Western European stream·Holy Grail Romances·Parzival·Book VI: Cunneware

Source context

Theme

public recognition of Parzival's heroic identity through Cunneware's laughter and Antanor's speech — social validation as threshold event

Soul-faculty

Sentient Soul

Steiner

not engaged in the GA corpus

Cross-tradition

• Arthurian chivalric initiation (medieval knightly culture)The motif of a mute or constrained figure whose faculty is restored by the arrival of the destined hero marks a structural threshold rite found across medieval Arthurian tradition, where social recognition by specific witnesses constitutes formal entry into a higher order of belonging.
• Vedic concept of pratishtha (establishment/recognition)Cross-tradition congruence exists with the Vedic notion of pratishtha, wherein a hero's status is publicly confirmed through a sign-event that breaks a prior constraint, establishing his place within a cosmic-social order.

Book VI: Cunneware

ARTHUR

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ARGUMENT

Book vi. tells how King Arthur sought for the Red Knight; and bow he took an oath of his heroes to refrain from fighting. Of the blood¬ stained snow, and the love-trance of Parzival; and how, .unknowing, he overthrew Segramor, and took vengeance on Kay. How Gawain led Parzival to the court of King Arthur; and how he was made a knight of the Round Table. Of the coming of Kondrie, and Kingrimursel, and the shaming of Parzival and Gawain. Of Parzival’s wrath and despair, and how he rode forth to seek the Grail. How the knights went forth to the venture of Chfiteau Merveil; and how Gawain rode to Askalon; and of the scattering of this goodly company.

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ARTHUR

OW perchance it were well I should tell ye, how, as this his folk did pray, '

From Karidol and his kingdom, King Arthur had ridden away.

And now the venture telleth, on his own and on stranger ground

For eight days long had they ridden, nor yet had the Red Knight found.

For in truth ’twas for him they were seeking, to honour his hand were fain, 5 From sorrow had he released them, who had erst Prince Ither slain ;

And Klamidl the king, and Kingron, in a welcome hour had sent To the court of the Breton Monarch : for on this was King Arthur bent,

He would make him one of his circle, a knight of the Table Round,

No labour too great he counted, so the hero at last he found 1 *0

Thus o’er mountain and vale they sought him—All who knightly shield might bear,

King Arthur now called around him, and in this wise he bade them swear: What deeds so e’er of knighthood they should see, by this their oath,

They should on no conflict venture, but faithful still keep their troth,

As they sware unto him, their monarch, and fight but as he thereto 15

Should give them leave—He spake thus, ‘ Now, *tis well 1 Since we needs must go

Thro’ many a stranger country, where many a stranger spear,

And many a gallant hero are waiting us, I fear,

If ye, like-hounds untrained whose leash shall have slipped the hand

Of him who was late their master, shall roam free o’er all the land, 30

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i6o

PARZIVAL

Much evil might there befall ye, and such chance should but please me ill, And by this your oath, I think me, such rashness I best may still.

Be ye sure and need ariseth, your king ne’er will say you Nay, yj'ill then, as I here command ye, ride peaceful upon your way.*

35Now the oath, ye shall well have heard it—Now hear ye how Parzival,
The Waleis, rode near unto them : thro* the night did the snow-flakes fall, Light they fell, yet lay thickly on him, yet if well I the tale may know, And the singer aright hath sung it, it was never the time of snow; For whate’er men have sung or spoken of King Arthur, at Whitsuntide,

30Or when May-blossoms deck the meadow, these marvels did aye betide.
For sweetly the springtide bloometh, and many a garb, I ween, Shall it bear this song of my singing, tho’ snow-clad it now be seen. The falconers from Karidol, as the shadows of evening fell, Rode, hawking, by Plimizol’s waters, when an evil chance befell,

35For the best of their hawks flew from them, nor stooped to the lure again,
But all night in the dusky shadows of the woodland it did remain. With Parzival it sheltered; to the twain was the woodland way A road unknown, sharp the frost stung, in the far east uprose the day, And, lo ! all around the hero, the snow-flakes lay thick and white :

40Thro’ the forest paths untrodden, in ever waxing light,
Rode our hero by hedge or thicket, by rock and by fallen tree, Till clear grew the shadowy woodland, and its depths he well might see, v And a mighty tree of the forest had fallen where he would ride, • (The falcon yet followed after) ’mid its clustering boughs he spied

45A flock of wild-geese from the Northland, their hissing he first had heard,
Swift swooped the falcon upon them and struck to the earth a bird: And scarce might it fly the clutches of its foe, and fresh shelter tak$ ’Neath the shade of the fallen branches ; in its flight from the wounds there brake Three blood-drops, all glowing crimson, and fell on the spotless snow,

50As Parzival’s eyes beheld them, swift sorrow his heart must know !
Now hear ye his love so loyal—As he looked on these blood-drops bright. That stained with a stain of crimson the snow-flakes that lay so white, Digitized by vjiOCK^IC ARTHUR He thought, 1 Say what hand hath painted these colours that here I see ? Kondwiramur, I think well, these tints sure shall liken thee ! And white snow and blood-drops crimson, do ever thy likeness share, 55 For this favour 1 praise God’s working, and the world he hath wrought so fair! For in this wise 1 read the vision,—in this snow that so spotless lies, ’Gainst the blood-drops, that ruddy-gleaming, glow crimson beneath mine eyes, I find ever thy face so gracious, my lady, Kondwiramur, Red as blood-drops and white as the snowdrift, it rejoiceth me evermore ! ’ 60 Then her sweet face arose before him, in that night she first sought his side, When on each cheek a tear-drop glistened, and a third to her chin did glide. And so true was his love and steadfast, little recked he of aught around, But wrapped round in love and longing, saw naught but the blood-stained ^ ground. Frau Minne with force constrained him, as here on his wife he thought, 65 And by magic of colours mystic, a spell on his senses wrought So held he him still, as sleeping—Would ye know who found him there ? The squire of fair Kunnewaard would forth unto Lalande fare, And as on his way he journeyed, by the woodland green he saw A helmet all battle-dinted, and a shield which yet traces bore 70 Of many a bitter conflict that was foughten for lady fair; And a knight there abode in armour, and his lance he aloft did bear As one who here patient waited the joust that he fain would ride. The squire swiftly turned his bridle and back to the camp he hied. Yet in sooth had he seen the stranger, and his lady’s champion known, 75 He had ne’er been so swift to decry him, nor had wished he were over¬ thrown, Nor e’en a$ he were an outlaw, set the heroes upon his track : The squire he of queen unfaithful, small wonder he knighthood lacked! And in this wise he called upon them, * Fie 1 Fie 1 on ye, coward knights ! Hold ye not Gawain for a marvel ? Have ye not in a hundred fights 80 Won honour and fame as heroes, who fight for a hero king ? Know now that ye stand dishonoured, and broken your goodly ring ! ’ Ah ! then there arose a clamour, and none but was fain to know Of the deed of knightly prowess, that should shame their honour so. VOL. I. L

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PARZIVAL

85When they heard how bat one knight dared them, that but one knight a foe
did wait, Then sorely they mourned the promise that they sware to their king of late. Then Knight Segramor sprang swiftly from amid the angry throng. He ran, for in 900th he walked not, and ever his heart did long To be in the midst of conflict, where conflict might chance to be, 9° An they fail&d with cords to bind him, in the thick of the fight was he ! And nowhere the Rhine’s swift waters may flow so strong and wide, Tho* the stream should run swift between them, an men fought on the further side, He stayed not to test the waters, if the current be hot or cold, But straightway the stream he breasted, as fitted a swimmer bold 1

95Swift-foot to the tent of the monarch, the eager youth he sped.
For the day was but yet in its dawning, and the king he lay yet abed. Then straight thro 1 the lists he hied him, and he gat him thro 1 the door, And the covering all of sable, with hasty hand he tore From the twain who lay warm beneath it, and slumbered a slumber deep,

100Yet his haste moved them but to laughter, tho 1 he waked them from out their
sleep! And loudly he cried on his cousin—* Queen, Lady, Guinevere, > Since the world knoweth well our kinship, thou must do me this service here, Speak thou for me to thine husband, and pray thou of him this grace. Since a knightly venture nears us, my lot first the foe to face! ’,

