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

by von Eschenbach Wolfram

Forth rode Parzival from the city to the field that should aye declare
If 'twas God's will his wife to leave him, the child of King Tampentäre.
Proudly he rode, yet he spurred not his steed to its swiftest flight,515
And 'twas armed for need, and its covering was a samite of red so bright,
And the iron lay beneath it—And the hero himself shone fair
In his harness red, red his corslet, and the shield that he proudly bare.
And Klamidé began the conflict—A short spear of wood unwrought,
With that would he fell his foeman, and the joust from afar he sought;520
And Guverjorz sprang forth swiftly, and the joust it was ridden well
By those heroes young and beardless, nor one from his saddle fell,
And never a horse or a rider had foughten a better fight;
And the steam rose in clouds from the chargers on which sat each gallant knight,

And so fierce was the fight that the horses, out-wearied with conflict sore,525
Stumbled and fell together, in sooth could they do no more.
And joyful they smote, the heroes, till fire from the helm must spring,
Small time had they there for leisure, but zeal to their task must bring;
And the shields were hewn in pieces, and the splinters were tossed on high,
As shuttlecocks gaily smitten to the winds of heaven fly. 530
Yet Gamuret's son was unwearied, and never a limb did ache,
Tho' Klamidé deemed that the foemen from the city the truce would break.
Then he bade his fellow-foeman to look to his honour well,
And stay the hand of the slingers, for the blows heavy on him fell
As of stones shot forth from an engine—But Parzival made reply, 535
'Nay, safe art thou from the slingers, my word is thy surety,
Thou hast peace from mine hand, and I swear thee that never a sling shall break
Head, or breast, or thigh, thou art safe here, were it but for mine honour's sake!'

All too soon was Klamidé wearied and spent with the deadly fight,
Who was victor, and who was vanquished, ere long might be seen aright,540
And they looked on the King Klamidé, on the grass was he laid alow,
And Parzival's right hand gripped him till forth streamed the crimson flow
Of blood from the ears and nostrils, and the green turf was dyed with red;
And his foeman unbound the helmet and visor, and bared his head,
The vanquished would face the death-blow, and the victor spake, 'Here I free545
My wife for aye from thy wooing! Learn thou what Death may be!'

'Nay! nay! thou gallant hero, thirty-fold doth thy glory grow
Thro' the valour thine hand hath shown here, since in strife thou hast laid me low.
What higher fame dost thou look for? Kondwiramur sure shall say
That Good Fortune hath smiled upon thee, whilst I am Misfortune's prey;550
Thy land hast thou now delivered—As when one a leaking boat
Doth free from the load of water, that it light o'er the waves may float,
So lightened am I of honour! Manly honour and joy I trow
Are waxen thin and faded, what profit to slay me now?
From children and children's children mine heritage shall be shame,555
To do more here methinks were needless—For joy thou hast won and fame,
And a living death is my portion, since for ever from her I part,
Who fast in love's magic fetters hath held me both mind and heart,
Little good it forsooth hath brought me, ah! most wretched henceforth am I,
And this land and its lovely lady for aye in thy power shall lie!' 560

Now he who was here the victor on Gurnemanz' counsel thought,
How mercy should well beseem him who with manhood had valiant fought,
And he thought him the rede to follow; and thus to the king he spake,
'I free thee not, to the father of Liassé submission make!'
'Nay, Sir Knight, I have wrought him evil, 'twas thro' me that his son was slain,565
An ill-fate wouldst thou bring upon me! The hand of thy queen to gain,
With Schenteflur I battled, and in sooth had I died that day,
Save that Kingron came to my succour, and his hand did the hero slay.
For Gurnemanz of Graharz had sent him to Brobarz' land
At the head of a gallant army; 'twas a fair and knightly band, 570
Nine hundred knights who fought well, and rode upon mail-clad steeds,
And fifteen hundred footmen all armed for valiant deeds,
For naught but shields should fail them—Too great their might I thought,
But the seed of such goodly harvest once more their country sought.
Yet now hath my loss been greater! Of my heroes but few are left, 575
What more would thine hand take from me, who of gladness am now bereft?'

'An easier way I'll show thee, to Brittany shalt thou ride,
Kingron has gone before thee, there King Arthur he doth abide,
To him shalt thou bear my greeting, and bid him to mourn alway
The shame I bare as my portion when I rode from his court away. 580
A maiden who smiled upon me for my sake was smitten sore—
Of all that in life e'er grieved me naught ever hath grieved me more!
And that maid shalt thou tell of my sorrow; and thy pledge to her hand shalt yield,
And do even as she shall bid thee—Or die here on this foughten field!'

'So, if here I must choose betwixt them, not long shall my choice delay,'585
Spake the King of Brandigan swiftly, 'From hence will I ride straightway!'
But his oath did he swear ere he parted whom pride had in peril brought.
Then Parzival, the hero, for his wearied charger sought,
And his foot touched nor horse nor stirrup as he light to the saddle sprung,
And his steed the hewn shields' splinters around him in circles flung.590

And the Burgers I ween were joyful—but their foemen were sad and sore,
For flesh and bone were wearied, and sorrow of heart they bore.
And they brought King Klamidé wounded to those who might give him aid,
And the dead on the bier they bare them, and to rest in the grave they laid.
From many a guest unwelcome the land at last was freed, 595
And the gallant King Klamidé to Löver he rode with speed.

Now it fell at this time King Arthur and the knights of the Table Round,
And many another hero, at Dianasdron were found.
And in sooth no lie I tell ye when I say that this plain so good
Bare of tent-poles a greater number than the trees in Spessart's wood.600
For 'twas ever the wont of King Arthur the high feast of Pentecost
To keep with his knights and vassals, and of maidens a goodly host.
There were many a noble banner, and many a warlike shield
With coat of arms emblazoned, and fair tents stood adown the field;
'Twould be thought of the world a marvel, who should make all the travelling gear605
For such wondrous host of ladies as those that were gathered here!
And I think me that never a maiden but had counted it to her shame
If no knight mid the knights around her she might as her lover claim!
Came I myself to such gathering, an such youthful knights were there,
I were loth if my wife beside me thro' such tumult were fain to fare—610
(Nay, when folk thus come together far liefer were I away)
May be one might speak unto her, and some such words would say—
'With love of her was he smitten, and ne'er might he healing know
Save that she herself should heal him. Yea, an but her will were so,
Her knight would he be for ever, to serve her his whole life long' 615
I were swift, with my wife beside me, to flee from such foolish throng!

Yet enough of myself have I spoken—Now hear how King Arthur's tent
Might be known apart from the others; before it on gladness bent
He feasted, the king, with his vassals whose hearts never falsehood knew,
And with many a stately maiden, whose thoughts aye to jousting flew,620
As if with darts they sported, and their friend 'gainst the foe would aim,
And if ill befell their hero with sweet words to his aid they came.