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

by von Eschenbach Wolfram

And he who should bear the tidings, he was Iofreit, and Idol's son;
And he bade the king sup early, and so soon as the meal was done, 450
With his knights and his host of ladies, to ride forth a train so fair,
And a fit and worthy welcome for Gamuret's son prepare.
Quoth the king, 'All who here are worthy, of a sooth, will I bring with me.'
Quoth Iofreit, 'Ye fain will see him, so courteous a knight is he,
And a marvel is he to look on—From great riches he forth must fare, 455
For the price of his coat emblazoned is such as no man might bear,
And no hand might count its equal, not in Löver or Brittany,
Or in England, or e'en from Paris to Wizsant beside the sea—
Nay, all the rich lands between them, were their wealth in the balance weighed,
Then the cost of his goodly raiment, I think me, were yet unpaid!' 460

Then again came the knight Iofreit, when he to the king had told
The guise that should best befit him when he greeted the heathen bold.
And within the tent of Gawain the seats were ordered fair,
In courteous rank and seemly, and the guests to the feast repair.
And the vassals of Orgelusé, and the heroes within her train 465
Who gladly for love had served her, they sate there beside Gawain.
Their seats they were on his right hand, on his left were Klingsor's knights,
And over against the heroes sat many a lady bright,
All they who were Klingsor's captives, in sooth were they fair of face,
And Parzival and his brother, by the maidens they took their place. 470

Then the Turkowit, Sir Florant, and Sangivé, that noble queen,
Sat over against each other, and in like wise, the board between,
Sat Gowerzein's Duke, brave Lischois, and his wife, the fair Kondrie.
Iofreit and Gawain forgat not each other's mate to be,
As of old would they sit together, and together, as comrades, eat. 475
The Duchess, with bright eyes shining, by Arnivé must find her seat,
Nor forgat they to serve each other with courteous and kindly grace—
At the side sat fair Orgelusé, while Arnivé by Gawain found place.

And all shame and discourteous bearing from the circle must take their flight,
And courteous they bare the viands to each maid and each gallant knight. 480
Then Feirefis looked on his brother, and he spake unto Parzival;
'Now Jupiter ruled my journey so that bliss to my lot would fall
Since his aid shall have brought me hither, and here mine own folk I see,
And I praise the sire that I knew not, of a gallant race was he!'

Quoth the Waleis, 'Ye yet shall see them, a folk ye right well may love, 485
With Arthur their king and captain, brave knights who their manhood prove.
So soon as this feast is ended, as methinks it will be ere long,
Ye shall see them come in their glory, many valiant men and strong.
Of the knights of the good Round Table there shall sit at this board but three,
Our host, and the knight Iofreit, and such honour once fell to me, 490
In the days that I showed me worthy, that they prayed me I would be one
Of their band, nor was I unwilling, but e'en as they spake 'twas done,'

Now 'twas time, since all well had eaten, the covers to bear away
From before both man and maiden, and this did the squires straightway.
The host would no longer sit there; then the Duchess and Arnivé spake, 495
And they prayed that the twain, Sangivé and Kondrie, they with them might take;
And go to the strange-faced heathen, and entreat him in courteous wise—
When Feirefis saw them near him, from his seat did the prince arise,
And with Parzival, his brother, stepped forward the queens to meet,
By his hand did the Duchess take him, and with fair words the knight would greet; 500
And the ladies and knights who stood there she bade them be seated all—
Then the king and his host came riding, with many a trumpet call;
And they heard the sound of music, of tambour, and flute, and horn,
With many a blast drew nearer the king of Arnivé born;
And the heathen this pomp and rejoicing must hold for a worthy thing— 505
And Guinevere rode with King Arthur, so came they to Gawain's ring;
And goodly the train that followed of ladies and gallant knights,
And Feirefis saw among them fair faces with youth's tints bright;
And King Gramoflanz rode among them, for Arthur's guest was he,
And Itonjé, his love so loyal, true lady, from falsehood free! 510

Then the gallant host dismounted, with many a lady sweet,
And Guinevere bade Itonjé her nephew, the heathen, greet.
Then the queen herself drew anear him, and she kissed the knight Feirefis,
And Gramoflanz and King Arthur received him with friendly kiss;
And in honour they proffered service unto him, those monarchs twain, 515
And many a man of his kinsfolk to welcome the prince was fain.
And many a faithful comrade Feirefis Angevin had found,
Nor in sooth was he loth to own here that he stood upon friendly ground.

Down they sat them, both wife and husband, and many a gracious maid,
And many a knight might find there (if in sooth he such treasure prayed,) 520
From sweet lips sweet words of comfort—If for wooing such knight were fain,
Then from many a maid who sat there no hatred his prayer would gain,
No true woman shall e'er be wrathful if a true man for help shall pray,
For ever the right she holdeth to yield, or to say him 'Nay,'
And if labour win joy for payment then such guerdon shall true love give— 525
And I speak but as in my lifetime I have seen many true folk live—
And service sat there by rewarding, for in sooth 'tis a gracious thing
When a knight may his lady hearken, for joy shall such hearing bring.

And Feirefis sat by King Arthur, nor would either prince delay
To the question each asked the other courteous answer to make straightway— 530
Quoth King Arthur, 'May God be praised, for He honoureth us I ween,
Since this day within our circle so gallant a guest is seen,
No knight hath Christendom welcomed to her shores from a heathen land
Whom, an he desired my service, I had served with such willing hand!'

Quoth Feirefis to King Arthur, 'Misfortune hath left my side, 535
Since the day that my goddess Juno, with fair winds and a favouring tide,
Led my sail to this Western kingdom! Methinks that thou bearest thee
In such wise as he should of whose valour many tales have been told to me;
If indeed thou art called King Arthur, then know that in many a land
Thy name is both known and honoured, and thy fame o'er all knights doth stand.' 540