{
  "meta": {
    "schema_version": "1.1",
    "endpoint": "/api/sources/grail-romances/parzival/14-book-xiv-gawain.json"
  },
  "work": {
    "slug": "parzival",
    "name": "Parzival"
  },
  "parents": [
    {
      "slug": "grail-romances",
      "name": "Holy Grail Romances",
      "url": "/sources/grail-romances/"
    }
  ],
  "chapter": {
    "num": 15,
    "slug": "14-book-xiv-gawain",
    "title": "Book XIV: Gawain",
    "of": 17,
    "words": 12680,
    "text": "## Book XIV: Gawain\n\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nDigitized by\n\nARGUMENT\n\nBook xiv. tells how Parzival and Gawain met and, unknowing, fought\nwith each other, how Gawain was defeated, and of Parzival's grief when\nhe learnt with whom he had fought.\n\nHow the combat between Gawain and Gramoflanz was deferred till\nthe morrow ; and how Parzival was welcomed at the court of King\nArthur, and admitted to the Brotherhood of the Round Table.\n\nHow Parzival, in Gawain's stead, fought with and overcame King\nGramoflanz, and how the latter sent messengers to King Arthur to pray\nthat none but Gawain should fight against him. Of the grief of Itonje*\nwhen she learnt how her brother would fight with King Gramoflanz, and\nhow she prayed the aid of King Arthur.\n\nHow Arthur and Brandelidelein made peace between the Duchess and\nGawain, and of the wedding feastjthat was held in the camp. Of Parzival's\nsorrow and longing for his wife, and how ere the dawn of day he stole in\nsecret from the court.\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nF now the gallant Gawain a knightly joust would ride,\nTho' never I feared for his honour yet I fear what may now\nbetide.\n\nAnd tho' dear be the other's safety yet never a doubt I know,\nFor he who in strife would face him an army had found for\nfoe.\n\nO'er far seas, in the land of paynim, his helmet was fashioned fair, 5\nAnd ruby-red was his harness, and the trappings his charger bare.\nSo rode he in search of adventure, and his shield it was pierced thro' —\nHe had plucked for his helm a garland, and the tree where the garland grew\nWas the tree that Gramoflanz guarded ; and Gawain knew the wreath again,\nAnd he thought, did the king here wait him it were counted to him for 10\nshame,\n\nIf hither for strife he had ridden then strife there perforce must be,\nTho' alone were the twain, and no lady the fate of their jousting see.\n\nFrom Monsalvasch they came, the chargers, which each of the knights\nbestrode,\n\nAnd they spurred them alike to a gallop, and each 'gainst the other rode,\nOn the dewy grass of the meadow, not the sand of the Tourney ring, *5\nShould the joust this morn be ridden ; and I ween, as their deeds I sing,\nI had mourned for the harm of either — 'Twas a fair joust they rode that\nmorn,\n\nOf a race that fought fair and knightly was each gallant hero born ;\n\nAnd little had been his winning, great his loss, who there won the prize,\n\nAnd ne'er had he ceased to mourn it, if he were in his calling wise. 20\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nFor faith had they pledged to each other, nor of old time, nor yet to-day,\nHad their love and their truth been wounded — Now hear how they fought\n\nSwiftly they rode, yet in such wise that each knight must mourn his fate —\nFor kinsman and knightly brethren, in strength of foeman's hate,\n25 In strife had come together ; and he who this joust should win\n\nHis joy were the pledge of sorrow, and his deed must he count for sin —\nAnd each right hand it smote so surely that the comrades and foemen twain,\nWith horse and with goodly harness, fell prone on the grassy plain.\nAnd then in such wise they bear them, with their swords such blows they\n\n30 That their shields are hewn and riven, and cloven in deadly fight.\n\nAnd the splinters of shields, and the grass blades, were mingled upon the\nground,\n\nAnd far other the look of the meadow ere their strife had its ending found ;\nAnd too long must they wait for a daysman — 'twas early when first they\nfought,\n\nAnd the hours sped by, and no man an end to their conflict brought,\n\n35 And no man was there beside them — Will ye hear how, the self-same day,\nKing Arthur's knights to the army of King Gramoflanz made their way ?\nOn a plain by the sea he camped him — On the one side of the ground\nFlowed the Sabbins, and over against it the Poinzacleins its ending found.\nAnd the plain it was strongly guarded ; Rosche Sabbins the citadel,\n\n40 With towers and with walls deep-moated, defended the fourth side well.\nAnd the host on the plain lay stretching its length for a mile and more,\nAnd half a mile broad had they deemed it — As the messengers toward it\nbore,\n\nMany unknown knights rode forward, archers, squires, with arms and spear,\nAnd behind them, with waving banners, did the mighty host draw near.\n\n45 With ringing blasts of trumpet would the army leave the plain,\nThat very morn to Ioflanz marched the monarch and all his train.\nAnd clear rung the ladies' bridles as they circled around the king —\nAnd, if I may tell the story, the tidings I fain would bring\nOf those who had ridden hither, and camped on the sward so green,\n\n50 For Gramoflanz bade them hither, and his combat they fain had seen.\n\nthe fray :\n\nsmite,\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nIf ye shall not before have heard it then here would I make it known,\nFrom Punt, the water-locked city, to his nephew's aid had flown\nBrandelidelein, and with him were six hundred ladies fair,\nBy the side of each lovely lady her knight must his armour wear ;\nFor knighthood and love would he serve her — Of Punturtois, the gallant 55\nknights\n\nWere fain for this stately journey, in sooth 'twas a noble sight.\n\nAnd there rode, an ye will believe me, Count Bernard of Riviers,\n\nRich Narant had been his father, and left Uckerland to his heir.\n\nAnd in many a ship o'er the water had he brought so fair a host\n\nOf ladies, that none gainsaid him who would make of their beauty boast. 60\n\nTwo hundred of them were maidens, and two hundred already wed —\n\nAnd if I have rightly counted 'neath his banner Count Bernard led\n\nFive hundred knights well proven, who with him had sailed the sea,\n\nAnd each well might face a foeman, and each should a hero be.\n\nThus King Gramoflanz would wreak vengeance in strife for the broken tree, 65\nFor he deemed he should be the victor, and the folk should his prowess see.\nAnd the princes from out his kingdom, with many a valiant knight,\nAnd many a lovely lady, had come to behold the fight ;\nAnd a goodly folk were gathered — Now Arthur's men drew near,\nAnd they looked upon the monarch, how they found him ye now shall hear. 70\nOf Palmat was the high seat 'neath him, and with silk was the couch\nspread o'er,\n\nAnd maidens, so fair and graceful, they knelt low the king before,\n\nAnd with iron hose they shod him ; and high o'er the monarch's head,\n\nA silk, Ecidemon-woven, both broad and long, was spread,\n\nOn twelve spear-shafts tall was it lifted, from the sunlight to be a shade — 75\n\nThen came the men of King Arthur, and this was the word they said :\n\n' Sire, King Arthur hath hither sent us, and ever hath he been known\n\nAs one whom all men have honoured, and whom all shall as victor own.\n\nYea, honour enow is his portion — And yet wouldst thou mar his fame,\n\nSince upon the son of his sister thou thinkest to bring this shame ! 80\n\nAnd e'en had Sir Gawain wrought thee worse ill by far, I ween,\n\nThat the fame of the great Round Table might here for a shield have been.\n\nio6\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nFor brotherhood all have sworn him who sit at that noble board,\n\nAnd stainless shall be their knighthood who own Arthur for king and lord !\n\n85 Quoth the king, 'The strife I sware him e'en to-day my hand shall dare,\nAnd Gawain to-day shall face me, if well or if ill he fare.\nFor this hath been truly told me, that King Arthur draweth near\nWith his queen, and his host of warriors ; I bid them welcome here !\nTho' it may be the angry Duchess shall counsel him to mine ill,\n\n90 Yet hearken and heed, ye children, the strife shall be foughten still.\nFor here have I many a follower, and hindered of none will be,\nWhat one man can do unto me that bear I right joyfully !\nAnd if now I should fear to face that to which I my pledge have sworn,\nOf Love's service and Love's rewarding henceforward were I forlorn !