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    "schema_version": "1.1",
    "endpoint": "/api/sources/grail-romances/parzival/15-book-xv-feirefis.json"
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  "work": {
    "slug": "parzival",
    "name": "Parzival"
  },
  "parents": [
    {
      "slug": "grail-romances",
      "name": "Holy Grail Romances",
      "url": "/sources/grail-romances/"
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  "chapter": {
    "num": 16,
    "slug": "15-book-xv-feirefis",
    "title": "Book XV: Feirefis",
    "of": 17,
    "words": 11968,
    "text": "## Book XV: Feirefis\n\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nDigitized by\n\nGoogk\n\nARGUMENT\n\nBook xv. tells how Parzival met with a mighty heathen, with whom he\nfought fiercely, and how he was well-nigh vanquished. How he found\nthe heathen to be his brother, Feirefis Angevin, and how the twain rode\ntogether to the court of King Arthur.\n\nOf the welcome given to Feirefis by King Arthur and his knights ; of\nhis riches ; and of the kings conquered by the two brothers.\n\nHow a feast of the Round Table was holden, and how Kondrie bare\ntidings of Parzival's election to the Grail Kingdom, and summoned him,\nhis wife, and his son Lohengrin, to Monsalvasch ; and how Parzival and\nFeirefis rode thither with Kondrie as their guide.\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nOW many were sorely angered that I told not this tale afore,\nSince it wearied them naught in the hearing — Now my\n\nwords I withhold no more,\nBut I give ye to wit full truly, as my mouth may the story\ntell,\n\nThe end of this wondrous venture for methinks it shall please ye well.\nYe shall know how the king, Anfortas, of his wound was made whole again —\nOf the queen doth the venture tell us, who in far Pelrapar did reign ;\nHow she kept a pure heart and loyal till the day of her great reward,\nAnd earth's fairest crown was her guerdon at the hand of her faithful lord.\nYe shall hear the tale of its winning, if my skill fail me not alway ;\nYet first must ye list the labour that Parzival wrought that day.\n\nNow, tho' dauntless his hand had striven, but as children his foemen all,\n\nAnd ne'er would I risk my hero might I rule that which shall befall.\n\nI must sorrow sore for his peril, and fain would I speak him free,\n\nBut now must I trust that Good Fortune the shield of his heart may be.\n\nFor purity, and high courage, side by side in his heart they lay,\n\nAnd ne'er had he cherished cowardice, nor shrunk from the knightly fray ;\n\nAnd I deem this shall surely give him such strength he his life may hold,\n\nSince fierce strife draweth nigh unto him, and his foe is a hero bold.\n\nFor he meeteth a prince of battles who dauntless to strife doth ride,\n\nAnd unbaptized was the foeman who rode here in his heathen pride.\n\nFull soon had he come, our hero, to a mighty woodland shade,\n\nAnd without, in the light of the dawning, his armour a knight displayed.\n\nXZ5\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n'Twere a marvel could I, a poor man, of the riches now speak to ye\nThat the heathen he bare as his decking, so costly their worth should be.\n35 If more than enough I told ye, yet more would be left to tell ;\n\nYet I would not his wealth were hidden — What of riches, I ween, shall\ndwell\n\nIn Bretagne alike and England, and be tribute to Arthur's might,\nThey had paid not the stones that, shining, glowed fair on his armour\nbright.\n\nHis blazoned coat was costly, and naught but the truth I say,\n30 Ruby and Chalcedony, ye had held them not fair that day.\n\nAnd bright as the sun was his vesture, on the mount of Agremontein,\nIn the glowing fires, Salamanders had welded that garment's shine.\nThere jewels rare and precious, with never a fault or flaw,\nGlowed dark and light ; of their nature, I ween, I can tell no more !\n\n35 His desire was for love's rewarding, and the winning of high renown,\n\nHe had won from the hands of fair women the jewels that his pride did\n\nFor the favour Frau Minne showed him with joy did his proud heart beat,\n\nAnd it swelled high with manly courage, as is for a lover meet.\n\nAs reward for his deeds of knighthood on his helmet a beast he bare,\n40 Ecidemon, all poisonous serpents they must of its power beware,\n\nFor of life and of strength doth it rob them, if they smell it but from afar —\n\nThopedissimonte, Assigarzionte, Thasme*, and Arabia,\n\nThey scarce of such silk might boast them as was covering for his steed —\n\nHe sought, that mighty heathen, in a woman's love his meed,\n45 And therefore he bravely decked him, and fain would his courage prove,\n\nAnd his manhood, it urged him onward to battle for sake of love.\n\nNow the knight, so young and gallant, in a haven beside the wood,\n\nBut little known, on the water had anchored his ships so good.\n\nAnd his armies were five-and-twenty, and they knew not each other's\n\n5° 'Twas a token fair of his riches, and the lands that his power might reach,\nAs the armies, so were the kingdoms that did service uiito his hand —\nAnd Moors and Saracens were they, and unlike was eaih warlike band,\nAnd the hue of their skins was diverse — Thus gathered from lands afar\nYe might see in his mighty army strange weapons of heathen war.\n\ncrown.\n\nspeech —\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nSo thus, in search of adventure, from his army this man would ride, 55\n\nIn the woodland green he wandered, and waited what should betide.\n\nAnd since thus it well doth please them, so let them ride, these kings,\n\nAlone, in search of ventures, and the fair fame that combat brings.\n\nYet Parzival rode not lonely, methinks he had comrades twain,\n\nHimself, and the lofty courage that lord -o'er his soul did reign. 60\n\nAnd that he so bravely fought here might win from a woman praise,\n\nIf falsehood should not mislead her, that injustice should rule her ways.\n\nSo spurred they against each other, who were lambs in their purity,\nYet as lions were they bold and dauntless, 'twas a sight for a man to see !\nAh ! woe is me for their meeting, for the world and its ways are wide, 65\nAnd they well might have spared each other, nor, guiltless, to battle ride.\nI should sorrow for him whom I brought here, save my heart did this\ncomfort hold,\n\nThat the Grail shall with strength endue him, and Love shelter the hero\nbold,\n\nSince he was of the twain the servant, nor his heart ever wavering knew,\nAnd ever his hand was ready to serve them with service true. 70\n\nMy skill little wit doth give me this combat that here befell,\n\nIn fitting words and knightly, from beginning to end to tell.\n\nBut the eye of each flashed triumph as the coming foe he saw,\n\nAnd the heart of each knight waxed joyful, as they nearer to battle draw.\n\nYet sorrow, I ween, was nigh them, true hearts, from all falsehood free, 75\n\nAnd each bare the heart of the other, and should comrade and stranger be !\n\nNor may I asunder part them, the paynim and Christian knight,\nHatred they show to each other, tho' no cause have they here for fight.\nAnd methinks this of joy shall rob them, who, as true women, share their pain\nWho risk their lives for a woman ! May they part, ere one here be slain ! 80\n\nAs the lion-cub, that its mother beareth dead, doth to life awake\n\nAt the aweful voice of its father, so these twain, as the spear-shafts break\n\nArouse to fresh life, and to honour, I ween, are they newly born,\n\nFor many a joust have they ridden and many a spear outworn.\n\nThen they tighten the hanging bridle, and they take to their aim good care, 85\n\nThat each on the shield of the other, as he willeth, shall smite him fair.\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nAnd no point do they leave unguarded, and they give to their seat good heed,\nAs men who are skilled in jousting, and sharply each spurs his steed.\n\nAnd bravely the joust was ridden, and each gorget asunder broke,\n9° And the spears bent not, but in splinters they flew from each mighty stroke ;\nAnd sore was he wroth, the heathen, that this man might his joust abide,\nFor never a knight but had fallen who a course 'gainst his spear would\nride.