105Yet Arthur spake, ( Now bethink thee of the oath thou didst swear to me.
In all things my will to follow, nor rashly to venture thee; For if thou a joust now ridest, hereafter shall many a knight Crave leave at mine hand to ride forth, and seek for fame in fight, And ’twere ill thus our force to weaken, for know thou that near at hand, no Anfortas of Monsalvasch with a mighty host doth stand. This wood of his he guardeth, and since we but little know Where he and his force shall hold them, such chance well might work us woe !* Yet Guinevere wrought so wisely Segramor was well-nigh fain To die of joy, from King Arthur, his lady this grace did gain. Digitized by V3 ■oogle ARTHUR And on fame and honour only was the gallant youth intent, 1x5 Nor for gold had he sold the venture on which his heart was bent Now the hero young and beardless, well armed his steed bestrode, And over the fresh young greensward his charger at full speed rode; ^ _ And the bushes were bent beneath him, and the golden bells rang dear On trapping alike and armour; and 1 deem well an need were here xao To seek for the magic pheasant mid thicket and thorny brake, He who fain this knight had followed, the bells for his guide might take! Thus rashly rode the hero, to him whom Frau Minne’s spell Fast fettered in magic fetters, and no blow at the first there fell, For the peace by his word was broken—There held fast by threefold I3 5 might, And the power of red blood-drops threefold stood ever the stranger knight. ^Yea, well I myself have known this, how Frau Minne with power may hold, And holding, the senses scatter, and with passion of grief untold Shall fill the heart to o’erflowing—Twas a woman who wrought this ill, And vanquished, she doth condemn me, and refuseth me comfort still. * 3 ° Thus draweth she guilt upon her, for the sin shall be hers, I ween, And afar must I fly from the presence, that of old time my joy hath beext^y Thus Segramor quoth unto him, ‘ Now it seemeth but ill to me That thus near our army lieth, and our presence rejoiceth thee ! And thou holdest his fame too lightly, whom with pride we may hail our 135 king, And *tis meet thou for this do penance,—or the death-chime for me shall ring 1 Thus armed, all too near thou ridest; yet first would 1 courteous pray That thou yield thee at this my bidding, or my wrong will I here repay. And my blow shall be swift, and thy falling shall scatter these snow-flakes c _ white 1 And 1 call on thee here to yield thee, ere 1 put thee to shame, Sir Knight! 1 140 Yet Parzival still kept silence—for Frau Minne, so fair and young, In a sorer conflict held him—Then his steed Segramor Swung Aside, as for jousting ready, round wheeled him the war-horse good On whose back the gallant hero yet sate in mystic mood, Digitized by vjOCK^IC PARZIVAL X 4 S And ever he gazed on the blood-drops; as his charger turned him round Awhile from his eyes they vanished, and fame in their stead he found! For swift as the blood-drops crimson thus passed from his dazzled sight, He hearkened the voice of the foeman, and braced him anew for fight Then as Segramor rode against him, Parzival sought afresh the spear

150That he found by the woodland chapel, with blazon of colours clear;
For tough was the shaft, and he gripped it, and he held the point full low, As his foeman dashed fair against him, his shield rang with the ringing blow. Then he spurred him anew to the onslaught, and the joust he so well repaid. That the knight in his golden armour was low in the snowdrift laid !

155Yet still was the spear unsplintered, tho’ it bare him from off his horse ;
And Parzival still kept silence, and he wheeled him upon his course, And his eyes sought once more the blood-drops, and e’en as they met his sight Frau Minne with fetters bound him, and held him in cords of might, And he spake never word, nor question, but gazed ever upon the ground,

160And, dreaming, he lost the knowledge which he for a space had found !
But affrighted, the gallant charger had fled back into its stall,

7And its ride£ r arosd, little comfort might he find, though he soft might fall 1
Outstretched had he lain in the snowdrift, in such wise e’en as men shall go To rest, yet but ill he sleepeth, who sleepeth on couch of snow!

165And such bed had sorrow brought me 1 for he to whom ill betides
Hath but mocking for his bedfellow, but the lucky doth God’s hand guide. So near was King Arthur’s army, that right well might Parzival Bfe seen of all men, and the wonders, and the conflict that then befell The victor by Love was vanquished, by Love that in days of old

170Did the king of all kings the wisest, King Solomon, captive hold 1
Short space, then, ere back to the army once more Knight Segramor came, An with praise or with blame they should greet him, he counted it still the same. And sharp words he flung among them, with mocking tongue and bold, Tho’ vanquished, yet not dishonoured, must they ever the hero hold!

175And he quoth, ‘ Have ye never heard this, that strife bringeth loss as gain ?
And never a joust, 1 wot me, but the victor doth one remain, Digitized by VjOOQ LC ARTHUR While one aye shall be the vanquished: The best ship in storm may sink, And I wot that ye ne’er have heard me to speak, for 1 ne’er did think, An he knew of my shield the blazon, he had faced me not as a foe 1 Much evil, in sooth, hath he wrought me, and yet doth he wait below 180 All those who would ride against him, for he seemeth for conflict fain, An a knight should in joust o’erthrow him, such chance might he count for gain.* Then straightway unto King Arthur Sir Kay did the tidings bring, How his knight, Segramor, had fallen, and his victor, without their ring, A young knight, for jousting ready, yet waited with ill intent— 185 ‘ Nay, I think an this stranger warrior of so many unpunished went, A burden both sore and shameful on our honour such lack would lay ; Now, my king, an thou hold me worthy, do thou grant me this grace, I ^ pray, I would ride hence to ask his meaning, who thus in the presence fair Of our Queen Guinevere and her maidens his lance-point aloft doth bear; 190 But if thou shouldst this boon refuse me, then know, not another hour I abide here as this thy servant; for I hold that the knightly power And the fair fame of thy Round Table are stain&d if we delay To arm ourselves ’gainst the stranger who dareth our strength to-day! Now, I prithee, give leave to fight him—For tho’ blind and deaf were we, 195 Yet ’tis time that we should defend us’—‘ As thou wiliest, so let it be !’ Then swift did the seneschal arm him, and I ween in fierce anger’s fire A woodland he fain had wasted ’gainst the foe, who with strong desire And love was thus sorely burdened; for Frau Minne a magic spell Had wrought with the snow-flakes spotless, and the blood-drops that crimson 300 - fell And his knighthood he sorely sham&d, who thought here to work him harm, Since he faileth true Love to honour, who denieth of Love the charm. ^ /f rau Minne, say, why dost thou make glad the souls that mourn With bHss that too swiftly fleeting, but leaveth them more forlorn ? . And how canst thou, Frau Minne, true worth and knightly fame, 305 / And manly strength and courage, thus vanquish and put to shame? • For the leak is to thee as the greatest, and the earth shall no hero boast, Who thinketh to scorn thine empire, but he leameth unto his cost * 7 igitized by VJ VLJvJ VI V i66 PARZIVAL That thon canst, an thou wilt, o’erthrow him ; yea, all men thy power obey, aio For thy sceptre we own as mighty, and wide as the world its sway. Yet this one thing it doth thee honour, tho’ thou rulest all else but ill, Joy maketh her dwelling with thee, and for this would I praise thee still Frau Minne, alas! of old time full false were thy ways, I ween, Nor hast thou thy dealings mended, nor to-day hast thou truer been,

215Thou hast many a maiden shamM, who love forbidden sought;
Thro 1 thy dealings, upon the vassal, his lord hath sorrow brought; And the friend shall false and faithless to the friend of his bosom prove, And the servant betray his master; such deeds do but shame thee, Love ! And I would that it were far from thee, the body to yield to lust,

220In such wise that the soul asham&d is stricken with sorrow’s thrust,
And that with force compelling, the young thou makest old, Though their years but few be counted, this must we for treason hold ! Such speech, I ween, beseems not the man who in serving thee Hath comfort found! If succour thine hand ever brought to me,

225I had been less slow to praise thee, but sorrow and loss alone
Hast thou counted to me as guerdon, and such glamour thine, art hath thrown O’er mine eyes, that, methinks, henceforward I trust thee never more, Though small profit it brought unto thee, the bitter grief I bore I And yet too high above me art thou, that whate’er my wrong,

230I should e’en as a fool upbraid thee with bitter words and strong:
For thy spear too sharply pierces, and scarce may we bear the weighf. Thou layest at will upon us—Methinks he who sang of late,- ’Neath a tree, of thy mystic dealings, and thy wondrous ways of old, * Had better done had he told us how we thy grace might hold ! 23s (Heinrich of Veldeck was he, and he taught us, I ween, right well Of the winning of Love, of its guarding, alas ! he failed to tell.) For oft one thro’ folly loses the prize that he late did win; Yea, to me hath such fate befallen, yet Frau Minne, thine was the sin 1 Since all wisdom shall be thy portion, since against thee nor spear, nor shield,

