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    "slug": "parzival",
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      "name": "Holy Grail Romances",
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  "chapter": {
    "num": 2,
    "slug": "01-book-i-gamuret",
    "title": "Book I: Gamuret",
    "of": 17,
    "words": 13016,
    "text": "## Book I: Gamuret\n\n\nGAMURET\n\nVOL. L\n\nDigitized by v^.ooQle\n\nARGUMENT\n\nIn the Introduction the poet tells of the evil of doubt and unsteadfast¬\nness—against which he would warn both men and women; he will tell\nthem a tale which shall speak of truth and steadfastness, and in which\nmany strange marvels shall befall.\n\nBook i. tells how Gamuret of Anjou at the death of his father, King\nGan dein, refused to become his brother’s vassal, and went forth to seek fame\nr ^pnd love-guerdon for himself. How he fought under the/Baruch before\nV*' *' Alexandria! and came to Patelamunt. How Queen Belakang was accused\n' of having caused the death of her lover Eisenhart, and was besieged by\ntwo armies, which Friedebrand, King of Scotland, Eisenbart's uncle, had\nbrought against her. How Gamuret defeated her foemen, and married the\nQueen, and became King of Assagog and Zassamank. How he grew weary\nfor lack of knightly deeds, and sailed away in secret from Queen Belakanl,\nand left her a letter telling of his name and race. How Feirifis was bom,\nand how Gamuret came to Seville.\n\nDigitized by v^.ooQle\n\nGAMURET\n\nunfaith in the heart find dwelling, then the soul it shall reap\nbut woe;\n\nAnd shaming alike and honour are his who such doubt sha#\nshow,\n\n(For it standeth in evil contrast with a true man’s dauntless\nmight,\n\nAs one seeth the magpie’s plumage, which at one while is black and whitc^\nAnd yet he may win to blessing; since I wot well that in his heart, 5\n\nHell’s darkness, and light of Heaven, alike have their lot and part.\n\nBut he who is false and unsteadfast, he is black as the darkest night,\n\nAnd the soul that hath never wavered stainless its hue and white !\n\n(.This my parable so fleeting too swift for the dull shall be,\n\nEre yet they may seize its meaning from before their face ’twill flee, io\n\nAs a hare that a sound hath startled : yea, metal behind the glass,\n\nAnd a blind man’s dream yield visions that as swift from the eye do pass,\n\nFor naught shall they have that endureth 1 And at one while ’tis bright and\nsad.\n\nAnd know of a truth that its glory but for short space shall make ye glad.\n\nAnd what man shall think to grip me, where no hair for his grasp shall grow, 15\nL In the palm of mine hand ? The mystery of a close clasp he sure doth\nknow!\n\nIf I cry aloud in such peril, it ’seemeth my\nShall I look for truth where it fleeteth ?\n\nwisdom weU^ ^\n\nIn the fire that the stream doth\n\nquell.\n\nOr the dew that the sun doth banish ? Ne’er knew I a man so wise,\nBat was fain to learn the wisdom my fable doth ill disguise,\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nAnd the teaching that springeth from it: for so shall he ne’er delay\nTo fly and to chase as shall fit him, to shun and to seek alway,\n\nAnd to give fitting blame and honour. He who knoweth the twain to tell,\nIn their changing ways, then wisdom has tutored that man right well.\na 5 And he sits not o’er-long at leisure, nor his goal doth he overreach,\n\nBut in wisdom his ways discerning, he dealeth with all and each.\n\n(flut his comrade, of heart unfaithful, in hell-fire shall his portion be,\n\nYea, a hailstorm that dims the glory of a knightly fame is he.\n\nAs a short tail it is, his honour, that but for two bites holds good,\n\n3 ° When the steer by the gad-fly driven doth roam thro’ the lonely wood.\n\nAnd tho* manifold be my counsel not to tnen alone I ’Id speak,\n\nFor fain would I show to women the goal that their heart should seek.\n\nAnd they who shall mark my counsel, they shall learn where they may\nbestow\n\nTheir praise and their maiden honour; and the manner of man shall know\n35 Whom they freely may love and honour, and never may fear to rue\nTheir maidenhood, and the true love they gave him of heart so true)\n\nIn God’s sight I pray all good women to keep them in wisdom’s way,\n\nFor true shame on all sides doth guard them : such bliss I for them would\npray.\n\nBut the false heart shall win false honour—How long doth the thin ice last,\n40 If the sun shineth hot as in August ? So their praise shall be soon o’erpast.\n\\\n\n(Many women are praised for beauty; if at heart they shall be untrue,\n\n• Then I praise them as I would praise it, the glass of a sapphire hue\n’That in gold shall be set as a jewel! Tho’ I hold it an evil thing,\n\nIf a man take a costly ruby, with the virtue the stone doth bring,\n\n45 And set it in worthless setting : I would liken such costly stone\nTo the heart of a faithful woman, who true womanhood doth own.\n\nI would look not upon her colour, nor the heart’s roof all men can see,\n\nIf the heart beateth true beneath it, true praise shall she win from me !\n\nShould I speak of both man and woman as I know, nor my skill should\nfail,\n\n50 O’er-long would it be my story. List ye now to my wonder-tale :\n\n' And this venture it telleth tidings of love, and anon of woe,\n\nJoy and sorrow it bringeth with it. ’Stead of one man if three ye know,\n\nDigitized by Google\n\nGAMURET\n\nAnd each one of the three bath wisdom and skill that outweigh my skill,\n\nYet o’erstrange shall they find the labour, tho’ they toil with a right good¬\nwill\n\nTo tell ye this tale, which I think me to tell ye myself, alone, ' 55\n\nAnd worn with their task and weary would they be ere the work was done. J\n\nA tale I anew will tell ye, that speaks of a mighty love ;\n\nOf the womanhood of true women ; how a man did his manhood prove ;\n\nOf one that endured all hardness, whose heart never failed in fight.\n\nSteel he in the face of conflict: with victorious hand of might 60\n\nDid he win him fair meed of honour ; a brave man yet slowly wise\nIs he whom I hail my herp ! The delight he of woman's eyes,\n\nYet of woman’s heart the sorrow ! ’Gainst all evil his face he set;\n\nYet he whom I thus have chosen my song knoweth not as yet,\n\nFor not yet is he bom of whom men this wondrous tale shall tell, 65\n\nAnd many and great the marvels that unto this knight befell, yj ^ boc ^ '3\n\nNOW they do to-day as of old time, where a foreign law holds sway\n(Yea, in part of our German kingdom, as ye oft shall have heard men\n\nsay).\n\nWhoever might rule that country, ’twas the law, and none thought it shame\n(Tis the truth and no lie I tell ye) that the elder son might claim 70\n\nThe whole of his father's heirdom—And the younger sons must grieve,\n\nWhat was theirs in their father’s lifetime, they perforce at his death must\nleave.\n\nBefore, all was theirs in common, now it fell unto one alone.\n\nSo a wise man planned in his wisdom, that the eldest the lands should own,\nFor youth it hath many a fair gift, but old age knoweth grief and pain, 75\nAnd he who is poor in his old age an ill harvest alone doth gain.\n\nKings, Counts, Dukes (and no lie I tell ye) the law holdeth all as one.\n\nAnd no man of them all may inherit, save only the eldest son,\n\nAndmethinks ’tis an evil custom—So the knight in his youthful pride,\nGamuret, the gallant hero, lost his Burg, and his fair lands wide, 80\n\nWhere his father had ruled with sceptre and crown as a mighty king,\n\nTill knighthood, and lust of battle, to his death did the monarch bring.\n\n’ And all men were sore for his sorrow, who truth and unbroken faith\nBare ever throughout his lifetime, yea even unto his death.\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nPARZIVAL\n\ni\n\n8 5 Then the elder son he summoned the princes from out his land,\n\nAnd knightly they came, who rightly might claim from their monarch’s hand,\nTo hold, as of yore, their fiefdoms. So came they unto his hall,\n\nAnd the claim of each man he hearkened, and gave fiefs unto each and all\n\nNow hear how they dealt—As their true heart it bade them, both great and\nsmall,\n\n9 ° They made to their king petition, with one voice from the people all,\n\nThat to Gamuret grace and favour he would show with true brother’s hand,\nAnd honour himself in the doing. That he drive him not from the land,\n\nBut give him, within his kingdom, a fair Burg that all men might see,\n\nThat he take from that Burg his title, and be held of all tribute free !—\n\n95 Nor the king was ill-pleased at their pleading, and he quoth, ‘ A small grace,\nI trow,\n\nHave ye asked, I would e’en be better than your prayer, as ye straight shall\nknow,\n\nWhy name ye not this my brother as Gamuret Angevin ?