\n\nThink ye that their swords they wielded as their chargers together drew ?\nYea, the combat was sharp and bitter, and each must give proof anew\n95 Alike of his skill and his manhood — The strange beast, Ecidemon,\nHad many a wound, and beneath it the helmet sore blows had won ;\nAnd the horses were hot and wearied, and many new turns they tried —\nThen down they sprung from their chargers, and their sword-blades afresh\nthey plied.\n\nAnd the heathen wrought woe to the Christian, 'Thasme !' was his battle-cry,\n100 And when 'Tabronit !' he shouted he drew ever a step anigh.\n\nAnd the Christian, he showed his valour in many an onslaught bold ;\n' So pressed they upon each other — Nor would I the tale withhold\n\nOf how the fight was foughten, yet must I the strife bemoan,\n\nHow, one flesh and one blood thus sharing, each wrought evil unto his own ;\nIQ5 For both were the sons of one father, and brothers, I ween, were they,\n\nAnd methinks upon such foundation faith and friendship their stone should\n\nAnd love ne'er had failed the heathen, and his heart was for combat fain,\nFor the love of Queen Sekundille* fresh honour he thought to gain ;\nTiibalibot's land she gave him, and she was his shield in strife —\n\"o So bravely he fought, how think ye that the Christian might guard his life?\nOn love let his thoughts be steadfast, else sure is he here undone,\nAnd he hath from the hand of the heathen in this combat his death-blow\nwon.\n\nO thou Grail, by thy lofty virtue such fate from thy knight withhold !\nKondwiramur, thine husband in such deadly stress behold !\n115 Here he standeth, of both the servant, in such danger and peril sore\n\nThat as naught ye may count the ventures he hath dared for your sake of\n\nlay!\n\nyore !\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nThen on high flashed the sword of the heathen, and many such blow had\nslain,\n\nTo his knee Parzival was beaten — Now see how they fought, the twain,\n\nIf twain ye will still account them, yet in sooth shall they be but one,\n\nFor my brother and I are one body, e'en as husband and wife are one ! 120\n\nThe heathen wrought woe to the Christian — Of Asbestos, I ween, his\nshield,\n\nThat wondrous wood that never to flame or decay shall yield ;\n\nP sooth, right well she loved him who gave him a gift so fair,\n\nTurquoise, Chrysoprase, Emerald, Ruby, rich jewels beyond compare\n\nDecked with shining lines its surface, on the boss shone a precious stone, 125\n\nAntrax, afar they call it, as Carbuncle it here is known.\n\nAnd as token of love, for his guarding, Sekundille the queen would give\n\nThat wondrous beast, Ecidemon — in her favour he fain would live,\n\nAnd e'en as she willed he bare it, as his badge, did that gallant knight —\n\nHere with purity faith joined issue, and truth with high truth would fight. I3°\n\nFor love's sake upon the issue of this combat each risked his life,\n\nEach had pledged his hand to the winning of honour and fame in strife ;\n\nAnd the Christian, in God he trusted since the day that he rode away\n\nFrom the hermit, whose faithful counsel had bidden him trust alway\n\nIn Him who could turn his sorrow into bliss without thought of bale — 135\n\nTo Him should he pray for succour, whose succour should never fail.\n\nAnd fierce and strong was the heathen, when ' Tabronit,' he cried,\n\nFor there, 'neath the mount Kaukasus did the queen, Sekundill', abide ;\n\nThus gained he afresh high courage 'gainst him who ne'er knew of yore\n\nThe weight of such deadly combat, for in sooth was he pressed full sore — 140\n\nTo defeat was he aye a stranger, and ne'er had he seen its face,\n\nTho' his foemen right well must know it, as they yielded them to his grace !\n\nWith skill do they wield their weapons, and sparks spring from the helmets\nfair,\n\nAnd a whistling wind ariseth as the blades cleave the summer air ;\nGod have Gamuret's son in His keeping ! and the prayer it shall stand for 145\nboth,\n\nFor the twain shall be one nor, I think me, to own it were either loth.\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nFor had they but known each other their stake ne'er had been so great,\nFor blessing, and joy, and honour, were risked on that combat's fate,\nFor he who shall here be victor, if true brother and knight he be,\n15° Of all this world's joy is he forfeit, nor from grief may his heart be free !\n\nSir Parzival, why delay thee to think on thy queen and wife,\nHer purity and her beauty, if here thou wouldst save thy life?\nFor the heathen, he bare two comrades who kindled his strength anew,\nThe one, in his strong heart, steadfast, lay ever a love so true ;\n155 And the other, the precious jewels that burnt with a mystic glow,\n\nThro' whose virtue his strength waxed greater, and his heart must fresh\ncourage know.\n\nAnd it grieveth me sore that the Christian was weary and faint with fight,\nNor swiftly might he avoid him, and his blows they were robbed of might ;\nAnd if the twain fail to aid thee, O thou gallant Parzival,\n160 Thy queen and the Grail, then I think me this thought it shall help thee well,\nShall thy fair babes thus young be orphaned ? Kardeiss and Lohengrin,\nWhom thy wife, e'en as thou didst leave her, for her joy and her hope must\nwin —\n\nFor children thus born in wedlock, the pledge of a love so pure,\nI ween are a man's best blessing, and a joy that shall aye endure !\n\n165 New strength did he win, the Christian, and he thought, none too soon, I\n\nOn his love so true and faithful, on Kondwiramur, his queen,\n\nHow he won his wife at the sword's point, when sparks from the helm did\n\n'Neath the mighty blows he dealt him, Klamide, the warrior king.\n' Tabronit ! and Thasme* ! ' and above them rung clear his battle-cry,\n\n170 ' Pelrapar ! ' as aloud he cried it to his aid did his true love fly,\n\nO'er kingdoms four she sought him, and her love gave him strength anew,\nAnd lo ! from the shield of the heathen the costly splinters flew,\nEach one a hundred marks' worth — and the sword so strong and keen\nThat Ither of Gaheviess bare first brake sheer on the helmet's sheen,\n\n175 And the stranger, so rich and valiant, he stumbled, and sought his knee —\nFor God, He no longer willed it that Parzival lord should be\nOf this weapon of which in his folly he had robbed a gallant knight —\nThen up sprang afresh the heathen who ne'er before fell in fight,\n\nween,\n\nspring\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nNot yet is the combat ended, and the issue for both shall stand\n\nIn the power of the God of battles, and their life lieth in His hand ! 180\n\nAnd a gallant knight was the heathen, and he spake out, right courteously,\n(Tho' the tongue was the tongue of a heathen yet in fair French his speech\nshould be,)\n\n4 Now I see well, thou gallant hero, thou hast no sword wherewith to fight,\nAnd the fame shall be small I win me if I fight with an unarmed knight,\nBut rest thee awhile from conflict, and tell me who thou shalt be, l85\nFor the fame that so long I cherished it surely had fallen to thee ^\nHad the blow not thy sword-blade shattered — Now, let peace be betwixt us\ntwain,\n\nAnd our wearied limbs will we rest here ere we get us to strife again.'\nThen down on the grass they sat them, and courteous and brave were they,\nNor too young nor too old for battle — fit foemen they were that day ! 190\n\nThen the heathen, he spake to the Christian, 4 Believe me, Sir Knight, that\nne'er\n\nDid I meet with a man so worthy the crown of such fame to bear\nAs a knight in strife may win him — Now, I prithee, tell thou to me\nThy name, and thy race, that my journey may here not unfruitful be ! '\nQuoth the sonoof fair Herzeleide, 4 Thro' fear shall I tell my name ? 195\nFor thou askest of me such favour as a victor alone may claim ! '\nSpake the heathen prince from Thasme, 4 Then that shame shall be mine, I\nween,\n\nFor first will I speak my title, and the name that mine own hath been ;\n44 Feirefis Angevin \" all men call me, and such riches are mine, I trow,\nThat the folk of full many a kingdom 'neath my sceptre as vassals bow ! ' 200\n\nThen, e'en as the words were spoken, to the heathen quoth Parzival,\n4 How shall \"Angevin\" be thy title, since as heirdom to me it fell,\nAnjou, with its folk and its castles, its lands and its cities fair ?