\n\n95 In her favour I found aforetime my life and my life's best bliss —\nGod knoweth how he hath pleased her, she oweth me much for this !—\nAnd tho' ever I did disdain me to fight with one man alone,\nYet Gawain hath so bravely borne him that him as I my peer I '11 own.\nAnd I think me I shame my manhood when such easy strife I fight ;\n\n100 And yet have I fought, believe me, (ye can ask if it seem ye right,)\nWith folk whom mine hand hath proven to be valiant men and true,\nBut ne'er have I fought but one man ! No praise shall be here my due,\nFrom the lips of gracious women, tho' the victory be mine to-day —\nAnd greatly my heart rejoiceth that her bands have been reft away\n\nIOS For whose sake I fight this conflict ; so many a distant land\nAre vassals unto King Arthur, and pay tribute unto his hand,\nIt may well be with him she cometh, for whose sake both joy and pain\nUnto death I would gladly suffer, if she be for my service fain.\nAnd what better fate can befall me than that this my fair lot shall be,\n\n110 That she looketh upon my service, and her eyes shall my victory see ! '\n\nAnd near to the king sat Bend, nor her heart for the strife did fail,\n\nFor full oft had she seen his valour, and she deemed he might well prevail.\n\nBut yet had she known that Gawain was brother unto the maid,\n\nAnd 'twas he who now stood in peril, of a sooth had she been dismayed.\n\n\"5 A golden ring from Itonje* she brought him for token fair,\n\n'Twas the same as her gallant brother did over the Sabbins bear\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nO'er the Poinzacleins came Bene* in a boat, and this word she spake,\n' From Chateau Merveil doth my lady, with the others, her journey take.'\nAnd she spake from the lips of Itonje* such steadfast words and true,\nThat more, from the lips of a maiden, I ween never monarch knew. 120\nAnd she prayed him to think of her sorrow, since all gain did she hold as\nnaught\n\nFor the gain of his love, and his service was all that her true heart sought.\nAnd glad was the king at the tidings, yet would fight with her brother still —\nTwere better I had no sister, such rewarding would please me ill !\n\nThen they bare unto him his harness, 'twas costly beyond compare — I2S\nNo hero, by love constrained, who fought for love's guerdon fair,\nWere he Gamuret, or Galoes, or Killicrates, the valiant king,\nHad better decked his body the love of a maid to win —\nAnd no richer silk had been woven in Ipopotiticon,\n\nOr brought from Kalomedente\", or the city of Akraton, I3°\nOr from far-off Agatyrsjente*, than the silk for his garment wove —\nThen he kissed the small ring golden, the pledge of Itonj^'s love,\nFor he knew her for true and faithful, and tho' peril upon him pressed,\nYet the thought of her love and her longing would guard, as a shield, his\nbreast.\n\nAll armed was now the monarch ; twelve maidens on palfreys fair, 1 13S\n\nEach one a spear-shaft holding, the awning aloft would bear.\n\nAnd the king, he rode beneath it, and its shadow was o'er his head,\n\nAs on to the strife he craved for the gallant hero sped.\n\nAnd on either side of the monarch there rode fair maidens twain,\n\nTall and stately were they to look on, the noblest of all his train. 14°\n\nThe messengers of King Arthur no longer they made delay,\n\nAnd, behold ! they met with Gawain as they rode on their homeward way,\n\nAnd ne'er had they felt such sorrow, their voices they raised on high,\n\nAnd they cried aloud for his peril, and their love and their loyalty.\n\nFor the strife had near found its ending, and victor was Gawain's foe, 145\nFor his strength, it was more than Gawain's, and well-nigh had he laid him\nlow,\n\nWhen the pages who rode towards them called loudly on Gawain's name,\nFor well did they know the hero, and it grieved them to see his shame.\n\nDigitized by\n\nio8\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nThen he, who erewhile would fight him, of conflict would have no more,\nIS° But he cast from his hand his weapon, and he cried, as he wept full sore,\n' Accursed am I, and dishonoured, and all blessing from me hath flown,\nSince my luckless hand, unwitting, so sinful a strife hath known.\nMethinks it is too unseemly ! yea, guilty am I alway,\nAnd born 'neath a star of 111 Fortune, and forced from all bliss to stray.\n15s And the arms that to-day I carry are the same that of old I bore,\nFor they are of Ill-luck the token, e'en to-day as they were of yore.\nAlas ! that with gallant Gawain I have foughten so fierce a fight,\n'Tis myself 'whom I here have vanquished, and my joy shall have taken flight.\nWith the first blow I struck against him misfortune hath reached my side,\n160 And peace shall have sped far from me, and her face from my face doth\n\nAnd Gawain heard, and saw his sorrow, and he spake out right wonderingly,\n4 Alas, Sir Knight, who art thou, who speakest thus well of me ?\nIf I might such words have hearkened the while I had strength and power,\nThen my honour had ne'er been forfeit, for the victory is thine this hour !\n\n165 And fain would I know how men call him with whom I shall find my fame,\nSince hereafter I needs must seek it, so tell me, I pray, thy name —\nFor ever was I the victor when I fought with one man alone.'\n' Yea, gladly my name I '11 tell thee who aforetime my face hast known,\nAnd true service I fain would do thee wherever such chance befall,\n\n170 For thy kinsman am I, and cousin, and men call me Parzival ! '\n\nThen out quoth Gawain, * So, 'tis fitting, here Folly her goal hath found,\nAnd her ways full straight hath she wroughten which aforetime but crooked\n\nHere have two hearts, leal and faithful, their hate 'gainst each other shown,\nAnd thy hand which hath won the victory hath the twain of us overthrown.\nx75 And for both of us shalt thou sorrow, for thyself by thyself laid low,\n\nAnd the thought it shall surely grieve thee if thy true heart true faith doth\n\nThen, e'en as the words were spoken, no longer the knight Gawain\nMight stand for very weakness, for the blows they had dulled his brain,\nAnd his footsteps they failed and faltered, and prone on the grass he lay —\n180 Then down sprang the squire of King Arthur, and aid did he bring straight-\n\nhide ! '\n\nwound.\n\nknow ! '\n\nway,\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nFor he lifted his head, and from off it he loosened the helmet's band,\nWith his head-gear of peacock's feathers the face of Gawain he fanned\nTill his care new strength had brought him — Now on to the field did ride,\nFrom the armies twain, much people, they flocked hither from either side.\nAnd each one would seek his station, for here should the fight be fought, 185\nAnd the lists, they were set with tree-trunks, each smooth as a mirror\nwrought.\n\n[ Gramoflanz the cost had given, since from him had the challenge come,\ni A hundred in all the tree-trunks, and brightly they shone each one.\n! And no man should come within them, and the place between was wide,\n' Full forty lengths from each other stood the fifty on either side, 190\n\nEach blazoned with many colours ; and here should the combat be ;\n\nAnd on either side the army from the strife should hold them free.\n\nAs by moat and rampart sundered, so should they in peace remain,\n, In this wise they sware, the foemen, King Gramoflanz and Gawain.\n\nTo this combat, by none awaited, came the folk from either side, I95\nAt the self-same hour, fain were they to know what should there betide,\nFor they marvelled much who had fought here, and had shown such knightly\nskill ;\n\nOr who should such strife have challenged, for alone was it foughten still,\nAnd neither side their comrades had bidden unto the ring,\nBut alone had each knight come hither, and men deemed it a wondrous thing. 200\n( But now as the fight was foughten on the flower-besprinkled plain,\nCame King Gramoflanz, to wreak vengeance for the garland upon Gawain ;\nAnd he heard what thing had chanced there, that so fierce the fight had\nbeen\n\nThat never a fiercer conflict with sword might a man have seen,\n\nAnd the twain who fought together had never a cause to fight — 205\n\nThen the king, from out his army, rode straight to the gallant knights ;\n\nAnd he found them battle- weary, and much he mourned their pain ; 1\n\nTho' scarcely his strength might bear him, up-sprang the knight Gawain,\n\nAnd the twain they stood together— Now Bene rode with the king,\n\nAnd with him, as the strife was ended, she came to the battle-ring, 210\n\nAnd she saw Gawain all powerless, whom, for honour and fair renown,\n\nO'er all the world had she chosen to crown with joy's fairest crown.