\n\nSince Anjou is my land, I think me the title we both may win ! ’\n\n. Then farther he spake, the monarch, * My brother in sooth may seek\n10a ,Yet more from my hand of favour than my mouth may as swiftly speak,\nWith me shall he have his dwelling—I would that ye all should see\nHow one mother alike hath borne us ; his riches but small shall be,\n\nWhile I have enough ; of free hand would I give him both lands and gold,\nThat my bliss may be ne’er held forfeit by Him, Who can aye withhold,\n\nOr give, as He deemeth rightful! ’ Then the princes they heard alway,\nHow the king would deal well with his brother, and they deemed it a joyful\nday!\n\nAnd each one bowed him low before him. Nor Gamuret long delayed,\n\nBut he spake as his heart would bid him, and friendly the words he said :\n\n‘ Now hearken, my lord and brother, if vassal I think to be\nno To thee, or to any other, then a fair lot awaiteth me.\n\nBut think thou upon mine honour, for faithful art thou and wise,\n\nAnd give counsel as shall beseem thee, and help as thou shalt devise.\n\nFor naught have I now save mine armour, if within it I more had done,\nThen far lands should speak my praises, and remembrance from men were\nwon! ’\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nGAMURET\n\nThen further he spake, the hero : ‘ Full sixteen my squires shall be, 115\n\nAnd six of them shall bear harness ; four pages give thou to me\nOf noble birth and breeding, and nothing to them I ’ll spare\nOf all that my hand may win them. Afar in the world I ’Id fare,\n\n(Somewhat I ere now have journeyed,) if Good Fortune on me shall smile,\n\n1 may win from fair women favour. If a woman I serve awhile, 130\n\nAnd to serve her she hold me worthy, and my heart speaketh not amiss,\n\nTrue knight shall I be and faithful! God show me the way of bliss !\n\nAs comrades we rode together (but then o’er thy land did reign\nv The King Gandein, our father), and sorrow and bitter pain\nWe bare for Love’s sake ! At one while 1 knew thee as thief and knight , 135\n\nThou couldst serve, and thou couldst dissemble, for the sake of thy lady\nbright\n\nAh ! could 1 steal love as thou couldst, if my skill were but like to thine, .\n\nThat women should show me favour, then a blissful lot were mine ! *\n\n‘Alas! that 1 ever saw thee,’ spake, sighing, the king so true,\n\n‘Who lightly, with words of mocking, my heart would in pieces hew i\n\nAnd would fain that we part asunder! One father hath left us both\nA mighty store of riches, I would share with thee, nothing loth. # ,\n\nRight dear from my heart I hold thee ; red gold and jewels bright,\n\nFolk, weapons, horse, and raiment, take thou as shall seem thee right,\n\nThat thou at thy will mayst journey, and thy free hand to all be known. ]\nElect do we deem thy manhood, didst thou Gylstram as birthplace own,\n\nOr thou earnest here from Rankulat, yet still would that place be thine,\nWhich thou boldest to-day in my favour; true brother art thou of mine! ’\n\n* Sir King, thou of need must praise me, so great is thy courtesy ! ^\n\nSo, courteous, thine aid be given, if thou and my mother free 140\n\nWill share with me now your riches, I mount upward, nor fear to fall,\n\nAnd my heart ever beateth higher—Yet I know not how I should call\nThis life, which my left breast swelleth 1 Ah ! whither wouldst go mine\nheart?\n\nI would fain know where thQu shalt guide me—Tis time that we twain\nshould part’\n\nAnd all did the monarch give him, yea, more than the knight might crave,\nFive chargers, picked and chosen, the best in his land he gave\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nHigh-couraged, swift to battle; and many a cup of gold,\n\nAnd many a golden nugget, for naught would his hand withhold.\n\nFour chests for the road he gave him, with many a jewel rare\n150 Were they filled. Then the squires he took him who should for the treasure\ncare,\n\nAnd well were they clad and mounted ; and none might his grief withhold\nWhen the knight gat him unto his mother, who her son in her arms did fold.\n\nSpake the wom^n, as woman grieving ‘ Wilt thou tarry with me no more,\nKing Gandein’s son ? Woe is me ! yet my womb this burden bore\n155 And the son of my husband art thou. Is the eye of God waxed blind,\n\nOr His ear grown deaf in the hearing, that my prayer doth no credence find?\nIs fresh sorrow to be my portion ? I have buried my heart’s desire,\n\nAnd the light of mine eyes; will He rob me, who have suffered a grief so dire.\nWho judgeth with righteous judgment ? Then the tale it hath told a lie, *1\n160 That spake of His help so mighty, Who doth help unto me deny 1 ’\n\n‘ God comfort thee,’ quoth the hero, ‘ for the death of my father dear,\n\nFor truly we both must mourn him—But I think from no lips to hear\nSuch wailing for my departing ! As valour shall show the way,\nv I seek knighthood in distant countries—So it standeth with me to-day.’\n\n165 Quoth the queen,^ Since to high love’s service thou turnest both hand and\nheart,\n\nSweet son, let it not displease thee to take of my wealth a part\n\nThat may serve thee upon thy journey ; let thy chamberlain take from me\n\nFour chests, each a pack-horse burden, and heavy their weight shall be.\n\nAnd within, uncut, there lieth rich silk of Orient rare,\n\n170 No man as yet hath cut it, and many a samite fair.\n\nSweet son, I prithee tell me what time thou wilt come again,\n\nThat my joy may wax the greater, and I look for thee not in vain ! ’\n\n‘ Nay, that I know not, Lady, nor the land that shall see my face,\n\nBut wherever I take my journey, thou hast shown unto me such grace\n175 As befitteth knightly honour : and the king he hath dealt with me ‘\nIn such wise that grateful service his rewarding shall ever be.\n\nAnd this trust have I, O Lady, that for this thou wilt love him more\nHenceforward, whate’er the future yet keepeth for me in store.’\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nGAMURET\n\nAnd as the venture telleth, to the band of this dauntless knight,\n\nThro* the favour he won from a woman, and the working of true love’s might, 180\nCame a token fair, and its value was full thousand marks, 1 trow,\n\nE’en to-day an a Jew were craving a pledge, he would deem enow\nSuch jewel, and ne’er disdain it—’Twas sent by his lady true,\n\nAnd fame did he win in her service, and her love and her greeting knew,\n\nYet seldom his pain found easing—Then the hero he took his leave 185\n\nOf mother, brother, and brother’s kingdom, and many I ween must grieve\n^ Since his eyes never more beheld them* And all who his friends had been,\n\nEre he passed from the land of his fathers, tho’ the grace were but small, 1\nwe£n.\n\nHe gave them of thanks full measure ; he deemed they too much had done,\nAnd, courteous, little thought him, that of right he their love had won! • 190\n\nStraighter his heart than straightness; did one of his praises speak\nIn a full and fitting measure, then doubt were not far to seek,\n\nBut ask ye of those his neighbours, or of men who in distant lands\nHad seen his deeds, then the marvel ye were swifter to understand.\n\nAnd Gamuret he trode ever where Temperance aye should guide, 195\n\nAnd naught else might rule his doings, nor he boasted him in his pride\nBut bare great honour meekly ; from loose ways he e’er had flown ;\n\nAnd he thought him, the gallant hero, that none bare on earth a crown,\n\nWere they King, or Queen, or Kaiser, whom he deemed of his service\nworth\n\nWere they not the mightiest reckoned of all monarchs that be on earth. aoo\nThis will in his heart he cherished—Then men spake, at Bagdad did reign\nA monarch so strong and powerful, that homage he well might claim\nFrom two-thirds or more of earth’s kingdoms. The heathen his name held\ngreat,\n\nAnd they spake of him as the Baruch, and kings did on his bidding wait,\n\nAnd crowned heads'were his servants ; and his office it lasts to-day— 205\n\nSee how Christian men baptized to Rome wend their pilgrim way,\n\nSo there was the heathen custom. At Bagdad was their papal right,\n\nAnd the Baruch as ’seemed his office purged their sins with his word of\nmight\n\nFrom Pompey and Ipomidon, two brothers of Babylon,\n\nNineveh, the town of their fathers, the Baruch with force had won.\n\nDigitized by v^.ooQle\n\nIO\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nv And bravely ’gainst him they battled. Then came the young Angevin,\n\nAnd the Baruch he showed him favour, yea, he did to his service win\nGamuret the gallant hero—And he deemed it were well he bore\nOther arms than Gandein his father had given to him of yore.