\nNay, choose thee some other title, if thou, courteous, wouldst hear my\nprayer !\n\nIf thro' thee I have lost my kingdom, and the fair town Bealzenan, 205\nThen wrong hadst thou wrought upon me ere ever our strife began !\nIf one of us twain is an Angevin then by birthright that one am I ! —\nAnd yet, of a truth, was it told me, that afar 'neath an Eastern sky,\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nThere dwelleth a dauntless hero, who, with courage and knightly skill,\n210 Such love and such fame hath won him that he ruleth them at his will.\n\nAnd men say, he shall be my brother — and that all they who know his\n\nAccount him a knight most valiant, and he weareth the crown of fame !'\n\nIn a little space he spake further, ' If, Sir Knight, I thy face might see,\nI should know if the truth were told me, if in sooth thou art kin to me.\n215 Sir Knight, wilt thou trust mine honour, then loosen thine helmet's band,\nI will swear till once more thou arm thee to stay from all strife mine hand !\n\nThen out he spake, the heathen, ' Of such strife have I little fear,\n\nFor e'en were my body naked, my sword, I still hold it here !\n\nOf a sooth must thou be the vanquished, for since broken shall be thy\n\n220 What availeth thy skill in combat keen death from thine heart to ward,\nUnless, of free will, I spare thee ? For, ere thou couldst clasp me round,\nMy ^teel, thro' the iron of thy harness, thy flesh and thy bone had found ! '\nThen the heathen, so strong and gallant, he dealt as a knight so true,\n* Nor mine nor thine shall this sword be ! ' and straight from his hand it\n\n225 Afar in the wood he cast it, and he quoth, ' Now, methinks, Sir Knight,\nThe chance for us both shall be equal, if further we think to fight ! '\n\nQuoth Feirefis, ' Now, thou hero, by thy courteous breeding fair,\nSince in sooth thou shalt have a brother, say, what face doth that brother\nbear ?\n\nAnd tell me here of his colour, e'en as men shall have told it thee.'\n230 Quoth the Waleis, 4 As written parchment, both black and white is he,\nFor so hath Ekuba told me.' ' Then that brother am I alway,'\nQuoth the heathen — Those knights so gallant, but little they made delay,\nBut they loosed from their heads the helmet, and they made them of iron\nbare,\n\nAnd Parzival deemed that he found there a gift o'er all others fair,\n23S For straightway he knew the other, (as a magpie, I ween, his face,)\nAnd hatred and wrath were slain here in a brotherly embrace.\nYea, friendship far better 'seemed them, who owed to one sire their life,\nThan anger, methinks, and envy — Truth and Love made an end of strife.\n\nname\n\nsword\n\nflew,\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nThen joyful he spake, the heathen, ' Now well shall it be with me,\nAnd I thank the gods of my people that Gamuret's son I see. 240\nBlest be Juno, the queen of heaven, since, methinks, she hath ruled it so,\nAnd Jupiter, by whose virtue and strength I such bliss may know,\nGods and goddesses, I will love ye, and worship your strength for aye —\nAnd blest be those shining planets, 'neath the power of whose guiding ray\nI hither have made my journey — For ventures I here would seek, 245\nAnd found thee, brother, sweet and aweful, whose strong hand hath made\nme weak.\n\nAnd blest be the dew, and the breezes, that this morning my brow have\nfanned.\n\nAh ! thou courteous knight who holdest love's key in thy valiant hand !\n\nAh ! happy shall be the woman whose eyes on thy face shall light,\n\nAlready is bliss her portion who seeth so fair a sight ! ' 250\n\n' Ye speak well, I would fain speak better of a full heart, had I the skill ;\nYet alas ! for I lack the wisdom, tho' God knoweth, of right goodwill\nThe fame of your worth and valour by my words would I higher raise,\nAnd as eye, and as heart should serve me, the twain, they should speak\nyour praise ;\n\nAs your fame and your glory lead them, so behind in your track they fare — 255\nAnd ne'er from the hand of a foeman such peril hath been my share\nAs the peril your hand hath wrought me ! and sooth are these words\nI say.'\n\nIn this wise quoth the knight of Kanvoleis ; yet Feirefis spake alway ;\n\n' With wisdom and skill, I wot well, hath Jupiter fashioned thee,\nThou true and gallant hero ! Nor thy speech shall thus distant be, 260\nFor \"ye \" thou shalt no more call me, of one sire did we spring we twain.'\nAnd with brotherly love he prayed him he would from such speech refrain\nAnd henceforward ' thou ' to call him, yet Parzival deemed it ill,\nAnd he spake, * Now, your riches, brother, shall be e'en as the Baruch's\nstill,\n\nAnd ye of us twain are the elder, my poverty and my youth 265\nThey forbid me \" thou \" to call ye, or discourteous were I in truth.\n\nThen the Prince of Tribalibot, joyful, with many a word would praise\nHis god, Jupiter, and to Juno thanksgiving he fain would raise,\n\nDigitized by\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nSince so well had she ruled the weather, that the port to which he was\nbound ^\n270 He had safely reached, and had landed, and there had a brother found.\n\nSide by side did they sit together, and neither forgot the grace\n\nOf courtesy, to the other, each knight fain had yielded place.\n\nThen the heathen spake, ' My brother, wilt thou sail with me to my land,\n\nThen two kingdoms, rich and powerful, will I give thee into thine hand.\n\n275 Thy father and mine, he won them when King Eisenhart's life was run,\nZassamank and Assagog are they — to no man he wrong hath done,\nSave in that he left me orphaned — of the ill that he did that day\nAs yet have I not avenged me, for an ill deed it was alway.\nFor his wife, the queen who bare me, thro' her love must she early die,\n\n280 When she knew herself love-bereaved, and her lord from her land did fly.\nYet gladly that knight would I look on, for his fame hath been told to me\nAs the best of knights, and I journey my father's face to see ! '\n\nThen Parzival made him answer, 4 Yea I, too, I saw him ne'er;\n\nYet all men they speak well of him, and his praises all lands declare,\n\n285 And ever in strife and conflict to better his fame he knew,\n\nAnd his valour was high exalted, and afar from him falsehood flew.\nAnd women he served so truly. that all true folk they praised his name,\nAnd all that should deck a Christian lent honour unto his fame,\nFor his faith it for aye stood steadfast, and all false deeds did he abhor,\n\n290 But followed his true heart's counsel — Thus ever I heard of yore\n\nFrom the mouth of all men who knew him, that man ye were fain to see,\nAnd I ween ye would do him honour if he yet on this earth might be,\nAnd sought for fame as aforetime— The delight of all women's eyes\nWas he, till king Ipomidon with him strove for knighthood's prize,\n\n295 At Bagdad the joust was ridden, and there did his valiant life\n\nFor love's sake become death's portion, and there was he slain in strife ;\nIn a knightly joust we lost him from whose life do we spring, we twain ;\nIf here ye would seek our father, then the seas have ye sailed in vain ! '\n\n' Alas, for the endless sorrow ! ' quoth the knight. * Is my father dead ?\n300 Here joy have I lost, tho' it well be that joy cometh in its stead.\n\nIn this self-same hour have I lost me great joy, and yet joy have found,\nFor myself, and thou, and my father, we three in one bond are bound ;\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nFor tho' men as three may hold us, yet I wot well we are but one,\nAnd no wise man he counts that kinship 'twixt father, methinks, and son,\nFor in truth for more must he hold it— With thyself hast thou fought 3°5\nto-day,\n\nTo strife with myself have I ridden, and I went near myself to slay ;\n\nThy valour in good stead stood us, from myself hast thou saved my\n\nNow Jupiter see this marvel, since thy power so hath ruled the strife\nThat from death hast thou here withheld us ! ' Then tears streamed from\nhis heathen eyes,\n\nAs he laughed and wept together— Yea, a Christian such truth might prize, 310\nFor our baptism truth should teach us, since there are we named anew\nIn the Name of Christ, and all men they hold the Lord Christ for true !