Then homeward they turned at even when the board for the feast was spread,
And the prince bade his daughter hither (for so I the tale have read)1055
As he saw the maid draw near him the host to Liassé spake,
'To this knight shalt thou do all honour, and a kiss from his lips shalt take,
With Good Fortune for guide he fareth! And of thee would I pray this thing,
If token perchance she beareth, thou wilt leave to the maid her ring—
Yet none hath she, nor clasp—Who should give her what that forest princess wore?1060
For she won from the hand of her husband what thine hand from her raiment tore,
From Liassé canst thou take little'—Then the lad he must blush for shame,
On her lips did kiss the maiden, and her mouth it was red as flame.
And Liassé was fair to look on, and gentle of heart and pure,
And a hero might well have loved her with a love that should aye endure.1065
Full long and low was the table, nor many might sit thereat,
At its head was the prince so kindly, and his guest by his side he set
Betwixt him and his daughter, and the maiden with snow-white hand
Must carve, as he willed, for the Red Knight, so her father would give command,
And courteous, she did his bidding, and none did the twain prevent1070
As shy glances rosy-blushing, they each to the other sent!
The feast over, the maiden left them, but she bade not the guest 'Farewell,'
For twice seven days in honour Parzival with his host did dwell.
But within his heart lay a sorrow, 'twas no other I ween than this,
He would he enough had striven to be worthy of wedded bliss, 1075
And he thought him a goal so worthy must lead to a guerdon high
Both in this life and e'en in the other—And these words they shall be no lie.
One morning for leave he prayed him, from Graharz he fain would ride,
And his host, sore loth to lose him, awhile rode his steed beside.
Fresh sprang of grief the fountain as the prince spake, 'I lose once more1080
A son, Death of three hath robbed me, thy loss now shall make them four.
And threefold it was, my sorrow—Who my heart would in pieces smite
Fourfold and from hence would bear them, in the pain should I find delight.
One for thee, since thou ridest from me, and three for my three sons slain—
Bravely they fell in battle, such guerdon doth knighthood gain!' 1085
'And its end is of sorrow woven—One death all my joy doth lame,
The death of my son so gallant, Schenteflur did they call his name;
When Kondwiramur her kingdom and herself would withhold with strife
From Klamidé the king, and Kingron, in her aid did he lose his life,
And my heart with the thrust of sorrow, as a hedge is it piercèd thro'.1090
Now all too soon dost thou leave me since no comfort from thee I drew,
Ah! would Death were here my portion since Liassé, that maiden bright,
And the land I had deemed so goodly find no favour in this thy sight!'
'My other son, Count Laskoit, by Idêr son of Noit was slain
Anent a hawk—Little gladness from his death I methinks might gain—1095
Gurzgrei did they call my third son, to whom Mahaut gave her heart,
As his wife did he win the maiden from her brother proud Ekunât.
'Gainst Brandigan on a venture for Schoie-de-la-kurt he'ld ride,
And the Prince Mabonagrein smote him, and there by his hand he died.
And Mahaut she lost her beauty, and his mother, my wife, lay dead,2000
For thro' sorrow and bitter yearning the days of her life were sped.'
Then the guest saw his host's deep sorrow as he told unto him his woe,
And he quoth, 'Little wisdom have I, yet if ever the day I know
When I win knightly fame and honour, so that maiden I well may woo,
Thou shalt give unto me Liassé, thy daughter so fair and true. 2005
Thou hast told me of o'er-much sorrow; if thy grief I may lift from thee
From the load of so sore a burden I gladly will set thee free!'
Then leave from the prince so kindly the young knight that morn would pray,
And from all his gallant vassals; and he rode from their land away;
And the prince, in the game of sorrow, tho' heavy before his throw,2010
Had lost yet more, for from threefold to fourfold his grief must grow.