\nai5 Then the hero he well bethought him ; on his charger’s cloth they laid\nAn anchor of ermine fashioned, and the same at his will they made\nFor shield alike and vesture—And green as the emerald rare\nWas his riding-gear, and ’twas fashioned and wrought of Adimardi fair,\n\n(Tis a silken stuff,) and he bade them to make of it at his will\n220 Both blazoned coat and surcoat, (than velvet ’tis richer still;)\n\nAnd he bade them to sew upon it the anchor of ermine white,\n\nAnd with golden threads inwoven was the badge of this gallant knight.\n\nAnd his anchors they never tested or mainland or haven fair\nAnd found in that place abiding—But the hero must further bear\n**5 Thro’ many a land, a brave guest, the load of this heraldry,\n\nAnd behind the sign of this anchor but short space might his resting be,\nAnd nowhere he found abiding—The tale of the lands he saw,\n\nAnd the vessels in which he sailed him ? If the truth unto ye I swore,\n\nOn mine own oath must I swear it, and my knightly honour true\na 3o In such wise as the venture told me ; other witness I never knew !\n\nAnd men say that his manly courage held the prize in far heathendom,\n\nIn Morocco’s land, and in Persia, and elsewhere he high honour won,\n\nAt Damascus and at Aleppo, and where knightly deeds should be:\n\nIn Arabia and lands around it was he held of all conflict free,\n\n235, For no man might dare withstand him, he won him such crown of feme ;\nt And his heart for honour lusted, and all deeds were brought to shame,\n\nAnd became as naught before him, as all men bare witness true\nWho a joust with him had ridden, and Bagdad of his glory knew.\n\nAnd his heart never failed or faltered, but onward his course he bare\n240 To Zassamank’s land and kingdom ; there all men wept that hero fair,\nEisenhart, who in knightly service gave his life for a woman’s smile ;\nBelakand thereto constrained him, sweet maid she, and free from guile.\n(Since her love she never gave him, for love’s sake did the hero die,)\n\nAnd his kinsmen would fain avenge him, and with force and with\nsubtlety\n\nDigitized by v^.ooQle\n\nGAMURET\n\nii\n\nTheir armies beset the maiden, but in sooth she could guard her well *45\n\nEre Gamuret came to her kingdom, and her wrath on her foemen fell\nv For the Prince Friedfebrand of Scotland, and his host that against her\ncame\n\nBy ship, ere he left her kingdom had she wasted with fire and flame.\n\nNow hear what befell our hero; storm-driven he was that day,\n\nAnd scarce might he win to safety, and his boat in the haven lay 250\n\nBeneath the royal palace ; and the folk they beheld him there,\n\nAnd he looked around on the meadow, and he saw many tents stand fair\nAround the town, save the sea-coast, and two armies he thought to see.\n\nThen he bade them to tell the story, and whose that fair Burg should be ?\n\nSince he knew it not, nor his shipmen—And an answer they straightway 255\ngave,\n\nTwas Patelamunt; then the townsfolk a boon from the knight would crave,\nAnd their speech it was soft and friendly—In the name of their gods they’ld\npray\n\nHe should help them, so great their peril Jhat in danger of death they lay.\n\n%/\n\n* When the young Angevin had hearkened to the tale of their bitter pain,\n\n. g He proffered to them his service for such payment as knight may gain, 260\n(As it oft shall befit a hero)—They should say for what goodly prize\nHe should dare the hate of their foemen ? And they answered him in this\nwise\n\nWith one mouth the hale and the wounded—Naught would they from him\nwithhold,\n\nBut lord should he be of their treasure, of their jewels alike and gold,\n\nA fair life should he lead among them !—But such payment he little sought, 365\n\nFor many a golden nugget from Araby had he brought\n\nAnd dark as night were the people who in Zassamank dwelt alway—\n\nAnd the time it seemfd long unto him thaf he need in their midst must\nstay—\n\nBut he bade them prepare a lodging, and methinks it became them well\nThe best of their land to give him, since awhile he with them would dwell.\n\nAnd the women they looked from the windows, and they gazed on the noble\nknight,\n\nAnd they looked on his squires, and his harness, how ’twas fashioned for\ndeeds of might.\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nThen they saw how the knight, free-handed, on his shield of ermine bare\nFull many a pelt of sable ; the Queen’s Marshal he read it fair,\n\n275 The badge, for a mighty anchor, and little he rued the sight,\n\nIf his eye spake the truth unto him ere this had he seen the knight,\n\nOr one who bare his semblance—At Alexandria it needs must be,\n\nWhen the Baruch besieged the city—and unequalled in strife was he ! ^\n\nSo rode the gallant hero, in stately guise and meet;\n\n280 Ten pack-horses heavy-laden they led first adown the street,\n\nAnd twenty squires behind them ; and his people they went before,\n\nAnd lackeys, cooks, and cook-boys, at the head of the train they saw.\n\nAnd stately I ween his household, twelve pages of lineage high\nRode next to the squires, well-mannered, and trained in all courtesy,\n\n285 And Saracens were among them ; and behind them in order fair\nCame chargers eight, and a covering of sendal did each one bear.\n\nBut the ninth it bore a saddle, and the shield ye have known ere now\nWas borne by a squire beside it, and joyful his mien, I trow.\n\nAnd trumpeters rode behind it, for in sooth they must needs be there,\n\n290 And a drummer he smote his tambour, and swung it aloft in air. J\n\nv And as naught had the hero deemed it, this pomp, if there failed to ride 1\nMen who on the flute were skilful, and three fiddlers were at their side,\n\nAnd they hasted not nor hurried ; and behind them the hero came,\n\nAnd his shipman he rode beside him, a wise man of goodly fame.\n\n295 And much folk was within the city, and Moors were both man and maid.\n\nThen the hero he looked around him, and, lo ! many a shield displayed,\n\nBattle-hewn and with spear-thrust pierc&d they hung on each wall and door.\n\nAnd wailing and woe was their portion ; for the knight at each window saw\nMany men lie sorely wounded, who to breathe the air were fain,\n\n300 And e’en tho’ a leech might tend them no help might they think to gain\n\nWho were hurt too sore for healing—In the field had they faced the foe, ^\n\nAnd such shall be their rewarding who in conflict no flight will know—\n\nMany horses were led towards him, sword-hewn and with lance thrust\nthrough ;\n\nAnd on each side stood dusky maidens, and black as the night their hue.\n\n305 Then his host gave him kindly greeting—and of joy did he reap his meed—\n\nA rich man was he and mighty, and many a knightly deed\n\n* Digitized by* L.oogle\n\nGAMURET\n\n*3\n\nWith thrust and blow had his hand wrought when his post at the gate be\nfound;\n\nAnd many a knight was with him, and bandaged their heads and bound,\n\nAnd their hands in slings were holden ; yet tho’ sorely wounded still\n\nThey did many deeds of knighthood, nor were lacking in strength and skill. 310\n\ni\n\nThen the Borg-grave of the city, with fair words did he pray his guest\nTo deal with him and his household in such wise as should seem him best.\n\nAnd the host, he led the hero to his wife, and courteously\nDid Gamuret kiss the lady, small joy in the kiss had he !\n\nThen they sat them down to the table, and e'en as the feast was o'er, 315\n\nThe Marshal he gat him swiftly to the queen, and the tidings bore,\n\nAnd craved from her goodly payment, as to messenger shall be due.\n\nAnd he spake, ‘ It shall end in gladness, the grief that erewhile we knew,\n\nWe have welcomed here, O Lady, a knight of such gallant mien,\n\nWe must thank the gods who have sent him, for our need they have surely 320\nseen.'\n\n^ * Now tell me upon thine honour who this gallant knight may be ? *\n\n* Lady, a dauntless hero, and the Baruch's man is he,\n\nAn Angevin he, of high lineage ; Ah me ! little did he spare\nHimself when his foemen seeking he forth to the field would fare.\n\nHow wisely, with skill and cunning, he avoided the threatening blow, 325\n\nAnd turned him again to the onslaught! Much sorrow he wrought his foe—\n\nEre this have I seen him battle, when the princes of Babylon\nTheir city of Alexandria had fain from the Baruch won,\n\nAnd with force from its walls would drive him, and many a man lay dead\nIn the overthrow of their army, for their venture was but ill-sped. 330\n\nAnd such deeds did he do, this hero, that no counsel was theirs but\nflight:\n\nA And there did I hear his praises, for all spake of this gallant knight\nAs one who, without denial, had won him, in many a land,\n\nThe crown of true knightly honour, by the strength of his own right hand.\n\n‘ Now fain would I speak with the hero, see thou to the time and way ;\nE'en now might he ride to the castle, for peace shall be kept to-day.