240Nor charger, nor guarded fortress their vaunted power can wield,
I know not what shall withstand thee, nor on earth, nor on the sea 1 He who feareth to face thy conflict, say whither shall he flee ? Digitized by vJiOCK^lC ARTHUR ’Twas thy mystic power, Frau Minne, that dealt thus wkh Parzival, And reft him awhile of knowledge, and wrought with him as a fooL For fair was the queen and gracious who reigned in far Pelrapar, 245 And she thought on her lord and husband, and she made thee her message bear. Add for this cause Kardeiss her brother, hast thou for thy payment slain, And since thou such tribute askest, ’tis well that 1 ne’er have ta’en From thine hand aught of good, since in such wise thou dost for thy debtors care— * This 1 spake for the sake of all men—List ye now how Sir Kay did fare: 250 Now he rode forth in knightly armour to the strife that he sore did crave, And Gamuret’s son, right willing, to his wish fulfilment gave. And wherever fair maids compelling, their voices uplift in prayer, And the grace they shall ask be granted, let them pray here for his welfare, Since it was thro’ a woman’s beauty, that the spell of a woman wrought 255 Love's magic, of senses robbed him—Then his charger to hair Kay brought; And he spake to the gallant Waleis, 1 Sir Knight, since thou thus our king Hast shamed, thou shalt hear my counsel*, for wisdom perchance ’twill ^ bring; Thou shalt hang thee a hempen halter around thy neck straightway, For so may I lightly lead thee, and take thou with me thy way. 260 Nor think thou, thou canst escape me, but with me unto my lord Shalt thou go, as befits a captive, else worse may be thy reward! ’ By love constrained, the Waleis nor word nor answer spoke, Kay gripped his spear-shaft tightly and he smote with a mighty stroke On the hero’s head, till the helmet rang loudly beneath his hand; 265 And he quoth, ( Now will I awake thee! Dost think here to take thy stand, 'And standing sleep unsheeted ? Nay, other shalt thou fare, Low on the snow I ’ll lay thee I The ass that is wont to bear The sack from the mill would rue it, did one smite him in such wise, ‘ As here I think now to smite thee, and thy sloth and thy sleep chastise 1 ’ 270 Frau Minne, now bethink thee, for sore this shameth thee, v For an one should wrong a peasant, in this wise his speech will be, ‘ My lord will sure repay thee!’ Vengeance from thee held seek Methinks, this gallant Waleis, an thou wouldst let him speak! " Digitized by vj ■oogle PARZIVAL

375Now let him from out thy circle, and loose him from thy ban,
This stranger guest shalt prove him, a true and valiant man! Swift rode Sir Kay unto him, and he turned his bridle round, And no more his longing glances their joy and their sorrow found, The white snow and blood-drops crimson, that mystic likeness bare To the queen of his love and his longing, the Lady of Pelrapar; p He knew all that passed around him—His charger Sir Kay addrest To jousting, he spurred him onward, and his spear he laid in rest In the joust, that which Kay had aimed at he smote, for his spear did pierce . The Waleis’ shield, yet swift payment was his, for in onslanght fierce

285The seneschal of King Arthur fell prone on the fallen tree,
Where the geese erewhile had hid them, and hurt full sore was he, And dead lay his gallant charger—°Twixt a stone and the saddle-bow, Right arm, and left leg had he broken—so mighty his overthrow That all that had decked his charger, girths, saddle, bells of gold,

390By the force of the fall were shattered, thus the stranger his payment told.
And with one blow, for twain repaid him—the one that erst for his sake, A maiden had borne and the other, which he from Kay’s hand must take. ^ Thus he who knew naught of falsehood was guided of truth to know Her message in blood-drops threefold, on the white of the drifted snow.

395Twas tear-drops, not blood, that he saw there, and well might his senses fail.
And the thoughts of his heart wax heavy, as he mused on the wondrous Grail, And sorely the semblance grieved him that spake of his wife and queen. Yet tho* o’er the twain he sorrowed, the greater woe, I ween, Was the woe that Frau Minne wrought him, for there liveth not heart so strong,

300But longing and love united break its power, ere the time be long.
Count we here those twain as ventures? Nay, ’twere better methinks to hold, That they were naught but pain and sorrow, that vanquished the hero bold. Now ye unto whom I tell this, I rede ye to mourn Kay's woe, For full oft as his manhood bade him, he many a strife did know. Digitized by ARTHUR And in many a land they speak thus, that Kay, Arthur’s seneschal, 305 Was a firebrand, hell-born, yet I wot well far other the tale I ’Id telL From reproach would I gladly free him, tho* few but should say me nay, Yet a gallant man and a worthy, 1 swear was this knight, Sir Kay. And my mouth to this truth beareth witness, and more would 1 tell to thee ; Unto Arthur’s Court came strangers in many a company, 310 And their manners and ways were diverse, nor all there might honour claim, But Kay an he saw false dealing, he counted such ways as shame, And his face he turned from the sinner, yet he who dealt courteously, And true man with true men would hold him, Kay served him right heartily. And one who full well discerned the manner of men was Kay, Thus he did to his lord good service, for his harsh words drave far away The men who would falsely vaunt them good knights and true to be, Ill was he to them as a hailstorm, sharp as sting of an angry bee. Small wonder that these deny him his honour and knightly fame, True servant and wise they found him, and for this cause upon his name Their hatred doth still heap slander—Prince Herman, Thuringia’s lord, Thou with vassals that crowd around thee, and strangers who seek thy board, Good service might Kay have done thee, since so free art thou aye of hand, That true men and men dishonoured, side by side in thine hall they stand ; And therefore Knight Walter singeth, * Now greeting to all I bring, 325 Men evil and good 1 ’ And I trow well, where a singer such song may sing, There the false are too highly honoured—Nay, far other Sir Kay had taught, (Yea, and Heinrich of Rispach also)—Now hearken ye in what sort^/ On Plimizdl’s plain men bare them ; from the field Sir Kay was borne To the tent of his king, and around him, o’er his ill-fate his friends did 33° mourn; And maiden and knight they stood there ; to the tent where his comrade lay Came Gawain, and he quoth in sadness,* Alas 1 for the woeful day That so ill a joust was ridden that hath robbed me of a friend 1 * Then out spake Kay in his anger, ‘ Now make of thy moan an end, If comfort thou here wouldst bring me, do not as the women do, 335 Since thou art my monarch’s nephew 1 I would do to thee service true, As of free heart I ever did it, in the day that God gave me power, Nor long for my aid hadst thou prayed me ! There cometh, perchance, an hour Digitized by )ogIe PARZIVAL When I, as of old, may serve thee : now cease thou thy moan I pray,

340For tho’ mine be the pain, yet my monarch shall ne’er find another Kay,
And I wot that for mine avenger art thou all too nobly born ; An yet hadst thou lost a finger 1 had counted myself forsworn An 1 risked not mine head to pay it 1 Let that be as it may, Believe me or not, as shall please thee, yet sooth are the words I say 1 ’

345‘ No joust shalt thou ride at my urging, for roughly he greets his foe,
Who holdeth without his station, and rideth nor swift nor slow. And 1 think me, of maidens’ tresses, tho’ frail be such cord and fair, Enough from such strife to bind thee, the chain of a single hair l And the man who shall show such meekness, he well doth his mother love,

350Since his sire would fain in the conflict his knightly mettle prove.
But follow thou aye thy mother, Sir Gawain, list well her rede, Turn thou pale at the glancing sword-blade, and shrink from the manly deed I* And thus on the gallant hero the bitter words he spake Fell sharply, he looked not for them, nor on Kay might he vengeance take,

355Full seldom a knight may do so, since shame on his lips setteth seal,
But they who thus speak discourteous, such shame shall they never feel. Then Gawain he quoth in answer,* Where men knightly sword might bear, ^ And have foughten, and I fought with them, then no man beheld me there, ; And saw that my cheek waxed paler at sight of wound or blow.

