Chapter XVII: Book IX: Trevrezent (2)

'They who took no part in the conflict, when Lucifer would
fight 665
With the Three-in-One, those angels were cast forth from
Heaven's height.
To the earth they came at God's bidding, and that wondrous
stone did tend,
Nor was It less pure for their service, yet their task found
at last an end.
I know not if God forgave them, or if they yet deeper fell,
This one thing I know of a surety, what God doeth, He doeth
well! 670
But ever since then to this service nor maiden nor knight
shall fail,
For God calleth them all as shall please Him!--and so
standeth it with the Grail!'
Quoth Parzival, 'So, since knighthood may conquer, with spear
and shield,
Both the fame of _this_ life, and the blessing which Paradise
shall yield,
Since my soul ever longed for knighthood, and I fought
where'er strife might be, 675
And my right hand hath neared full often the guerdon of
victory,
If God be the God of battles, if He know how a man should
fight,
Let Him name me as one of His servants, of the Grail let Him
make me knight!
They shall own that I fear no danger, nor from strife would I
turn aside!'
But the hermit made answer gently, 'First must thou beware of
pride, 680
For lightly may youth mislead thee; and the grace of humility
Mayst thou lose, and the proud God doth punish, as full
surely is known to me!'
And tears filled his eyes to o'erflowing, and his sad
thoughts awhile did turn
To a story of old, and our hero he bade from its lesson
learn.

And he quoth, 'Sir Knight, at Monsalväsch a king reigned in
days of yore, 685
His name all men know as Anfortas, and I weep for him
evermore.
Yea, and thou too shalt mourn his sorrow, for bitter the woe,
I ween,
And the torment of heart and body that his guerdon from pride
hath been.
For his youth and his worldly riches they led him an evil
road,
And he sought for Frau Minne's favour in paths where no peace
abode.' 690

'But the Grail all such ways forbiddeth, and both knight
alike and squire
Who serve the Grail must guard them from the lust of untamed
desire.
By meekness their pride must be conquered, if they look for a
heavenly prize,
And the brotherhood holdeth hidden the Grail from all
stranger eyes:
By their warlike skill and prowess the folk from the lands
around, 695
They keep afar, and none knoweth where the Grail and Its Burg
are found
Save those whom the Grail shall summon within Monsalväsch'
wall--
Yet _one_, uncalled, rode thither and evil did then befall,
For foolish he was, and witless, and sin-laden from thence
did fare,
Since he asked not his host of his sorrow and the woe that he
saw him bear. 700
No man would I blame, yet _this_ man, I ween, for his sins
must pay,
Since he asked not the longed-for question which all sorrow
had put away.
(Sore laden his host with suffering, earth knoweth no greater
pain.)
And before him King Lähelein came there, and rode to the Lake
Brimbane.
Libbèals, the gallant hero, a joust there was fain to ride, 705
And Lähelein lifeless left him, on the grass by the
water-side,
(Prienlaskors, methinks, was his birthplace) and his slayer
then led away
His charger, so men knew the evil thus wrought by his hand
that day.'

'And I think me, Sir Knight, _thou_ art Lähelein? For thou
gavest unto my care
A steed that such token showeth as the steeds of the Grail
Knights bear! 710
For the white dove I see on its housing, from Monsalväsch it
surely came?
Such arms did Anfortas give them while joy yet was his and
fame.
Their shields bare of old the token, Titurel gave it to his
son
Frimutel, and such shield bare that hero when his death in a
joust he won.
For his wife did he love so dearly no woman was loved so well 715
By man, yet in truth and honour,--and the same men of thee
shall tell
If thou wakenest anew old customs, and thy wife from thine
heart dost love--
Hold thou fast to such fair example lest thy steps from the
right path rove!
And in sooth thou art wondrous like him who once o'er the
Grail did reign,
Say, what is thy race? whence art thou? and tell me I pray
thy name!' 720

Each gazed for a space on the other, and thus quoth Parzival,
'Son am I to a king and hero who through knightly courage
fell,
In a joust was he slain--Now I pray thee, Sir Hermit, of this
thy grace,
That thou, in thy prayers henceforward, wilt give to his name
a place.
Know, Gamuret, did they call him, and he came from fair
Anjou-- 725
Sir Host I am not Lähelein; if ever such sin I knew
'Twas in my days of folly, yet in truth have I done the same,
Here I make of my guilt confession, and my sin unto thee I
name,
For the prince who once fell a victim unto my sinful hand
Was he whom men called 'the Red Knight,' Prince Ither of
Cumberland. 730
On the greensward I lifeless stretched him, and as at my feet
he lay,
Harness, and horse, and weapons, as my booty I bare away!'

