Chapter III: Book I: Gamuret (2)

Nor Gaschier delayed his coming; and unto the Burg-grave told
How his guest sought for further conflict nor his wrath might
the host withhold. 660
If he swallowed not iron as an ostrich, nor his wrath did on
stones assuage
'Twas but that he might not find them! Then he gnashed his
teeth for rage,
And he growled as a mighty lion, and the hair of his head he
tare,
And he quoth, 'So the years of my lifetime a harvest of folly
bear,
The gods they had sent to my keeping a valiant and worthy
friend, 665
If with strife he shall be o'erladen, then mine honour hath
found an end;
Sword and shield they shall little profit--Yea, shame he
would on me cast
Who should bring this to my remembrance!' Then swift from his
place he passed,
And he gat him into the portal, and a squire towards him
drew,
And he bare a shield that was painted with a knight by a
spear pierced thro', 670
In Eisenhart's land was it fashioned; and a helmet his hand
must hold,
And a sword that Rassalig carried in battle, that heathen
bold,
But now was he parted from it whose fame was in every place;
Were he slain unbaptized I think me, God had shown to this
hero grace!

And e'en as the Burg-grave saw it, ne'er of yore was his joy
so great, 675
For the coat-of-arms he knew it--So he rode thro' the city
gate,
And without, his guest had halted, young hero he, not yet
old,
As one of a joust desirous, and his bridle the Burg-grave
bold,
Lahfilirost was his name, he grasped it, and he led him
within the wall;
And I wot well no other foeman that day 'neath his spear must
fall. 680

Quoth Lahfilirost the Burg-grave, 'Sir Knight, thou shalt
tell to me
If thine hand Rassalig hath vanquished?' 'Then our land from
all strife is free;
For he of the Moors is chieftain, the men of true Eisenhart
Who have brought unto us such sorrow--But now shall our woe
depart,
'Twas a wrathful god who bade him thus seek us with all his
host, 685
But his weapons to naught are smitten, and to folly is turned
his boast!'
Then he led him in (ill it pleased him) and there met then
the royal maid,
And she loosened the bands of his vizor, and her hand on his
bridle laid,
To her care must the Burg-grave yield it: nor his squires to
their task were slack,
For they turned them about, and swiftly they rode on their
master's track. 690
So men saw the queen so gracious lead her guest thro' the
city street
Who here should be hailed the victor--Then she lighted her on
her feet,
'Ah me! but thy squires are faithful! Fear ye lest your lord
be lost?
Without ye shall he be cared for; take his steed, here am I
his host!'

And above found he many a maiden: then her hands of dusky hue 695
The queen set unto his harness, and disarmed the knight so
true.
And the bed-covering was of sable, and the couch it was
spread so fair,
And in secret a hidden honour they did for the knight
prepare,
For no one was there to witness--The maidens they might not
stay,
And the door was fast closed behind them, and Frau Minne
might have her way. 700
So the queen in the arms of her true love found guerdon of
sweet delight,
Tho' unlike were the twain in their colour, Moorish princess
and Christian knight!

Then the townsfolk brought many an offering to the gods who
had seen their woe.
That which Rassalig needs must promise ere he from the field
might go
That he did, in all truth and honour, yet heavy was he at
heart, 705
And afresh sprang the fount of his sorrow for his prince
gallant Eisenhart.
And the Burg-grave he heard of his coming; then loud rang the
trumpet call,
And no man of Zassamank's princes but came to the palace
hall.
They gave Gamuret thanks for the honour he had won in the
field that day,
Four-and-twenty had fallen before him, and their chargers he
bore away, 710
And three chieftains had he made captive. And there rode in
the princes' train
Many gallant knights, in the courtyard of the palace did they
draw rein.
And the hero had slept and eaten, and clad him in raiment
fair,
Chief host was he, for his body fit garments would they
prepare.
And she who afore was a maiden but now was a wife would take 715
Her lord by the hand, forth she led him, and unto her princes
spake:
'My body and this my kingdom are vassals unto this knight,
If so be that his foemen fearing, resist not his hand of
might!'

Then Gamuret spake, and his bidding was courteous, for hero
meet,
Sir Rassalig, go thou nearer, with a kiss thou my wife shalt
greet; 720
And Sir Gaschier, thou shalt do likewise.' Then the Scotch
knight proud Heuteger
He bade on the lips to kiss her (and the wounds won in joust
he bare).