\n\nDigitized by\n\nno\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nWith a cry of heartfelt sorrow from her palfrey the maiden sprung,\nAnd she spake, as her arms around him in a close embrace she flung,\n2*5 4 Accurst be the hand that such sorrow on so fair a form hath brought,\nFor in sooth all manly beauty its mirror in thee hath sought ! '\nOn the sward did she bid him seat him, and, the while that she wept full\nsore,\n\nWith tender hand from his eyelids she wiped the sweat and gore ;\n\nAnd heavy and hot his harness — Then Gramoflanz quoth again,\n220 4 In sooth must I grieve for thy sorrow, since my hand wrought it not,\nGawain ;\n\nIf to-morrow again thou comest, and wilt meet me upon this field,\nThen gladly will I await thee, and will face thee with spear and shield.\nNow as lief would I fight with a woman as with thee, who art brought so low,\nFor how shall I win me honour if strength shall have failed my foe ?\n225 Go, rest thee to-day, for 'tis needful, and then wouldst thou take the place\nOf thy father, King Lot, I am ready to meet thee here, face to face.'\n\nBut Parzival stood unwearied, nor as yet a sign he bare\nOf pallor, nor strength had failed him, and he faced the monarch fair,\nAnd he loosed from his head the helmet, that the king his face might see,\n230 And he spake, ' Sir, if this my cousin in aught shall have wronged thee\nThen take me as his pledge, unwearied, as thou seest, is yet mine hand,\nAnd the wrath thou dost bear against him I may well with my sword with-\n\nThen spake the King of Rosche Sabbins, * Sir Knight, at the morrow's morn\nFor my garland he payeth tribute, and its fame shall anew be born,\n235 Or to such a pass shall he bring me that shame shall my portion be —\nThou mayst otherwise be a hero, but this conflict is not for thee ! '\n\nIn wrath spake the lips of Ben£, ' Fie on thee ! thou faithless hound,\nThro' him whom thy false heart hateth thine heart hath its freedom found.\nShe to whom thou wouldst do love-service, she liveth at his command,\n240 Thyself hast renounced the victory which else might have crowned thine\nhand.\n\nThou hast no claim on Love's rewarding, and if ever within thine heart\nLove had for awhile her dwelling with falsehood she bare a part ! '\n\nstand.'\n\nAy\n\nGRAMOFLANZ in\n\nAs thus she waxed full wrathful, Gramoflanz led the maid aside,\n\nAnd quoth, ' Now, Lady, grieve not, this strife must needs betide.\n\nBut stay thou here with thy master, and say to his sister sweet 245\n\nThat I am in truth her servant, in all that a knight finds meet.'\n\nBut now as Bene hearkened, and knew of a truth Gawain\n\nWas brother unto her lady, and must fight on the grassy plain,\n\nThen drave grief s plough its furrows thro' her heart, both deep and sore,\n\nAnd filled them with flood of sorrow, for truth in her heart she bore. \" 250\n\nAnd she quoth, * Ride hence, accursed, thou false and faithless one,\n\nFor steadfast love and loyal thine heart hath never won ! '\n\nThe king and his knights they rode hence, and the lads of Arthur's train\n\nThey took the heroes' chargers, weary with strife the twain.\n\nThen Parzival, and Gawain, and Ben£, that maiden bright, 255\n\nThey rode to the camp of King Arthur with many a gallant knight.\n\nAnd Parzival in manhood had so borne the prize away\n\nThat all men were glad at his coming, and rejoiced in his fame that day.\n\nAnd more, if I can, would I tell ye — the wise men of either host\nSpake but of this man, of his valour in this wise they made their boast, 260\nc Wot ye well who hath here been victor ? 'Twas Parzival, he alone ! '\nAnd so fair was his face to look on none fairer was ever known.\nSo thought they who looked upon him, and they swear it, both man and\nmaid —\n\nSo he came to the tent of Gawain ; and little his host delayed,\n\nBut he bacfe them bring costly raiment, and rich as was his own gear, 265\n\nAnd alike were they clad, the heroes, and all folk must the marvel hear\n\nThat Parzival came among them, of whose glory all men had heard,\n\nAnd the fame of his deeds so knightly, and no mouth but spake this word.\n\nQuoth Gawain, ' Art thou fain to look on four queens who are kin to thee,\nAnd other fair ladies with them, then thy guide will I gladly be.'\nQuoth Gamuret's son, ' If fair ladies be here thou shalt vex them not\nWith the sight of my face, for no kindness from woman shall be my lot\nSince by Plimizol's bank they hearkened to the shame that upon me fell :\nMay their honour of God be guarded, for ever I wish them well,\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n275 But my shame weigheth heavy on me, and it vexeth so sore my heart,\nI were fain ne'er to look on woman, but live me a life apart.'\n\n' Yet so must it be,' quoth Gawain ; then Parzival he led\nTo the four queens, who gave him greeting and kissed him with lips so red.\nBut sorely it vexed the Duchess, that she, too, must kiss this knight,\n280 Who little had cared for her kisses, nor would for her favours fight —\nTho' her lands and her love she proffered when he before Logrois fought,\nAnd she rode far to overtake him — thus shame in her anger wrought.\nBut the others they spake him gently, with never a thought of wrong,\nTill shame from his heart was driven, and joy in its stead waxed strong.\n\n285 Then Gawain of right and reason, if Bene his grace would hold,\nBade her seal her lips to silence, to her lady no word be told,\n' That King Gramoflanz for his garland doth hatred toward me bear,\nAnd at the set time to-morrow our strife must be foughten fair,\nSpeak no word of this to my sister, and do thou thy tears give o'er ; '\n\n290 And she spake, ' I do well to weep thus, and to mourn, and to sorrow sore,\nFor whoever shall fall in the combat my lady must sorrow know,\nAnd however the battle goeth, the issue shall be for woe.\nAn<J well may we mourn the venture, my lady and I alike,\nWhat boots it to be her brother, if thou at her heart wilt strike ? '\n\n295 Now the host to their tents betook them, and the mid-day meal was spread\nFor Gawain, and the knights and ladies who should break at his table\nbread,\n\nAnd Parzival as companion should have the Duchess fair —\n\nAnd Gawain, he besought his lady for the hero to have good care ;\n\nBut she quoth, ' To my care dost thou give him, who can make of a woman\n\n300 How should I care for this man ? Yet would I gainsay thee naught ;\nAnd if this be thy will, I will do it, tho' for payment I mocking know ' —\nQuoth Gamuret's son, * Nay, Lady, thou doest me wrong I trow,\nAt least have I so much wisdom, if I know myself aright,\nThat women are free from my mocking, since ill 'twould beseem a knight ! '\n\n305 Whatever they set before them no lack had they there of meat,\nAnd courteous was their service, and with joy all the folk did eat.\n\nsport ?\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\n\"3\n\nBut Itonjd, she looked on Bene, and she read in her eyes the tale\nOf the tears she had wept but lately, and for sorrow her cheeks grew pale,\nAnd nothing she ate, for she thought still, ' Now wherefore doth Bend weep ?\nFor I sent her but now to the monarch who my heart doth his captive keep, 310\nAnd for whose sake I grieve me sorely — Have I done aught to vex my\nknight ?\n\nDoth he think to renounce my service and no more for my love to fight ?\nIf, with steadfast heart and manly, he thinketh on me no more,\nPoor maid, I must die of sorrow, and the love that to him I bore ! '\n\nThe noontide hour was over ere the feast had ended here, 3*5\n\nThen hither rode King Arthur, and his queen, fair Guinevere,\n\nWith a host of knights and ladies, to where, within their sight,\n\nMid the band of gracious maidens sat that true and valiant knight ;\n\nAnd to Parzival such greeting and such welcome fair they gave\n\nThat from many sweet lips sweet kisses he won, that hero brave ! 32°\n\nAnd Arthur would do him honour, and with many a gracious word\n\nHe thanked him for the valour that had spread his name abroad,\n\nAnd the fame that had waxed so goodly, and that stood so high and fair,\n\nThat of right o'er all men living the crown of worth he bare.\n\nQuoth the Waleis unto King Arthur, i Yet Sire, when I saw thee last 325\nMy honour so sore was wounded that it well-nigh to earth was cast ;\nAnd in knighthood I paid such forfeit that of knighthood was I forlorn —\nBut now have I hearkened to thee, and if thou be not forsworn\nThen honour still dwelleth with me, tho' my heart it misgives me sore !