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

by von Eschenbach Wolfram

Carbuncle and Balas ruby, Silenite, and Chalcedony,
Gagatromeus, Onyx, Coral, and Bestion, fair to see.
And there too were Pearl and Opal, Ceraunius and Epistites,
Jerachites, Heliotropia, Panterus, Agate, and Emathites. 70
Antrodragma, Praseme, and Saddae, Dionisia and Celidon,
Sardonyx and red Cornelian, Jasper and Calcofon.
Echites, Iris, Gagates, and Lyncurium, with many more,
Asbestos and Cecolithus, and Jacinth, that rich couch bore.
Galactida, Orites, Enydrus, and Emerald, glowing green, 75
Absist and Alabanda, and Chrysolect had ye seen.
Hiennia, Sapphire, Pyrites, and beside them, here and there,
Turquoise, and Lipparèa, Chrysolite, and Ruby fair—
Paleisen, Sardius, Diamond, Chrysoprasis, and Malachite,
Diadoch, Peanite, and Medus with Beryl and Topaze bright. 80

And many they taught high courage, and others such virtue knew
That healing skill they taught men, and fresh life from their power they drew.
And many their strength won from them, if aright they might use their art,
And therewith would they tend Anfortas whom they loved with a faithful heart—
And great grief had he brought his people, yet joy soon his lot shall be— 85
To Terre de Salväsch from Ioflanz he rideth to speak him free,
Parzival, with the maid and his brother, nor in truth did I ever hear
The distance these three had journeyed ere they drew to the Burg anear;
But conflict had been their portion had Kondrie not been their guide,
But afar from all strife did she hold them, and in peace on their way they ride. 90

So came they at length to an outpost—Then swiftly towards them sped
Many Templars well armed and mounted, and right soon they the truth had read,
And they knew by the guide that succour at last to their walls should draw,
And the Captain he spake out gladly as the Turtle-doves he saw
Gleam fair on Kondrie's vesture, 'Now an end hath it found, our grief, 95
With the sign of the Grail he cometh who shall bring to our king relief,
The knight we have looked and have longed for since the dawn of our sorrow's day—
Stand ye still, for great gladness cometh, and our mourning is past away!'

Feirefis Angevin would urge him, his brother, to joust to ride,
But Kondrie, she grasped his bridle, lest conflict should there betide, 100
And the maiden, true but unlovely, spake thus unto Parzival,
'Shield and banner, thou sure shouldst know them, of the Grail are these heroes all,
And ready to do thee service.' Then out spake the heathen bold,
'If so it shall be, from battle mine hand may I well withhold.'

Then Parzival prayed that Kondrie would ride forward, the knights to meet, 105
And she rode, and she spake of the gladness that neared them with flying feet.
And, one and all, the Templars sprang straightway unto the ground,
And from off their head the helmet in the self-same hour unbound,
And Parzival they greeted, and they were in his greeting blest,
And Feirefis they welcomed as befitted a noble guest. 110
And then with the twain to Monsalväsch the Templars they took their way;
Though they wept, yet methinks that gladness was the fount of their tears that day.

And a countless folk they found there, many grey-haired knights and old,
And pages of noble bearing, and of servants, a host untold.
And sad were the folk and mournful, whom their coming might well rejoice, 115
And Parzival and his brother they welcomed with friendly voice,
And kindly did they receive them, without, in the palace court,
At the foot of the noble stairway, and the knights to the hall they brought.

And, e'en as was there the custom, a hundred carpets round,
Each one with a couch upon it, were spread there upon the ground; 120
And each couch bare a velvet covering, and methinks, if the twain had wit,
The while that the squires disarmed them 'twould pleasure them there to sit.
And a chamberlain came towards them, and he brought to them vesture fair,
And each should be clad as the other, and many a knight sat there.
And they bare many precious vessels of gold, (none I ween was glass,) 125
And the twain they drank, and upstood them to get them to Anfortas.

And this have ye heard of aforetime, how he lay, for he scarce might sit,
And the couch and its goodly decking, forsooth have ye read of it.
And the twain did Anfortas welcome with gladness, and yet with grief,
And he spake, 'O'er-long have I waited tho' I win from thine hand relief; 130
But a while ago didst thou leave me in such wise, art thou true of heart,
And thinkest to aid my sorrow, thou must have in repentance part.
If e'er men have praised thy valour, then be thou to my woe a friend,
And pray of these knights and maidens that death may my torment end;
If Parzival men shall call thee, then forbid me the Grail to see 135
Seven nights and eight days, and I wot well my wailing shall silenced be!
Nor further I dare to warn thee—Well for thee if thou help canst bring!
A stranger shall be thy comrade, and I think it an evil thing
That thus he doth stand before me, say wherefore no thought dost take
For his comfort, and bid him seat him?' Then Parzival, weeping, spake: 140

'Now say where the Grail It lieth? If God's mercy He think to show,
And it be o'er His wrath the victor, this folk, they shall surely know!'
Then three times on his knee he bowed him in the Name of the Trinity,
And three times he prayed that the sorrow of Anfortas should ended be,
Then he stood upright, and he turned him to the monarch, and thus he spake: 145
'What aileth thee here, mine uncle?' He who Lazarus from death did wake,
And by the mouth of His saint, Sylvester, a dead beast to life did bring,
Wrought healing and strength on Anfortas—and all men beheld the king,
And what French folk shall know as 'Florie' it shone on his face so fair,
And Parzival's manly beauty was but as the empty air! 150
Yea, Vergulacht, Askalon's monarch, and Absalom, David's son,
And all who the dower of beauty as their birthright shall e'er have won—
E'en Gamuret, as men saw him draw near unto Kanvoleis,
So wondrous fair to look on—they were naught unto all men's eyes
When matched with the radiant beauty that forth from his bitter woe 155
He bare, the King Anfortas—such skill God doth surely know!

No choice was there for the Templars since the writing upon the Grail
Had named unto them their ruler, and Parzival did they hail
Their king and their lord henceforward; and I ween ye in vain would seek
Would ye find two men as wealthy, if of riches I here may speak, 160
As Parzival and his brother, Feirefis Angevin—
And many a proffered service the host and his guest did win.