Spake the host as his words were ended, (the tale he ill
pleased must hear,)
'Ah! world, wherefore deal thus with us? since sorrow and
grief and fear
Far more than delight dost thou give us! Say, is this thy
reward alone? 735
For ever the song that thou singest doth end in a mournful
tone!'
And he spake, 'O thou son of my sister, what rede may I give
to thee?
Since the knight thou hast slain in thy folly, thy flesh and
thy blood was he!
If thou, blood-guiltiness bearing, shalt dare before God to
stand,
For one blood were ye twain, to God's justice thy life shall
repay thine hand. 740
Say, for Ither of Gaheviess fallen, what payment dost think
to give?
The crown he of knightly honour! God gave him, while he might
live.
All that decketh man's life; for all evil his true heart did
truly mourn,
True balsam was he of the faithful, to honour and glory born.
And shame fled before his coming, and truth in his heart did
dwell, 745
And for love of his lovely body many women shall hate thee
well!
For well did they love his coming, and to serve them he aye
was fain,
But their eyes that shone fair for his fairness he ne'er
shall rejoice again!
Now, may God show His mercy to thee whose hand hath such evil
wrought,
Herzeleide the queen, thy mother, thou too to her death hast
brought--' 750
'Nay! Nay! not so, holy father! What sayest thou?' quoth
Parzival,
'Of what dost thou here accuse me? Were I king o'er the
wondrous Grail
Not all Its countless riches would repay me if this be sooth,
These words that thy lips have spoken! And yet if I, in very
truth,
Be son unto thy sister, then show that thou mean'st me well, 755
And say, without fear or falsehood, are these things true
that thou dost tell?'

Then the hermit he spake in answer, 'Ne'er learnt I to
deceive,
Thy mother she died of sorrow in the day thou her side didst
leave,
Such rewarding her love won for her! _Thou_ wast the beast
that hung
On her breast, the wingèd dragon that forth from her body
sprung, 760
That spread its wings and left her: in a dream was it all
foretold
Ere yet the sorrowing mother the babe to her breast did
hold!'

'And two other sisters had I, Schoisianè she was one;
She bare a child--Woe is me, her death thro' this birth she
won!
Duke Kiot of Katelangen was her husband, and since that day 765
All wordly joy and honour he putteth from him away.
Siguné, their little daughter, was left to thy mother's care:
And sorrow for Schoisianè in my heart do I ever bear!
So true was her heart and faithful, an ark 'gainst the flood
of sin.
A maiden, my other sister, her pure life doth honour win, 770
For the Grail she ever tendeth--Repanse de Schoie, her name,
Tho' none from Its place may move It whose heart showeth
taint of shame,
In _her_ hands is It light as a feather--And brother unto us
twain
Is Anfortas, by right of heirship he king o'er the Grail doth
reign;
And he knoweth not joy, but sorrow, yet one hope I ween is
his, 775
That his pain shall at last be turnèd to delight and to
endless bliss.
And wondrous the tale of his sorrow, as, nephew, I'll tell to
thee,
And if true be thine heart and faithful his grief shall thy
sorrow be!'

'When he died, Frimutel, our father, they chose them his
eldest son
As Lord of the Grail and Its knighthood, thus Anfortas his
kingdom won, 780
And of riches and crown was he worthy, and we were but
children still--
When he came to the years of manhood, when love joyeth to
work her will
On the heart, and his lips were fringèd with the down of
early youth,
Frau Minne laid stress upon him who for torment hath little
ruth.
But if love the Grail King seeketh other than he find writ, 785
'Tis a sin, and in sorrow and sighing full sore shall he pay
for it!'

'And my lord and brother chose him a lady for service fair,
Noble and true he deemed her, I say not what name she bare;
Well he fought in that lady's honour, and cowardice from him
fled,
And his hand many a shield-rim shattered, by love's fire was
he venture led. 790
So high stood his fame that no hero in knightly lands afar
Could he brook to be thought his equal, so mighty his deeds
of war,
And his battle-cry was "Amor," yet it seemeth unto me
Not all too well such cry suiteth with a life of humility.'