\nWere it better that I should seek him ? He is other than we in face,\n\nPray Heaven it not displease him, but our need with the knight\n\nDigitized by Google\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nI would that I first might know this, ere the rede from my folk I hear\n340 That I show to this stranger honour—If it pleaseth him to draw near,\n\nSay, how shall I best receive him ? Shall the knight be so nobly bom\nThat my kiss be not lost, if I kiss him ?’ ‘ Nay, hold me of life forsworn\nIf he be not of kings the kinsman ! Lady, this word I ’ll bear\nTo thy princes, that they shall clothe them in raiment both fit and fair,\n\n345 And stand before thee, in due order, ere yet to thy court we ride,\n\nAnd the same sbalt thou say to thy ladies—In the city he doth abide ;\n\nI will ride below, and will bring him to thy palace, a worthy guest,\n\nFor no fair or knightly virtue shall be lacking that noble breast’\n\n| But little space they delayed them, for the Marshal, with ready skill,\n\n350 Strove that all in such wise be ordered as should pleasure his lady’s will.\n\nBut soon did they bear to the hero rich garments, he did them on,\n\nAnd this hath the venture told me that their cost should be hardly won *;\nAnd thereon lay the anchors, heavy, and wrought of Arabian gold,\n\nFor so had he willed. Then the hero, who fair payment for love had told\n355 A charger bestrode that ’fore Babylon a knight rode, for jousting fain,\n\nFrom the saddle did Gamuret smite him, and I wot it hath wrought him pain.\n\nIf his host thought to ride beside him ? He and his gallant knights ?\n\nYea, in sooth they would do so, gladly—So wended they up the height,\n\nAnd dismounted before the palace; and many a knight stood there,\n\n360 And each, as was fit, had clothed him in raiment both rich and fair.\n\nAnd his pages they ran before him, and each twain they went hand in\nhand,\n\nAnd in marvellous fair arraying he saw many ladies stand.\n\nAnd the queen, her eyes brought her sorrow as she looked on the Angevin,\n\n*. So lovely was he to look on that he needs must an entrance win\n365 Thro* the gates of her heart, if’twere anguish or joy that within he bore,\nTho’ her womanhood ’gainst all comers had held them fast closed before.\n\nThen a space did she step towards him, and a kiss from her guest she\nprayed;\n\nAnd, herself by the hand she took him and they sat them, both man and\nmaid\n\nIn a window wide, that looked forth from the palace upon the foe,\n\n370 And a covering of wadded samite was sp^|a^q>’er the couch below.\n\nGAMURET\n\nIs there aught that than day is lighter ? Then it likeneth not the queen I\nYet else was she fair to look on, as a woman should be, I ween,\n\nBat unlike to the dew-dipped roses was her colour, yea, black as night\n\nAnd her crown was a costly ruby, and thro’ it ye saw aright\n\nHer raven head. Then as hostess she spake to her guest this word, 375\n\nThat greatly she joyed at his coming, ( Sir, Knight, I such tale have heard\n\nOf thy knightly strength and prowess—Of thy courtesy, hear me fair,\n\nFor fain would I tell of my sorrow, and the woe that my heart dot bear! ’\n\n‘ My help shall not fail thee, Lady ! What hath grieved, or doth grieve thee\nnow,\n\n1 think me aside to turn it, to thy service my hand I vow! 380\n\nI am naught but one man only—Who hath wronged or now wrongeth thee\nMy shield will 1 hold against him—Little wroth shall thy foeman be 1 ’\n\nThen a prince he spake out courteous, ‘ The foe would we little spare,\n\nDid our host hot lack a captain, since F riedebrand hence must fare.\n\nHe defendeth afar his kingdom—A king, one Hernant by name\n(Whom he slew for the sake of Herlincte) his kinsmen against him came,\nAnd evil enow have they wrought him, nor yet from their strife forbear—\nYet he left here full many a hero, and among them, Duke Heuteger\nWith his gallant deeds of knighthood, and his army, hath pressed us sore,\nThey have skill and strength for the conflict. And many a soldier more\nWith Gaschier of Normandy came here, and a hero wise is he.\n\nMany knights hath he brought to this country (and wrathful guests they be) :\nKailet of Hoscurast All these hath he brought upon our fair land\nWith his comrades four, and his soldiers, the Scottish king Friedebrand !\nAnd there, to the West, by the sea-coast doth Eisenhart’s army lie,\n\nAnd their eyes shall be fain for weeping; nor in secret, nor openly\nHath one seen them, and failed to marvel at their grief and their sorrow\nsore,\n\nSince their lord hath been slain in battle with the heart’s rain their eyes run\no’er.’\n\nThen the guest courteous spake to his hostess, * 1 would, an it seem thee\nright,\n\nTbon shouldst say why thy foeman threaten, why they seek thee with war-\n\nlike might!\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\ni6\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nThou hast here many gallant heroes, it grieveth me sore to see\nThy land thus with hate o’erladen, for woe must it bring to thee.*\n\n‘ Wouldst thou know ? Then, Sir Knight, I will tell thee—A knight did me\nservice true,\n\nAnd the fruit of all manly virtue his life as its decking knew,\n\n405 And gallant and wise was the hero, and his faith as a goodly tree\n\nWas fast-rooted, and none so courteous but were shamed by his courtesy.\nAnd modest was he as a woman, tho’ dauntless and strong, I trow,\n\nAnd a knight e’en as he free-handed ere his day never land might know.\n(But they that shall come hereafter, other folk shall their doings see.)\n\n410 A fool was he in false dealing, and a Moor, as myself shall be;\n\nAnd his father’s name was Tdnkaneis, a king of a kingly heart,\n\nAnd his son, he who was my lover, men knew him as Eisenhart\nThat for love’s sake I took his service, as a woman 1 did not well,\n\nIt hath brought me but lasting sorrow since no joy to his portion fell,\n\n415 They deem I to death betrayed him ! Yet such treason were far from\nme, J\n\nTho* his folk bring such charge against me ; and dear to my heart was he,\nFar dearer than they e’er held him. Nor witnesses here shall fail ^\n\nTo speak to the truth of my saying, if it please them to tell the tale.\n\nHis gods and mine, they know it, the truth—I must sorrow deep ,\n\n420 Since my womanly shame hath brought him a guerdon I needs must weep 1 ’\n\n‘ Thus he won in my maiden service much honour by knighthood fair,\n\nI thought thus to prove my lover; his deeds did his worth declare.\n\nFor my sake he put off his hames^that which like to a hall doth stand\nIs a lofty tent, the Scotch folk they brought it into this landy'\n\n435 Then e’en tho* he bare no armour his body he little spared,\n\nFor he held his life as worthless, many ventures unarmed he dared.\n\nAs the matter so stood between us, a prince who my man shoufd be,\nProt^izilas did men call him, a bold knight, from all cowardice free,\n\nRode forth in search of venture, and evil for him that day\n490 For there, in Assagog’s forest, his death in waiting lay.\n\nIn a knightly joust he met it, and there too he found his end\n\nThe gallant knight who faced him—’Twas Prince Eisenhart my friend.\n\nFor both of the twain were pierced with a spear thro* heart and shield,\n\nAnd I, alas ! poor woman, must weep for that fatal field.\n\nGAMURET\n\n1 7\n\nAnd ever their death doth grieve me, and sorrow from love shall grow, 435\nYnd never henceforth as my husband a man do 1 think to know.’\n\nrhen e’en tho’ she was a heathen Gamuret he bethought him well,\nrhat a heart more true and tender ne’er in woman’s breast might dwell.\n\n4er purity was her baptism, and as water that washed her o’er\nYas the rain that streamed from her eyelids o’er her breast, and the robe 44®\nshe wore ;\n\n.Vll her joy did she find in sorrow, and grief o’er her life did reign—\n\nThen the queen she looked on the hero, and in this wise she spake again\n\nWith his army the king of Scotland hath sought me across the sea,\n\n7 or the knight was son to his uncle; yet* no ill can he do to me,\nf here the truth be spoken, that is worse than the grief I knew 445\n\nFor Eisenhart’s death !’ and sorely she sighed that lady true;\n\nAnd many a glance thro’ her tear-drops on Gamuret shyly fell,\n\nAnd her eyes to her heart gave counsel, and his beauty it pleased her well,\n\nAnd she knew how to judge a fair face, since fair heathen she oft had\nseen,)\n\nAnd the root of true love and longing it sprang up the twain between. 450\nShe looked upon him, and his glances, they answering sought her own—\n\nThen she bade them to fill the wine-cup, had she dared, it were left undone,\n\nAnd she grieved she might not delay it, since to many a hero brave\nWho spake with the maids this wine-cup the signal of parting gave.\n\nYet her body was e’en as his body, and his look did such courage give 455\nTo the maid, that she thought henceforward in the life of the knight to live.