\nI would trust in thy word right gladly — But what of these knights who swore 330\nTrue friendship and brotherhood with me, and from whom I must part in\nshame ? '\n\nThen all with one voice they spake there — He had won for himself such fame\nAnd had wrought such brave deeds of knighthood in many a distant land,\nThat his fame o'er the fame of all others did high and unspotted stand.\n\nThen the knights of the Duchess' army they came where by Arthur's side 33s;\nSat Parzival, fair to look on, 'mid the knightly circle wide.\nAnd the king in the tent received them, but so courtly was he and wise,\nThat, tho' wide was the tent of Gawain, he thought best that in all men's eyes\nVOL. II. H\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nHe should sit without on the meadow, and the knights they should sit around,\n340 And strangers they were to each other who place in the circle found.\n\nWould ye know who was this and that one ? The tale it were all too long\nIf Christian I named and paynim — Who were Klingsor's warriors strong ;\nWho were they who so well were armed, and showed them such men of might\nWhen they rode from the city of Logrois, and would for their Duchess fight ;\n345 Who had followed King Arthur hither — If each one, his land and kin,\nI named in their rightful order 'twere ill to the end to win !\nBut all men they spake together, there was none there like Parzival,\nFor his face and his form so lovely many women might love him well ;\nAnd nothing there failed unto him of aught that beseemed a knight\n35o Who beareth the crown of honour, and fighteth a goodly fight.\n\nThen Gamuret's son upstood there, and he spake, * Ye who shall be here\nGive counsel, and help me win that which my soul ever holdeth dear ;\nA strange and a hidden wonder it drave me from out your band —\nYe who brotherhood once have sworn me, and in friendship have clasped\n\n355 Now help me, by this your knighthood, mine honour to win again ! '\nAnd gladly would Arthur grant him that for which his desire was fain.\n\nThen aside with few folk he stepped him, and straitly he prayed this grace,\nThat the strife, at the hour appointed, he in Gawain's stead might face,\n' Right gladly will I defy him, King Gramoflanz, in his pride ;\n\n360 I brake from his tree this morning a bough ere I thence did ride,\n\nAnd for that he of need must fight me — For conflict I sought his land,\nAnd for nothing else came I hither but to fight with his strong right hand.\nI thought not I here should find thee, my cousin, it grieves me sore,\nFor this king did I surely take thee, who never from strife forbore.\n\n365 Now let me, I prithee, fight him ; if ever he know defeat\n\nMy hand shall such lesson teach him as he findeth not over sweet !\nThey have given me back mine honour, and thy brother knight am I,\nAnd thy kinsman true, fair cousin, so grant to me, cousinly,\nThat this combat be mine — I swear thee for us twain will I face the foe,\n\n370 And there do such deeds of valour that all men shall my manhood know ! '\n\nQuoth Gawain, * In the court of King Arthur have I many a brother dear,\nAnd kinsman true, yet to no man may I grant what thou prayest here.\n\nmy hand,\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\n\"5\n\nMy cause is so good, I think me, that Fate so shall rule the fight\n\nThat I stand at the last the victor, tho' my foe be a man of might.\n\nGod reward thee that thou, of thy kindness, this conflict for me wouldst face, 375\n\nBut the day is not yet in its dawning when another may take my place ! '\n\nNow Arthur the prayer had hearkened, of their speech he an end would\nmake,\n\nOnce more in the ring beside them his seat did the monarch take.\n\nAnd the cup-bearers did not tarry, the noble youths they bare\n\nMany golden cups so precious, and wroughten with jewels fair, 38°\n\nNor one alone could fill them — and when their task was o'er\n\nThe folk uprose, and gat them each one to his rest once more.\n\nAnd night-fall had come upon them— Naught did Parzival delay, A\nBut he wrought in such wise that his harness might be ready ere break of\nday.\n\nWere a strap or a fastening broken, of that did he have good care, 385\nAnd he bade them look well unto it, that all should be fit and fair.\nAnd a shield new and strong must they bring him, for his own, in many a\nfight,\n\nWith many a blow was cloven, and they brought him a shield of might ;\n\nAnd the serving-men who bare it, they knew not the knight, I trow,\n\nAnd Frenchmen were some among them, as the venture doth bid ye know. 390\n\nAnd the steed that erewhile to jousting the Knight of the Grail must bear,\n\nOf that did a squire bethink him, and ne'er might it better fare.\n\nBut now 'twas the hour for slumber, and the night had o'ercome the day,\n\nAnd Parzival slept, and before him all ready his armour lay.\n\nAnd King Gramoflanz, he rued it that the day such chance had brought 395\n\nThat another man in his presence for the sake of his garland fought ;\n\nNor his folk might still his longing for the strife that the morn should bring,\n\nAnd the thought, that he had delayed him, full sorely it vexed the king.\n\nWhat, then, should the hero do here ? Since honour he sought and fame,\n\nHe scarce might await the dawning, and the strife that with daylight came, 400\n\nBut ere sunrise himself and his charger were clad all in harness rare —\n\nDid women, with wealth o'erburdened, the cost of his decking share ?\n\nI wot that, without their aiding, it costly and fair should be,\n\nFor the sake of a maid did he deck him, in her service no laggard he !\n\nDigitized by\n\nu6\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n4°S So he rode hence to seek his foeman, and sorely it vexed the king\nThat the early light of the morning Sir Gawain had failed to bring.\n\nNow, unknown unto all, in secret stole Parzival from the court,\nAnd he stripped of its floating pennon a strong spear from Angram brought ;\nAnd fully armed was the hero, and lonely he took his way\n410 Where the posts round the ring of battle shone fair in the dawning day.\nAnd he saw the king await him, and ere ever a word they spake\nMen say that they smote each other thro' the shield, and the spear-shafts\nbrake ;\n\nAnd from either hand the splinters flew high in the summer air,\n\nFor skilled were they both in jousting, and their swords they right well\n\n4*5 And the dew was brushed from the meadow, and the helmets felt many a blow\nFrom the edge of the blades keen-tempered, no faltering might either know,\n\nAnd the grass underfoot was trodden, and the dew-drops in many a place\nSwept away, and I needs must mourn here the red blossoms' vanished grace.\nYet more do I mourn for the heroes, and their toil without thought of fear,\n\n4^0 And who with unmixed rejoicing the tale of their strife should hear\n\nTo whom they had ne'er, done evil ? — Then Gawain must himself prepare\nFor the toil and the stress of battle, and the peril he thought to dare.\nAnd 'twas even the midst of the morning ere of all men the tale was told\nFrom his tent was Parzival missing, and they sought for the hero bold.\n\n425 Did he think to make peace ? Nay, his bearing spake little, methinks, of\npeace,\n\nFor he fought as a man, and 'twas noontide ere ever the strife might cease.\n\nA bishop sang Mass for Gawain, and the folk they stood thick around,\nAnd many a knight and lady on horseback might there be found,\nWithout the tent of King Arthur, ere the Mass to an end they sing —\n\n430 While the priest did his holy office, beside him there stood the king ;\nWhen he spake the Benediction, then Gawain armed himself for fight,\nAnd greaves of iron, well wroughten, they did on his limbs of might.\nThen uprose a voice of wailing from the women, and one and all\nThe host rode forth to the meadow ; and lo ! there did strife befall,\n\n435 And they heard the clash of the sword-blades, and they saw the fire-sparks\n\nFrom the helmets as there the foemen their blows with fierce strength did ply.\n\nmight bear.\n\nfly\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nKing Gramoflanz oft had boasted he would scorn with one man to fight,\nHe thought here that six were his foemen, and each one a valiant knight\nYet none but Parzival faced him, and he fought in such gallant wise,\nThat he taught to the king a lesson which men e'en to-day may prize ; 44°\nThat in his own praise his own lips should speak never more this tale,\nHe could fight and could conquer two men, since o'er one he might not\nprevail.