360I was ever thy friend—’twas needless that thou shouldst reproach me so l ’
Then he strode from the tent, and he bade them bring hither his chaigfer good, Nor spur on his heel he buckled, unarmed he his steed bestrode. So came he unto the Waleis (whose sense was of love held fast), And his shield to all eyes bare witness of three spears thro’ its circle passed,

365For three jousts of late had he ridden, and he rode them with heroes twain.
Of Orilus too was he smitten—Then gently uprode Gawain, And he spurred not his steed to gallop, nor conflict nor strife he sought, For he rode but in love and in kindness, to seek him who here had fought. Digitized by Google ARTHUR Fair spake Gawain the stranger, to greeting deaf was he, Fran Minne yet held him captive, how other might it be ? 37 ° True son of Herzeleide, to this lot was he bom, To lose himself for love’s sake; such passion as had tom I The hearts of these his parents, afresh in his heart awoke, ' And but little his ear might hearken what the mouth of Gawain spoke. Quoth King Lot’s son unto the Waleis, ( Sir Knight, here thou doest ill 375 In that thou withholdest greeting—tho’ patient I wait thy will Far otherwise can I bear me 1 Know thou that to friend and king, Yea, to all whom I count my fellows, thy deed doth dishonour bring, And our shame ever waxeth greater; yet prayed I for thee this grace, The king of free heart forgives thee, if now thou shalt seek his face. 3 80 So hearken, I pray, my counsel, and do thou as I shall say, And ride thou with me to King Arthur, nor too long shalt thou find the way.’ Nor threatening nor piayer might move him, this fair son of Gamuret: Then the pride of King Arthur’s knighthood his memory backward set, And he thought of Frau Minne’s dealings, and the time when the knife’s 385 sharp blade He drave thro’ his hand unwitting, thro’ the love of a gracious maid. And that time when from death’s cold clutches, a queen’s hand had set him free, When of Lahelein was he vanquished, and captive in joust was he, And a queen in the day of his danger must pledge her fair life for his, And her name shall of men be prais&d, Queen Ingus of Bachtarliess. 390 Thought Gawain, ‘ It may be Frau Minne dealeth so with this goodly man, As she dealt with me of old time, so daspeth him in the ban Of her magic spells fair-woven, that his spirit within the snare She holdeth fast entangled ’—Then his eyes on the snow-flakes fair He cast, and he knew the token, and swift from the spell-bound sight 395 With cloth of fair silk and sendal, he covered the blood-drops bright The blood-stained snow was hidden, nor longer its spell was seen, And his sight and his sense unclouded she gave him, his wife and queen ; Yet his heart did she hold in her keeping, and its dwelling was Pelrapar, And be cried aloud in his sorrow thro’ the silent summer air ; Digitized by vjiOCK^lC PARZIVAL

4Alas! who of thee hath robbed me, who erewhile wast my queen and wife,
For thy love, thy crown, and thy kingdom my right hand hath won in strife. Say, say, am I he who saved thee from Klamidd the warrior king ? Yea, sorrow and bitter sighing, and grief that the heart doth wring

405Are the guerdons I won in thy service, and now from mine eyes be-dazed
Art thou reft, and thy place I know not, tho* but now on thy face I gazed . 1 Then he quoth, ‘ Now, where shall my spear be, since I wot well I brought it here?’ Quoth Gawain, 4 A joust hast thou ridden, and splintered shall be thy spear.’

4With whom should 1 joust ?’ quoth the Waleis , 4 thou bearest nor sword nor
shield,

410And little had been mine honour, an thou to my hand didst yield!
Yet bear I awhile thy mocking, nor will I thy friendship pray, Tho’ many a joust have I ridden, yet my saddle I kept alway. An thou be not for jousting minded, and I find not in thee a foe, Yet the world lieth wide before me, and hence on my way I go;

415For labour and strife am I seeking and fain would I win me praise,
Be anguish or joy my portion ; nor unfruitful shall be my days.’ ^ Quoth Gawain , 4 What I spake aforetime I spake of true heart and free, Nor my thoughts were the thoughts of evil, for well would I deal with thee; And the boon that I crave will I win me, my monarch with many a knight

4*> Lieth here at hand with his army, and with many a lady bright,
An it please thee, Sir Knight, to betake thee to our goodly company, From all strife shall this right hand guard thee, and gladly I’ll ride with thee.’

41 thank thee, Sir Knight, fair thou speakest, yet say ere with thee I ride,
Who the monarch may be whom thou servest? and who rideth here at my side ? ’

4254 A man do I hail as master, thro’ whose fame much fame I won,
Nor here shall my mouth keep silence on the things he for me hath done. For dear hath he ever held me, and as true knight did me entreat: (His sister King Lot hath wedded, and the twain I as parents greet) And the good gifts God gave unto me, to his service I yield them all,

430For my hand and my heart he ruleth, whom men do King Arthur call.
Digitized by Google ARTHUR Nor mine own name need here be hidden, nor a secret shall long remain, For the folk and the lands that know me, they call on me as Gawain : And fain would 1 do thee service, alike with my hand and name, If thou turnest here at my bidding, nor bringest upon me shame! * Then he quoth,‘ Is it thou, O Gawain ? too little 1 yet have done 435 That thou shouldst as a friend entreat me; yet hast thou this honour won That all men thou gently treatest—and thy friendship 1 here will take, Yet not for mine own deserving, but repayment I fain would make. ^ Now say where thine army lieth, since so many tents 1 see That stand f^ir by the brink of the river ? If King Arthur in truth shall be 44° So near, then must I bemoan me, that in honour I may not dare To enter his royal presence, or look on his queen so fair. Since ’tis meet that I first avenge me of a foul and discourteous blow, For which, since the day I left them, I sorrow and shame must know. For a maiden as she beheld me, laughed sweetly, the seneschal 445 For my sake smote the maid so sorely, ’twas a wood that upon her fell.*

1Rough vengeance thou here hast taken 1 (Gawain to the Waleis spake)
Since thou in a joust hast felled him, and right arm and left leg he brake. Ride here, see his charger lifeless, that lieth the stone below ; On the snowdrift behold the splinters of the spear that hath dealt the 45° blow 1 Tis the spear thou but now wast seeking! ’ Then the truth knew Sir Parrival, And straightway he spake unto Gawain, ( Now, if this be the seneschal, And the man who so sorely shamed me, if thou swear me that this was he, ^ Thou mayst ride where thou wilt, and gladly will I ride in thy company! 1 v‘ Nay, never a lie do I tell thee,’ quoth Gawain, ‘ thou hast overthrown 455 Segramor, who ere now in battle was ever as victor known, He fell ere yet Kay had met thee: great deeds hast thou done to-day, Since o’er two of our bravest heroes the prize thou hast borne away.’ So rode they, the one with the other, the Waleis and Knight Gawain, And the folk, both afoot and on horseback, with honour would greet the 460 twain, Gawain and his guest the Red Knight, this did they of courtesy, And the twain to his fair pavilion they gat them right speedily. Digitized by vj ,°°g • PARZIVAL

7And the lady, fair Kunnewaarl, whose tent by Gawain’s did stand,
Rejoiced, and she joyful greeted the hero, whose strong right hand

465Had failed not to wreak stem vengeance for the ill that Kay wrought that
day; Then her brother and fair Jeschutl she led by the hand straightway, And Parzival looked upon them as the three to his tent drew near, And his face, thro’ the rust of his armour, it shone ever fair and clear, As roses dew-dipped had flown there: his harness aside he laid,

470And he stood before Kunnewaarl, and thus spake the gentle maid :
‘ To God shalt thou first be welcome, as welcome thou art to me, Since thy manhood thou well hast proven, and the faith that 1 had in thee! Ere the day that my heart beheld thee, nor laughter nor smiles I knew. And Kay, who in that hour smote me, with stem hand my gladness slew.

475But now hast thou well avenged me 1 With a kiss 1 thy deed would pay,
If I of thy kiss were worthy 1 * ‘ Nay, so had I thought to-day To crave of thy lips my payment/ quoth Parzival, ‘ if thou still Wilt give me such gracious greeting; right gladly I ’ll do thy will! ’ Then she kissed him, and down they sate them, and the princess a maiden sent

480And bade her to bring rich raiment; so sped she unto the tent;
And the garments they lay there ready, of rich silk of Nineveh, For her prisoner, King Klamidl, had she fashioned them cunningly. Then the maiden who bare the garments, full sorely must she bewail That the mantle was yet unfinished, since the silken cord did fail.

