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

by von Eschenbach Wolfram

But the victor's steed sped onward, and in vain would he check its flight
Ere it fell, and well-nigh in falling had borne to his death the knight.
A cedar o'erhung the chasm, its bough Parzival gripped fast,
(Nor think ye scorn of my hero, that, as chanceth a thief at last, 210
He hung, for none spake his judgment, he hung there by his own hand)
His feet, for a foothold seeking, on the rock found at last their stand:
Far out of his reach, beneath him, his gallant steed lay dead,
Up the further side of the valley the Templar for safety fled.
Think ye that he much might pride him on his token from Parzival? 215
Far better at home in Monsalväsch had he fared with the wondrous Grail!
To the plain once more climbed our hero, there the steed of the Templar stood,
For down to the ground hung the bridle and fettered the war-horse good.
As the knight in his flight forgat it so it stood where its master fell,
Swift Parzival sprang to the saddle, such booty might please him well.220
Of a truth his spear had he shattered, yet more than he lost he won—
Nor Lähelein, nor Kingrisein a better joust e'er had run!
Nor King Gramoflanz nor Count Laskoit (the son he of Gurnemanz).
Onward he rode, yet wandering, nor further befell mischance,
Nor strife, from the knights of Monsalväsch, yet one grief must vex his soul,235
He found not the Grail—Ever further he rode, further fled the goal!

Now he who my song will hearken, he shall hear that which yet befell,
Tho' the tale of the weeks I know not, that had flown since Sir Parzival
Had met with the maid, and had ridden on venture as aye before—
One morning the ground was snow-clad, and tho' thin was the cloak it bore230
Yet so thick it was that men, seeing, had deemed it the time of frost;
As he rode thro' the depths of a woodland by a knight was his pathway crossed,
And old was the knight, and grey bearded, yet his face it was bright and fair,
And his lady who walked beside him like mien to her lord did bear.
And each on their naked body wore a garment of horse-hair grey, 235
For penance and pilgrimage minded they wended afoot their way.
And their children, two gentle maidens, such as men's eyes are fain to see,
In like garments they followed barefoot, e'en as pilgrims are wont to be.

Then our hero the old knight greeted as he passed on his lowly way,
And good was the rede, and holy, that he heard from his lips that day.240
And a prince of the land he seemed him—By each maiden a brachet ran,
And with humble mien and reverent paced master alike and man.
For both knight and squire they followed on this holy pilgrimage,
And some, they were young and beardless, and some were bent low with age.

But Parzival, our hero, he was clad in far other wise, 245
In fair raiment, rich and costly, he rode in right knightly guise,
And proudly he ware his harness, and unlike were the twain I ween,
The old man in his robe of penance and the knight in his armour's sheen!
Then swiftly he turned his bridle and held by the pathway side,
For fain would he know of their journey, and friendly the knight replied.250
But a sorrow the old man deemed it that one to this Holy Tide
Should have failèd to give due honour, but in warlike gear should ride.
For better would it befit him unarmèd this day to greet,
Or like them to walk barefooted, and in garb for a sinner meet!

Quoth Parzival, 'Nay, I know not what the time of the year may be, 255
Or how men the tale may reckon of the weeks as they swiftly flee,
How the days shall be named I know not, long have I forgot such lore!
Of old time I served a master, and God was the name He bore.
But He bare unto me no favour, and for guerdon He mocking gave,
Tho' ne'er had my heart turned from Him—Men said, 'If from God ye crave260
For succour, He sure will give it;' but I deem well they spake a lie,
For He who they said would help me, did help unto me deny!'