\n\nFrom left and from right came the armies, o'er the grassy plain so wide,\nAnd, each one their station keeping, they halted on either side,\nAnd they looked on the mighty combat, on one side the chargers stood, 445\nAnd afoot on the ground they battled with sword-blades, the heroes good.\nAnd sharp and sore was the conflict, and steadfast the twain did stand,\nAnd their swords on high they tossed them, and oft did the blades change\nhands.\n\nNow Gramoflanz reaped sore payment for the garland from off his tree,\nTo the kinsman of his fair lady should the strife none too easy be. 450\nHis kinship with fair Itonje had stood Parzival in good stead,\nIf right might have claimed a hearing, yet was not his strife ill-sped.\nAnd they who much fame had won them, again for fair fame would fight ;\nAnd one strove for the sake of his kinsman, and one for his lady bright,\nFor he did but Frau Minne's bidding, as was meet for her vassal true — 455\nNow uprode the gallant Gawain, and e'en as he nearer drew\nThe conflict was nigh its ending, and the Waleis should victor be ;\nAnd, bareheaded, unto the battle, there hastened those heroes three,\nBrandelidelein of Punturtois, and Count Bernard of Riviers,\nAnd the third knight who rode beside them was Affinamus of Clitiers. 460\nFrom the army over against them came King Arthur beside Gawain,\nTo the two knights, with battle wearied, they rode o'er the grassy plain ;\nAnd all the five they thought them 'twas time that the strife should end,\nAnd Gramoflanz must confess here that no longer he might contend,\nAnd his own mouth proclaimed him vanquished, and his foeman had won 465\nthe day —\n\nAnd the folk who had seen the combat might never his word gainsay !\n\nThen out spake King Lot's son gaily, ( Sir King, I will speak to thee\nTo-day, as yestreen thou spakest when rest thou didst bid to me\n\nDigitized by\n\nu8\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n\" Go rest thee to-day for His needful? he who conflict did here demand,\n47o He will own thou art all too feeble this day to resist mine hand.\nAlone I might well have faced thee, but thou with but two wilt fight !\nTo-morrow I '11 dare the venture, and may God show forth the right ! '\nThen the king he rode to his army, but first must he pledge his word\nHe would meet Gawain on the morrow, and face him with spear and sword.\n\n475 To Parzival quoth King Arthur, * Nephew, thou late didst pray,\n\nOf thy manhood, to fight this combat for Gawain, and he said thee Nay,\nAnd therein didst thou sore lament thee, and yet thou this fight hast fought\nFor him who did strait forbid thee ! Of our will hast thou asked us naught.\nFrom our court, as a thief, hast thou stolen, or else had we held thine hand\n\n480 Afar from this strife, I wot well thou didst fight not at our command !\n\nYet Gawain, he shall not be wrathful, tho' great praise be for this thy meed.'—\nQuoth Gawain, * Nay, it nothing grieves me, my cousin's gallant deed,\nTo-morrow is all too early if this combat I needs must face,\nAn the king would withdraw his challenge I would count it to him for grace.'\n\n48S To the camp rode the mighty army, there were many ladies fair,\nAnd many a knight in armour, and costly the arms they bare.\nAnd I ween that never an army was so richly decked before,\nFor the knights of the good Round Table, and the men of the Duchess wore\nFair surcoats richly blazoned, of silk from Zinidunt,\n\n49° And bright was their outer garments, and brought from far Pelpiunt.\nBut the heroes in either army spake ever of Parzival,\n\nAnd their lips, in such wise they praised him, that his friends it rejoiced\nthem well.\n\nAnd the men of Gramoflanz spake thus, that never the sun had shone\nOn a knight who fought so bravely, or such gallant deeds had done ;\n495 And whatever feats of knighthood had been wrought on either side,\nYet he, o'er all other heroes, the victor should still abide.\nYet they knew not of whom they spake thus, nay, neither his race or name,\nTho' the army it rang with his praises, and no mouth but declared his fame.\n\nThen Gramoflanz did they counsel, King Arthur he well might pray\n5°° To take good heed to his army that no knight from his ranks should stray\nFor combat, as e'en that morning, but to send unto him one knight,\nThe son of King Lot, Sir Gawain, for with him had he come to fight.\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nAnd straightway he sent the message by two courtly lads and wise,\n\nAnd he spake, * Now look well for the maiden who is fairest in all men's eyes,\n\nLook well by whom Bend sitteth ; and so ye play well your part, 505\n\nYe shall see in what wise she bear her, if joyful, or sad at heart.\n\nYe shall prove these her ways in secret, in her eyes ye right well may see\n\nIf yet for a friend she mourneth ; and this too your task shall be,\n\nYe shall give to my friend, fair Bend, this letter and golden ring,\n\nShe knoweth for whom is the token — Now see that ye do this thing ! ' 510\n\nIn the other camp, the meanwhile, did Itonje the tidings hear\n\nThat her gallant brother, Gawain, and he whom her soul held dear,\n\nThe fairest knight that a maiden within her heart might hold,\n\nWould fight, the one with the other, and their hand might no man withhold.\n\nThen her maiden shame it yielded to the flood of her grief so sore, 515\n\nAnd none shall rejoice at her sorrow, for the pain undeserved she bore.\n\nThen her mother and Queen Arnive they led the maid aside\nTo a tent so small and silken, and Arnive* her grief would chide,\nAnd she bade her cease her weeping — There was naught that the maid\nmight say,\n\nBut to speak aloud the secret she hid in her heart alway ; 520\nThen out quoth the royal maiden, ' Of my brother shall he be slain\nWho is lord of my heart and my true love ! Let his hand from such deed\nrefrain ! '\n\nTo a noble youth spake Arnive, ' Now get thee unto my son,\n\nAnd bid him come hither quickly, with him would I speak alone.'\n\nThen the lad he brought King Arthur — Now this was Arnivd's mind, 525\n\nIf she told unto him the story perchance he might counsel find,\n\nAnd by him should that strife be hindered, for which the maiden fair\n\nSo sorely wept, and such sorrow and anguish of heart must bear.\n\nNow they came to the camp of King Arthur, who Gramoflanz' message\nbore,\n\nBy the silken tent they dismounted ; there sat Bend before the door, 53°\nAnd within spake the maid to King Arthur, ' If my brother shall slay my\nking\n\nTo pleasure his faithless Duchess, doth he deem that shall honour bring ?\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nHe might know of himself it were ill-done — He hath wronged him no whit\nI ween,\n\nThat he doeth to me true service, his safety might well have been !\n\n535 If my brother be yet in his senses he doth of our true love know,\n\nHow pure it is, and how faithful, and this venture should work him woe.\nA bitter death shall it bring me, the hand that my love doth kill —\nSir King, thou shalt mourn my sorrow, and I think not that such thy will/\nSpake the fair maid unto King Arthur, * Forget not that thou shalt be\n\n54o Mine uncle, and stay this combat which worketh such ill to me ! '\n\nQuoth Arthur aloud in his wisdom, * Alas, thou fair niece of mine,\nThat thus young thou canst love so dearly, for sorrow shall sure be thine,\nAs sorrow befell thy sister, Surdamour, for her love so true\nTo the Emperor of Greece — Sweet maiden, thy will might I surely do,\n545 And hinder this strife, if I knew well that ye twain were but one in heart —\nYet King Irot's son, he is valiant, and courage in him hath part,\nAnd this combat he'll fight, full surely, an Love stay not his hand so bold —\nDid he ne'er, in a joyful moment, thy fair face and sweet lips behold ?'\n\nAnd she spake, * Nay, we love, but neither as yet hath the other seen,\n550 Tho' of true love many a token from his hand hath my portion been.\nAnd tokens true have I sent him, that no doubt should betwixt us lie —\nNo falsehood my king's heart ruleth, but he loveth me steadfastly ! '\n\nThen the maiden Bene saw them, and knew them, the squires twain\n\nWho came to the court of King Arthur from Gramoflanz' kingly train,\n555 And she spake, ' Here should no man linger, will ye that I bid them go,\n\nThe folk, from our tent ? It were ill-done, methinks, that all men should know\n\nHow sorely my lady sorroweth for the sake of her love so dear ;\n\nMethinks it might lightly happen that too many the tale should hear ! '\n\nThen forth from the tent went Bend, and in secret unto her care\n560 The squire gave the folded letter, and the golden ring he bare,\n\nAnd they, too, had heard the wailing of the maid, and they knew full well\n\nWhy she sorrowed, and this their errand they fain to the king would tell.