Then he bade them all be seated, and standing, he wisely
spake:
'I were fain to behold my kinsman, if he who did captive take
The knight shall have naught against it--As kinsman it
seemeth me 725
That I find here no other counsel save straightway to set him
free!'
Then the queen she smiled, and bade them go swiftly and seek
the knight,
And then thro' the throng he pressed him, that count so fair
and bright,
Yet bare he the wounds of knighthood, and bravely and well
had fought;
With the host of Gaschier the Norman the land of the Moors he
sought. 730
He was courteous; his sire a Frenchman he was Kailet's
sister's son,
Killirjacac his name; in the service of fair women fair meed
he won,

And the fairest of men they deemed him. When Gamuret saw his
face
(For like were they each to the other, as men of a kindred
race)
He bade his queen to kiss him and embrace him as kinsman
true, 735
And he spake, 'Now come thou and greet me!' and the knight to
his arms he drew,
And he kissed him, and each was joyful that the other he here
might meet:
And Gamuret quoth unto him, 'Alas! cousin fair and sweet,
What doth thy young strength in this conflict? Say, if woman
hath sent thee here?'
'Nay, never a woman sent me, with my cousin I came, Gaschier, 740
He knoweth why he hath brought me--A thousand men have I,
And I do to him loyal service--To Rouen in Normandy
I came, where his force was gathered, and many a youthful
knight
I brought from Champagne in mine army; 'neath his banner we
fain would fight.
Now evil hath turned against him what of cunning is hers and
skill, 745
Thou wilt honour thyself if thou free him for my sake, and
cure his ill!'
'Thyself shalt fulfil thy counsel! Go thou, take with thee
Gaschier,
I would fain see my kinsman Kailet, do thou bring him unto me
here!'
So they wrought out the host's desiring, and brought him at
his behest,
And in loving wise and kindly did Gamuret greet his guest; 750
And ofttimes the queen embraced him, and kissed him with
kisses sweet:
And nothing it wronged her honour in such wise the prince to
greet,
He was cousin unto her husband, by birth was himself a king.
Then smiling his host spake to him, 'God knows, 'twere an
evil thing,
Had I taken from thee Toledo, and thy goodly land of Spain 755
For Gascony's king, who wrathful doth plague thee with strife
amain;
'Twere faithless of me, Sir Kailet, since mine aunt's son
thou sure shalt be;
The bravest of knights shall be with thee; say, who forced
this strife on thee?'

Then out spake the proud young hero, 'My cousin Schiltung
bade
(Since his daughter Friedebrand wedded) that I lend to the
king mine aid. 760
For the sake of his wife hath he won him, yea even from me
alone
Six thousand chosen heroes, who valour and skill have shown.
And other men did I bring him, but a part they shall hence
have sailed,
For the Scottish folk came they hither, brave bands who in
strife ne'er failed.
And there came to his aid from Greenland, strong heroes who
bravely fought, 765
Two mighty kings, and a torrent of knighthood with them they
brought,
And many a goodly vessel: and they pleased me, those men of
might--
And here for his sake came Morhold, who hath cunning and
skill in fight.'

'But now have they turned them homewards, and that which the
queen shall say
Even that will I do with mine army, her servant am I alway! 770
Thou shalt thank me not for this service, from kinsman 'twas
due, I ween.
Now _thine_ are these gallant heroes, if like mine they
baptized had been
And were even as they in colour, then never a monarch crowned
But if they should fight against him, of conflict his fill
had found!
But I marvel what here hath brought thee? Say, how didst thou
reach this strand?' 775
'Yestreen I came, and this morning I am lord o'er this goodly
land!
The queen by the hand she took me, and with love I myself
would shield,
For so did my wit give counsel--' 'Yea, so hast thou won the
field,
Those sweet weapons two hosts have vanquished!' 'Thou wouldst
say, since I fled from _thee_,
So loudly on me thou calledst, say, what wouldst thou force
from me? 780
Let us speak of the thing in friendship!' 'Thine anchor I
failed to know,
But seldom mine aunt's brave husband Gandein, did such token
show!'
'But I, I knew well thine ostrich with the snake's head upon
thy breast,
Aloft stood thy bird so stately, nor hid it within a nest!'