\n\nrhen he stood upright, and he spake thus, * Lady, I weary thee,\n\nToo long methinks do I sit here, I were Jacking in courtesy!\n\nAs befitting true knight and servant I mourn for thy woe so great,\n\nLady, do thpu command me, I will on thy bidding wait. 460\n\nWherever thou wilt, there I wend me. I will serve thee in all I may! ’\n\nAnd the lady she quoth in answer, ‘ 1 believe thee, Sir Knight, alway 1 ’\n\nThen his kindly host the Burg-grave, of his labour would nothing spare\nLest the hours of his stay be heavy; and he asked if he forth would fare,\n\nAnd ride round the walls of the city ? ‘ The battle-field shalt thou see, 465\nAnd how we would guard our portals ! ’ then Gamuret courteously\nVOL. I# • Digitized by CjOO^Ic ^\n\ni8\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nMade answer, he fain would see it, the field where they late had fought.\n\nAnd the place where brave deeds of knighthood had by gallant hands been\nwrought.\n\nAnd noble knights rode with him adown from the palace hall,\n\n470 Some were wise, some were young and foolish,—So rode they around the wall\nTo sixteen gates, and they told him not one of them might they close\nSince Eisenhart’s death called for vengeance—* So wrathful shall be our foes\nOur conflict it resteth never, but we fight both by night and day,\n\nNor our portals since then we fasten, but open they stand alway.\n\n475 At eight of our gates they beset us, true Eisenhart’s gallant knights,\n\nAnd evil shall they have wrought us ; spurred by anger each man doth fight.\nThe princes of lofty lineage, the king of Assagog’s ban ! *\n\nAnd there floated before each portal a banner, so pale and wan,\n\nWith a piercfed knight upon it. When Eisenhart lost his life\n4 8 ° His folk chose to them this symbol, as badge in the coming strife.\n\n* But against these arms have we others, wherewith we their grief would still,\nAnd thus shalt thou know our banner; ’twas wrought at our lady’s will,\n\nTwo fingers in oath she stretcheth, that never such grief she knew\n\nAs Eisenhart’s death hath brought her (true sorrow for heart so true),\n\n4®5 And so doth it stand the semblance of our queen, on a samite white\nBelakanl in sable fashioned,—Since against us they came in might,\n\n(To avenge him for whom she sorrows) so she looks from our portals high.\nAnd proud Friedebrand’s mighty army doth to eight of our gates stand nigh,\nBaptized men, from o’er the waters. A prince doth each portal hold,\n\n490 And forth from*the gate he sallies, with his banners and warriors bold.’\n\n* From the host of Gaschier the Norman, a count have we captive ta’en, *\nAnd heavy methinks the ransom we may hope from that knight to gain ;\n\nHe is sister’s son to Kailet, and the harm he to us hath done %\n\nHis nephew I ween shall pay for! Yet such prize have we seldom won.\n\n495 Here have we no grassy meadow, but sand, thirty gallops wide\nBetwixt the tents and the trenches ; here many a joust we ride.’\n\nv\n\nAnd further his host would tell him, * One knight, he doth never fail\nTo ride forth, a fair joust seeking. (If his service shall nought avail\nWith her who hath sent him hither, what boots it how well he fight ?)\nSoo Proud Heuteger is the hero, of him may I speak with right\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nGAMURET\n\nFor since our besiegers threaten there dawneth never a day\n\nBut before the gates; ’neath the castle, that knight doth his charger stay.\n\nAnd oft from that dauntless hero many tokens we needs must bear,\n\nThat he smote through our shields at his spear-point, and costly their worth\nand rare\n\nWhen the squire from the shield doth break them. Many knights 'fore his 505\njoust must fall;\n\nHe would that all men may behold him, and our women they praise him all.\n\nAnd he who is praised of women, one knoweth that he doth hold\n\nThe prize in his hand, and his heart’s joy in full measure shall aye be told! ’\n\nBut now would the sun, grown weary, its wandering rays recall;\n\nTwas time that the ride was ended—Then he sought with his host the hall, 510\nAnd the evening meal was ready; and I needs of that feast must tell,\n\nTwas laid in a fitting order, and knightly ’twas served, and well.\n\nAnd the queen with mien so stately she unto his table came,\n\n(Here stood the fish, there the heron) and she counted it not for shame\nTo ride adown from her palace, that herself she might be aware 515\n\nIf they cared for the guest as ’twas fitting, and with her rode her maidens\n% fair.\n\nLow she knelt (and but ill it pleased him) and cut as it seemed her best\nFor the knight a fitting portion ; she was glad in her goodly guest\nAnd she filled for him the wine-cup, and care for his needs would take,\n\nAnd well did he mark, the hero, her mien, and the words she spake. 530\n\nAnd his fiddlers sat at the table, and over against the knight\n\nWas his chaplain : with shy looks shamefast, he spake to the lady bright:\n\n! looked not to find such welcome as, Lady, thou gavest me,\n\n00 much must I deem the honour 1 If rede I might give to thee,\nfhen to-day I had claimed naught from thee save was due to my worth alone; 535\nNor adown the hill hadst thou ridden, nor such service to me hadst shown.\nAnd, Lady, if I may venture to make unto thee request.\n\nLet me live but as best befits me, thou dost honour o’ermuch thy guest!'\n\nYet her kindly care she stayed not; for she stept to his page’s seat\nAnd with gentle words and friendly she prayed them to freely eat,\nThis she did her guest to honour : and the noble lads, I trow,\n\nBare goodwill to the royal lady. Nor the queen methinks was slow\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\n53 °\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nTo pass where the host was seated and his lady, the Burg-gravine,\n\nAnd she raised the golden goblet, and she spake as should fit a queen :\n\n535 1 Now unto your care I give him, our guest, and I rede ye both\n\nSince the honour is yours, to hearken, and do my will nothing lothI *\n\n* And she bade them farewell, and she turned her, and passed to her guest\nonce more,\n\nWhose heart for her sake was heavy ; and such sorrow for him she bore,\nAnd her heart and her eyes they answered, and they spake to her sorrow\nyea!\n\n540 And courteous she spake, the lady, * Sir Knight, thou the word shalt say,\nAnd whate'er be thy will, I will do it, for I hold thee a worthy guest.\n\nNow give me, I pray, dismissal; if here thou in peace shalt rest,\n\nOf that shall we all be joyful.* Her torch-holders were of gold,\n\nAnd four tapers they bare before her, so she rode to her fortress-hold.\n\nS\n\n545'Nor long at the board they lingered—The hero was sad, and gay,\n\nHe was glad for the honour done him, yet a sorrow upon him lay,\n\nAnd that was strong Love's compelling, that a proud heart and courage\n\n.\n\nCan bend to her will, and gladness shall oft at her bidding fly.\n\nThen the hostess she passed to her chamber, yea, e'en as the meal was o'er ;\n550 And a couch did they spread for the hero, and love to the labour bore.\n\nAnd the host to his guest spake kindly, * Now here shall thy sleep be sweet,\nThou shalt rest thro* the night that cometh, to thy need shall such rest\nbe meet.*\n\nThen he spake to his men, and he bade them they should hence from the\nhall away,\n\nAnd the noble youths his pages, their couches around his lay\n555 Each one with the head toward his master, for so was the custom good ;\nAnd tapers so tall and flaming alight round the chamber stood.\n\nYet ill did it please the hero that so long were the hours of night,\n\nFor the Moorish queen so dusky, had vanquished his heart of might.\n\nAnd he turned as a willow wand bendeth, till his joints they were heard\nto crack,\n\n560 The strife and the love that he craved for he deemed he o'er-long did lack.\nAnd his heart-beats they echoed loudly, as it swelled high for knighthood fain,\nAnd he stretched himself as an archer who bendeth a bow amain.\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nGAMURET\n\nAnd so eager his last for battle that sleepless the hero lay\nTill he saw the grey light of morning, though as yet it should scarce be\nday.\n\nw And his chaplain for Mass was ready, and to God and the knight they sing, 565\nFor so did he give commandment. Then he bade them his harness bring,\n\nAnd he rode where a joust should wait him, and that self-same hour would\nride\n\nA horse that could charge the foeman, and turn swiftly to either side,\n\nAnd answer to bit and bridle if its rider would backward draw. '\n\nAnd the watchers, both man and woman, his helm in the gateway, saw, 570\n\nAnd the anchor shone fair upon it; and no man ere this might see\nSo wondrous fair a hero, for like to a god was he 1\n\nAnd strong spears they bare for his using—How then was he decked, the,\nknight ?