\n\nAnd they asked of the maiden Bend if she their friend would be ?\n\nAnd she spake, * Stand without the circle till I bid ye to come to me ! '\n\n565 Then Bend, the gentle maiden, she told them within the tent\n\nThat without two squires were waiting, from Gramoflanz hither sent,\n\nDigitized by\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nAnd fain would they speak with King Arthur — ' But unfitting it seemeth me\n\nThat we call them unto our counsels, and that witnesses they should be.\n\nOn my lady must I avenge me, if thus they shall see her weep,\n\nI bade them await my bidding, and without there their station keep ! ' 57°\n\nQuoth Arthur, ' Are they the pages whom I saw behind me ride ?\n\nOf noble birth shall the twain be, methinks, it might well betide\n\nThat so wise are they both and courteous they might give us counsel good,\n\nMethinks Of their king's love either would treat in a fitting mood ? '\n\nQuoth Bene, ' Nay, that I know not, but Sire, of thy grace, this ring 575\n\nAnd the letter which now I bring thee, they bare hither from their king.\n\nAs but now I left the pavilion, of the pages, one gave it me.\n\nNow see, Lady, do thou take it, for methinks it is meant for thee ! '\n\nThen Itonje, she kissed the letter, and she held it unto her heart,\nAnd she quoth, * Now, Sire, thou canst see here if he would ih my love have 580\npart.'\n\nIn his hand Arthur took the letter, and within he found written fair\n\nThe words of one who loveth, and his passion would fain declare.\n\nFor Gramoflanz' hand had written the words that his lips would say,\n\nAnd Arthur, he saw by the letter that Love held o'er his heart such sway\n\nThat ne'er had he known aforetime one who loved with so true a love — 585\n\nAnd the words that within were written Frau Minne might well approve.\n\n' Now greeting to whom I owe greeting, whose greeting I fain would earn,\n\nTo thee, O thou gracious maiden, whose heart toward my heart doth turn !\n\nWho with comfort would fain console me — Our love goeth hand-in-hand,\n\nAnd the solace thy love would bring me doth high o'er all solace stand ; 590\n\nAnd my joy in thy love is rooted, and my faith is to thee held fast,\n\nAnd sorrow and bitter anguish shall forth from my heart be cast.\n\nAnd thou bringest me help and counsel, so that never an evil thought\n\nOr a faithless deed, and shameful, shall against my fame be brought.\n\nBut I look on thy truth and thy beauty with ever a steadfast mind, 595\n\nAs the Pole-star doth in the north pole the goal of its gazing find,\n\nAnd neither its post forsaketh ; e'en so shall our true love be,\n\nAnd waver not, one from the other — So think thou, sweet maid, on me,\n\nHow I mourned unto thee my sorrow, nor be weary of this my prayer —\n\nAnd if one would part thee from me, for the hatred that he shall bear 600\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nUnto me, then shalt thou bethink thee how thy love shall reward us both,\n\" And think thou of woman's honour, nor be of thy favours loth ;\nBut still let me be thy servant, in thy service I fain would live,\nAnd, in all that I may, true service I will to my lady give ! '\n\nQuoth Arthur, * Fair niece, thou saidst truly, he greeteth thee without guile,\nSuch tale doth this letter tell me that never, at any while,\nHave I found of true love such marvel ! His grief shalt thou put away,\nAs he too shall cure thy sorrow, so do thou thy weeping stay,\nAnd trust unto me, this combat shall be hindered — Yet say thou here,\n610 Thou wert captive, how hath it chanced then that ye hold each other dear ?\nThou shalt give him thy fair love's payment, that he do thee service true.' —\nSpake Itonje, ' See, here she standeth who us twain together drew,\nOur love, it had else been hidden — If thou will that I now may see\nHim whom my heart desireth she will summon him unto me !'\n\n615 Quoth Arthur, * Now, show her to me ; if I may, I this thing will guide\nThat your will shall be done, and hereafter ye twain shall in joy abide ! '\nQuoth Itonje*, ' 'Twas none but Bene ; and two of his squires are here,\nIf thou wilt, do this thing, (for I think me my life shall to thee be dear,)\nThou shalt se*e that the king cometh hither, that he looketh upon my face\n\n620 In whom all my joy is hidden, and my life shall be in his grace ! '\n\nThen Arthur, the wise and courteous, would speak with the squires without,\nHe greeted them as he saw them, and boldly the one spake out,\n* Sire, King Gramoflanz, he prays thee, for thine honour as knight and king,\nThat the oath sworn 'twixt him and Gawain thou wilt to fulfilment bring.\n625 And further, Sire, he prays thee that none other with him shall fight,\n\nSo great is thine host, must he face all, methinks it would scarce be right !\nBut Gawain shalt thou send against him, for he willeth no other foe,\nAnd Gawain alone hath he challenged, as thyself thou shalt surely know ! '\n\nQuoth King Arthur unto the pages, ' I will free us from blame alway,\n630 And sorely it grieved my nephew that he fought not the strife to-day.\nAnd the knight who fought with your monarch, to victory was he born,\nThe son of Gamuret is he — Three armies are here this morn, *\nAnd from many a land came they hither, but never a man hath seen\nIn combat so brave a hero, and glorious his deeds have been.\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nHe is Parzival, my kinsman, ye shall see him, the fair of face, — 635\nFor the faith and the need of Gawain will I do to the king this grace.'\n\nThen King Arthur and maiden Bend, with the squires they rode here and\nthere,\n\nAnd in sooth those squires they looked on full many a lady fair,\n\nAnd they saw on the jewelled helmets many proud crests and knightly wave,\n\nAnd few for such sight shall vex them, for he who is rich as brave 64°\n\nFull many a friend he findeth ! They 'lighted not from their steed,\n\nAnd the bravest men of the armies that lay camped on the flowery mead\n\nKing Arthur would show unto them, they might gaze on them at their will,\n\nKnights, ladies, and gentle maidens, of beauty they saw their fill !\n\nIn three portions it lay, the army, and two spaces there were between — 645\nThen away from the camp rode King Arthur, far out on the plain so green,\nAnd he quoth, * Now sweet maiden Bene, her plaint didst thou hear alway,\nItonje, the child of my sister, her weeping she will not stay.\nThese my comrades who ride beside me, if they will, they may well believe\nOf her beauty their king hath robbed her, so sorely the maid doth grieve ! 650\nNow help me, ye twain, and thou, Bend, that the king he shall hither ride,\nE'en to-day, tho' the strife to-morrow he may, if he will, abide.\nI will bring Gawain to meet him on the plain, as he prayed but now —\nIf he cometh to-day to mine army 'gainst the morn is he armed I trow,\nFor Love such a shield shall give him that his foeman may ill withstand 655\nThe courage that Love doth kindle, and that nerveth anew the hand.\nAnd his princes shall he bring with him, for here would I do as best\nDoth lie in my power that the Duchess shall hearken to my behest,\nAnd peace shall be sealed between them — Now strive ye, my comrades dear,\nWith skill for such happy ending, 'twill be to your honour here. 660\nAnd further I make my mourning, wherein shall have been my sin\nThat I wrought 'gainst your king that he beareth, in such measure, against\nmy kin,\n\nBoth love alike and hatred ? Methinks, he doth hold us light !\nAnother king, mine equal, had thought more of this my right.\nDoth- he think to repay with hatred her brother, who loves him well ? 665\nIf his heart such thought shall teach him, then he knoweth not true Love's\nspell !'\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nQuoth one of the squires to King Arthur, ' What my king did to thee of ill,\n\nThat, Sire, shall he do no longer, for courteous shall he be still.\n\nBut thou knowest well the old hatred, and 'twere better the king should stay\n\n670 Within his camp, I think me, than ride to thine host to-day.