'And I saw in thy mien and bearing that that pledge would
have 'seemed thee ill 785
Which two heroes afore had given, tho' first had they fought
their fill.'
'E'en such fate as theirs were my portion--But this thing I
needs must say,
Tho' little I like a devil, were he victor as thou this day
For love of his gallant doings the women had deemed him
sweet,
Yea, as sugar were fain to eat him!' 'Now thou praisest me
more than meet!' 790
'Nay, of flattery know I little, thou shalt see that I hold
thee dear
In other wise!' Then the hero bade Rassalig draw anear.

And courteous he spake, King Kailet, 'My kinsman with valiant
hand
Hath made of thee here his captive?' 'Yea, Sire, so the thing
doth stand,
And I hold him for such a hero that Assagog's kingdom fair 795
Should fail not to yield him homage, since the crown he may
never wear,
Our prince Eisenhart! In her service was he slain who shall
now be wife
To thy kinsman, as knight so faithful he gave for her love
his life.
With my kiss have I sealed forgiveness, yet my lord and my
friend I lost!
If thy cousin by knightly dealing will repay of his death the
cost 800
I will fold my hands as his vassal: and wealth shall be his
and fame,
All that Eisenhart from Tánkaneis as his heritage thought to
claim.
Embalmed here the hero lieth, and I gaze on his wounds each
day
Since this spear thro' his true heart piercing, my lord and
my king did slay!'

Then he drew it forth from his bosom by a silken cord so
fine, 805
And the heroes saw the spear-blade 'neath his robe on his
bare chest shine.
And he quoth, 'It is now high morning, if my lord Sir
Killirjacac
My token will bear to my princes, with him will the knights
ride back.'
And a finger-ring he sent them: dark as hell were those
heroes all
And they rode who were there of princes, thro' the town to
the castle hall. 810
As his vassals he gave with their banners to Assagog's lords
their land,
And each one rejoiced in the fiefdom he won from his ruler's
hand,
But the better part was his portion, Gamuret's, as their lord
and king.
And these were the first--as they passed hence their homage
they fain would bring
The princes of Zassamank's kingdom, and they came in their
order due, 815
And each as their queen had bade them, they took from his
hand anew
Their land, and the fruit it should bear them, as to each man
was fit and right,
And poverty fled from his presence. Now he who was slain in
fight
And in life was a prince by lineage, Prothizilas, he had left
A Dukedom fair, and this country which was thus of its lord
bereft 820
He gave unto him who much honour had won by his strong right
hand,
The Burg-grave, in combat dauntless--With its banners he took
the land.

Then Assagog's noble princes took the Scotch Duke, proud
Heuteger,
And Gaschier, the Norman hero, to their lord did they lead
them there,
And he spake them free for their asking, and they thanked
brave Gamuret. 825
Then Heuteger of Scotland with prayers did these knights
beset,
'Now give to our lord the armour, as prize for his deeds so
brave,
That Eisenhart's life took from us, when to Friedebrand he
gave
That which was of our land the glory--Forfeit of joy the
knight,
And dead on his bier he lieth, since no love might his love
requite--' 830
And earth knoweth naught so goodly, the helm it was strong
and hard,
Yea even of diamond fashioned, in battle a goodly guard.
Then Heuteger sware unto them, if the land of his lord he saw
He would pray of his hand the armour, and send it to them
once more.

And this did he swear them freely--Then leave would the
princes pray 835
Who stood in the royal presence, and they wend from the hall
their way.
And tho' sorely the land was wasted, yet Gamuret scattered
free
Such royal gifts and goodly as if laden with gold each tree.
And costly I ween the presents that vassal and friend must
share
From the open hand of the hero; and the queen deemed it right
and fair. 840

Full many a bitter conflict had been fought ere the bridal
feast,
But peace had the foeman sealèd, and the land was from strife
released;
(Nor this song I myself have woven, but so was it told to me)
And Eisenhart did they bury with honours right royally.
To his grave did his kinsmen bear him, and the gold that his
lands might bring 845
In a whole year long, did they spend there, of their free
will they did this thing.
And Gamuret bade his kinsfolk his riches and lands to hold
And use as they would; tho' they craved not such boon from
the hero bold.

At dawn from before the fortress the foe would their camp
withdraw,
And those who were there departed; many litters with them
they bore. 850
And the field was left unsheltered, save for one tent so
great and fair,
And the king he bade his servants that tent to his vessel
bear.
And he said to his folk that to Assagog would he take it, and
yet I wot
He did with that speech deceive them, for Assagog saw him
not.

