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

by von Eschenbach Wolfram

Yet ere they might come to King Arthur men had heard of the twain a tale— 345
On the self-same day it befell so that the host, they must sore bewail
The loss of a gallant hero, since Parzival rode away—
Then Arthur, he took good counsel, and he spake, 'Unto the eighth day
Would they wait for Parzival's coming, nor forth from the field would fare'—
And hither came Gramoflanz' army, and they many a ring prepare, 350
And with costly tents do they deck them, and the proud knights are lodged full well,
Nor might brides e'er win greater honour than here to this four befell.
Then from Château Merveil rode thither a squire in the self-same hour,
And he said, in their column mirrored, had they seen in their fair watch-tower
A mighty fight, and a fearful—'And where'er men with swords have fought, 355
I wot well, beside this combat their strife shall be held as naught.'
And the tale did they tell to Gawain, as he sat by King Arthur's side,
And this knight, and that, spake wondering to whom might such strife betide?
Quoth Arthur the king, 'Now I wager that I know of the twain one knight,
'Twas my nephew of Kanvoleis fought there, who left us ere morning light!' 360

And now, lo the twain rode hither—They had foughten a combat fair,
As helmet and shield sore dinted with sword-stroke might witness bear.
And well skilled were the hands that had painted these badges of strife, I trow,
(For 'tis meet in the lust of combat that a knight's hand such skill should show,)
Then they rode by the camp of King Arthur—As the heathen knight rode past 365
Full many a glance of wonder at his costly gear was cast.
And with tents the plain was covered—Then rode they to Gawain's ring,
And before his tent they halted—Did men a fair welcome bring,
And lead them within, and gladly behold them? Yea, even so,
And Gawain, he rode swiftly after when he did of their coming know; 370
For e'en as he sat by King Arthur he saw that his tent they sought,
And, as fitted a courteous hero, joyful greeting to them he brought.

And as yet they bare their armour—Then Gawain, the courteous knight,
He bade his squires disarm them—In the stress of the deadly fight
Ecidemon, the beast, was cloven; the robe that the heathen ware 375
In many a place bare token of the blows that had been its share,
'Twas a silk of Saranthasmé, decked with many a precious stone,
And beneath, rich, snow-white, blazoned with his bearings his vesture shone.
And one over against the other stood the gems in a double row;
By the wondrous Salamanders was it woven in fierce flame's glow! 380
All this glory a woman gave him, who would stake on his skill in strife
Her crown alike and her kingdom, as she gave him her love and life.
'Twas the fair Queen Sekundillé (and gladly he did her will,
And were it for joy or for sorrow he hearkened her bidding still)
And, e'en as her true heart willed it, of her riches was he the lord, 385
For her love, as his rightful guerdon, had he won him with shield and sword.

Then Gawain, he bade his people of the harness to have good care,
That naught should be moved from its station, shield, or helmet, or vesture fair.
And in sooth a gift too costly e'en the blazoned coat had been
If poor were the maid who a love-gift would give to her knight, I ween, 390
So rich were the stones that decked it, the harness of pieces four—
And where wisdom with goodwill worketh, and of riches there be full store,
There love well can deck the loved one! And proud Feirefis, he strove
With such zeal for the honour of women, he well was repaid by Love!

And soon as he doffed his harness they gazed on the wondrous sight, 395
And they who might speak of marvels said, in sooth, that this heathen knight,
Feirefis, was strange to look on! and wondrous marks he bore—
Quoth Gawain to Parzival, 'Cousin, I ne'er saw his like before,
Now who may he be, thy comrade? For in sooth he is strange to see!'
Quoth Parzival, 'Are we kinsmen, then thy kinsman this knight shall be, 400
As Gamuret's name may assure thee—Of Zassamank is he king,
There my father he won Belakané who this prince to the world did bring.'
Then Gawain, he kissed the heathen—Now the noble Feirefis
Was black and white all over, save his mouth was half red, I wis!

Then they brought to the twain fair raiment, and I wot well their cost was dear. 405
(They were brought forth from Gawain's chamber.) Then the ladies, they drew anear,
And the Duchess she bade Sangivé and Kondrie first kiss the knight
Ere she and Arnivé proffered in greeting their lips so bright.
And Feirefis gazed upon them, and, methinks, he was glad at heart
At the sight of their lovely faces, and in joy had he lot and part. 410

Then Gawain spake to Parzival, 'Cousin, thou hast found a new battle-field,
If aright I may read the token of thy helmet and splintered shield,
Sore strife shall have been your comrade, both thine and thy brother's too!
Say, with whom did ye fight so fiercely?' Then Parzival spake anew,
'No fiercer fight have I foughten, my brother's hand pressed me sore 415
To defend me, no charm more potent than defence 'gainst death's stroke I bore.
As this stranger, whom yet I knew well, I smote, my sword brake in twain,
Yet no fear did he show, and 'vantage he scorned of mischance to gain,
For afar did he cast his sword-blade, since he feared lest 'gainst me he sin,
Yet naught did he know when he spared me that we twain were so near akin. 420
But now have I won his friendship, and his love, and with right goodwill
Would I do to him faithful service as befitteth a brother still!'

Then Gawain spake, 'They brought me tidings of a dauntless strife and bold,
In Château Merveil the country for six miles may ye well behold,
The pillar within the watch-tower showeth all that within that space 425
Doth chance,—and he spake, King Arthur, that one who there strife did face,
Should be thou cousin mine of Kingrivals, now hast thou the tidings brought,
And we know of a sooth the combat was even as we had thought.
Now believe me, the truth I tell thee, for eight days here our feast we'ld hold
In great pomp, and await thy coming, shouldst thou seek us, thou hero bold. 430
Now rest here, ye twain, from your combat—but methinks, since ye thus did fight,
Ye shall each know the other better, and hatred shall own love's might.'

That eve would Gawain sup early, since his cousin of far Thasmé,
Feirefis Angevin, and his brother, had tasted no food that day.
And high and long were the cushions that they laid in a ring so wide, 435
And many a costly covering of silk did their softness hide.
And long, and wide, and silken, were the clothes that above them went,
And the store of Klingsor's riches they spread forth within the tent.
Then four costly carpets silken, and woven so fair to see,
Did they hang one against the other, so the tale it was told to me; 440
And beneath them, of down were the pillows, and each one was covered fair,
And in such wise the costly couches for the guests would the squires prepare.

And so wide was the ring that within it six pavilions right well might stand
Nor the tent ropes should touch each other—(Now wisdom doth fail mine hand,
I will speak no more of these marvels). Then straightway Gawain he sent 445
To King Arthur, he fain would tell him who abode here within his tent,
He had come, the mighty heathen, of whom Ekuba erst did tell
On Plimizöl's plain! And the tidings they rejoiced King Arthur well.