\n\nWith iron was his charger covered, as should serve for a shield in fight,\n\nAnd above lay another covering, nor heavy methinks it weighed, 575\n\nTwas a samite green ; and his surcoat and blazoned coat were made\nOf Achmardi, green to look on, and in'Araby fashioned fair,\n\nAnd no lie I tell, but the shield-thongs that the weight of the shield should\nbear\n\nWere of silk and gold untarnished, and jewel-bedecked their pride,\n\nAnd the boss of the shield was covered with red gold, in the furnace tried. 580\n•— He served but for love’s rewarding ; sharp conflict he held it light;\n\nAnd the queen she looked from her window, with many a lady bright.\n\nAnd see, there Heuteger held him, who the prize ne’er had failed to gain ;\n\nWhen he saw the knight draw nearer, in swift gallop across the plain,\n\nHe thought, ‘Now whence came this Frenchman ? Who hither this knight 585\nhath sent ?\n\nIf a Moor 1 had thought this hero, my wit were to madness bent! ’\n\nNo whit they delayed the onslaught, from gallop to swifter flight\nEach man spurred amain his charger ; and as fitting a valiant knight\nNor one would evade the other, but would meet him in jousting fair,\n\nFrom brave Heuteger’s spear the splinters flew high thro* the summer air, 590\nBut his foeman so well withstood him that he thrust him from off his steed\nAdown on the grass ; but seldom might he win for his joust such meed !\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nAnd his foe in his course rode o’er him, and trode him unto the ground,\n\nYet he sprang up again, and valiant, fresh lust for the strife he found,\n\n595 But Gamuret’s lance had pierced him thro’ the arm, and he bade him yield,\nAnd he knew he had found his master, and he spake from the foughten field,\n\n* Now who shall have overthrown me?’ and the victor he swiftly spake,\n\n* Gamuret Angevin do men call me!’ then he quoth, ‘Thou my pledgecanst\n\ntake 1’\n\nThen his pledge the knight took, and straightway he sent him within the\nwall,\n\n600 And much praise did he win from the women who looked from the castle\nhall\n\nAnd swiftly there came towards him, Gaschier of Normandy,\n\nA proud and wealthy hero and mighty in strife was he.\n\nAnd Gamuret made him ready, for a second joust he Hd ride,\n\nAnd strong and new was his spear-shaft, and the iron was both sharp and\nwide,\n\n605 And the strangers they faced each other—But unequal their lot, I trow,\n\nFor Gaschier and his gallant charger full swiftly were they laid low,\n\nAnd the knight with his arms and harness he fell in the shock of strife ;\n\nIf he thought it for good or for evil, by his pledge must he win his life.\n\nThen Gamuret quoth, the hero, ‘ Thou hast pledged unto me thine hand,\n\n610 Yet the weapon it well hath wielded ! Ride thou to the Scottish band,\n\nAnd bid them to cease from troubling; if they to thy will are fain,\n\nThou canst follow me to the city. 1 Then the knight hied him o’er the plain.\nIf he prayed them, or gave commandment, they did at the last his will,\n\nAnd the Scottish host they rested, and from conflict they held them still.\n\n615 Then Kailet spurred swift towards him, but Gamuret turned his rein,\n\nHis cousin he was, and near kinsman, why then bring him grief and pain ?\nAnd the Spaniard cried loudly on him; on his helm he an ostrich bare,\n\nAnd so far as I know to tell ye the knight he was decked so fair\nWith silken raiment goodly, and long were his robes and wide,\n\n6ao And the plain rang clear with the chiming of sweet bells as he o’er it hied.\nThe flower he of manly beauty, and his fairness it held the field,\n\nSave for two who should come hereafter, and his fame unto theirs must\n\n^ ’ Digitized by Google\n\nGAMURET\n\nBut Parzival and brave Beau-corps, King Lot’s son, they are not here.\n\nNot yet were they born, but hereafter for their beauty men held them dear !\n\nThen Gaschier he grasped his bridle. 4 Now checked will it be thy race, 625\nSo I tell thee upon mine honour, if the Angevin thou shalt face\nu . Who there my pledge hath taken. Sir Knight, thou shalt list my prayer\nAnd hearken unto my counsel; in Gamuret’s hand I sware\nFrom strife aside to turn thee : stay thy steed then for my sake,\n\nFor mighty is he in conflict! ’ Then aloud King Kailet spake, 630\n\n4 Is he Gamuret my cousin, and son unto King Gandein ?\n\nThen I care not with him to battle, no foe shall he be of mine 1\nTake thine hand from off my bridle’— 4 Nay, further thou shalt not fare\n, Till mine eyes have first beheld thee, with thine head of the helmet bare,\n\nFor mine with blows is deafened ! ’ Then his helmet the prince unbound. 635\nAnd yet, tho’ with him he fought not, Gamuret other foemen found.\n\nAnd the day had grown to high morning—And the folk who the joust might\nsee\n\n^ Were glad at heart, and they gat them to their bulwarks right speedily,\n\nFor he was as a net before them, and none might escape his hold.\n\nAnd he chose him another charger, so the tale unto me was told, 640\n\nAnd it flew, and the earth it spurn&d, and its work could aright fulfil,\n\nBold when the knight would battle, yet its speed could he check at will.\n\nAnd what would he do the rider ? His valour I praise alway,\n\nFor he rode where the Moorish army to the west by the sea-coast lay.\n\n^Thence a prince, Rassalig men called him, forgat not each coming morn 645\n(He was Assagog’s richest hero, to riches and honour bom\nSince he came of a royal lineage) to take from the camp his way\nHe would fain joust before the city—But his strength it was quelled that\n\nK. day\n\nBy Anjou’s dauntless hero; and a dusky maid made moan\n(Since ’twas she who sent him hither) that her knight should be thus 650\no’erthrown.\n\nFor a squire brought, without his bidding, to his master, brave Gamuret,\n\nA spear, with light reed-shaft fashioned, and its point ’gainst the Moor he set,\nAnd with it he smote the paynim from his steed down upon the sand,\n\nNor longer he bade him lie there than as surety he pledged his*hand.\n\nDigitized by vjiOO^lC\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n655 So the strife it had found its ending, and the hero had won him fame ;\n\nThen Gamuret saw eight banners toward the city that onward came,\n\nAnd he bade the conquered hero the force with his word to stay,\n\nAnd follow him to the city. And that word must he needs obey.\n\nNor Gaschier delayed his coming; and unto the Burg-grave told\n660 How his guest sought for further conflict nor his wrath might the host\nwithhold.\n\nIf he swallowed not iron as an ostrich, nor his wrath did on stones assuage\n’Twas but that he might not find them! Then he gnashed his teeth for rage,\nAnd he growled as a mighty lion, and the hair of his head he tare,\n\nAnd he quoth, * So the years of my lifetime a harvest of folly bear,\n\n665 The gods they had sent to my keeping a valiant and worthy friend,\n\nIf with strife he shall be o’erladen, then mine honour hath found an end;\nSword and shield they shall little profit—Yea, shame he would on me cast.*\nWho should bring this to my remembrance ! * Then swift from his place he\npassed,\n\nAnd he gat him into the portal, and a squire towards him drew, • >\n\n670 And he bare a shield that was painted with a knight by a spear pierced thro’,\nIn Ejsenhart’s land was it fashioned ; and a helmet his hand must hold,\nAnd a sword that Rassalig carried in battle, that heathen bold,\n\nBut now was he parted from it whose fame was in every place;\n\n; Were he slain unbaptized I think me, God had shown to this hero grace !\n\n675 And e’en as the Burg-grave saw it, ne’er of yore was his joy so great,\n\nFor the coat-of-arms he knew it—So he rode thro’ the city gate,\n\nAnd without, his guest had halted, young hero he, not yet old,\n\nAs one of a joust desirous, and his bridle the Burg-grave bold,\n\nLahfilirost was his name, he grasped it, and he led him within the wall;\n\n63 o And I wot well no other foeman that day ’neath his spear must fall.\n\nQuoth Lahfilirost the Burg-grave,‘ Sir Knight, thou shalt tell to me\nIf thine hand Rassalig hath vanquished ? ’ ‘Then our land from all strife\nis free ;\n\nFor he of the Moors is chieftain, the men of true Eisenhart\n\nWho have brought unto us such sorrpw—But now shall our woe depart,\n\n685 Twas a wrathful god who bade him thus seek us with all his host,\n\nBut his weapons to naught are smitten, and to folly is turned his boast! ’\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogle\n\nGAMURET 2$\n\nThen he led him in (ill it pleased him) and there met then the royal maid,\n\nAnd she loosened the bands of his vizor, and her hand on his bridle laid,\n\nTo her care must the Burg-grave yield it: nor his squires to their task were\nslack,\n\nFor they turned them about, and swiftly they rode on their master’s track. 