'One day as the king rode lonely, in search of some venture
high 795
(Sore trouble it brought upon us,) with love's payment for
victory,
For love's burden lay heavy on him, in a joust was he wounded
sore
With a poisoned spear, so that healing may be wrought on him
nevermore.
For thine uncle, the King Anfortas, he was smitten thro' the
thigh
By a heathen who with him battled, for he jousted right
skilfully. 800
He came from the land of Ethnisé, where forth from fair
Paradise
Flow the streams of the River Tigris, and he thought him,
that heathen wise,
He should win the Grail, and should hold It--On his spear had
he graven his name,
From afar sought he deeds of knighthood, over sea and land he
came.
The fame of the Grail drew him thither, and evil for us his
strife, 805
His hand joy hath driven from us and clouded with grief our
life!'

'But thine uncle had battled bravely and men praised his name
that day--
With the spear-shaft yet fast in his body he wended his
homeward way.
And weeping arose and wailing as he came once again to his
own,
And dead on the field lay his foeman, nor did we for his
death make moan!' 810

'When the king came, all pale and bloodless, and feeble of
strength and limb,
Then a leech stretched his hand to the spear-wound, and the
iron he found fast within,
With the hilt, wrought of reed, and hollow, and the twain
from the wound he drew.
Then I fell on my knees, and I vowed me to God, with a heart
so true,
That henceforward the pride of knighthood, and its fame,
would I know no more, 815
If but God would behold my brother and would succour his need
so sore.
Then flesh, wine, and bread I forswore there, and all food
that by blood might live,
That lust might no longer move me my life I to God would
give,
And I tell thee, O son of my sister, that the wailing arose
anew
When my weapons I put from off me and ungirded my sword so
true, 820
And they spake, 'Who shall guard our mysteries? who shall
watch o'er the wondrous Grail?'
And tears fell from the eyes of the maidens, but their
weeping might naught avail!

'To the Grail, then, they bare Anfortas, if Its virtue might
bring relief;
But, alas! when his eyes beheld It yet heavier waxed his
grief
As the life sprang afresh within him, and he knew that he
might not die; 825
And he liveth, while here I hide me in this life of humility,
And the power of the Grail, and Its glory, with their monarch
have waxen weak.
For the venom, his wound that poisoned, tho' the leeches
their books did seek
Yet found they nor help nor healing--Yea, all that their
skill might learn
'Gainst the poison of Aspis, Elkontius, of Liseis, and
Ecidemon, 830
All spells 'gainst the worm empoisoned, 'gainst Jecis or
Meàtris;
Or all that a wise man knoweth of roots or of herbs; I wis
Naught was there in all might help him; nor rede I a longer
tale
Since _God_ willeth not his healing what man's skill may
aught avail?'

'Then we sent to the mystic waters, in a far-off land they
rise, 835
Pison, Gihon, Tigris, Euphrates, the rivers of Paradise,
And so near they flow that the perfumes which breathe from
its scented air
Shall yet to their streams be wafted--If their waters
perchance might bear
Some plant from the wondrous garden that might succour us in
our woe,
But vain thought, and fruitless labour, fresh sorrow our
heart did know!' 840

'Nor here did we end our labour, for again for the bough we
sought
Which the Sibyl unto Æneas as a shield 'gainst Hell's dangers
brought.
'Gainst the smoke and the fire of Phlegethon, and the rivers
that flow in Hell
Would it guard, and for long we sought it, for we thought, if
such chance befell
That the spear in Hell-fire was welded, and the poison from
Hell did spring 845
That thus of our joy had robbed us, then this bough might
salvation bring!'

'But Hell, it knew naught of the poison! There liveth a
wondrous bird
Who loveth too well her fledglings--Of the Pelican's love we
heard,
How she teareth her breast and feedeth her young with the
quickening food
Of her own life-blood, and then dieth--So we took of that
bird the blood, 850
Since we thought that her love might help us, and we laid it
upon the sore
As best we could--Yet, I wot well, no virtue for us it bore!'

'A strange beast, the Unicorn, liveth, and it doth in such
honour keep
The heart of a spotless maiden that it oft at her knee will
sleep.
And the heart of that beast we took us, and we took us the
red-fire stone 855
That lies 'neath its horn, if the king's wound might its
healing virtue own.
And we laid on the wound the carbuncle, and we put it the
wound within,
Yet still was the sore empoisoned nor aid from the stone
might win!'