\n\nQuoth the heathen, e'en as I tell ye, ' No longer will we abide\nIn this place, but if thou, my brother, for a short space with me wilt ride,\nFrom the sea to the land will I summon, that their power be made known 315\nto thee,\n\nThe richest force that Juno e'er guided across the sea.\nAnd in truth, without thought of falsehood, full many a gallant knight\nWill I show thee, who do me service, and beneath my banners fight,\nWith me shalt thou ride towards them.' Then Parzival spake alway,\n* Have ye then such power o'er these people that your bidding they wait 320\nto-day\n\nAnd all the days ye are absent ?' Quoth the heathen, ' Yea, even so,\nIf for half a year long I should leave them, not a man from the place\nwould go,\n\nBe he rich or poor, till I bade him. Well victualled their ships shall be,\nAnd neither the horse nor his rider setteth foot on the grassy lea,\nSave only to fetch them water from the fountain that springeth fair, 325\nOr to lead their steeds to the meadow to breathe the fresh summer air.'\n\nThen Parzival quoth to his brother, * If it be so, then follow me\n\nTo where many a gracious maiden, and fair pleasures, ye well may see,\n\nAnd many a courteous hero who shall be to us both akin —\n\nNear by with a goodly army lieth Arthur, the Breton king, 33°\n\n'Twas only at dawn I left them, a great host and fair are they,\n\nAnd many a lovely lady shall gladden our eyes to-day.'\n\nVOL. II. K\n\nlife—\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nWhen he heard that he spake of women, since he fain for their love would\nlive,\n\nHe quoth, 4 Thou shalt lead me thither, but first thou shalt answer give\n335 To the question I here would ask thee — Of a truth shall we kinsmen see\nWhen we come to the court of King Arthur ? For ever 'twas told to me\nThat his name it is rich in honour, and he liveth as valiant knight ' —\nQuoth Parzival, ' We shall see there full many a lady bright,\nNor fruitless shall be our journey, our own folk shall we find there,\n340 The men of whose race we have sprung, men whose head shall a king's\ncrown bear.'\n\nNor longer the twain would sit there, and straightway did Parzival\nSeek again the sword of his brother that afar in the woodland fell,\nAnd again the hero sheathed it, and all hatred they put away,\nAnd e'en as true friends and brothers together they rode that day.\n\n345 Yet ere they might come to King Arthur men had heard of the twain a tale —\nOn the self-same day it befell so that the host, they must sore bewail\nThe loss of a gallant hero, since Parzival rode away —\nThen Arthur, he took good counsel, and he spake, * Unto the eighth day\nWould they wait for Parzival's coming, nor forth from the field would fare ' —\n\n35° And hither came Gramoflanz' army, and they many a ring prepare,\n\nAnd with costly tents do they deck them, and the proud knights are lodged\nfull well,\n\nNor might brides e'er win greater honour than here to this four befell.\nThen from CMteau Merveil rode thither a squire in the self-same hour,\nAnd he said, in their column mirrored, had they seen in their fair watch-\n\n355 A mighty fight, and a fearful— 4 And where'er men with swords have fought,\nI wot well, beside this combat their strife shall be held as naught.'\nAnd the tale did they tell to Gawain, as he sat by King Arthur's side,\nAnd this knight, and that, spake wondering to whom might such strife\nbetide ?\n\nQuoth Arthur the king, ' Now I wager that I know of the twain one knight,\n360 'Twas my nephew of Kanvoleis fought there, who left us ere morning light ! '\n\nAnd now, lo the twain rode hither — They had foughten a combat fair,\nAs helmet and shield sore dinted with sword-stroke might witness bear.\n\ntower\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nAnd well skilled were the hands that had painted these badges of strife, I\ntrow,\n\n(For 'tis meet in the lust of combat that a knight's hand such skill should\nshow,)\n\nThen they rode by the camp of King Arthur— As the heathen knight rode 365\npast\n\nFull many a glance of wonder at his costly gear was cast.\n\nAnd with tents the plain was covered — Then rode they to Gawain's ring,\n\nAnd before his tent they halted — Did men a fair welcome bring,\n\nAnd lead them within, and gladly behold them ? Yea, even so,\n\nAnd Gawain, he rode swiftly after when he did of their coming know ; 370\n\nFor e'en as he sat by King Arthur he saw that his tent they sought,\n\nAnd, as fitted a courteous hero, joyful greeting to them he brought.\n\nAnd as yet they bare their armour — Then Gawain, the courteous knight,\n\nHe bade his squires disarm them — In the stress of the deadly fight\n\nEcidemon, the beast, was cloven ; the robe that the heathen ware 375\n\nIn many a place bare token of the blows that had been its share,\n\n'Twas a silk of Saranthasme, decked with many a precious stone,\n\nAnd beneath, rich, snow-white, blazoned with his bearings his vesture shone.\n\nAnd one over against the other stood the gems in a double row ;\n\nBy the wondrous Salamanders was it woven in fierce flame's glow ! 380\n\nAll this glory a woman gave him, who would stake on his skill in strife\n\nHer crown alike and her kingdom, as she gave him her love and life.\n\n'Twas the fair Queen Sekundille' (and gladly he did her will,\n\nAnd were it for joy or for sorrow he hearkened her bidding still)\n\nAnd, e'en as her true heart willed it, of her riches was he the lord, 385\n\nFor her love, as his rightful guerdon, had he won him with shield and sword.\n\nThen Gawain, he bade his people of the harness to have good care,\nThat naught should be moved from its station, shield, or helmet, or vesture\nfair.\n\nAnd in sooth a gift too costly e'en the blazoned coat had been\n\nIf poor were the maid who a love-gift would give to her knight, I ween, 39°\n\nSo rich were the stones that decked it, the harness of pieces four —\n\nAnd where wisdom with goodwill worketh, and of riches there be full store,\n\nThere love well can deck the loved one ! And proud Feirefis, he strove\n\nWith such zeal for the honour of women, he well was repaid by Love I\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n395 And soon as he doffed his harness they gazed on the wondrous sight,\n\nAnd they who might speak of marvels said, in sooth, that this heathen knight,\n\nFeirefis, was strange to look on ! and wondrous marks he bore —\n\nQuoth Gawain to Parzival, * Cousin, I ne'er saw his like before,\n\nNow who may he be, thy comrade ? For in sooth he is strange to see ! '\n\n400 Quoth Parzival, ' Are we kinsmen, then thy kinsman this knight shall be,\nAs Gamuret's name may assure thee — Of Zassamank is he king,\nThere my father he won Belakane who this prince to the world did bring.'\nThen Gawain, he kissed the heathen — Now the noble Feirefis\nWas black and white all over, save his mouth was half red, I wis !\n\n405 Then they brought to the twain fair raiment, and I wot well their cost was\ndear.\n\n(They were brought forth from Gawain's chamber.) Then the ladies, they\ndrew anear,\n\nAnd the Duchess she bade Sangive and Kondrie first kiss the knight\nEre she and Arnive' proffered in greeting their lips so bright.\nAnd Feirefis gazed upon them, and, methinks, he was glad at heart\n410 At the sight of their lovely faces, and in joy had he lot and part.\n\nThen Gawain spake to Parzival, ' Cousin, thou hast found a new battle-field,\nIf aright I may read the token of thy helmet and splintered shield,\nSore strife shall have been your comrade, both thine and thy brother's too !\nSay, with whom did ye fight so fiercely ? ' Then Parzival spake anew,\n4*5 ' No fiercer fight have I foughten, my brother's hand pressed me sore\n\nTo defend me, no charm more potent than defence 'gainst death's stroke I\nbore.