they were accorded an inhospitable welcome

by all those who stood and sat

in the lanes.

They could easily have been intimidated

by their hostile glances.

The townspeople turned their backs on them,

saying: ‘You have come here too soon!

We could easily have done without you here,

and if you knew how things stand here,

you would have carried on by.

You will be accorded little honour here.

To whom are you welcome here,

or what have you taken upon yourselves

by making your way here?

Who is there here who desires your presence?

You might as well ride on by.

Truly, it was God's hatred

which sent you both here

to bring you nothing but grief!

You are not welcome here!’

When they had heard that,

the knight with the lion said:

‘What is the meaning of this scolding and threatening,

or how have I deserved this?

If I ever earned your enmity,

it happened unwittingly,

and I would assert to you

in all truth

that I never came here intending to do you harm.

If I may, moreover, I will depart from here

with the affection of all of you.

Best of all people,

if you welcome all your guests

as you do me,

that brings no comfort

to a man who has arrived here

and who cannot dispense with your help.’

Now a lady heard these words of wrath –

diu was ûz der stat geborn,

für die sîn strâze gienc,

dô er den burchwec gevienc.

Diu wincte im von verre

unde sprach: ‘Lieber herre,

die rede die man hie tuot,

die tuot man niuwan durch guot.

Nû enzürnet niht sô sêre.

Sî riuwet iuwer êre,

und daz rîterlîche wîp.

Ir müezzet verliesen den lîp –

dazn kunnet ir niemer bewarn –

welt ir ûf die burch varn.

Sîne redent ez durch deheinen haz,

wan dazs iu des gunden baz,

daz ir dise burch mit,

unde noch fürbaz rit,

wande uns ist ein gebot gegebn 119r

über guot und über lebn,

daz sich hie vor wîp noch man

nem deheinen gast an

ûzzerhalp dem bürgetor –

dâne herberget man niemen vor.