Parzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 1 of 2)

by von Eschenbach Wolfram

Thus Ither, beloved of all men, as a king in the grave was laid,—
With his life must he pay for his armour who taught sighing to many a maid,
Since Parzival in his folly for the harness his death had sought, 810
Hereafter, when he won wisdom, he scarcely such deed had wrought!

NOW this might ye mark in the charger, great labour it held as naught,
Were it hot, were it cold, no journey the sweat on its coat had brought;
It sped over stone or tree-trunk, and scarce was there need to draw
The girth by one hole the tighter if the knight for two days it bore.815
So fully armed, in his folly yet further he rode that day
Than a wise man unarmed in two days if his steed he betimes would stay.
And ever it onward galloped, and but seldom would walk or trot,
How to check its speed by the bridle as yet Parzival knew not.

Then he saw the roof of a castle rise fair in the evening glow, 820
And the lad he thought in his folly that the towers from the earth must grow
Since the one roof bare so many—And he thought Arthur sowed such seed,
And he who could work such marvels were a holy man indeed!
Then he said, 'While at home I tarried ne'er looked I on woodland field
That a crop so rich and so stately in growth might ever yield; 825
I think me my mother's people their labour but little know,
For never too dry, I think me, is the soil where their seed they sow!'—
Now Gurnemanz of Graharz of this mighty Burg was lord:
At his portal a spreading linden stood fair on the summer sward,
Nor too long nor too wide was the meadow, and the horse and the road they led830
To where Parzival found him seated who of castle and land was head.

Now weariness sore constrained him, nor his shield might he rightly hold
But it backward and forward wavered as beseemed not a rider bold.
And Prince Gurnemanz sat all lonely, and the boughs of the linden tree
Gave shade as was meet to its master, the captain of courtesy— 835
And his life it fled from falsehood—Then e'en as should be his right
He gave to the guest fair welcome, and with him stood nor squire nor knight.

Then Parzival made him answer—In his folly he spake straightway,
'My mother bade me seek counsel from an old man with locks of grey;
For thy rede will I do thee service, for so did my mother speak!' 840
'If here thou art come for counsel, and aid at my lips would seek,
Thy favour thou still shalt leave me whatever my counsel be,
If thou will that thy prayer I hearken, and give rede as seem best to me!'

Then the prince cast a yearling falcon from his hand and aloft it flew,
And it winged its way to the castle, and its golden bells rang true,845
'Twas a messenger; and the pages came swiftly in garments fair,
And he bade them to lead the guest in, and lodging as meet prepare;
And the lad he spake in his folly, 'My mother she told me true,
An thou follow an old man's counsel his rede shalt thou never rue!

And the pages they led him straightway where stood many a gallant knight,850
And there in the castle courtyard from his steed did they bid him light.
Spake the youth, and he showed his folly, 'Tis a King who hath bidden me
Be a knight, and whate'er befall me on this charger my seat shall be.
My mother she bade me greet ye!' And mother they thanked and son,
(Both horse and man were wearied) then, the words of greeting done,855
Full many a time they urged him, but it cost them many a thought
Ere the lad within the castle, and from off his steed they brought.
Then they led him to a chamber, and they prayed the stranger guest,
'Let us loose thine harness off thee, that thy wearied limbs find rest.'

But scarce had they loosed his armour when lo! there came to view 860
A garment e'en such as Fools wear, and leggings of calf-skin new;
Then startled and shamed they turned them, and they whispered each to all,
And with bated breath the tidings ran swift through the castle hall,
And the host for shame was speechless—But a knight spake in courtesy,
'Let that be as it may, one so noble mine eyes they might never see,865
And Good Fortune hath looked upon him by his mien so high and fair—
Ah! he whom Love's light hath chosen, who bade him such garb to wear?
And it grieveth me sore to find thus on the World's Joy such poor attire.
Ah! well for the mother who bare him, she hath won her full heart's desire!
And his helmet is decked so costly; ere his harness from him we took870
It became him well, and knightly and noble I ween his look,
And many a bruise and blood-stain the lad on his limbs doth bear.'
Quoth the host, ''Tis perchance a woman who bade him such garb to wear!'
'Nay, Sire, for so strange his bearing he would know not a maid to pray
To take from him knightly homage,—Tho' his face is so fair alway 875
It had fitted him well for Love's service.' Then the host spake, ''Tis best we see
This lad, in whose strange attiring a marvel for sure shall be!'

Then to Parzival they betook them, and they found that a wound he bare
From a spear that was never shattered, and the host for his hurts would care,
And so kindly I ween his tending that a father, whose heartfelt love880
To his children, found no denial, his faith might no better prove.
And he washed his wounds and bound them, the prince, with his own right hand,
Ere forth to the hall he led him where the evening meal should stand.

And food the guest sore needed, and hungry was he alway,
From the house of the fisherman fasting had he ridden at break of day,885
And his wound and the heavy harness which he before Nantes had won
Wrought him weariness sore and hunger ere ever the ride was done.
For from Arthur the King of the Bretons the whole day he needs must ride,
Nor his fast at the Court had broken, and now it was eventide.
Then the host bade him eat at his table, and Parzival did his will,890
And the food it swiftly vanished, as if one would a manger fill!
And Gurnemanz was well pleasèd, and ever the lad did pray
To eat as he would, and his hunger and weariness put away.