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

by von Eschenbach Wolfram

Now hearken to me and heed me, as with gracious words I'ld greet
Antikonie, free from falsehood, a maiden pure and sweet.
In such wise did she ever bear her that never a doubting word,
Were one fain to sing her praises, from the lips of men was heard; 500
For no heart but wished her gladness, and no mouth but spake her free
From all thought of guile—Far-reaching, as a falcon's eye can see,
Shone the light of her gracious presence, as the light of a balsam rare
That burneth, and sheddeth perfume, and sweeteneth the scented air.
And her will was ever gracious, as the will of a maid should be, 505
And she spake to her royal brother of a true heart right maidenly:

'I bring here to thee, my brother, the guest thou didst bid me tend,
And I would thou shouldst well entreat him, as befitting my knight and friend—
For better shall that become thee, to bear thee as brother true,
Than to feel the world's hate, or to teach me to hate thee, who hate ne'er knew.'510

Quoth the king, 'Nay then, my sister, an I may, so stands my will,
Thou shalt give me here thy counsel, for I think me I did but ill,
And stained thereby mine honour, and dimmed my knightly fame;
And I deem me but little worthy that thou shouldst me as brother claim.
E'en if all lands should do my bidding at thy prayer would I yield them all,515
Lest that sorrow of sorrows greatest, thine hatred, on me should fall!
And honour and joy were ended an I said to thy pleading, Nay—
Sir Gawain, I here entreat thee, since for fame thou didst ride this way,
An thou knightly fame wouldst honour, so help me, that I may win
Anew from my sister favour, and forgiveness for this my sin. 520
Far liefer were I to pardon the wrong thou hast done to me
Than to lose her, my sweetest sister—Now list what thy task shall be,
Do thou swear to me here that truly thou wilt strive, as I erst was fain
To strive, for the Grail's fair kingdom, and the honour thou there shalt gain.'

In such wise the strife was ended, Sir Gawain far hence must ride, 525
And with sword and spear do battle, and woe for the Grail abide.
And the Landgrave forgave his monarch the wrong that he did his word
When he brake his pledge unto Gawain—and no prince of the land but heard.

Then their swords they ungirt, and they hung them in their place on the castle wall—
And the squires of Gawain came swiftly, and, joyful, he hailed them all,530
For not one in strife was wounded—for a man of the Burger folk,
Ere the battle waxed hot, had claimed them, and wise were the words he spoke,
And their peace he prayed from the foemen, and he held them awhile in ward,
Were they French, or from land of the Breton, till again to their rightful lord
He might send them in peace—Some were children, and some were lads strong and young—535
And glad were their hearts when they saw him, and awhile on his neck they hung,
And weeping they kissed Sir Gawain, yet no sorrow I ween was there,
But from joy sprang the crystal tear-drops that ran o'er their faces fair.

And one came from the land of Cornwall, Count Laiz he, and Tinal's son;
And a noble lad was with him whose father his death had won 540
At Schoie-de-la-Kurt, Gandelus, the son, and Gurzgrei, the sire—
(Thro' that venture full many a maiden must weep for her heart's desire)
And his aunt was the maid Liassé, and fair was the lad of face
And of feature, for Love had touched them, and had wrought them with hand of grace,
And fain were all men to see him—Six were there those twain beside,545
Eight lads, all of noble bearing and birth, with Gawain did ride.
And as kinsmen right well they loved him, and they served him for payment fair;
What payment gave he? Meed of honour their guerdon, and tender care!
Then Gawain quoth unto the children, ''Tis well, for I now have seen,
Fair kinsmen, that ye had mourned me, if slain I perchance had been,550
(And well might he see their sorrow, for as yet they mourned full sore,)
Where were ye in hour of battle? Much sorrow for ye I bore.'
Then they answered, and none spake falsely, 'As thou sat'st in the high hall place
A hawk flew astray, and we ran thence, and joined for awhile the chase.'

Then all they who sat or stood there, nor ceased for awhile their gaze,555
Saw well that Gawain was a true knight, and a man whom all men might praise;
Then the king gave the leave he prayed for, and he spake unto all farewell,
Save the queen alone, and the Landgrave, he whom men called Kingrimursel.
For the queen took the twain, and the children who followed as Gawain's squires,
And she led them where gentle maidens should serve as she should require,560
And in peace, as became fair maidens, each maid did her lady's will,
And fair were the hands and gracious that did gracious tasks fulfil.

Straightway when the meal was ended Gawain from the feast uprose,
Thus Kiot hath told the story—and as blossom from root up-grows,
So afresh from a true heart's true faith did sorrow spring forth amain—565
Quoth the hero unto the maiden, 'Now, Lady, an God be fain
To leave to me life and wisdom, wherever my way I take
True service, true knight befitting, will I do for thy gentle sake.
The rede did I hear and hearken that spake thee of falsehood free,
And thy fame o'er the fame of all maidens shall high as the heavens be.570
And Heaven Itself shall bless thee, and thy gifts all be gifts of God!
Now, Lady, thy leave I crave here, since 'tis time on my way I rode.
Give me leave, then, and let me ride hence, for I ween for the future days
Shalt thou be thine own best defender, and thy virtue shall crown thy praise!'

Then sorrow of heart was her portion that the knight thus her side must leave,575
Sore she wept, and her gentle maidens awhile with her grief must grieve.
And the queen she spake out freely, 'An more I had done for thee,
Then my joy had o'ercome my sorrow, yet better it might not be;
Little peace for thee here might blossom—but, believe me, be ill thy share,
Or should deeds of knighthood lead thee where sorrow thou needs must bear,580
Then, Sir Gawain, my heart findeth portion in thy lot, be it loss or gain!'
On his mouth, with her red lips glowing, the maiden she kissed Gawain.
Then joy fled afar from the hero, and sorrow hath pierced his heart,
Too early the twain they deemed it, from each other for aye to part.

Meantime had his squires bethought them, and his steed to the palace brought,585
Where the boughs of a mighty linden might shadow the outer court;
And the Landgrave's folk they sought him, and together they took their way
Without the walls; ere they parted this grace would Sir Gawain pray,
Since his squires might no more fare with him, that the Landgrave with them in ward
Should ride forthwith unto Beaurosch, 'There Scherules the Burg doth guard,590
Thou shalt pray him that these fair children to Dianasdron he bring
Where many a Breton dwelleth, and shall yield them unto the king
Or to Guinevere, his Lady'—So sware him Kingrimursel,
And, with kindly words and courteous, to Sir Gawain he bade 'Farewell.'
Short the space ere both steed and rider were clad in their mail of might,595
Kinsmen and squires, he kissed them, and alone rode that gallant knight,
For, as this his oath had bade him, to the Grail must his pathway wend,
And many a pain and peril must he know ere his task should end.