The Price of the Contract (Lunete's judgement)

I hear the keys turn, not for me. I stand here bound, who set him free. I gave the ring, I spoke the vow, And see the bitter payment now. The Lady broke, the Knight rode far, And I alone must bear the scar. One year he begged, one year of grace, Then honour fled that foolish place. His empty heart forgot the time, His hunting more than love's design. My cruel task: to take the pledge, To break the contract at the edge. The year is done! The contract’s stone! A lady sits upon her throne, But finds her heart is cold and vast. You ran for pride, your chance is passed. The bond is severed, the court is clear, Just like a foolish separation's year! In chains I lay, yet fire I kept, While through the night in rage I wept. Iwein, you swore, then rode away, Let Laudine learn your oath’s decay. If I must fall for vows I sealed, Then let the wound be never healed. Laudine, my queen, so cold, severe, Your knight betrayed, yet I lie here. Lunete, they curse, the go-between, The price of truth is all unseen. But in this stone, my voice shall rise, A judgment carved in love’s demise.