'And sore with the king we sorrowed--Then a magic herb we
found,
(Men say, from the blood of a dragon it springeth from out
the ground,) 860
With the stars, and the wind, and the heaven, close-bound,
doth it win its power,
Lest perchance, by the flight of the dragon, when the stars
bring the circling hour,
And the moon draweth near to her changing, (for sorer then
grows the pain,)
The herb might our grief have aided--Yet its magic we sought
in vain!'

'Then the knights of the Grail knelt lowly, and for help to
the Grail they prayed, 865
And, behold! the mystic writing, and a promise it brought of
aid,
For a knight should come to the castle, and so soon as he
asked the king
Of the woe that so sorely pained him his question should
healing bring.
But let them beware, man or maiden, or child, should they
warn the knight
Of his task, he no healing bringeth, greater waxeth the
sorrow's might. 870
And the writing it ran, 'Ye shall mark this, forewarning
shall bring but ill,
And in the first night of his coming must the healer his task
fulfil,
Or the question shall lose its virtue; but if at the chosen
hour
He shall speak, _his_ shall be the kingdom, and the evil hath
lost its power.
So the hand of the Highest sendeth to Anfortas the end of
woe, 875
Yet _King_ shall he be no longer tho' healing and bliss he
know.'

'Thus we read in the Grail that our sorrow should come to an
end that day
That the knight should come who the meaning of the grief that
he saw should pray--
Then salve of Nard we took us, and Teriak, and the wound we
dressed,
And we burnt wood of Lignum Aloe for so might the king find
rest. 880
Yet ever he suffereth sorely--Then fled I unto this place,
And my life little gladness knoweth till my brother hath
gotten grace.
And the knight, he hath come, and hath left us, and ill for
us all that day,
(But now did I speak of his coming,) sorrow-laden he rode
away,
For he saw his host's woe and asked not, 'What aileth thee
here, mine host?' 885
Since his folly such words forbade him great bliss shall he
there have lost!'

Then awhile did they mourn together till the mid-day hour
drew near,
And the host spake, 'We must be seeking for food, and thine
horse, I fear,
As yet shall be lacking fodder; nor know I how we shall feed
If not God in His goodness show us the herbs that shall serve
our need, 890
My kitchen but seldom smoketh! Forgive thou the lack to-day,
And abide here, so long as shall please thee, if thy journey
shall brook delay.
Of plants and of herbs would I teach thee much lore, if so be
the grass
Were not hidden by snow--God grant us that this cold may be
soon o'erpast--
Now break we yew-boughs for thy charger, far better its fare
hath been 895
Erewhile 'neath the roof of Monsalväsch than shall here be
its lot I ween!
Yet never a host shall ye meet with who rider alike and steed
Would as gladly bid share of his substance as I, had I all ye
need!'
Then the twain they went forth on their errand--Parzival for
his steed had care,
While the hermit for roots was seeking since no better might
be their fare; 900
And the host his rule forgat not, he ate naught, whate'er he
found,
Till the ninth hour, but ever hung them, as he drew them from
out the ground,
On the nearest shrub, and there left them; many days he but
ill might fare
For God's honour, since oft he lost them, the shrubs which
his roots did bear.

Nor grudged they aught of their labour: then they knelt by
the streamlet's flow, 905
And the roots and the herbs they washed there, and no
laughter their lips might know.
Then their hands they washed, and the yew-boughs Parzival
together bound
And bare them unto his charger ere the cavern again he found;
Then the twain by the fireside sat them, nor further might
food be brought,
Nor on roast nor on boiled they fed them, nor found in their
kitchen aught. 910
Yet so true was the love and the honour Parzival to the
hermit bare
That he deemed he enough had eaten, and no better had been
his fare
With Gurnemanz of Graharz, or e'en in Monsalväsch hall,
When the maidens passed fair before him and the Grail fed
them each and all.

Then his kindly host quoth, 'Nephew, despise not this food,
for know 915
Lightly thou shalt not find one who shall favour and kindness
show,
Of true heart, without fear of evil, as fain would I show to
thee.'
And Parzival quoth, 'May God's favour henceforward ne'er
light on me
If food ever better pleased me, or I ate with a better will
What a host ever set before me, such fare doth content me
still.' 920

Their hands they need not wash them for such food as before
them lay,
'Twas no fish, that their eyes had harmèd as men oft are wont
to say.
And were I or hawk or falcon I had lent me to the chase,
Nor stooped to the lure unwilling, nor fled from my master's
face,
But an they no better fed me than at noontide they fed, these
twain, 925
I had spread my wings right swiftly, nor come to their call
again!
Why mock at this folk so faithful? 'Twas ever my way of old--
Yet ye know why, forsaking riches, they chose to them want
and cold,
And the lack of all things joyful, such sorrow and grief of
heart
They bare of true heart, God-fearing, nor had they in
falsehood part;
And thus from the hand of the Highest they won payment for
grief and woe, 930
And alike should the twain God's favour, as of old, so
hereafter know.