Quoth the grey-haired knight, 'Dost thou mean Him who was once of a Maiden born?
Dost believe that a Man for men's sake He died on the cross this morn,
And this day for His sake we hallow? Then such garb becomes thee ill!265
For to-day all men call Good Friday, and the world it rejoiceth still
O'er the day that her chains were riven; tho' she mourneth her Saviour's pain.
Speak, knowest thou of faith more faithful than the faith God hath kept with men,
Since He hung on the cross for men's sake? Such woe as He bare for thee,
Sir Knight, sure must work thee sorrow, since baptized thou shalt surely be!270
For our sin His life was forfeit, or else had mankind been lost,
And Hell as his prey had held us, and Hell's torments had paid sin's cost.
Sir Knight, if thou be not heathen, thou shalt honour this Holy Day—
So do thou as here I counsel, ride thou on this woodland way,
For near here a hermit dwelleth, as thy speech, so his rede shall be,275
And if ruth for ill deed thou showest of thy sin will he speak thee free!'

Then out quoth the old man's daughter, 'Nay, father, but speak not so,
For too chill and cold is the morning, thou shalt bid him no further go.
Far better to bid him warm him his steel-clad limbs, for strong
And fair shall he be to look on, and the way is both cold and long.280
Methinks were he thrice as mighty he would freeze ere his goal he reach,
And here hast thou tent for shelter, and viands for all and each.
Came King Arthur and all his vassals thou wouldst still have enough I trow,
So do thou as host so kindly, and good-will to this young knight show!'
Quoth the grey-haired sire, 'My daughters, Sir Knight, here give counsel good,285
Each year, with tent of pilgrim, I wend thro' this lonely wood.
If warm or cold be the season I care not, as year by year
The time of our dear Lord's Passion draweth once more anear,
He rewardeth His servant's service—Sir Knight, what I, for His sake,
Brought here, as my guest, right willing, I pray thee from me to take!'290

And kindly they spake, the maidens, and they bade the knight to stay,
And with gracious mien they prayed naught might drive him from them away.
And tho' cold was the frost and bitter, and it wrought not as summer's heat,
Yet Parzival saw their lips glow so red, and soft, and sweet.
(Tho' they wept for the death of the Saviour, such sorrow became them well.)295
And here, had I cause for vengeance, an such happy chance befell,
I never would speak them guiltless, but a kiss should their penance be,
Nor against their will would I take it, of good-will should they give it me!
For women shall aye be women, and tho' brave be the knight, and strong,
Yet I ween is he oft the vanquished, nor the strife it endureth long!300

With sweet words, and ways so gentle, they ever the knight would pray,
Children alike and parents, and fain would they have him stay:
Yet he thought, 'It were best I leave them, for e'en if I turn aside
All too fair methinks are these maidens, 'twere unfitting that I should ride
While they by my side walk barefoot—And 'tis better that we should part,305
Since ever I bear Him hatred Whom they worship with lowly heart,
And they look for His aid, Who ever hath turnèd His face from me,
Nor from sorrow hath He withheld me, but hath wrought with me heavily!'
'Knight and Lady,' he quoth, 'I think me 'twere better I leave should pray,
May good fortune be yours, and blessing, and fulness of joy alway, 310
And may you, ye gentle maidens, find reward in your courtesy,
Since so well ye had thought to serve me, fair leave would I pray from ye!'
He greeted them, low they bowed them, and greeted the knight again,
Nor might they withhold their sorrow, for parting aye bringeth pain!

So the son of Herzeleide rode onward, well taught was he 315
In all manly skill and courage, in mercy and purity;
And his mother had aye bequeathed him her faithful heart and true—
Yet ever his soul waxed sadder, and there sprang up thoughts anew
Of the might of the Maker of all things, Who hath made this earth of naught,
How He dealeth with all creation, and still on His power he thought320
'How might it yet be if God sent me that which brought to an end my woe?
If ever a knight He favoured, if ever a knight might know
His payment for service done Him—if He thinketh His aid they earn
Who dauntless shall wield their weapons, and ne'er from a foeman turn,
Let Him aid me, who bear unstainèd shield and sword as befits a man,325
If to-day be His Day of Redemption, let Him help me, if help He can.'