\n\nAs this stranger, whom yet I knew well, I smote, my sword brake in twain,\nYet no fear did he show, and Vantage he scorned of mischance to gain,\nFor afar did he cast his sword-blade, since he feared lest 'gainst me he sin,\n420 Yet naught did he know when he spared me that we twain were so near akin.\nBut now have I won his friendship, and his love, and with right goodwill\nWould I do to him faithful service as befitteth a brother still ! '\n\nThen Gawain spake, ' They brought me tidings of a dauntless strife and bold,\nIn Chateau Merveil the country for six miles may ye well behold,\n425 The pillar within the watch-tower showeth all that within that space\n\nDoth chance, — and he spake, King Arthur, that one who there strife did face,\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nShould be thou cousin mine of Kingrivals, now hast thou the tidings brought,\nAnd we know of a sooth the combat was even as we had thought.\nNow believe me, the truth I tell thee, for eight days here our feast we 'Id hold\nIn great pomp, and await thy coming, shouldst thou seek us, thou hero bold. 43°\nNow rest here, ye twain, from your combat— but methinks, since ye thus did\nfight,\n\nYe shall each know the other better, and hatred shall own love's might.'\n\nThat eve would Gawain sup early, since his cousin of far Thasme^\n\nFeirefis Angevin, and his brother, had tasted no food that day.\n\nAnd high and long were the cushions that they laid in a ring so wide, 435\n\nAnd many a costly covering of silk did their softness hide.\n\nAnd long, and wide, and silken, were the clothes that above them went,\n\nAnd the store of Klingsor's riches they spread forth within the tent.\n\nThen four costly carpets silken, and woven so fair to see,\n\nDid they hang one against the other, so the tale it was told to me ; 440\nAnd beneath them, of down were the pillows, and each one was covered\nfair,\n\nAnd in such wise the costly couches for the guests would the squires prepare.\n\nAnd so wide was the ring that within it six pavilions right well might stand\nNor the tent ropes should touch each other — (Now wisdom doth fail mine\nhand,\n\nI will speak no more of these marvels). Then straightway Gawain he sent 445\n\nTo King Arthur, he fain would tell him who abode here within his tent,\n\nHe had come, the mighty heathen, of whom Ekuba erst did tell\n\nOn PlimizoPs plain ! And the tidings they rejoiced King Arthur well.\n\nAnd he who should bear the tidings, he was Iofreit, and Idol's son ;\n\nAnd he bade the king sup early, and so soon as the meal was done, 450\n\nWith his knights and his host of ladies, to ride forth a train so fair,\n\nAnd a fit and worthy welcome for Gamuret's son prepare.\n\nQuoth the king, 1 All who here are worthy, of a sooth, will I bring with me.'\n\nQuoth Iofreit, 4 Ye fain will see him, so courteous a knight is he,\n\nAnd a marvel is he to look on — From great riches he forth must fare, 455\n\nFor the price of his coat emblazoned is such as no man might bear,\n\nAnd no hand might count its equal, not in Lover or Brittany,\n\nOr in England, or e'en from Paris to Wizsant beside the sea —\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nNay, all the rich lands between them, were their wealth in the balance weighed,\n460 Then the cost of his goodly raiment, I think me, were yet unpaid ! '\n\nThen again came the knight Iofreit, when he to the king had told\nThe guise that should best befit him when he greeted the heathen bold.\nAnd within the tent of Gawain the seats were ordered fair,\nIn courteous rank and seemly, and the guests to the feast repair.\n\n465 And the vassals of Orgeluse, and the heroes within her train\n\nWho gladly for love had served her, they sate there beside Gawain.\n\nTheir seats they were on his right hand, on his left were Klingsor's knights,\n\nAnd over against the heroes sat many a lady bright,\n\nAll they who were Klingsor's captives, in sooth were they fair of face,\n\n470 And Parzival and his brother, by the maidens they took their place.\n\nThen the Turkowit, Sir Florant, and Sangive\", that noble queen,\nSat over against each other, and in like wise, the board between,\nSat Gowerzein's Duke, brave Lischois, and his wife, the fair Kondrie.\nIofreit and Gawain forgat not each other's mate to be,\n475 As of old would they sit together, and together, as comrades, eat.\nThe Duchess, with bright eyes shining, by Arnive* must find her seat,\nNor forgat they to serve each other with courteous and kindly grace —\nAt the side sat fair Orgeluse\", while Arnive\" by Gawain found place.\n\nAnd all shame and discourteous bearing from the circle must take their\nflight,\n\n480 And courteous they bare the viands to each maid and each gallant knight.\nThen Feirefis looked on his brother, and he spake unto Parzival ;\n* Now Jupiter ruled my journey so that bliss to my lot would fall\nSince his aid shall have brought me hither, and here mine own folk I see,\nAnd I praise the sire that I knew not, of a gallant race was he ! '\n\n485 Quoth the Waleis, 4 Ye yet shall see them, a folk ye right well may love,\nWith Arthur their king and captain, brave knights who their manhood prove.\nSo soon as this feast is ended, as methinks it will be ere long,\nYe shall see them come in their glory, many valiant men and strong.\nOf the knights of the good Round Table there shall sit at this board but\nthree,\n\n490 Our host, and the knight Iofreit, and such honour once fell to me,\n\nDigitized by\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nIn the days that I showed me worthy, that they prayed me I would be one\nOf their band, nor was I unwilling, but e'en as they spake 'twas done,'\n\nNow 'twas time, since all well had eaten, the covers to bear away\nFrom before both man and maiden, and this did the squires straightway.\nThe host would no longer sit there ; then the Duchess and Arnive* spake, 495\nAnd they prayed that the twain, Sangive* and Kondrie, they with them might\ntake\n\nAnd go to the strange-faced heathen, and entreat him in courteous wise —\nWhen Feirefis saw them near him, from his seat did the prince arise,\nAnd with Parzival, his brother, stepped forward the queens to meet,\nBy his hand did the Duchess take him, and with fair words the knight 500\nwould greet ;\n\nAnd the ladies and knights who stood there she bade them be seated all —\nThen the king and his host came riding, with many a trumpet call ;\nAnd they heard the sound of music, of tambour, and flute, and horn,\nWith many a blast drew nearer the king of Arnive* born ;\n\nAnd the heathen this pomp and rejoicing must hold for a worthy thing — 505\n\nAnd Guinevere rode with King Arthur, so came they to Gawain's ring ;\n\nAnd goodly the train that followed of ladies and gallant knights,\n\nAnd Feirefis saw among them fair faces with youth's tints bright ;\n\nAnd King Gramoflanz rode among them, for Arthur's guest was he,\n\nAnd Itonje\\ his love so loyal, true lady, from falsehood free ! sio\n\nThen the gallant host dismounted, with many a lady sweet,\n\nAnd Guinevere bade Itonje* her nephew, the heathen, greet.\n\nThen the queen herself drew anear him, and she kissed the knight Feirefis,\n\nAnd Gramoflanz and King Arthur received him with friendly kiss ;\n\nAnd in honour they proffered service unto him, those monarchs twain, 5*5\n\nAnd many a man of his kinsfolk to welcome the prince was fain.\n\nAnd many a faithful comrade Feirefis Angevin had found,\n\nNor in sooth was he loth to own here that he stood upon friendly ground.\n\nDown they sat them, both wife and husband, and many a gracious maid,\nAnd many a knight might find there (if in sooth he such treasure prayed,) 520\nFrom sweet lips sweet words of comfort — If for wooing such knight were\nfain,\n\nThen from many a maid who sat there no hatred his prayer would gain,\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nNo true woman shall e'er be wrathful if a true man for help shall pray,\nFor ever the right she holdeth to yield, or to say him * Nay/\n525 And if labour win joy for payment then such guerdon shall true love give —\nAnd I speak but as in my lifetime I have seen many true folk live —\nAnd service sat there by rewarding, for in sooth 'tis a gracious thing\nWhen a knight may his lady hearken, for joy shall such hearing bring.