Then up stood they again, and they gat them, Parzival and the
holy man,
To the steed in its rocky stable, and full sadly the host
began
As he spake to the noble charger, 'Woe is me for thy scanty
fare, 935
For the sake of the saddle upon thee and the token I see thee
bear!'

When their care for the horse was ended, then sorrow sprang
forth anew,
Quoth Parzival, 'Host and uncle, my folly I needs must rue,
And fain would I tell the story if for shame I the word may
speak;
Forgive me, I pray, of thy kindness, since in thee do I
comfort seek, 940
For sorely, I ween, have I sinnèd; if thou canst no comfort
find
No peace may be mine, but for ever the chains of remorse
shall bind.
Of true heart shalt thou mourn my folly--He who to
Monsalväsch rode,
He who saw Anfortas' sorrow, he who spake not the healing
word,
'Twas I, child and heir of misfortune, 'twas I, Parzival,
alone, 945
Ill have I wrought, and I know not how I may for such ill
atone!'

Spake the hermit, 'Alas! my nephew, thou speakest the words
of woe,
Vanished our joy, and sorrow henceforth must we grasp and
know,
Since folly of bliss betrayed thee: senses five did God give
to thee,
And methinks, in the hour of thy testing, their counsel
should better be. 950
Why guarded they not thine honour, and thy love as a man to
men,
In the hour that thou satst by Anfortas? Of a truth hadst
thou spoken then!'

'Nor would I deny thee counsel; mourn not for thy fault too
sore,
Thou shalt, in a fitting measure, bewail thee, and grief give
o'er.
For strange are the ways, and fitful, of mankind, oft is
youth too wise 955
And old age turneth back to folly, and darkened are wisdom's
eyes,
And the fruit of a life lieth forfeit, while green youth doth
wax old and fade--
Not in this wise true worth shall be rooted, and payment in
praise be paid.
Thine youth would I see fresh blooming, and thine heart
waxing strong and bold,
While thou winnest anew thine honour, nor dost homage from
God withhold. 960
For thus might it chance unto thee to win for thyself such
fame
As shall make amends for thy sorrow, and God thee, as His
knight, shall claim!'

'Thro' my mouth would God teach thee wisdom; now say, didst
thou see the spear,
In that wondrous Burg of Monsalväsch? As ever the time draws
near
When Saturn his journey endeth--(that time by the wound we
know, 965
And yet by another token, by the fall of the summer snow)
Then sorely the frost doth pain him, thy king and uncle dear,
And deep in the wound empoisoned once more do they plunge the
spear,
One woe shall help the other, the spear cure the frost's
sharp pain,
And crimson it grows with his life-blood ere men draw it
forth again!' 970

'When the stars return in their orbit, then the wailing it
waxeth sore,
When they stand in opposition, or each to the other draw.
And the moon, in its waxing and waning, it causeth him bitter
pain--
In the time that I erst have told thee then the king little
rest may gain;
His flesh thro' the frost it groweth colder than e'en the
snow, 975
But men know that the spear sharp-pointed doth with fiery
venom glow,
And upon the wound they lay it, and the frost from his flesh
so cold
It draweth, and lo! as crystals of glass to the spear doth
hold,
And as ice to the iron it clingeth, and none looseth it from
the blade.
Then Trebuchet the smith bethought him, in his wisdom two
knives he made, 980
Of silver fair he wrought them, and sharp was the edge and
keen--
(A spell on the king's sword written had taught him such
skill I ween,)
Tho' no flame on earth can kindle Asbestos, as men do tell,
And never a fire may harm it, if these crystals upon it fell
Then the flame would leap and kindle and burn with a fiery
glow 985
Till th' Asbestos lay in ashes, such power doth this poison
know!'