485Then the lady, Kunnewaarl, from her side drew a silken band
From the folds of her robe, in the mantle she wove it with skilful hand. Then courteous her leave he prayed him, the rust would he wash away, And fair shone his face, and youthful, and his lips they were red that day. And robed was the gallant hero, and so bright and so fair was he,

490That all men who there beheld him, they sware he for sure must be
The flower and the crown of manhood, a knight without shame or fear; And they looked upon him, and they praised him and his colour waxed bright and clear, Digitized by vJiOOQlC ARTHUR And right well did his garb become him ; an emerald green and rare, The gift of fair Ktmnewar£, as clasp at his neck he bare; And a girdle beside she gave him, all wrought in a cunning row 495 With mystic beasts, bejewelled, that burnt with a fiery glow, And its clasp was a red-fire ruby—How think ye the beardless youth Was seen when thus richly girded ? Fair was he in very sooth, For so the story runneth—the folk bare him right goodwill, Men and women who looked upon him, they counted him worthy still. 500 Forthwith, as the Mass was ended, came Arthur the noble king, And the knights of his Table with him, a goodly following. No man there whose lips spake falsehood. Yea, all heard the word that day,

4With Gawain the Red Knight dwelleth 1 ’ the king thither took his way.
Then the knight who so sore was beaten came swiftly, Sir Antanor, 505 For, fain to behold the Waleis, his feet sped theldng before, And he asked , 4 Art thou he who avenged me, and the lady of fair Lalande? Now vanished shall be Kay’s honour, for'it falleth unto thine hand, And an end hast thou made of his threatening, and the days of his strife are o’er, For his arm it is weak, and his vengeance I fear for it never more ! ’ 510 And so fair was the knight and radiant, that all men beheld his face As an angel from heaven, that wingless, abideth on earth a space. And well did King Arthur greet him, and his knights were no whit behind, And all they who looked upon him, naught but love in their hearts might find, And their lips to their heart made answer, and all spake to his praises, 4 Yea,’ 515 And no man gainsaid the other, so lovely his mien that day I Then Arthur spake fair unto him, 4 Thou hast wrought me both joy and pain, Yet ne’er from the hand of a hero such honour I thought to gain As the honour that thou hast brought me ! yet no service I did to thee, An I did, then thy fame had repaid it, tho’ no other thy deeds should be 590 Than the deed thou hast done in the winning for Jeschut£ her husband’s grace! Nor Kay’s guilt had been unavenged, if ere this I had seen thy face Digitized by VjiOCK^lC PARZIVAL Myself had, unasked, chastised him.’ Then Arthur in this wise spake, ‘ Since so far they had come, and their journey had they taken but for his sake, 5*5 They all with one voice did pray him, to swear to them brotherhood, And be one of the gallant Table, a comrade both true and good.’ And their prayer it seemed good unto him, and joyful at heart was he, And he sware them the oath that they asked for, and their knight would he gladly be. Now bear ye, and speak the verdict, if on this day the Table Round

530Its right, and its due observance had here, as aforetime found ;
Since for many a day King Arthur in this wise had ruled his court, No knight should break bread before him, if there came of fair venture naught. But enough should have chanced this morning, and to Table they well might go, Though from Nantes might they never bear it, yet they here would its semblance show.

535Wide enow was the flowery meadow, nor hindered them tree or tent,
As they did here their monarch’s bidding !—for this was his heart’s intent, Fair honour to give the Red Knight, and his valour, as meet, reward— Then a silk in Acraton woven, they laid on the grassy sward, Twas brought from far lands of paynim, and ’twas shapen both wide and round;

540For ever this courteous custom mid these gallant knights was found,
No high seat had they of honour, but all men were equal there ; And thus had King Arthur willed it, both the knights and their ladies fair At the Table Round were welcome, yea, an they might honour claim, Knight, lady, or gentle maiden, at his court all should fore the same !

545And there, with her maiden following, came foir Guinevere the queen,
And many a noble princess amid her train was seen, • And none but was fair to look on, and the ring it was spread so wide That within, without strife or crowding, each maid sat her knight beside. And Arthur, who ne’er knew falsehood, led the Waleis by the hand, 55° And Kunnewaard she walked beside him, the lady of foir Lalande, From sorrow the knight had freed her—Then, with kind and friendly eyes, Looked Arthur upon the hero, and he spake to him in this wise : ‘ My queen will I bid to kiss thee, who art foir both of form and face, For ne’er, in this court, of lady I ween wouldst thou crave this grace, ARTHUR Since from Pelrapar thou hast ridden, and wert thou on kissing bent 555 From lips of all lips the fairest, hast thou there thy full heart’s content! Yet this one grace will 1 pray thee, if ever there dawn the day That I find ’neath thy roof abiding, this kiss I may then repay 1 ’ ‘ In sooth, will I do thy bidding,’ quoth the Waleis, ‘both there and here ! ’ Then unto the gallant hero stepped the Lady Guinevere, 5*° And fair on the lips she kissed him, and she quoth, ‘ Here I pardon thee The ill thou aforetime didst me, and the sorrow thou gavest me. Thou didst leave me sorely grieving, when from hence thou didst ride away. By thy hand and thy dart my kinsman Prince Ither was slain that day ! ’ And all tear-bedewed were the eyelids of the Lady Guinevere, 5*5 For Prince I tiler’s death wrought sorrow unto many a woman dear. Now must King Klamid£ seat him, on the bank by Plimizdl, And beside him sate Iofreit, who was son unto King Idfil; And ’twixt Klamidl and Gawain must the Waleis have his place— And they know who tell the venture, none sate here of royal grace, 57® None who woman’s breast had suckled, whose fame stood so high and fair, For courage and youthful beauty did the Waleis, as jewels, wear. And they owned, who there looked upon him, that mpny a maiden bright Saw herself in a darker mirror than the lips of this fair young knight. And on cheek and on chin his colour might well as fetters be 575 For those who should need such fetters, whose fancy flitteth free. Here might there be naught of changing—(of women my rede I trow For some they are ever wavering, and ever new friendships know I) But his look ever constant held them, till I wot well that thro’ their eyes His entry he gained triumphant, and made of their hearts his prize! 5*° Thus maiden and man beheld him, and his honour all men did praise, Till he found here the goal of sighing, and the end of his joyous days. For hither came one I must tell of, and faithful was she in truth Tho’ discourteous her ways, and for sorrow, I ween, had she little ruth 1 And the folk for her message sorrowed—Now hear how the maid must ride, 5&5 Her mule it was tall as a war-horse, and branded on either side; And its nostrils were slit as is custom in the far land of Hungary, Yet her harness and bridle were costly, with rich work broidered cunningly. Soft and slow paced her mule, yet the maiden was not as a maid, I trow. * What sought she ? She came as 'twas fated, and sorrow must Arthur know. 59° VOL. I. Di9 ized >0 S le M PARZIVAL ( And of wisdom forsooth this maiden might boast her a wondrous store, v No tongue but she spake, French, Latin, and Paynim : in all such lore As men read in the highest heavens, Dialectics, Geometry, In all was she courteous trained, and her name it was called Kondrie^

5951 The sorceress’ did men name her, nor her speech halted on its way,
Too ready her tongue, since rejoicing she smote into grief that day. This maiden, so rich in wisdom, bare little of maiden grace, No lover e’er praised her beauty, no tongue spake her fair of face. A tempest she, joy destroying, yet of bridal cloth from Ghent

600Did she wear a mantle, bluer than azure the soft tints blent.
As a cap was it fairly fashioned, such as maidens in France shall wear, And beneath it, around her body, a silken robe she bare. And a hat of the English peacock, with silk of orient lined, And new was the hat, and the fastening, and it hung low the maid behind.

605And like to a bridge her message, that sorrow o’er joy had crossed.
And shame enough did she bring them, till laughter in tears was lost. In a thick plait above her headgear had she flung her tresses back, And adown on the mule were they hanging, so long, and so coarse, and black, Nor softer to touch than the bristles, which swine on their backs shall show.

610And her nose as a dog’s was shapen, and from out her mouth did grow
Two tusks as bad ’seemed a wild boar, a hand’s-breadth long were they; And above her eyes the eyebrows as thick as plaits they lay. And I speak but the truth, as I needs must, tho’ my words lack in courtesy Since I speak of a maid, yet, for such cause, none other reproacheth me.

615And ears as a bear had Kondrie, and never the eye might trace
A shy glance of love, or of longing, I ween in that wondrous face. And a scourge did she bear, and the handle was a ruby, of silk the cord ; And the hands of this winsome maiden like a lion’s were sharply clawed, And the skin as an ape’s was dusky, and the nails they were not too light,

6ao And I ween, for her maiden favours, but seldom would heroes fight!
So rode she unto the circle, and her coming did sorrow bring, And fair joy did she put in peril—Then turned she unto the king, (And Kunnewaard sat beside him, his table-mate was she, And fair Guinevere, his consort, a queen bare her company.) Digitized by * ^.ooQie ARTHUR Thus in royal state King Arthur as monarch sat that day— to 5 To the Breton king rode Kondrie, and in French did she speak alway; And tho* 1 in another language than hers shall the venture tell. Yet 1 rede ye to wit that the telling it pleaseth me none too well 1 * Thou son of high Pendragon, thyself, and thy Breton host. By thy deed hast thou shamed—From all lands the noblest that they might 630 boast Once sat here a gallant circle, but poisoned is now their fame, And thy Table Round dishonoured by traitor, and brought to shame. King Arthur, o’er all thy fellows, thy praises of old stood high, But it sinketh now, thy glory, and thy fame, that did swiftly fly, Henceforward goeth halting; thine honour doth seek the ground 635 Since it showeth stain of falsehood—The fame of thy Table Round f It suflereth for the friendship ye with Parzival did swear, Tho’ I wot well the outward token of a spotless knight he bear. “ The Red Knight ” ye here do call him, the name of one who lay Dead before Nantes, yet I tell thee unlike in their life are they! 640 For no mouth hath read of a hero whose fame knew nor fault nor flaw, As his I* * From the king she turned her, and did rein by the Waleis draw, And she quoth, ‘ Now sore shalt thou rue it, since I, for thy sake deny My greeting unto King Arthur, and the knights of his company. May thy fair face be dishonoured, and thy manhood I look on here. 645 Of forgiveness and joy were I merchant, in sooth shouldst thou buy them dear! { And I deem thou art but a monster, and myself shall far fairer be ! Speak, Sir Parzival, as I bid thee, and this riddle read thou to me, When thou sawest the fisher sit there, joyless, of comfort reft, ^ Why didst thou not loose his sighing ? Why was he in bondage left ? ’ 650 * For he showed thee of his sorrow—Oh 1 thou false and faithless guest, V For hadst thou had pity_o n him, his anguish had gotten rest I would that thy moutJimight perish, yea, the tongue thy mouth within, V For e’en as the heart the tongue is, in thine heart is the root of sin. |l/ ( 0 I To Hell shalt thou be predestined, by the Ruler of Heaven high, , 655 And this be on earth thy portion, that true men thy face shall fly.