690\nSo men saw the queen so gracious lead her guest thro’ the city street\nWho here should be hailed the victor—Then she lighted her on her feet,\n\n' ‘ Ah me ! but thy squires are faithful! Fear ye lest your lord be lost ?\n\nWithout ye shall he be cared for; take his steed, here am I his host! ’\n\nAnd above found he many a maiden : then her hands of dusky hue 695\n\n' The queen set unto his harness, and disarmed the knight so true.\n\nAnd the bed-covering was of sable, and the couch it was spread so fair.\n\nAnd in secret a hidden honour they did for the knight prepare,\n\nFor no one was there to witness—The maidens they might not stay,\n\nAnd the door was fast dosed behind them, and Frau Minne might have her 700\nway.\n\n$0 the queen in the arms of her true love found guerdon of sweet delight,\n\nTho’ unlike were the twain in their colour, Moorish princess and Christian\nknight!\n\nThen the townsfolk brought many an offering to the gods who had seen .\ntheir woe.\n\nThat which Rassalig needs must promise ere he from the held might go\nThat he did, in all truth and honour, yet heavy was he at heart, 705\n\nAnd afresh sprang the fount of his sorrow for his prince gallant Eisenhart.\n\nAnd the Burg-grave he heard of his coming; then loud rang the trumpet\ncall,\n\nAnd no man of Zassamank’s princes but came to the palace ball.\n\nThey gave Gamuret thanks for the honour he had won in the field that day,\nFour-and-twenty had fallen before him, and their chargers he bore away, 710\nAnd three chieftains had he made captive. And there rode in the princes’\ntrain\n\nMany gallant knights, in the courtyard of the palace did they draw rein.\n\nAnd the hero had slept and eaten, and clad him in raiment fair,\n\nChief host was he, for his body fit garments would they prepare.\n\nAnd she who afore was a maiden but now was a wife would take 7*5\n\nHer lord by the hand, forth she led him, and untober princes spake:\n\nDigitized by vjOOv 1C\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n* My body and this my kingdom are vassals unto this knight,\n\nIf so be that his foemen fearing, resist not his hand of might! ’\n\nThen Gamuret spake, and his bidding was courteous, for hero meet,\n\n720 * Sir Rassalig, go thou nearer, with a kiss thou my wife shalt greet;\n\nAnd Sir Gaschier, thou shalt do likewise/ Then the Scotch knight proud\nHeuteger\n\nHe bade on the lips to kiss her (and the wounds won in joust he bare).\n\nThen he bade them all be seated, and standing, he wisely spake :\n\n‘ I were fain to behold my kinsman, if he who did captive take\n725 The knight shall have naught against it—As kinsman it seemeth me\nThat I find here no other counsel save straightway to set him free ! *\n\nThen the queen she smiled, and bade them go swiftly and seek the knight,\nAnd then thro* the throng he pressed him, that count so fair and bright,\n\nYet bare he the wounds of knighthood, and bravely and well had fought;\n730 With the host of Gaschier the Norman the land of the Moors he sought\nHe was courteous ; his sire a Frenchman he was Kailet’s sister’s son,\nKillirjacac his name; in the service of fair women fair meed he won,\n\nAnd the fairest of men they deemed him. When Gamuret saw his face\n(For like were they each to the other, as men of a kindred race)\n\n735 He bade his queen to kiss him and embrace him as kinsman true,\n\nAnd he spake, * Now come thou and greet me ! * and the knight to his arms\nhe drew,\n\nAnd he kissed him, and each was joyful that the other he here might meet:\nAnd Gamuret *quoth unto him, ‘ Alas ! cousin fair and sweet,\n\nWhat doth thy young strength in this conflict ? Say, if woman hath sent\nthee here?*\n\n740 ‘ Nay, never a woman sent me, with my cousin I came, Gaschier,\n\nHe knoweth why he hath brought me—A thousand men have I,\n\nAnd I do to him loyal service—To Rouen in Normandy\nI came, where his force was gathered, and many a youthful knight\nI brought from Champagne in mine army; ’neath his banner we fain would\nfight.\n\n745 Now evil hath turned against him what of cunning is hers and skill,\n\nThou wilt honour thyself if thou free him for my sake, and cure his ill! *\n\nDigitized by vjOO^IC\n\nGAMURET\n\n2 7\n\n‘Thyself shalt fulfil thy counsel! Go thou, take with thee Gaschier,\n\nI would fain see my kinsman Kailet, do tbou bring him unto me here ! 1\n* So they wrought out the host’s desiring, and brought him at his behest,\n\nAnd in loving wise and kindly did Gamuret greet his guest; 75°\n\nAnd ofttimes the queen embraced him, and kissed him with kisses sweet:\n\nAnd nothing it wronged her honour in such wise the prince to greet,\n\nHe was cousin unto her husband, by birth was himself a king.\n\nThen smiling his host spake to him,‘ God knows, ’twere an evil thing,\n\nHad I taken from thee Toledo, and thy goodly land of Spain 755\n\nFor Gascogny’s king, who wrathful doth [Hague thee with strife amain ;\n\nTwere faithless of me, Sir Kailet, since mine aunt’s son thou sure shalt be ;\n\nThe bravest of knights shall be with thee; say, who forced this strife on thee?’\n\nThen out spake the proud young hero,‘My cousin Schilling bade\n\n(Since his daughter Friedebrand wedded) that I lend to the king mine aid. 760\n\nFor the sake of his wife hath he won him, yea even from me alone\n\nSix thousand chosen heroes, who valour and skill have shown.\n\nAnd other men did 1 bring him, but a part they shall hence have sailed,\n\nFor the Scottish folk came they hither, brave bands who in strife ne’er\nfailed.\n\nAnd there came to his aid from Greenland, strong heroes who bravely 7*5\nfought,\n\nTwo mighty kings, and a torrent of knighthood with them they brought,\n\nAnd many a goodly vessel: and they pleased me, those men of might—\n\nAnd here for his sake came Morhold, who hath cunning and skill in fight.’\n\n‘But now have they turned them homewards, and that which the queen\nshall say\n\nEven that will I do with mine army, her servant am I alway t 77°\n\nThou shalt thank me not for this service, from kinsman ’twas due, 1 ween.\n\nNow thine are these gallant heroes, if like mine they baptized had been\nAnd were even as they in colour, then never a monarch crowned\nBut if they should fight against him, of conflict his fill had found !\n\nBut I marvel what here hath brought thee ? Say, how didst thou reach this 775\nstrand?’\n\n‘Yestreen I came, and this morning 1 am lord o’er this goodly land !\n\nThe queen by the hand she took me, and with love I myself would shield,\n\nFor so did my wit give counsel—’ ‘Yea, so hast thou won the field,\n\nDigitized by vjOO^IC\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nThose sweet weapons two hosts have vanquished! ’ 4 Thou wouldst say,\nsince I fled from thee,\n\n780 So loudly on me thou calledst, say, what wouldst thou force from me?\n\nLet us speak of the thing in friendship ! ’ 4 Thine anchor I failed to know,\nBut seldom mine aunt’s brave husband Gandein, did such token show ! ’\n\n* But I, I knew well thine ostrich with the snake’s head upon thy breast,\nAloft stood thy bird so stately, nor hid it within a nest! ’\n\n785 ‘And I saw in thy mien and bearing that that pledge would have ’seemed\nthee ill\n\nWhich two heroes afore had given, tho’ first had they fought their fill.’\n\n‘ E’en such fate as theirs were my portion—But this thing I needs must say,\n\nTho’ little I like a devil, were he victor as thou this day\n\nFor love of his gallant doings the women had deemed him sweet,\n\n79 ° Yea, as sugar were fain to eat him ! ’ ‘ Now thou praisest me more than\nmeet 1’\n\n( Nay, of flattery know I little, thou shalt see that I hold thee dear\nIn other wise! ’ Then the hero bade Rassalig draw anear.\n\nAnd courteous he spake, King Kailet, ‘ My kinsman with valiant hand\nHath made of thee here his captive ?’ ‘Yea, Sire, so the thing doth stand,\n795 And I hold him for such a hero that Assagog’s kingdom fair\n\nShould fail not to yield him homage, since the crown he may never wear,\nOur prince Eisenhart! In her service was he slain who shall now be wife\nTo thy kinsman, as knight so faithful he gave for her love his life.\n\nWith my kiss have I sealed forgiveness, yet my lord and my friend I lost!\n800 If thy cousin by knightly dealing will repay of his death the cost\nI will fold my hands as his vassal: and wealth shall be his and fame,\n\nAll that Eisenhart from Tankaneis as his heritage thought to claim.\nEmbalmed here the hero lieth, and I gaze on his wounds each day\nSince this spear thro’ his true heart piercing, my lord and my king did slay! ’\n\n805 Then he drew it forth from his bosom by a silken cord so fine,\n\nAnd the heroes saw the spear-blade ’neath his robe on his bare chest shine.