'The king, he rideth never, nor yet may he walk, or lie,
And he sitteth not, but, reclining, in tears his sad days
pass by.
And the moon's changes work him evil--To a lake they call
Brimbane
They bear him full oft for fishing that the breezes may
soothe his pain. 990
This he calleth his day for hunting, tho' what booty shall be
his share,
And he vex himself to gain it, for his host 'twould be meagre
fare!
And from this there sprang the story that he should but a
Fisher be,
Tho little he recked the fable, no merchant I ween was he
Of salmon or aye of lamprey, he had chosen far other game 995
Were he freed from the load of sorrow and the burden of
bitter pain.'

Quoth Parzival, 'So I found him; the king's skiff at anchor
lay,
And for pastime, e'en as a fisher, the even he wore away;
And many a mile had I ridden that day, since from Pelrapär
When the sun stood high in the heaven, at noontide I forth
must fare; 1000
And at even I much bethought me where my shelter that night
might be,
Then my uncle did fair entreat me, and my host for a space
was he.'

'A perilous way didst thou ride there,' spake the host, 'one
that well they guard
Those Templars, nor strength nor cunning brings a traveller
thro' their ward,
For danger full oft besets him, and oft he his life shall
lose, 1005
Life against life is their penance, all quarter these knights
refuse.'

'Yet scatheless I passed that woodland in the day that I
found the king
By the lake,' quoth the knight, 'and at even his palace with
grief did ring,
And sure, as they mourned, I think me, no folk ever mourned
before!
In the hall rose the voice of wailing as a squire sprang
within the door, 1010
And a spear in his hand he carried, and to each of the walls
he stept,
Red with blood was the spear, as they saw it, the people they
mourned and wept.'

Then answered the host, 'Far sorer than before was the
monarch's pain,
In this wise did he learn the tidings that Saturn drew near
again,
And the star with a sharp frost cometh, and it helpeth no
whit to lay 1015
The spear on the sore as aforetime, in the wound must it
plunge alway!
When that star standeth high in heaven the wound shall its
coming know
Afore, tho' the earth shall heed not, nor token of frost
shall show.
But the cold it came, and the snow-flakes fell thick in the
following night
Tho' the season was spring, and the winter was vanquished by
summer's might. 1020
As the frost to the king brought sorrow and pain, so his
people true
Were of joy bereft, as the moment of his anguish thus nearer
drew.'

And Trevrezent quoth, 'In sorrow that folk hath both lot and
part,
When the spear thro' the king's wound pierceth, it pierceth
each faithful heart.
And their love to their lord, and their sorrow, such tears
from their eyelids drew 1025
That, methinks, in those bitter waters had they been baptized
anew.'

Spake Parzival unto the hermit, 'Five-and-twenty they were,
the maids
I saw stand before the monarch, and courteous their part they
played.'
And the host spake, 'By God's high counsel such maidens alone
avail
For the care of this wondrous mystery, and do service before
the Grail. 1030
And the Grail, It chooseth strictly, and Its knights must be
chaste and pure,--
When the star standeth high in the heaven then grief must
that folk endure,
And the young they mourn as the aged, and God's wrath it
lasts for aýe,
And ne'er to their supplication doth He hearken and answer
"Yea."'

'And, nephew, this thing would I tell thee, and my word shalt
thou well believe, 1035
They who to the Grail do service, they take, and again they
give.
For they take to them tittle children, noble of birth and
race--
If a land be without a ruler, and its people shall seek God's
Face
And crave of His Hand a monarch, then He hearkeneth to their
prayer,
And a knight, from the Grail host chosen, as king to that
land doth fare. 1040
And well shall he rule that people, and happy shall be that
land,
For the blessing of God goeth with him and God's wisdom doth
guide his hand.'

'God sendeth the _men_ in secret, but the _maidens_ in light
of day
Are given unto their husbands; thus none spake to his wooing,
Nay,
When King Kastis wooed Herzeleide, but joyful our sister
gave, 1045
Yet ne'er might her love rejoice him for Death dug at his
feet a grave.
But in life had he given thy mother both Norgals and fair
Waleis,
Those kingdoms twain and their cities, Kingrivals and
Kanvoleis.
'Twas a fair gift, and known of all men--Then they rode on
their homeward way,
But Death met them upon their journey, and he made of the
king his prey, 1050
And over both Waleis and Norgals Herzeleide, as queen, did
reign,
Till Gamuret's right hand valiant won the maid, and her
kingdoms twain.'

'Thus the Grail Its maidens giveth, in the day, and the sight
of men,
But It sendeth Its knights in the silence and their children
It claims again,--
To the host of the Grail are they counted, Grail servants
they all shall be, 1055
So the will of God standeth written on the Grail for all men
to see.'