4r Digitized byV
i8o PARZIVAL j And ban hast thou won for blessing, and for bliss shalt thou find but bale, For too late dost thou strive for honour, and thy striving shall naught avail | And so feeble shall wax thy manhood, and thy fame it shall be so weak,

660That never shall soul’s physician the promise of healing speak. i
An one to the oath should drive me, on thine head were I fain to swear, | That never a darker treason was wrought by a man so fair. | Thou hook in fair feathers hidden, bright serpent with poisoned fang, ' Who ne’er of the sword was worthy, which thine host at thy side did hang!

665The goal of thy sins, this thy silence, of Hell’s horde art thou now the sport,
And dishonour upon thy body, Sir Parzival, hast thou wrought I Saw’st thou not how they bare before thee the Grail, and the bleeding spear, And sharp silver ? Thy joy’s destruction, and thy shelter from grief were here! ’ ' f 4 Yea, hadst thou but asked at Monsalvasch ; afar, in a heathen land,

670Rich o’er all earthly riches, doth the town of Tabronit stand ;
Jr*Yet the riches thy speech had won thee had been greater far, I ween— \ And with gallant strife of knighthood the hand of that country’s queen Feirefis Angevin hath won him : no fear doth his manhood stain ; One father, I ween, hath borne ye, yet unlike shall ye be, ye twain.

675And thy brother is strange to look on, for both white and black his face,
And at Zassamank he reigneth o’er the folk of his mother’s race.* ‘And my thoughts to thy sire are turning ; his country was fair Anjou, And he left thee far other heirdom (for his heart never falsehood knew,) Than the heritage thou hast won thee, and the crown of an evil fame !

680And could I but think thy mother had wrought here a deed of shame
I had said that his child thou wert not 1 Yet her faith it but wrought her woe, And of her naught but good be spoken ! And thy father, as all men know, In his manhood was true and steadfast, and in many a distant land He won for him meed of honour, and his praise o’er all men did stand.

685For great heart and little falsehood as a roof did defend his breast,
A dam ’gainst the flood of evil, and a home for his love to rest. And in manly strength and courage was his honour for aye held fast, But thy truth it is turned to falsehood, and thine honour to earth is cast ! Alas 1 for the day I heard it, alas 1 for the mournful tale,

690That the child of fair Herzeleide in knighthood and faith should fail.’
Digitized by vjOOQ 1C ARTHUR She herself was the prey of sorrow, and her hands did she wring amain, j While the teardrops they chased each other down her cheeks like a shower - of rain. And her eyes they gave faithful witness to the grief that her bosom filled, For of true heart she spake, the maiden, nor e'en then was the sorrow stilled. Then unto the king she turned her, and she spake ‘ Is there here a knight Who yearneth for love's rewarding, and for honour and fame would fight ? For I know of four queens, and maidens four hundred, and all are fair, In Chateau Merveil is their dwelling ; and like to the empty air Shall be all knightly ventures to the venture that Burg within. Yet he who shall face its peril, from true love shall his guerdon win. And tho' far be that Burg and distant, and weary and rough the way, Its walls must I seek if haply I reach them ere close of day.' And sad was the maid, not joyful, nor courteous she bade farewell, But weeping she gazed around her, and she cried as the teardrops fell,

4Ah ! woe unto thee, Monsalvasch, thou dwelling and goal of grief, f
Since no man hath pity on thee, or bringeth thy woe relief I' Thus had the sorceress Kondrie, that maiden fierce and proud, Wrought evil upon the Waleis, and his fame to the earth had bowed. Naught they helped him, his bold heart's counsel, his manhood and knightly fame, « And high o'er all other virtues, the virtue of knightly shame. 710 (For falsehood he ne'er had hearkened,) and true shame doth rewarding bring, And it crowneth the soul with honour as the circlet doth crown a king. , And he who true shame doth cherish his work shall for ever stand— Then she lifted her voice o’er the maidens, the maiden of fair Lalande, And she wept for the words of Kondrie, and the sorrow of Parzival, * 715 For the fairest of men did she deem him ; and swiftly the teardrops fell From the eyes of many a woman, for the sake of that hero bold, And they sorrowed at heart, and their weeping must many a knight behold ! j ( Now sorrow had Kondrie brought them ; and e'en as her way she went Another must ride towards them on a warlike errand bent; A knight of a haughty bearing, and his harness was fair to see, From his foot to the goodly helmet, and royal its cost must be, Digitized by * L.oogle PARZIVAL And richly plumed was the helmet; and, e’en as the man, the steed Was clad in such glittering armour as serveth for knightly need. 7*5 And he found them, both man and maiden, heavy and sad at heart, As he rode nigh unto the circle; hear ye how he bare his part— Tho’ his mien it was high and haughty, yet his heart it was full of woe, Of the twain shall ye learn the reason ; thro’ his manhood he pride must know, Yet grief to his heart taught mourning—Thus rode he unto the ring,

73° Were it well he should come within it ? Then squires to his aid did spring,
And the gallant knight they greeted, yet were he and his shield unknown, Nor he doffed from his head the helmet, and sorrow was his alone ; - And his hand bare a sword unsheathed, and he asked for those heroes twain,

1Where are they whom 1 fain would speak with, King Arthur and Knight
Gawain?’

735Then straight thro’ the ring he passed him, and a costly coat he bare,
And ’twas wrought of silk all shining, in Orient woven fair ; And before the host he halted as he sate there within the ring, And he spake aloud, ‘ God’s favour be on thee, thou gracious king, And upon these knights and ladies—To all whom mine eyes here see,

740i offer, in greeting, service, yet be one from my greeting free ;
For ne’er will I do him service, nay, rather I choose his hate, If ill-will he beareth to me, mine ill-will with his may mate 1 ’ ‘And ’twere well that I name him to ye. Alas 1 alas! woe is me I My heart he so sore hath wounded, mine anguish o’er-great shall be !

745And here doth he sit. Sir Gawain, whom all men were wont to praise,
High standeth his fame, yet dishonour it ruleth, methinks, his ways ; Since avarice to this betrayed him, in greeting my lord he slew, The kiss once by Judas given, it taught him such guile anew. Many thousand hearts hath he wounded—Twas murder base, abhorred,

75* And he, upon whom he wrought it, erewhile was my dearest lord.
An Sir Gawain would here deny it, true answer our strife shall yield, Forty days from to-day shall he meet me, and face me on battlefield, Before Askalon’s king and ruler, in the city of Schamfanzon ; Thus I bid him in honour face me, and for conflict his armour don. 1