\nAnd he quoth, 4 It is now high morning, if my lord Sir Kiliirjacac\nMy token will bear to my princes, with him will the knights ride back.’\n\nAnd a finger-ring he sent them : dark as hell were those heroes all\n810 And they rode who were there of princes, thro’ the town to the castle hall.\n\nDigitized by Google\n\nGAMURET\n\nAs his vassals he gave with their banners to Assagog’s lords their land,\n\nAnd each one rejoiced in the fiefdom he won from his ruler’s hand,\n\nBut the better part was his portion, Gamuret’s, as their lord and king.\n\nAnd these were the first—as they passed hence their homage they fain would\nbring\n\nThe princes of Zassamank’s kingdom, and they came in their order due, 8x5\nAnd each as their queen had bade them, they took from his band anew\nTheir land, and the fruit it should bear them, as to each man was fit and\nright,\n\nAnd poverty fled from his presence. Now he who was slain in fight\nAnd in life was a prince by lineage, Prothizilas, he had left\nA Dukedom fair, and this country which was thus of its lord bereft 820\n\nHe gave unto him who much honour had won by his strong right hand,\n\nThe Burg-grave, in combat dauntless—With its banners he took the land.\n\nThen Assagog’s noble princes took the Scotch Duke, proud Heuteger,\n\nAnd Gaschier, the Norman hero, to their lord did they lead them there,\n\nAnd he spake them free for their asking, and they thanked brave Gamuret. 825\nThen Heuteger of Scotland with prayers did these knights beset,\n\n‘ Now give to our lord the armour, as prize for his deeds so brave,\n\nThat Eisenhart’s life took from us, when to Friedebrand he gave\nThat which was of our land the glory—Forfeit of joy the knight,\n\nAnd dead on his bier he lieth, since no love might his love requite—’ 830\n\nAnd earth knoweth naught so goodly, the helm it was strong dhd hard,\n\nYea even of diamond fashioned, in battle a goodly guard.\n\nThen Heuteger sware unto them, if the land of his lord he saw\nHe would pray of his hand the armour, and send it to them once more.\n\nAnd this did he swear them freely—Then leave would the princes pray 835\nWho stood in the royal presence, and they wend from the hall their way.\n\nAnd tho’ sorely the land was wasted, yet Gamuret scattered free\nSuch royal gifts and goodly as if laden with gold each tree.\n\nAnd costly I ween the presents that vassal and friend must share\n\nFrom the open hand of the hero ; and the queen deemed it right and fair. 840\n\nFull many a bitter conflict had been fought ere the bridal feast,\n\nBut peace had the foeman sealed, and the land was from strife released;\n(Nor this song I myself have woven, but so was it told to me)\n\nDigitized by Google\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nAnd Eisenhart did they bury with honours right royally.\n\n845 To his grave did his kinsmen bear him, and the gold that his lands might\nbring\n\n^ In'a whole year long, did they spend there, of their free will they did this\nthing.\n\nAnd Gamuret bade his kinsfolk bis riches and lands to hold\n\nAnd use as they would ; tho’ they craved not such boon from the hero bold.\n\nAt dawn from before the fortress the foe would their camp withdraw,\n\n850 And those who were there departed ; many litters with them they bore.\n\nAnd the field was left unsheltered, save for one tent so great and fair,\n\nAnd the king he bade his servants that tent to his vessel bear.\n\nAnd he said to his folk that to Assagog would he take it, and yet I wot\nHe did with that speech deceive them, for Assagog saw him not.\n\n855 Now that proud and gallant hero, his heart gave him little rest\n\nSince he found there no deeds of knighthood, and gladness forsook his\nbreast;\n\nYet his dusky wife was dearer than e’en his own life might be,\n\nNe’er knew he a truer lady whose heart was from falsehood free,\n\nShe forgat not what ’seemed a woman, and with her as comrades good\n860 Went purity untarnished, and the ways of true womanhood.\n\nHe was bom in Seville’s fair city whom the knight would hereafter pray,\nWhen he grew of his sojourn weary, to sail with him far away;\n\nFor many a mile had he led him, and he brought him unto this place,\n\nAnd a Christian was he, the steersman, nor like to a Moor in face.\n\n865 And wisely he spake, ‘ Thou shalt hide it from them who a dark skin bear,\nToo swift is my barque for pursuing, from hence shall we quickly fare ! *\n\nThen his gold it was borne to the vessel Now of parting I needs must tell,\nBy night did he go, the hero, and his purpose he hid it well;\n\nBut when from his wife he sail&d, in her womb did she bear his child :\n\n870 And fair blew the wind, and the breezes bare him hence o’er the waters wild.\n\nAnd the lady she found a letter, and ’twas writ by her husband’s hand ;\n\nAnd in French (for she well could read it) did the words of the writing\nstand:\n\nDigitized by v^.ooQle\n\nGAMURET\n\n3 i\n\n‘ Here one love to another speaketh—As a thief have I stolen away\nThat mine eyes might not see thy sorrow—But this thing I needs must say,\nWert thou, e’en as I, a Christian I ever should weep for thee, 875\n\nFor e’en now I must sorely mourn thee. If it chance that our child shall be\nIn face like'unto one other, then his is a dowry fair,\n\nOf Anjou was he born, and Frau Minne for his lady he did declare.\n\n* Yet was he in strife a hailstorm, ill neighbour unto his foe ;\n\nThat his grandsire hath been King Gandein, this I will that my son shall 880\nt know.\n\nDead he lay thro’ his deeds of knighthood ; and his father the same\ndeath won,\n\nAddanz was his name, and unsplintered his shield hath been seen of none ;\n\nAnd by birth he hath been a Breton, and two brothers’ sons were they,\n\nHe and the brave Pendragon, and their sires’ names I here will say;\n\nFor Lassalies he hath been the elder, and Brickus was his brother’s name, 885\nAnd Mazadan was their father whom a fay for her love did claim.\nTerre-de-la-schoie did they call her, to Fay-Morgan she led the king,\n\nFor he was her true heart’s fetters ; and my race from those twain did spring.\n\nH And fair shall they be, and valiant, and as crown&d kings they reign —\n\nIf lady, thou ’It be baptized thou mayst win me to thee again ! ’ 890\n\nYet had she no thought of anger, but she spake, 4 Ah ! too soon ’tis o’er,\n\nOf a sooth would I do his bidding, would it bring fiim to me once more.\n\nIn whose charge hath my courteous hero left the fruit of his love so true ?\n\nAlas! for the sweet communion that we twain for a short space knew!\n\nShall the strength of my bitter sorrow rule body and soul alway ? 895\n\nAnd she quoth, 4 Now his God to honour, his will would I fain obey,\n\nAnd gladly I ’Id be baptized, and live as should please my love ! ’\n\nAnd sorrow with her heart struggled, and e’en as the turtle dove\n\nHer joy sought the withered branches, for the same mind was hers, 1 ween,\n\nWhen the mate of the turtle dieth, she forsaketh the branches green. 900\n\nv\n\nThen the queen at the time appointed bare a son, who was dark and light,\nFor in him had God wrought a wonder, at one while was he black and white.\nAnd a thousand times she kissed him where white as his sire’s his skin.\n\nAnd she named the babe of her sorrows Feirefis Angevin.\n\nAnd he was a woodland-waster, many spears did he shatter fair,\n\nAnd shields did he pierce—as a magpie the hue of his face and hair.\n\nDigitized by Google\n\n90s\n\n3*\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nNow a year and more was ended since Gamuret won such fame\nAt Zassamank, and his right hand the victor’s prize might claim,\n\nAnd yet o’er the seas he drifted, for the winds vexed the hero bold.\n\n910 Then a silken sail red gleaming he saw, and the barque did hold\n\nThe men whom the King of Scotland, Friedebrand, sent upon their way\nAt the bidding of Queen Belakan£ : from her would they pardon pray\nThat ever he came against her, tho’ in sooth he had lost the more.\n\nAnd with them the diamond helmet, the corslet and sword they bore,\n\n915 And hosen e’en such as the harness, and a marvel it needs must be\n\nThat the barque was thus borne towards him, as the venture hath told to gie !\nAnd they gave him the goodly armour, and an oath unto them he swore\nThat his mouth it should speak their message, an he came to the queen\nonce more.\n\nAnd they parted ; and one hath told me that the sea bare him onward bound\nTill he came to a goodly haven, and in Seville his goal he found.\n\nAnd with gold did he pay his steersman right well for his guidance true,\nAnd they parted, those twain, and sorrow the heart of that steersman knew !\n\nDigitized by v^.ooQle",
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