\n\nAnd Feirefis sat by King Arthur, nor would either prince delay\n530 To the question each asked the other courteous answer to make straight way-\nQuoth King Arthur, ' May God be praised, for He honoureth us I ween,\nSince this day within our circle so gallant a guest is seen,\nNo knight hath Christendom welcomed to her shores from a heathen land\nWhom, an he desired my service, I had served with such willing hand ! '\n\n535 Quoth Feirefis to King Arthur, ' Misfortune hath left my side,\n\nSince the day that my goddess Juno, with fair winds and a favouring tide,\nLed my sail to this Western kingdom ! Methinks that thou bearest thee\nIn such wise as he should of whose valour many tales have been told to me ;\nIf indeed thou art called King Arthur, then know that in many a land\n\n540 Thy name is both known and honoured, and thy fame o'er all knights doth\n\nQuoth Arthur, * Himself doth he honour who thus spake in my praise to thee\nAnd to other folk, since such counsel he won of his courtesy\nFar more than of my deserving — for he spake of his kindly will.\nYea, in sooth shall my name be Arthur, and the tale would I hearken still\n545 Qf how to this land thou earnest, if for love's sake thou bearest shield,\nThen thy love must be fair, since to please her thou ridest so far afield !\nIf her guerdon be not withholden then love's service shall wax more fair,\nElse must many a maid win hatred from the knight who her badge doth\n\n' Nay, 'twas otherwise,' quoth the heathen ; ' Now learn how I came to thee,\n550 I led such a mighty army, they who guardians of Troy would be,\nAnd they who its walls besieged, the road to my hosts must yield —\nIf both armies yet lived, and lusted to face me on open field,\nThen ne'er might they win the victory, but shame and defeat must know\nFrom me and my host, of a surety their force would I overthrow ! —\n\nstand.'\n\nbear !\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nAnd many a fight had I foughten, and knightly deeds had done, 555\n\nTill as guerdon at length the favour of Queen SekundilF I won.\n\nAnd e'en as her wish so my will is, and her love to my life is guide,\n\nShe bade me to give with a free hand, and brave knights to keep at my side,\n\nAnd this must I do to please her ; and I did even as she would,\n\n'Neath my shield have I won as vassals full many a warrior good, 560\n\nAnd her love it hath been my guerdon — An Ecidemon I bear\n\nOn my shield, even as she bade me, at her will I this token wear.\n\nSince then, came I e'er in peril, if but on my love I thought\n\nShe hath helped me, yea, Jupiter never such succour in need hath brought ! '\n\nQuoth Arthur, ' Thy gallant father, Gamuret, he hath left thee heir 565\n\nTo the heart that on woman's service thus loveth afar to fare.\n\nOf such service I too can tell thee, for but seldom hath greater deeds\n\nBeen done for a woman's honour, or to win of her love the meed,\n\nThan were done for the sake of the Duchess who sitteth beside us here.\n\nFor her love many gallant heroes have splintered full many a spear, 570\n\nYea, the spear-shafts were e'en as a forest ! And many have paid the cost\n\nOf her service in bitter sorrow, and in joy and high courage lost !'\n\nAnd then the tale he told him of the fame that Gawain had found.\nAnd the knights of the host of Klingsor, and the heroes who sat around,\nAnd of Parzival, his brother, how he fought fierce combats twain, 575\nFor the sake of Gramoflanz' garland, on Ioflanz' grassy plain ;\n' And what other have been his ventures, who never himself doth spare\nAs thro' the wide world he rideth, that shall he himself declare ;\nFor he seeketh a lofty guerdon, and he rideth to find the Grail.\nAnd here shall it be my pleasure that ye twain, without lack or fail, 580\nShall tell me the lands and the peoples against whom ye shall both have\nfought.'\n\nQuoth the heathen, Til name the princes whom I here as my captives\nbrought ' :\n\n' King Papirus of Trogodjente, Count Behantins of Kalomident,\n\nDuke Farjelastis of Africk, and King Tridanz of Tinodent ;\n\nKing Liddamus of Agrippe, of Schipelpjonte King Amaspartins, 585\n\nKing Milon of Nomadjentesin, of Agremontin, Duke Lippidins ;\n\nGabarins of Assigarzionte, King Translapins of Rivigatas,\n\nFrom Hiberborticon Count Filones, from Sotofeititon, Amincas,\n\nDigitized by\n\nV\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nFrom Centrium, King Killicrates, Duke Tiridd of Elixodjon,\n\n59° And beside him Count Lysander, from Ipopotiticon.\n\nKing Thoaris of Orastegentesein, from Satarthjonte' Duke Alamis,\nAnd the Duke of Duscontemedon, and Count Astor of Panfatis.\nFrom Arabia King Zaroaster, and Count Possizonjus of Thiler,\nThe Duke Sennes of Narjoclin, and Nourjente^s Duke, Acheinor,\n\n595 Count Edisson of Lanzesardin, Count Fristines of Janfuse,\nMeiones of Atropfagente, King Jetakranc of Ganpfassasch£,\nFrom Assagog and Zassamank princes, Count Jurans of Blemunzin.\nAnd the last, I ween, shall a Duke be, Affinamus of Amantasin ! '\n\n4 Yet one thing for a shame I deemed it — In my kingdom 'twas told to me\n600 Gamuret Angevin, my father, the best of all knights should be\nThat ever bestrode a charger — Then so was my will and mind,\nThat, afar from my kingdom faring, my father I thought to find ;\nAnd since then strife hath been my portion, for forth from my kingdoms\n\nA mighty host and powerful 'neath my guidance hath crossed the main,\n605 And I lusted for deeds of knighthood ; if I came to a goodly land,\n\nThen I rested not till its glory paid tribute into mine hand.\n\nAnd thus ever I journeyed further — I won love from two noble queens,\n\nOlympia and Klauditte ; Sekundille the third hath been.\n\nAnd well have I served fair women ! — Now first must I learn to-day\n610 That my father is dead ! My brother, the tale of thy ventures say.'\n\nAnd Parzival quoth, ' Since I seek it, The Grail, in full many a fight,\nBoth far and near, have I striven, in such wise as beseems a knight,\nAnd my hand of their fame hath robbed them who never before might fall —\nIf it please ye the tale to hearken, lo ! here will I name them all ! '\n\n615 6 King Schirniel of Lirivoin, and his brother of Avendroin, King Mirabel,\nKing Piblesun of Lorneparz, of Rozokarz, King Serabel,\nOf Sirnegunz, King Senilgorz, and Strangedorz of Villegarunz,\nRogedal the Count of Mirnetalle and Laudunal of Pleyedunz.\nFrom Semblidag King Zyrolan, from Itolac Onipreiz,\n\n620 From Zambron the Count Plenischanz, and Duke Jerneganz of Jeropleis,\nCount Longefiez of Teuteleunz, Duke Marangliess of Privegarz,\nFrom Lampregun Count Parfoyas, from Pictacon Duke Strennolas ;\n\ntwain\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nPostefar of Laudundrehte, Ascalon's fair king, Vergulacht,\n\nDuke Leidebron of Redunzehte, and from Pranzile Count Bogudaht,\n\nColleval of Leterbe, Jovedast of Arl, a Provencal, 625\n\nCount Karfodyas of Tripparun, all these 'neath my spear must fall.\n\nIn knightly joust I o'erthrew them the while I the Grail must seek !\n\nWould I say those I felled in battle^ methinks I o'er-long must speak,\n\nIt were best that I here keep silence — Of those who were known to me,\n\nMethinks that the greater number I here shall have named to ye ! ' 630\n\nFrom his heart was he glad, the heathen, of his brother's mighty fame,\nThat so many a gallant hero 'neath his hand had been put to shame,\nAnd he deemed in his brother's honour he himself should have honour won,\nAnd with many a word he thanked him for the deeds that he there had\ndone.\n\nThen Gawain bade his squires bear hither (yet e'en as he knew it not) 635\n\nThe costly gear of the heathen, and they held it was fair I wot.\n\nAnd knights alike and ladies, they looked on its decking rare,\n\nCorslet, and shield, and helmet, and the coat that was blazoned fair.