755‘ And this grace shall he not refuse me, but thither his shield shall bear;
And yet further shall he bethink him, by the helmet he weareth fair, Digitized by Google ARTHUR i«3 . And the life that a knight beseemeth, who two treasures in pledge doth hold, True shame, and a faith unwavering, and their fame shall be new, as old. But from shame may Gawain ne’er free him, if a knight of the Table Round, Whose heroes stand here before me, he thinketh he may be found. 760 For its honour and fame are vanished, if false knight sit its board beside— Methinks ye have heard mine errand, and ye know I came not to chide, For here would I not blame, but battle, and death shall my guerdon be, An it be not a life of honour, that Good Fortune shall hold for me! ’ Then sad was the king and silent, yet answer at last he gave, 765 ‘ Know, Sir Knight, that Gawain is my nephew, and myself would the conflict brave Ere his bones should lie dishonoured—If Good Fortune by Gawain stand In strife shalt thou well acknowledge, ’neath the might of his strong right hand That his body in faith he keepeth, and falsehood afar doth hold. If another hath done thee evil methinks art thou over-bold, 770 His shame dost thou speak too loudly, who never hath done thee ill— If he winneth, perchance, thine homage, and thou ownest him guiltless still, Yet hast thou in short space spoken such words of a blameless knight As have sham&d for aye thine honour, if this folk read the thing aright! 1 Then upsprang the proud Knight Beaucorps, brother to Gawain he, 775 And he spake in his wrath, * Wouldst thou fight him ? Then myself his pledge will be, For thou speakest false of Gawain ; and know that thy words of shame Have kindled anew within me fierce wrath’s devouring flame. An thou speakest not Gawain guiltless of all dishonour, I Stand here to fight his battle, and to be his surety. 780 Think not by thy words of scorning to lower his lofty fame, Unstained is Gawain’s honour, and thy words are but words of shame !’ Then he turned him to his brother, and he spake of true heart and free, ‘ Bethink thee now, my brother, of all thou hast done for me, Thou hast helped me unto the winning of fame, for thy toil’s reward ^ Bid me here to be hostage for thee, and bid me thine honour guard. If Good Fortune be here my portion, and I win here my meed of fame, Then thine be the crown of honour, and thy foeman hath naught but shame.’ Digitized by * ^ooQle i«4 PARZIVAL By his knighthood and love as a brother he besought him right earnestly;

790Quoth Gawain, ‘ Now in sooth, my brother, too wise shall I surely be
To hearken to thee, and to grant thee what thou askest of right good-will; What meaneth this strife, I wot not, and of fighting have had my fill, Of good-will would I ne’er deny thee what boon thou from me shouldst crave, ^ Yet shame must I bear for ever if this conflict I fail to brave 1 ’

795Yet Beaucorps he prayed him straitly—then out spake the stranger knight,
* A man whom I ne’er have heard of now lusteth with me to fight! I spake not of him, and no evil, methinks, hath he done to me. Strong, gallant, and fair to look on, and faithful and rich is he, And well might he be my hostage, yet against him no wrath 1 bear—

800My lord and my kinsman was he for whose death I this strife declare,
And brothers twain were our fathers, as comrades and kinsmen true; And were he a crown&d monarch against whom my sword I drew, By my birth might I give him battle, and verigeance of right demand. Of a royal race, and a princely, was I bom in a distant land.

805And Askalon is my country, I am Landgrave of Schamfanzon,
Kingrimursel do they call me ; if Gawain’s fame be not outrun No otherwise may he free him, but conflict with me must dare. Yet safe-conduct throughout my kingdom, from all save my hand, I swear, In peace may he ride, and safety, to the field where I vengeance claim ;

810God keep in His grace those I leave here, save one, and ye know his name!’
So passed he, the gallant hero, from the plain of Plimizol, And e’en as his name was nam&d, all men knew Kingrimursel, For the fame of this knight so valiant was known thro’ the far lands wide. And it seem&d them well that to Gawain might ill thro’ this strife betide

815When they thought of the strength and the manhood of this knight who rode
swift away. And many must sorely vex them that no honour he won that day ; Yet full often a message cometh, I myself shall such venture know, Of such wise, that the guest who bears it, of his host must ungreeted go ! From Kondrie they heard the tidings of Parzival’s name and kin,

820How a queen, she had been his mother, and his sire was an Angevin.
And they spake—‘ ’Twas at fair Kanvoleis* and the story we know full well, He served her with deeds of knighthood, and many a joust befell, Digitized by Google ARTHUR And there by his dauntless manhood he won him that lady bright; And the noble Queen Anflisd, she taught him, that gallant knight, Such courtesy as befitted a hero of lineage high ; 8a S And no Breton but shall rejoice him, that his son now draweth nigh, For of him, e’en as of his father, may this tale of a truth be told That honour is his yoke-fellow, as she was of his sir%of old.’ Thus joy alike and sorrow came to Arthur’s host that day, And mingled, the life of the heroes, since the twain they must have their way. 830 Upstood they all as one man, and all with one voice they wept, And the bravest knights among them within the circle stept, And they looked on Gawain and the Waleis where each by the other stood, And they wove them fair words of comfort to pleasure the heroes good. But Klamidd the king bethought him that the loss which should be his share 835 Was greater than that of another, and too sharp was his pain to bear, And to Parzival he quoth thus,*If the Grail thee for lord must own, I Yet still would I mourn my sorrow, and of true heart my woe make knoWn. For the kingdom of Tribalibot, and Kaucasus’ golden strand, Whatsoe’er shall be writ of riches in Christian or paynim land, 840 Yea, even the Grail and its glory, they had failed the hurt to cure Which at Pelrapar was n>y portion, or the grief that I here endure ! Ah me! Of all men most wretched am I since thy valiant hand Of joy and of blessing robbed me !—See'the princess of fair Lalande, Know thou that this noble lady she keepeth such faith with thee, 845 That no service else she craveth, and none other knight will she; Yet well might she crown his service who served her for love alone! And that I am so long her captive, methinks may she well bemoan. If my joy thou to life wouldst quicken, then give me thine aid, I pray, And teach her herself to honour in such wise that her love repay 850 In a measure the ill thou didst me, and that which thro’ thee I lost, When the goal of my joy fled from me and my pathway by thee was crossed, But for thee, I, methinks, had reached it, and if thoujart foeman true Thou wilt help me with this fair maiden, and my gladness shall wax anew! * ‘ Right gladly will I,’ quoth the Waleis, * if so be she will grant my prayer, For fain would I bring thee comfort, since mine is that maiden fair For whose sake thou sore didst sorrow, my wife and my queen is she, Kondwiramur, the fairest of all women on earth that be !’ Digitized by Google PARZIVAL Then the heathen Queen of Ianfas, King Arthur, and Guinevere,

860Kunnewaard of Lalande, and Jeschutd of Karnant, who these words must hear.
Came near with sweet words of comfort—what would ye they should do more ? Kunnewaard they gave to Klamidd, who yearned for her love so sore, And he gave her, as her rewarding, himself, his body fair, And a queenly crown and golden henceforth on her head she bare ! 86s [ I \ Quoth the heathen unto the Waleis , 1 Kondrie a man hath named, ' Whom thou as in truth thy brother, rejoicing, might well have claimed ; For for and wide he ruleth in the power of a double crown, And alike by land and water men in fear to his hand bow down. And Assagog is one kingdom, Zassamank shall the other be, Two mighty lands and powerful from fear and from weakness free. And naught shall be like his riches save those the Baruch doth own, Or those of far Tribalibot, he is worshipped as God alone! A marvel his skin to look on, and like unto none his face, For ’tis black, and ’tis white, as his parents, who sprang of a diverse race. Thro* one of his lands I journeyed as hither 1 took my way, And full fain had he been my wanderings in a far-off land to stay. Yet but little his will prevailed, tho’ I am his near of kin, The cousin unto his mother, and he is a mighty king! Yet hear thou more of his prowess; his saddle no man may keep Who rideth a joust against him, and fame doth he richly reap. And no gentler knight or truer e’er lay on a mother’s breast, And falsehood it deeth from him, and truth in his heart doth rest. Yea, true and fair in his dealings is Feirefis Angevin, And women he serveth duly, tho’ he pain thro* his service win ! ’ q&5 1 Tho’ all men to me were strangers, yet hither I came to know What ventures of gallant knighthood a Christian land might show ; < And of all Heaven’s gifts the highest, I ween, shall thy portion be, _ Aijd Christendom winneth honour thro’ the praise it doth give to thee. ^ And thine is a noble bearing, and fair is thy form and face,

890And in thee beauty mates with manhood, and strength doth thy youth
embrace! ’ (Both rich and wise was the heathen, and of wisdom she token gave, In the French tongue her speech was holden.) Then out spake the hero J brave, Digitized by Google _' ARTHUR And he quoth, * God reward thee, Lady, who thinkest to comfort me, Yet sorrow it fast doth bind me, and the cause would I tell to thee, For the shame that has here befallen think not I shall lightly bear, ® 9 S And here many sin against me, who give to my plaint no ear, The while I must list their mocking!—No jo y shall my p ortionbe Or long or short be my wanderings, till the Grail once again I s ee)l For my soul’s unrest constrains me, and it driveth me on my way, Nor so long as my life endureth shall my feet from their wanderings stay lV 900 * If a courteous and knightly bearing but bringeth rewarding still In shame, and in this world’s mocking, then methinks I was counselled ill! For ’twas Gurnemanz who bade me of questions rash beware, | And from words and ways unfitting a courteous knight forbear. Here standeth full many a hero, I pray ye give counsel true, By your courtesy and knighthood, that your grace I may win anew. Here hath judgment been passed upon me with bitter words and strong— Who withholdeth from me his favour, I deem not he doth me wrong ; If perchance, in the days hereafter, fame and honour my lot shall be Then according to those my dealings, I pray ye to deal with me; But now must I haste far from ye—An oath have ye sworn me here While I stood in the strength of mine honour ; of that oath do I hold ye clear Till the day I have won me payment for my fresh joy waxed wan and pale ; And my heart shall be home of sorrow, nor tears to mine eyes shall fail, For the day that at far Monsalvasch my labour I left undone, f j And myself from all joy I severed, and woe for my guerdon won. \ ^ Ah God ! they were fair, those maidens 1 and ne’er was there wonder tale That men told, bat as naught its marvels to those of the wondrous Grail! Yet torment so sore, and sighing, are the lot of Its king, alas t Small good hath my coming done thee, thou hapless Anfortas! y 90s