\n\nOf the same mind is still the Duchess, that she counteth him for her foe,\nAnd maketh her plaint against him, as many a man doth know 1 '\n' With but few folk shall he come hither,' quoth Arthur, * the while I '11 pray\nOf that high and noble lady that her anger she put away.\n\n675 And an escort good I '11 send him, Beau-corps, my sister's son,\n\nShall meet him half-way, and his journey shall under my care be done.\nNor as shame shall he look upon it, for brave men and true I '11 send ' —\nThen leave did they take of King Arthur, and their way to the camp they\n\nAlone did they leave the monarch, and Bene* and the pages twain\n680 Rode swiftly unto Rosche Sabbins, on the further side of the plain.\n'Twas the fairest day of his life-time, so thought the joyful king,\nWhen his squires and the maiden Bene such tidings to him might bring.\nAnd e'en as he hearkened to them his heart spake, in sooth to-day\nGood Fortune had thought upon him, and his sorrow was put away !\n\n685 Then he spake, ' He would come, right gladly,' and he chose to him com-\nrades three,\n\nA prince of his land was each one who bare the king company.\nBrandelidelein, his uncle, with his nephew was fain to ride,\nAffinamus of Clitiers, and Count Bernard of Riviers rode beside.\nAnd each man he chose another who should be for such journey meet,\n690 And twelve in all might ye reckon who rode hence the king to greet.\nAnd many a squire went with them, and many a footman strong,\nWell armed, as should befit them, did unto the train belong.\n\nWould ye know how the knights had robed them ? Of silk was their\nraiment bright,\n\nAnd heavy with gold inwoven that shone in the morning light.\n695 And the king, he went as to hawking, with his falconer by his side —\nNow Arthur had well bethought him, and Beau-corps he bade to ride,\nAnd half-way to meet the monarch as escort both fit and fair—\nAnd over the stretch of the meadow, or a pool or a brook lay there,\n\nwend.\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nWhere'er one might find the water rode the king as on pastime bent,\nYet ever Love drew him onward, and on Love was his heart intent. 700\nAnd Beau-corps, he rode towards him, and in such wise the king would greet\nThat I ween 'twas a joyful moment when the twain and their folk did meet.\n\nAnd more than fifty pages with Beau-corps should ride that day,\nAnd their faces were fair to look on, Dukes and Counts might they be alway,\nAnd kings' sons, too, rode among them — And the greeting was good to see, 705\nWhen from either side the children kissed each other, of true heart free.\n\nAnd Beau-corps was fair to look on, and the king asked, who might he be ?\nAnd Bend, she straightway answered. ' The son of King Lot is he,\nAnd Beau-corps the name men call him ' — Then he thought, * Of a sooth,\nmy heart,\n\nThou hast found her ! For she shall be like him who so knightly doth 710\nplay his part,\n\nFor in truth shall she be his sister, she who sent me the headgear rare\nThat of erst was in Sinzester fashioned, and the hawk on mine hand I bear.\nIf she further will show me kindness then all earthly power and pride\nWould I count as naught, might I win her, tho' the earth were twice as wide.\nAnd surely she meaneth truly — For love of her came I here, 715\nHitherto hath she dealt so kindly that methinks I but little fear ;\nShe will show unto me such favour that my courage shall wax full high ! '\nThen he clasped the hand of her brother that fair in his hand did lie.\n\nIn the meanwhile within his army King Arthur in such wise wrought\nThat the Duchess was fain to grant him the peace that his lips had sought. 720\nFor rich was her consolation for her love by King Gramoflanz slain,\nFor whose sake she had borne him hatred ; and no more might her lips\ncomplain,\n\nFor her anger had sunk to slumber, and she wakened to life anew\n'Neath Gawain's embrace so tender, and her wrath, it was smitten thro'.\n\nThen Arthur, the king of the Bretons, took many a lady bright, 725\n\nOne hundred, both wife and maiden, who were lovely in all men's sight,\n\nIn a tent apart he set them — Nor might her lot fairer be,\n\nItonje', who sat beside them, since her king there she thought to see.\n\nAnd ever her heart was joyful, and yet in her soft eyes' glow\n\nYe might see that the gentle maiden thro' love must sore sorrow know. 730\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nAnd many a knight and hero sat there, yet among them all\nNo face was so fair to look on as the fair face of Parzival.\nTo the tent-door up rode the monarch, and Gramoflanz, he ware\nFor garment a robe of wonder, in Gampfassasch wroughten fair.\n735 'Twas a rick silk, all gold embroidered, and woven with golden thread,\nAnd a shimmer of light from his vesture afar round the monarch spread.\n\nThen they who had hither ridden adown from their steeds they spring,\nAnd the squires, they press them forward to the tent before their king,\nAnd the chamberlains vie with each other, and they make thro* the court\n\n74o To the throne where the queen of the Bretons in her glory sat that day.\nBrandelidelein, his uncle, before the monarch went,\n\nAnd the twain, Guinevere she kissed them, and bade welcome -within her\ntent.\n\nAnd Count Bernard, and Affinamus a kiss from her lips must take —\nThen to Gramoflanz Arthur turned him, and thus to the king he spake,\n745 * Ere thou takest thy seat, bethink thee ; if thou dost a maiden love,\n\nAnd thou seest her here, thou mayst kiss her, nor will I such kiss reprove ! '\n\nIt had told him which was his lady, the letter he read but now\nIn the open field, and that letter, 'twas her brother's face I trow !\nThe brother of her who from all men had hidden her love so true —\n750 And Gramoflanz' eyes beheld her, and straightway his love he knew,\n\nAnd his heart swelled high within him — Since Arthur had willed their bliss,\nAnd had bid him in men's sight greet her, on her sweet lips the maid he\n\nBrandelidelein, he sat him by the queen, fair Guinevere,\nAnd King Gramoflanz, he was seated by the maid, who with many a tear\n755 Had dimmed the glow of her beauty ; 'twas for his sake she wept so sore,\nNor might he take vengeance on her, since guiltless this woe she bore.\nBut softly he spake unto her, and he vowed to her service true,\nAnd she thanked him for this his coming, and their hearts toward each\nother flew,\n\nAnd further no word they spake there, but they gazed in each other's eyes,\n760 And their yea and their nay would I tell here, were I but in Love's language\n\na way\n\nkissed.\n\nwise.\n\n■ ■ ■ ■\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nTo Brandelidelein quoth Arthur, ' Methinks thou enow hast told\n\nThy tale in the ears of my lady ! ' Then he led forth the hero bold,\n\nTo a little tent he led him, apart on the grassy field ;\n\nYet Gramoflanz came not with them, but, e'en as King Arthur willed,\n\nHe abode in the tent with his comrades, and so fair were the ladies bright, 765\n\nThat I deem well to look upon them but little would vex a knight.\n\nAnd fair was their joy and their pastime, 'twould please many a man, I trow,\n\nWho to-day, after peril ended, would joy for his sorrow know.\n\nThen wine to the queen and her ladies and to many a knight they bare,\nAnd, methinks, an enow they tasted, their faces waxed fresh and fair. 770\nTo Brandelidelein and King Arthur the cup-bearers wine must bring ;\nAs they passed from the tent in this wise quoth Arthur, the goodly king :\n\n' Sir King, say, the conflict ended, if the strife in such wise have run\nThat the king, the son of thy sister, shall have slain my sister's son,\nYet would woo my niece, the maiden who maketh to him her moan\nBut now, as they sit together and their love for each other own ;\nIf she do as shall best beseem her, she will favour him never more,\nBut will give him for payment hatred as shall vex the king full sore\nIf her love he yet desireth — for where love is o'ercome by hate\nThen joy from true hearts is banished, and desire doth with sorrow mate ! '\n\nThen out spake the King of Punturtois to Arthur of Brittany,\n' Sir King, they are sons to our sisters betwixt whom this hate shall be.\n'Tis our part this strife to hinder, nor other shall be its end\nSave that they twain shall love each other, and from foe shall be turned to\nfriend.\n\n'Twere best. that thy niece, Itonje', ere she yield to my nephew's prayer, 785\nShall say, if in truth he love her he shall from this strife forbear.