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

by von Eschenbach Wolfram

Now still lay the mighty army that Poidikonjonz had led,
Save one gallant youth with his vassals, who swift to the combat sped,
And Lanveronz was his dukedom—Here came Poidikonjonz the king,
And the old man wise one and other again to the camp would bring, 340
For the vesper-play was ended—In sooth had they fought right well,
And for love of many a maiden full many a deed befell.

Then out spake the King Poidikonjonz to Lanveronz' gallant knight,
''Twere fitting to wait for thy leader, an thou lusted for fame to fight.
Dost think thou hast borne thee bravely? See the brave Knight Lahduman,345
And here is my son Meljakanz,—Came these two in the van,
And I myself, then, I think me, that a fair fight thou sure shouldst see
Wert thou learnèd enow in combat to know what a fight should be!
I come not again from this city till of strife we have had our fill,
Or man and woman yield them as prisoners to my will!' 350

Quoth Duke Astor, 'The king, thy nephew, O sire fought before the gate
With his army of Lys—Should thine army here slumber o'er-long and late
The while these others battled? Say when didst thou teach such lore?
Must I slumber while others battle then I'll slumber as ne'er of yore!
Yet believe me, had I not been there then the Burgers had won them fame,355
And a fair prize their hand had taken—I have guarded thee here from shame;
In God's Name be no longer wrathful! Such valour thy folk have shown,
They won more than they lost,—I think me fair Obie the same will own!'

Yet Poidikonjonz was wrathful with his nephew, Meljanz the king,
Tho' of many a joust the token the young knight from the field must bring,360
And youthful fame ne'er mourneth such pledge of strife, I ween—
Now hear ye again of the maiden who the cause of this strife had been.

Hate enow did she bear to Gawain who was guiltless of ill intent,
And shame would she bring upon him—A servant the maiden sent
Below, to Gawain as he sat there, 'Now ask thou, without delay, 365
If his steeds be for sale—In his coffers, perchance, he doth bear alway
Goodly raiment that we may purchase; say thou if it so shall be,
Then we ladies above in the castle will buy of him readily.'

So the serving man went, and his greeting was wrath, for Sir Gawain's eye
Taught fear to his heart, and in terror the lad from his face would fly,370
And he asked not, nor gave the message his lady had bid him bear.
Nor Gawain held his peace, 'Thou rascal, from hence shalt thou swiftly fare,
For many a blow will I give thee if again thou dost dare draw near!'
Then the lad hied him back to his lady; what she did shall ye straightway hear:

For she bade one speak to the Burg-grave, Scherules they called his name,375
Saying, 'This shall he do at my bidding for the sake of his manly fame;
'Neath the olive-trees by the Burg-moat stand seven steeds, I trow,
In them shall he find his guerdon, and riches beside enow.
A merchant will here deal falsely—I pray he prevent such deed.
I trust in his hand; none shall blame him, if the goods he doth hold for meed.'380

The squire went below as she bade him, and his lady's plaint he bare;
'From knavery must we guard us,' quoth Scherules, 'I forth will fare.'
So he rode where Gawain was seated whose courage might never fail,
And he found there all weakness lacking, high heart that for naught would quail,
And a face so fair to look on—Scherules he saw him well, 385
And his arms and hands so skilful that a knightly tale might tell.
And he spake, 'Thou art here a stranger, Sir Knight, sure good wit we need
Since here thou hast found no lodging; as sin shalt thou count such deed.
I will now myself be marshal, folk and goods, all I call mine own
That freely shall do thee service; nor host to his guest hath shown390
Such favour as I would show thee.' 'Thy favour,' quoth Knight Gawain,
'As yet shall be undeservèd, yet to follow thee am I fain.'

Then Scherules, of honour worthy, he spake of a true heart free,
'Since the office hath fallen to me, thy guardian 'gainst loss I'll be,
If the outer host would rob thee, thou shalt call to thine aid mine hand,'395
Then, smiling, he spake to the servants whom he saw round their master stand,
'Now load ye again your harness that never a piece shall fail,
For hence must we ride, and shelter shall ye find in the lower vale.'

With the Burg-grave he rode, Sir Gawain, nor Obie her wrong would own,
But she sent a minstrel maiden whom her father right well had known,400
And she bade her bear the tidings, a false coiner had passed that way,
'And goodly and rich is his lading; by his knighthood my father pray,
Since many a hireling serves him for steed, and garb, and gold,
That he here let them take their payment, 'twere enow, were they sevenfold.'