920,
f'^Nor longer the knight might linger, but part they must alway, So turned he unto King Arthur, and leave he fain would pray Of him, his knights, and ladies, with their favour would he depart, And none, I ween, but sorrowed that he rode hence sad at heart Hand in hand King Arthur sware him, if henceforth his land should bear 995 Such woe as Klamidl brought him, then the shame he with him would share, Digitized by Google iSS PARZIVAL And he spake that full sore it grieved him that crowns and kingdoms twain, With the riches that were their portion, Lahelein from the knight had ta’en. And service both true and faithful many sware unto him that day,

930Ere yet from the court of King Arthur, sorrow-driven, he passed away.
Then the fair maid Kunnewaard, she took the hero bold, And hence by the hand she led him, and in this wise the tale is told, Sir Gawain he turned and kissed him, and he spake out in manly wise To the hero strong and gallant: ‘ Now thou ridest in warlike guise,

935And thy feet shall be swift to battle—God guide thee upon thy way,
And give me such strength to serve thee as my heart shall be fain alway.’ But Parzival cried, ‘ Woe is me ! Who is He, this mighty God ? Had He power,then methinks our portion had ne’er been this shame abhorred! Small power shall be His! I served Him from the day I first knew His \ grace, ^40 Henceforth I renounce His service ; doth He hate me, His hate I’ll face ! And, friend, in thine hour of peril, as thy shield may a wifes love stand, Dost thou know her for pure and holy, then the thought of her guide thine hand, And her love from all evil guard thee,—as I wish, may it be to thee, For little I wot of the future, if thy face I again may see ! ’

945And their parting it brought them sorrow, for comrades in ill were they.
With the maiden Kunnewaard, to her tent must he take his way. And she bade them bring his harness; with her hands so soft and white, She bound the armour on him who had served her as faithful knight. And she spake, °Tis my right to do this, since it is thro’ thy deed alone

950That Brandigan’s gallant monarch now claimeth me as his own.
For otherwise thy valour but bringeth me grief and pain, Art thou not against sorrow armed, then thy loss shall outweigh my gain ! ’ For battle decked was his charger, and his sorrow must wake to life, And fair was the knight to look on; and the harness he bare for strife

955Knew never a flaw, but was costly, and as sunshine ’twas white and fair,
And radiant with gold and jewels the corslet and coat he ware, But the helmet alone was lacking—ere he bound it upon his head, hi the se lf-same hour he kissed her, Kunnewaard, the gracious mai d. Digitized by Google ARTHUR An d this of the twain was told me, that the parting was sore to see /** / ^4 / / Twixt those two who loved each other in all honour and loyalty. 'V So hence let him ride, our hero, and what ventures a man may tell He shall measure them not with the ventures that to Gamuret's son befell. Yet hear yt awhile of his doings, where he journeyed and whence would ride— He who loveth not deeds of knighthood, if counsel he take of pride For awhile will forget his doings —On thee r Kondwiramur, ui'tc , £965 On thy fair face and lovely body, thy lover thought evermor e. ^^f **?* 9 What ventures he xlared in thy service as knightly the Grail he sought! \ ' Nor tarried he in the seeking but onward his way he fought, The child of fair Herzeleide, and knew not that he was heir To the glories that he rode seeking, to the Grail and Its palace fair! 970 .1^5 Then forth went full many a vassal on a toilsome and weary way, To gaze on the wondrous castle where in magic fetters lay Four hundred gracious maidens, and four queens, right fair to see. Ch&teau Merveil was the castle; and no hate shall they earn from me, I grudge them naught they may win there 1 No woman rewardeth me, 975 For she to whom I do service, from payment hath set me free ! Then out spake the Greek, Sir Klias , 1 Yea, there was I overthrown ! * (And thus in the ears of all men did he frankly the truth make known) • For the Turkowit he thrust me from my charger unto my shame ; And four queens who there lie captive the knight unto me did name ; 980 And old are the twain, and the others as yet they shall children be, And the first maid is called Itonjfc, and the second shall be Kondrie, And the third she is named Amivfc, and Sangivfc the fourth is hight ! 7 Then fain to behold the wonders of that castle was many a knight, Yet their journey brought little profit, for sorrow o’ertook them there. 985 Yet I mourn not o’ermuch for their sorrow; for he who would labour bear, *And strife, for the sake of a woman, for guerdon shall gladness know, Tho 7 grief shall be mixed with his gladness, and his joy shall be crossed with woe. And I know not the which shall be stronger, or if sorrow shall joy out¬ weigh, But so runneth the world for ever, where Frau Minne she holdeth sway I 990 . Digitized by vjOO^IC PARZIVAL Now Gawain he must make him ready, and he girded his armour on, For the strife that afar should wait him, in the kingdom of Askalon. And sad was many a Breton, and ladies and maidens fair Of a true heart did they bemoan them that Gawain must to conflict fare.

995And orphaned and reft of glory henceforth was the Table Round.
Then Sir Gawain he well bethought him, since victor he would be found, And he bade the merchants bring him good shields both hard and light, And little he recked their colour so they served his need in fight On laden mules they brought them, and methinks that they sold them dear ; iooo And three did he take as his portion—and the hero he chose him here Seven chargers well fit for battle, and he chose him as friends so good Twelve spears of sharp steel of Angram, and the hilts were of hollow wood. They were reeds grown in heathen marshlands, Orast Gentesein their name. Then Gawain he prayed leave, and rode forth, dauntless, to seek him fame,

1005And with royal hand, for his journey, King Arthur he gave the knight
Red gold, and rich store of silver, and jewels gleaming bright, And heavy the weight of his treasure—Then the hero rode swift away, And I ween ’twas towards sore peril that his pathway must lead that day. Then she sailed to her distant kingdom, the young Queen Ekuba,

1010I speak of the heathen princess; and they scattered to lands afar
The folk who awhile abode there, on the fair plain of Plimizbl; And King Arthur and all his courtiers they gat them to KaridoL Yet first they prayed leave, Klamidd and Kunnewaar£ of fair Laland, And Duke Orilus and his lady, Jeschut€ of Kamant

1015Yet till the third day with Klamidd in the plain did the twain abide,
And the marriage-feast was holden ere yet from the place they ride. Yet small was the pomp; in his kingdom, I ween, should it greater be. And free was his hand and knightly, and he dealt right courteously, For many a knight at his bidding henceforth must his man remain, xoao And many a wandering minstrel did he gather within his train. And he led them into his kingdom, and in honour, rich gifts, and land He gave unto them, nor churlish would any refuse his hand. Now Duke Orilus and Jeschut^, to Brandigan the twain would fare For the love that unto Klamidd and Kunnewaare they’bare. <005 For they thought them that fitting honour to their sister they scarce had done Till as queen they had seen her crown&d, and set on the royal throne. Digitized by vjiOOQ 1C ARTHUR Now I know well if wise the woman, and true of heart she be, Who seeth this story written, of a sooth will she own to me That better I speak of women than I spake of one erewhile ; For true was fair Belakand, and free from all thought of guile, For dead was her love, yet lifeless he still o’er her heart did reign. And a dream filled fair Herzeleide with torment of fear and pain. And Queen Guinevere bewailed her full sorely for Itheris death, (And little I grudge her mourning, for no truer knight e’er drew breath). And I wot when King Lac’s fair daughter rode forth such a shameful ride Then sorely 1 mourned the sorrow that, guiltless, she must abide. Sore smitten was Kunnewaar^, and tom was her golden hair; Now the twain they are well aveng&d, and glory for shame they bear! And he who doth tell this story, he weaveth his ventures fair, And he knoweth right well to rhyme them, in lines that break and pair. And fain were I more to tell ye, an she give to my words good heed Who treadeth with feet far smaller than the feet that shall spur my steed ! Digitized by Google IO40 :ed by v^ooQle

JSON: /api/sources/grail-romances/parzival/06-book-vi-cunneware.json