The ways were well known to him,

and thus he arrived all the more quickly

at the chapel.

Now the damsel had been taken

out from where she had lain captive,

for it was, indeed, about midday.

Now her hands

had been bound,

her clothes removed from her,

only a shift left upon her,

and the hurdle was ready,

and the fire laid beneath it,

and Lady Lunet

was kneeling at her prayers,

entreating God to care for her soul,

for she had renounced life.

When she had abandoned hope

of anyone now rescuing her,

her helper then arrived,

and he was deeply grieved

at her disgrace and her suffering,

which she endured because of him.

Moreover, my lord Iwein

had great confidence on two counts –

that God and her innocence

would not tolerate such brutality,

so he would not fail at all,

and, moreover, the lion,

his companion, would come to his aid,

so that he might rescue the maiden.

Now he made great haste with his spurs,

for she would have been lost

if he had delayed any longer.

He said: ‘Let this maiden live,

you evil wretches!

Whatever she is accused of here

I will take full responsibility for it,

and if she is to have a champion in this matter,

then I will fight for her.’

When those three heard these words,

they were full of scorn,

und entwichen doch dem gaste,

und machten im wec dar.

Nû nam er umbe sich war

und suochte sî mit den ougen,

die sîn herze tougen

zallen zîten an sach,

und ir ouch ze frouwen jach.

Schiere sach er sî sitzen,

und was von sînen witzen

vil nâch chomen als ê,

wande sî sagent, ez tuo wê,

swer sînem herzeliebe bî

als gastlîchen sî.

Nû begunder umbe schouwen,

unde sach vil junchfrouwen,

die ir gesindes wâren.

Die hôrter gebâren

harte clægelîchen,

unde bâten got den rîchen.