\nThus an end shall be put to the combat, and the quarrel shall turn to peace —\nAnd thou, thou shalt pray the Duchess that her wrath 'gainst my nephew\ncease ! '\n\n* Yea, that have I done,' quoth Arthur, * my sister's son, Gawain,\n\nHe holdeth such power o'er the lady, that, as courtesy doth constrain, 79°\n\nFor his sake and mine she forgiveth the ill that the king hath done—\n\nNow do thou thy part with thy nephew, that peace on his side be won.'\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nBrandelidelein quoth straightway, ' 1 will do e'en as thou dost say ' —\nAnd back to the tent and the feasting the monarchs they took their way.\n\n795 Then sat the King of Punturtois on one side of the gracious queen,\nAnd Parzival sat on the other, and so fair was his face, I ween,\nThat never a man so goodly their eyes had beheld afore —\nThen Arthur, the king, he rose up, and he gat him from out the door,\nAnd he sought Gawain, his nephew ; then he, who a while must hear\n\n8oo How his foemen had ridden hither, learnt that Arthur now drew anear,\nAnd before his tent dismounted — Then swift did Sir Gawain spring,\nAnd forth from the tent on the meadow he hastened to meet the king.\n\nThen counsel they took together, and the Duchess, she peace would swear,\nBut not otherwise save that Gawain for her sake should this strife forbear.\n805 Then should Gramoflanz be forgiven, if he^ too, would forgive the ill\nOnce done by King Lot, her kinsman — so Arthur should speak her will.\n\nThen Arthur the wise and courteous, he brought the tale again,\nAnd King Gramoflanz, for his garland, henceforward must mourn in vain.\nAnd his hatred to Lot of Norway it passed as the snow flakes melt\n810 In the sun, 'neath the glance of Itonje\", and anger no more he felt.\nAnd the while he sat beside her he said to her bidding, yea, —\nThen they spake, Gawain came hither with his knights in brave array,\nAnd their names I may not tell ye, nor the land in which each was born ;\nf But here love had banished sorrow, and sadness was overworn, j\n\n815 Then the Duchess, Orgeluse*, and her gallant men and true,\nWith part of the host of Klingsor, with Gawain nearer drew ;\nAnd the covering 'gainst wind and weather from the king's tent they took\naway,\n\nAnd thither came good Arnive, with Sangive and Kondrie alway,\n\nThey came at King Arthur's bidding where men words of peace would\n\n820 (He who counteth this but a small thing, at his will may a greater seek.)\nThen Iofreit, Gawain's comrade, by her white hand, within the tent\nLed the Duchess, fair and stately, and on this was she courteous bent,\nThat the three queens should go before her — Brandelidelein they kissed,\nThen she followed, proud Orgeluse\", nor the monarch her greeting missed\n\nspeak,\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nThen Gramoflanz stepped towards her, atonement he fain would make, 825\nFrom her sweet lips the kiss of forgiveness as token of peace he 'Id .take ;\nAnd the lady was moved to weeping, for she thought of her true love slain,\nAnd the faith and the sorrow of women did her heart to such woe constrain.\n\nThen Gramoflanz and Sir Gawain with a kiss put an end to strife ;\nAnd Arthur gave maid Itonje to King Gramoflanz to wife,\nFor truly and long had he served her ; and Bene was glad that day —\nAnd another for love's sake sorrowed, and his sorrow was put away,\nFor Lischois, the Duke of Gowerzein, won fair Kondrie for his own,\nAnd, I ween, were her love not his portion his life little joy had known.\nTo the Turkowit, brave Florant, as his wife King Arthur gave\nHer who wedded King Lot aforetime, and her love a man well might crave ;\nTwas a gift such as love beseemeth, and the knight took it joyfully —\nFor the king, he was aye free-handed, and he gave such gifts readily !\n\nTo this end had he well bethought him, and counsel wise had ta'en,\nAnd soon as his speech was ended, the Duchess, she spake again, 840\nAnd she said that her love Sir Gawain had conquered with valiant hand,\nAnd henceforth he of right was master alike of her life and land.\nAnd many a knight who hearkened he thought her speech ill to hear,\nFor they fought for her love, and had broken in her service full many a\nspear.\n\nGawain, and they who rode with him, Arnive', and the Duchess fair, 845\n\nAnd many a lovely lady prayed leave of the monarch there.\n\nAnd Parzival, he went with them — Sangive* and maid Kondrie\n\nThey rode hence, but with King Arthur she abode still, fair Itonje.\n\nAnd the wedding feast that was holden was a feast beyond compare ;\n\nAnd Guinevere took Itonje, and her true love, within her care, 850\n\nThe gallant king who with knighthood full many a prize had won,\n\nAnd for love and desire of Itonje full many brave deeds had done.\n\nAnd many they sought their lodging who for love's sake must sorrow sore ;\n\nAnd how that night they had feasted, of that will we think no more—\n\nBut they who for love did service, who knew of true love the might, 855\n\nThey would that the day was ended, for fairer they deemed the night.\n\nThen King Gramoflanz sent this message (he bethought him in his pride)\nTo his men, who, before Rosche-Sabbins, lay camped by the water-side.\nVOL. II. % I\n\nDigitized by\n\n13°\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nThey should spare nor'pains nor labour, but their tents should they strike\nstraightway,\n\n860 And hither, with all his army, should they hasten ere break of day.\nAnd his marshal here must seek him a fitting place and fair —\n' Each prince by himself be encamped, and ye shall for myself prepare\nSuch goodly state and royal as well shall beseem a king,\nNor spare ye the cost ' — 'Twas nightfall ere this word to the host they bring.\n\n8^5 And many a man must sorrow who had learnt from a woman woe, —\nj Whose love to the winds is scattered, and who ne'er doth rewarding know\ni For his service, to grief he speedeth, and naught shall his steps delay,\n, Save only the help of a woman o'ertaketh him on his way.\n\nI\n\nBut Parzival, he bethought him of his wife so fair and sweet,\n870 How pure she was, and how gentle — Did he ne'er another greet,\n\nAnd offer for fair love service, and, wavering, love anew ?\n. Nay, nay, he was far from such dealings, and naught of such love he knew !\n\nFor a mighty faith so guarded his body alike and heart\n\nThat never a woman living might have in his love a part,\n875 Save only his queen and lady, Kondwiramur, the flower\n\nOf women, Love's fairest blossom, with none should she share her power.\n\nAnd he thought, ' Since to Love I wakened but ill hath Love dealt with me,\nOf Love was I born, how comes it that I must from her presence flee ?\nTho' my hand for the Grail be seeking yet desire it doth rend my heart,\n880 And I yearn for her sweet embraces ; ah, too long have we dwelt apart !\nShall I look with mine eyes on rejoicing while my heart seeth naught but\nwoe?\n\nThe twain fit but ill together, and no man thereby shall know\n\nHigh courage, a knight befitting — Now Good Fortune direct my way,\n\nAnd show me what best beseemeth ! ' His harness before him lay,\n\n885 And he thought, 1 Since to me that lacketh with which others are richly blest, —\nThe love in whose sweet fulfilment many sad hearts have found their rest-\nSince this sorrow must be my portion I care not what else my lot,\nLittle reck I what shall befall me, since my joy Heaven willeth not !\nAnd thou, for whose love I am yearning, were it so both with me and thee,\n\n890 That our hearts ever dreamed of parting, nor our love from all doubt were\nfree,\n\nDigitized by\n\nGRAMOFLANZ\n\nIt might well be that with another joy and blessing again were mine,\nBut thy love it so fast doth hold me, I may rest on no heart but thine !\nAnd for aye am I Sorrow's captive ! Now Good Fortune bring joy to all\nWho find peace in fair Love's fulfilment, they are blessed whate'er befall—\nMay God give to this folk rejoicing ! But I from their joy must flee, 895\nAnd wend lonely as of aforetime, since gladness is not for me ! '\n\nThen he stretched out his hand to his harness, and as oft was his wont of\nyore,\n\nUnaided he girt it on him, and soon was he armed once more.\n\nNow sorrow anew he seeketh — When he, who from joy would fly,\n\nHad armed himself, his charger he saddled right speedily, 900\n\nAnd his shield and spear were ready — O'er his loss did they wail next morn,\n\nFor no eye looked on his departing, he rode thence ere the day was born.\n\nDigitized by\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogk",
    "project_translation": false,
    "license": null,
    "methodology_url": null
  }
}