" "What is that?" she asks.
"Since I must speak, I find blood on your sheets, which proves
the fact. I know it and can prove it, because I find on both
your sheets and his the blood which issued from his wounds: the
evidence is very strong." Then the Queen saw on both beds the
bloody sheets, and marvelling, she blushed with shame and said:
"So help me God, this blood which I see upon my sheets was never
brought here by Kay, but my nose bled during the night, and I
suppose it must be from my nose." In saying so, she thinks she
tells the truth. "By my head," says Meleagant, "there is nothing
in what you say. Swearing is of no avail, for you are taken in
your guilt, and the truth will soon be proved." Then he said to
the guards who were present: "Gentlemen, do not move, and see to
it that the sheets are not taken from the bed until I return. I
wish the king to do me justice, as soon as he has seen the
truth." Then he searched until he found him, and failing at his
feet, he said: "Sire, come to see what you have failed to guard.
Come to see the Queen, and you shall see the certain marvels
which I have already seen and tested. But, before you go, I beg
you not to fail to be just and upright toward me. You know well
to what danger I have exposed myself for the Queen; yet, you are
no friend of mine and keep her from me under guard.
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