'He who would to the Grail do service, he shall women's love
forswear:
A wife shall none have save the Grail king, and his wife a
pure heart must bear,
And those others whom God's Hand sendeth, as king, to a
kingless land--
But little I recked such counsel, to love's service I vowed
my hand, 1060
As the pride of my youth constrained me, and the beauty of
woman's eyes,
And I rode full oft in her service, and I battled for
knighthood's prize.
Fain was I for wild adventure, on jousting no more I thought,
So fair shone the love-light on me ever fiercer the strife I
sought.
And thro' far-off lands and distant, in the service of love I
fared, 1065
And to win sweet love's rewarding right valiant the deeds I
dared.
If heathen my foe or Christian, what mattered it unto me?
The fiercer the strife that beset me, the fairer my prize
should be!'

'And thus, for the love of woman, in three parts of the earth
I fought,
In Europe, and far-off Asia, and in Afric' I honour sought. 1070
If for gallant jousting I lusted I fought before Gaurivon;
By the mystic Mount of Fay-Morgan I many a joust have run.
And I fought by the Mount Agremontin, where are fiery men and
fierce,
Yet the other side they burn not tho' their spears thro' the
shield can pierce.
In Rohas I sought for ventures, and Slavs were my foemen
then, 1075
With lances they came against me and I trow they were gallant
men!'

'From Seville I took my journey, and I sailed o'er the
tideless sea
Unto Sicily, since thro' Friant and Aquilea should my journey
be.
Alas! alas! woe is me, for I met with thy father there,
I found him, and looked upon him, ere I from Seville must
fare. 1080
For e'en as I came to the city he there for a space abode,
And my heart shall be sore for his journey, since thence to
Bagdad he rode,
And there, as thyself hast spoken, in a knightly joust he
fell,
And for ever my heart must mourn him, and my tongue of his
praises tell!'
'A rich man shall be my brother, nor silver nor gold would
spare 1085
When in secret I forth from Monsalväsch at his will and his
word did fare;
For I took me his royal signet, and to Karkobra I came,
Where Plimizöl to the wide sea floweth, and the land,
Barbigöl, they name.
And the Burg-grave he knew the token, ere I rode from the
town again
Of horses and squires, as failed me, he raised me a gallant
train, 1090
And we rode thence to wild adventures, and to many a knightly
deed,
For nothing had he begrudged me of aught that might serve my
need.
Alone came I unto the city, and there at my journey's end
Did I leave those who had fared thence with me, and alone to
Monsalväsch wend.'

'Now hearken to me, my nephew, when thy father first saw my
face 1095
Of old in Seville's fair city, there did he such likeness
trace
To his wife, fair Herzeleide, that he would me as brother
claim,
Tho' never before had he seen me, and secret I held my name.
And in sooth was I fair to look on, as ever a man might be,
And my face by no beard was hidden; and sweetly he spake to
me, 1100
When he sought me within my dwelling--Yet many an oath I
swore
And many a word of denial, yet ever he pressed me more
Till in secret at last I told him, his kinsman was I in
truth,
And greatly did he rejoice him when he knew that his words
were sooth!'

'A jewel he gave unto me, and I gave to him at his will; 1105
Thou sawest my shrine, green shall grass be, yet that shineth
greener still,
'Twas wrought from the stone he gave me--and a better gift he
gave,
For his nephew as squire he left me, Prince Ither, the true
and brave.
His heart such lore had taught him that falsehood his face
did flee,
The King of Cumberland was he, who, thou sayest, was slain by
thee. 1110
Then no longer might we delay us, but we parted, alas! for
aye.
He rode to the land of Baruch, unto Rohas I took my way.

'In Celli three weeks I battled, and I deemed 'twas enough
for fame,
From Rohas I took my journey and unto Gandein I came,
('Twas that town from which first thy grandsire, his name of
Gandein did take,) 1115
And many a deed did Ither, and men of his prowess spake.
And the town lieth near the river, where Graien and Drave
they meet,
And the waters I ween are golden,--there Ither found guerdon
sweet,
For thine aunt, Lamire, she loved him, she was queen of that
fair land,
Gandein of Anjou, her father, he gave it unto her hand. 1120
And Lamire was her name, but her country shall be Styria to
this day--
And many a land must he traverse who seeketh for knightly
fray.'