\n\nNor narrow nor wide the helmet — And a marvel great they thought\n\nThe shine of the many jewels in the costly robe inwrought, 64°\n\nAnd no man I ween shall ask me the power that in each did dwell,\n\nThe light alike and the heavy, for I skill not the tale to tell ;\n\nFar better might they have told it, Heraclius or Hercules\n\nAnd the Grecian Alexander ; and better methinks than these\n\nPythagoras, the wise man, for skilled in the stars was he, 645\n\nAnd so wise that no son of Adam I wot well might wiser be.\n\nThen the women they spake, 'What woman so e'er thus hath decked this\nknight\n\nIf he be to her love unfaithful he hath done to his fame despite.'\nYet some in such favour held him, they had been of his service fain —\nMethinks the unwonted colour of his face did their fancy gain ! 650\nThen aside went the four, Gawain, Arthur, Gramoflanz, and Parzival,\n(And the women should care for the heathen, methinks it would please them\nwell.)\n\nAnd Arthur willed ere the morrow a banquet, rich and fair,\n\nOn the grassy plain before him they should without fail prepare,\n\nDigitized by\n\ni56\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n655 That Feirefis they might welcome as befitting so brave a guest.\n\ni Now be ye in this task not slothful, but strive, as shall seem ye best,\nThat henceforth he be one of our circle, of the Table Round, a knight.'\nAnd they spake, they would win that favour, if so be it should seem him\nright.\n\nThen Feirefis, the rich hero, he brotherhood with them sware ;\n660 And they quaffed the cup of parting, and forth to their tents would fare.\nAnd joy it came with the morning, if here I the truth may say,\nAnd many were glad at the dawning of a sweet and a welcome day.\n\nThen the son of Uther Pendragon, King Arthur, in this wise spake :\nFor Round Table a silk so costly, Drianthasme, he bade them take —\n665 Ye have heard how it once was ordered, afar on PlimizoFs plain,\n\nHow they spread them there a Round Table, in such wise was it spread\nagain —\n\n'Twas cut in a round, and costly it was, and right fair to see,\nAnd on the green turf around it the seats of the knights should be.\nIt was even a goodly gallop from the seats to the Table Round,\n670 For the Table's self it was not, yet the likeness they there had found.\n\nAnd a cowardly man might shame him to sit there with such gallant knights,\nAnd with sin would his food be tainted since he ate it not there of right.\n\nThro' the summer night 'twas measured, the ring, both with thought and care,\nAnd from one end unto the other with pomp they the seats prepare.\n675 And the cost were too great for a poor king, as they saw it in noontide\nlight,\n\nWhen the trappings, so gay and costly, shone fair in the sun-rays bright.\nGramoflanz and Gawain would pay it, the cost, since within their land\nHe was but a guest, King Arthur, tho' he dealt with a generous hand.\n\nAnd the night, it seldom cometh but, as it is wont, the sun\n680 Bringeth back the day and the daylight when the hours of the night are run ;\nAnd e'en so it befell, and the dawning was clear and calm and bright,\nAnd many a flowery chaplet crowned the locks of many a knight ;\nAnd with cheeks and lips unpainted saw ye many a lovely maid,\nAnd, if Kiot the truth hath spoken, knight and lady they were arrayed\n685 In diverse garb and fashion, with head-gear both high and low,\nAs each in their native country their faces were wont to show —\n\nDigitized by\n\nFEIREFIS\n\n'Twas a folk from far kingdoms gathered and diverse their ways were found —\n\nIf to lady a knight were lacking she sat not at the^Table Round,\n\nBut if she for knightly service had promised a guerdon fair,\n\nShe might ride with her knight, but the others, they must to their tents 690\n\nWhen Arthur the Mass had hearkened, then Gramoflanz did they see\nWith Gowerzein's Duke and Florant ; to the king came the comrades\nthree,\n\nAnd each one a boon would crave here, for each of the three was fain\n\nTo be one of the good Round Table, nor this grace did they fail to gain.\n\nAnd if lady or knight would ask me who was richest of all that band, 695\n\nWho sat as guests in the circle, and were gathered from every land,\n\nThen here will I speak the answer, 'twas Feirefis Angevin,\n\nBut think not from my lips of his riches a further tale to win.\n\nThus in festive guise, and gaily, they rode to the circle wide,\nAnd often to maid had it chanced (so closely the guests must ride) 700\nWere her steed not well girthed she had fallen — with banners waving high\nFrom every side of the meadow to each other the groups drew nigh ;\nAnd a Buhurd fair was ridden without the Table Round,\nAnd in courtly guise and skilful no man rode within its bound ;\nThere was space without for the chargers, and they handled their steeds 705\nwith skill,\n\nAnd rode each one against the other till the ladies had looked their fill.\n\nThen in order fair they seat them when 'twas time for the guests to eat,\nAnd cup-bearer, steward, and butler, they bethink them as shall be meet,\nHow, courteous, to do their office — No lack of food had they,\nAnd many a maid was honoured as she sat by her knight that day. 710\nAnd many thro' fond heart's counsel had been served by knightly deed —\nAnd Feirefis, and the Waleis, to the maidens they gave good heed,\nAnd they looked on the one and the other, and a fair choice was theirs, I\nween,\n\nFor never on field or meadow may the eye of man have seen\n\nSo many sweet lips and fair faces as shone there at the Table Round, 7*5\n\nAnd the heathen was glad for their beauty, and the joy that his heart had\n\nrepair.\n\nfound.\n\ni58\n\nPARZIVAL\n\nNow hail to the hour that cometh, and the tidings they soon shall hear\nFrom the welcome lips of a maiden who draweth the host anear ;\nFor a maiden came towards them, and her raiment was fair to see,\n720 And e'en as in France the custom so 'twas fashioned right cunningly.\nHer mantle was costly velvet, and blacker, I ween, its hue\nThan the coat of a sable jennet ; and with gold was it woven thro'\nWith turtle-doves, all shining, the badge of the Grail were they.\nAnd they looked and they marvelled at her as toward them she made her\n\n725 For swiftly she came, and her head-gear was high and white, her face\nWith many a veil was shrouded, and her features no man might trace.\n\nThen with even pace and seemly she rode o'er the turf so green,\nAnd saddle and reins and trappings were costly enow I ween ;\nAnd they let her within the circle — Now she who would tidings bring\n73o No fool was she, but wise maiden — So rode she around the ring,\n\nAnd they showed her where sat King Arthur, nor her greeting should fail\nthat day,\n\nIn French was her speech, and in this wise the monarch she fain would\npray;\n\nThey should wreak not on her their vengeance for the words that she spake\nof yore,\n\nBut hearken unto her message since welcome the news she bore.\n735 And the king and the queen she pleaded to give unto her their aid,\n\nThat she failed not to win from the hero the grace that she fain had prayed.\n\nThen to Parzival she turned her, since his place by the king's was found,\nAnd she stayed not, but down from her charger she sprang swiftly unto the\nground,\n\nAnd with courteous mien, as beseemed her, fell low at the hero's feet,\n740 And, weeping, she prayed that in friendship her coming he now would greet,\n\nAnd forget his wrath against her, and forgive her without a kiss.\n\nAnd they joined to her prayer their pleadings, King Arthur and Feirefis.\n\nOf a sooth Parzival must hate her, yet he hearkened to friendship's prayer,\n\nAnd of true heart and free forgave her — Tho' I say not the maid was fair,\n745 Yet methinks she was honour- worthy — Then swiftly she sprang upright,\n\nAnd thanked those who had won her pardon for the wrong she had done\n\nway,\n\nthe knight.\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nThen she raised her hand to her head-gear, were it wimple or veil, no less\nWas it cast on the ground, and all men knew Kondrie, the sorceress.\nAnd they knew of the Grail the token and the badge that the maiden bare,\nAnd all men I ween must marvel — Her face it was e'en as fair 75°\nAs man and maiden saw it when to PlimizdPs banks she came,\nOf her countenance have I told ye, and to-day was it still the same,\nAnd yellow her eyes as the topaz, long her teeth, and her lips in hue\nWere even as is a violet, that man seeth not red but blue !