'It grieveth me sore for my red squire, men honoured me for
his sake,
And Ither was thy near kinsman tho' of _that_ thou small heed
didst take!
Yet God _He_ hath not forgotten, and thy deed shall He count
for sin, 1125
And I wot thou shalt first do penance ere thou to His peace
shalt win.
And, weeping, this truth I tell thee, two mortal sins shall
lie
On thine heart, thou hast slain thy kinsman, and thy mother,
thro' thee, must die.
And in sooth shalt thou sore bewail her; in the day thou
didst leave her side,
So great was her love, and faithful, that for grief at thy
loss she died. 1130
Now do thou as here I rede thee, repent thee and pay sin's
cost,
That thy conflict on earth well ended thy soul be not ever
lost.'

Then the host he quoth full kindly, 'Nephew, now say the
word,
Whence hast thou yon gallant charger? Not yet I the tale have
heard!'
'In a joust, Sir Host, did I win it, when I rode from
Siguné's cell 1135
In a gallop I smote the rider and he from the saddle fell,
And the steed was mine, I rode hence,--from Monsalväsch he
came, the knight.'
Quoth the host, 'Is the man yet living who thus with thee did
fight?'
'Yea, I saw him fly before me, and beside me stood his
steed.'
'Nay, if thou in such wise dost bear thee thou art scant of
wit indeed! 1140
The Grail-knights dost thou rob, and thinkest their
friendship thereby to win?'
'Nay, my uncle, in strife I won it, and he who shall count it
sin
Let him ask how the thing hath chanced thus, 'twas a fair
fight we fought, we twain,
Nor was it for naught that I took it, for first had my steed
been slain!'

Quoth Parzival, 'Who was the maiden who the Grail in her
hands did bear, 1145
Her mantle, that eve, she lent me?'--Quoth the hermit, 'That
lady fair
Is thine aunt, if her robe she lent thee of the loan shalt
thou not be vain,
For surely she deemed that hereafter thou shouldst there as
monarch reign.
And the Grail, and herself, yea and I too, should honour thee
as our lord:
And a gift didst thou take from thine uncle, for he gave
thee, I ween, a sword, 1150
And sin hast thou won in the wearing, since thy lips, which
to speak are fain,
There spake not the mystic question which had loosened his
sorrow's chain,
And that sin shalt thou count to the other, for 'tis time
that we lay us down.
Nor couches nor cushions had they, but they laid them upon
the ground,
And for bedding the rushes served them--too humble, I ween,
such bed 1155
For men of a race so noble, yet they deemed they were not
ill-sped.

Then twice seven days he abode there, with the hermit his lot
did share,
And the herb of the ground was his portion--yet he sought not
for better fare,
Right gladly he bare such hardness that should bring to him
food so sweet,
For as priest did his host absolve him, and as knight gave
him counsel meet! 1160

Quoth Parzival to the hermit, 'Say who shall he be, who lay
Before the Grail? grey was he, yet his face it was as the
day!'
Spake the host, 'Titurel thou sawest, and he shall grandsire
be
To thy mother, first king and ruler of the Grail and Its
knights was he.
But a sickness hath fallen on him, and he lieth, nor findeth
cure, 1165
Yet his face on the Grail yet looketh, by Its power shall his
life endure!
Nor his countenance changeth colour, and his counsel shall
aye be wise--
In his youth he rode far and jousted, and won to him valour's
prize.'

'An thou wouldst that thy life be adornèd with true worth as
thy crown of fame,
Then ne'er mayst thou hate a woman, but shall honour, as
knight, her name, 1170
For women and priests, thou knowest, unarmèd shall be their
hand,
Yet the blessing of God watcheth o'er them, and as shield
round the priest doth stand;
For the priest, he careth for thee, that thine end may be
free from ill,
So treat thou no priest as a foeman, but serve him with right
good will.
For naught on the earth thou seest that is like to his office
high, 1175
For he speaketh that word unto us which our peace and our
life did buy;
And his hand hath been blest for the holding of the pledge on
the altar laid,
To assure us of sin's forgiveness, and the price for our
pardon paid.
And a priest who from sin doth guard him, and who to his Lord
shall give
Pure heart and pure hand for His service, say, what man shall
holier live?' 1180

Now this day was their day of parting--Trevrezent to our hero
spake,
'Leave thou here thy sins behind thee, God shall me for thy
surety take,
And do thou as I have shown thee, be steadfast and true of
heart!'
Think ye with what grief and sorrow the twain did asunder
part.

APPENDICES