\n\nYet methinks had her will been evil she had borne not the head-gear rare 755\nThat aforetime, on Plimizol's meadow, it had pleasured the maid to wear.\nThe sun it had worked no evil, if its rays thro' her hair might win\nYet scarce had they shone so fiercely as to darken one whit her skin.\n\nThen courteous she stood, and she spake thus, and good were her words to\nhear,\n\nIn the self-same hour her tidings came thus to the listening ear ; 760\n\n' Oh ! well is thee, thou hero, thou Gamuret's son so fair,\n\nSince God showeth favour to thee whom Herzeleide of old did bear.\n\nAnd welcome is he, thy brother, Feirefis, the strange of hue,\n\nFor the sake of my Queen Sekundilld, and the tidings that erst I knew\n\nOf the gallant deeds of knighthood that his valiant hand hath done, 765\n\nFor e'en from the days of his childhood great fame for himself he won ! '\n\nAnd to Parzival she spake thus, * Now rejoice with a humble heart,\nSince the crown of all earthly blessings henceforward shall be thy part,\nFor read is the mystic writing — The Grail, It doth hail thee king,\nAnd Kondwiramur, thy true wife, thou shalt to thy kingdom bring, 770\nFor the Grail, It hath called her thither — Yea, and Lohengrin, thy son,\nFor e'en as thou left her kingdom twin babes thou by her hadst won.\nAnd Kardeiss, he shall have in that kingdom a heritage rich I trow !\nAnd were no other bliss thy portion than that which I tell thee now —\nThat with true lips and pure, thou shalt greet him, Anfortas the king, 775\nagain,\n\nAnd thy mouth thro' the mystic question shall rid him of all his pain,\nFor sorrow hath been his portion — If joy's light thro' thy deed shall\nshine\n\nOn his life, then of all earth's children whose bliss shall be like to thine?'\n\nDigitized by\n\ni6o\n\nPARZ1VAL\n\nSeven stars did she name unto him in Arabic, and their might,\n\n780 Right well Feirefis should know it, who sat there, both black and white.\nAnd she spake, ' Sir Parzival, mark well the names that I tell to thee,\nThere is Zeval the highest planet, and the swift star Almustri ;\nAlmaret and the shining Samsi, great bliss unto thee they bring,\nAlligafir is fifth, and Alketer stands sixth in the starry ring ;\n\n785 And the nearest to us is Alkamer ; and no dream shall it be, my rede,\nFor the bridle of heaven are they, to guide and to check its speed,\n'Gainst its swiftness their power, it warreth — Now thy sorrow is passed away,\nFor far as shall be their journey, and far as shall shine their ray,\nSo wide is the goal of thy riches and the glory thine hand shall win,\n\n790 And thy sorrow shall wane and vanish — Yet this thing It holds for sin,\nThe Grail and Its power, It forbids thee unlawful desire to know,\nAnd the company of sinners henceforth must thou shun, I trow ;\nAnd riches are thine, and honour, but from these shall thy life be free —\nNow thy youth was by sorrow cherished, and her lesson she taught to thee,\n\n795 But by joy she afar is driven, for thou hast thy soul's rest won,\n\nAnd in grief thou o'er-long hast waited for the joy that is now begun.'\n\nNor seemed ill to the knight her tidings — Thro' joy must his eyelids know\nA rain of crystal tear-drops from a true heart's overflow.\nAnd he quoth,! If thou speakest, Lady, the thing that indeed shall be,\n800 If God as his loiight doth claim me, and they are elect with me,\nMy wife and my child, then I wot welj, tho' a sinful man am I,\n\n!God looketh with favour on me, and hath dealt with me wondrously !\nOf a sooth hast thou here repaid me for the grief thou on me hast brought,\nYet I deem well thy wrath had spared me save that evil myself had wrought,\n805 Nor to bliss was I then predestined — but thou bringest such tidings fair\nThat my sorrow hath found an ending — And these arms do thy truth\ndeclare,\n\nFor when by the sad Anfortas I sat in Monsalvasch' hall,\nFull many a shield I looked on that hung fair on the castle wall,\nAnd with turtle-doves all were blazoned, such as shine on thy robe to-day.\n8i(| But say, to the joy that awaits me, when and how may I take my way,\n/ For I would not there were delaying ? ' Then she quoth, ' Lord and master\n\" dear,\n\nBut one knight alone shall ride with thee ; choose thou from these warriors\nhere\n\nFEIREFIS\n\nAnd trust thou to my skill and knowledge to guide thee upon thy way, ^\nFor thy succour Anfortas waiteth, wouldst thou help him, make no delay ! ' J,\n\nThen they heard, all they who sat there, how Kondrie had come again 815\n\nAnd the tidings she bare ; and teardrops fell soft like a summer's rain\n\nFrom the bright eyes of Orgelusd, since Parzival should speak\n\nThe words that should heal Anfortas, nor that healing be long to seek.\n\nThen Arthur, the fame-desirous, spake to Kondrie in courtesy,\n\n* Now, Lady, wilt ride to thy lodging ? Say, how may we care for thee ? ' 820\n\nAnd she quoth, * Is she here, Arniv£, what lodging she shall prepare,\n\nThat lodging shall well content me till hence with my lord I fare ;\n\nIf a captive she be no longer, then fain would I see them all,\n\nThe queen, and the other ladies, whom Klingsor, in magic thrall,\n\nFor many a year hath fettered ' — Then they lifted her on her steed, 825\n\nTwo knights, and unto Arrive* did the faithful maiden speed.\n\nNow the feast drew nigh to its ending — By his brother sat Parzival,\nAnd he prayed him to be his comrade, nor his words did unheeded fall,\nFor Feirefis spake him ready to Monsalvasch' Burg to ride —\nIn the self-same hour upstood they, the guests, o'er the ring so wide, 830\nAnd Feirefis prayed this favour from Gramoflanz, the king,\nIf in sooth he should love his cousin of that love he would token bring ;\n4 Both thou and Gawain, ye must help me, whether princes or kings they be,\nOr barons, or knights, none betake them from this field till my gifts they see.\nMyself had I shamed if I rode hence and never a gift should leave, 835\nAnd the minstrel-folk they shall wait here till they gifts from my hand\nreceive.\n\nAnd Arthur, this thing would I pray thee, seek that none of these knights\ndisdain, .\n\nTho* lofty their birth, a token of friendship from me to gain ;\nFor the shame, on thyself shalt thou take it — one so rich shall they ne'er\nhave known —\n\nGive me messengers unto the haven that the presents to all be shown ! ' 840\n\nThen they sware them unto the heathen that no man of them should depart\nFrom the field till four days were ended, and the heathen was glad at heart,\nAnd wise messengers Arthur gave him, who should forth to the haven fare —\nFeirefis took him ink and parchment, and a letter he bade them bear,\nVOL. II. L\n\nDigitized by\n\n1 62\n\nPARZIVAL\n\n845 Nor the writing, I ween, lacked tokens of his hand from whom it came,\nAnd seldom methinks a letter such goodly return might claim !\n\nThen soon must the messengers ride hence — Parzival stood the host before,\nAnd in French did he tell the story from Trevrezent learnt of yore,\nHow the Grail, throughout all ages, may never by man be known,\n850 Save by him whom God calleth to It, whose name God doth know alone.\nAnd the tale shall be told in all lands ; no conflict may win that prize,\nAnd 'tis vain on that Quest to spend them, since 'tis hidden from mortal eyes !'\n\nAnd for Parzival and his brother the maidens must mourn that day,\nFarewell they were loth to bid them — Ere the heroes rode on their way\n855 Thro1 the armies four they gat them, and they prayed leave from each and\n\nAnd joyful, they took their journey, well armed 'gainst what might befall.\nAnd the third day hence to Ioflanz from the heathen's host they brought\nGreat gifts, so rich and costly, men ne'er on such wealth had thought.\nDid a king take of them, his kingdom was rich for evermore —\n860 And to each as beseemed his station the precious gifts they bore,\nAnd the ladies, they had rich presents, from Triant and Nouriente —\nHow the others rode I know not, but the twain, they with Kondrie went !\n\nall,",
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