Now that proud and gallant hero, his heart gave him little
rest 855
Since he found there no deeds of knighthood, and gladness
forsook his breast;
Yet his dusky wife was dearer than e'en his own life might
be,
Ne'er knew he a truer lady whose heart was from falsehood
free,
She forgat not what 'seemed a woman, and with her as comrades
good
Went purity untarnished, and the ways of true womanhood. 860

He was born in Seville's fair city whom the knight would
hereafter pray,
When he grew of his sojourn weary, to sail with him far away;
For many a mile had he led him, and he brought him unto this
place,
And a Christian was he, the steersman, nor like to a Moor in
face.
And wisely he spake, 'Thou shalt hide it from them who a dark
skin bear, 865
Too swift is my barque for pursuing, from hence shall we
quickly fare!'

Then his gold it was borne to the vessel. Now of parting I
needs must tell,
By night did he go, the hero, and his purpose he hid it well;
But when from his wife he sailèd, in her womb did she bear
his child:
And fair blew the wind, and the breezes bare him hence o'er
the waters wild. 870

And the lady she found a letter, and 'twas writ by her
husband's hand;
And in French (for she well could read it) did the words of
the writing stand:
'Here one love to another speaketh--As a thief have I stolen
away
That mine eyes might not see thy sorrow--But this thing I
needs must say,
Wert thou, e'en as I, a Christian I ever should weep for
thee, 875
For e'en now I must sorely mourn thee. If it chance that our
child shall be
In face like unto one other, then his is a dowry fair,
Of Anjou was _he_ born, and Frau Minne for his lady he did
declare.
Yet was he in strife a hailstorm, ill neighbour unto his foe;
That his grandsire hath been King Gandein, this I will that
my son shall know. 880
Dead he lay thro' his deeds of knighthood; and his father the
same death won,
Addanz was his name, and unsplintered his shield hath been
seen of none;
And by birth he hath been a Breton, and two brothers' sons
were they,
He and the brave Pendragon, and their sires' names I here
will say;
For Lassalies he hath been the elder, and Brickus was his
brother's name, 885
And Mazadan was their father whom a fay for her love did
claim.
Terre-de-la-schoie did they call her, to Fay-Morgan she led
the king,
For he was her true heart's fetters; and my race from those
twain did spring.
And fair shall they be, and valiant, and as crownèd kings
they reign--
If lady, thou'lt be baptizèd thou mayst win me to thee
again!' 890

Yet had she no thought of anger, but she spake, 'Ah! too soon
'tis o'er,
Of a sooth would I do his bidding, would it bring him to me
once more.
In whose charge hath my courteous hero left the fruit of his
love so true?
Alas! for the sweet communion that we twain for a short space
knew!
Shall the strength of my bitter sorrow rule body and soul
alway? 895
And she quoth, 'Now his God to honour, his will would I fain
obey,
And gladly I'ld be baptizèd, and live as should please my
love!'
And sorrow with her heart struggled, and e'en as the turtle
dove
Her joy sought the withered branches, for the same mind was
hers, I ween,
When the mate of the turtle dieth, she forsaketh the branches
green. 900

Then the queen at the time appointed bare a son, who was dark
and light,
For in him had God wrought a wonder, at one while was he
black and white.
And a thousand times she kissed him where white as his sire's
his skin.
And she named the babe of her sorrows Feirefis Angevin.
And he was a woodland-waster, many spears did he shatter
fair, 905
And shields did he pierce--as a magpie the hue of his face
and hair.
Now a year and more was ended since Gamuret won such fame
At Zassamank, and his right hand the victor's prize might
claim,
And yet o'er the seas he drifted, for the winds vexed the
hero bold.
Then a silken sail red gleaming he saw, and the barque did
hold 910
The men whom the King of Scotland, Friedebrand, sent upon
their way
At the bidding of Queen Belakané: from her would they pardon
pray
That ever he came against her, tho' in sooth he had lost the
more.
And with them the diamond helmet, the corslet and sword they
bore,
And hosen e'en such as the harness, and a marvel it needs
must be 915
That the barque was thus borne towards him, as the venture
hath told to me!
And they gave him the goodly armour, and an oath unto them he
swore
That his mouth it should speak their message, an he came to
the queen once more.
And they parted; and one hath told me that the sea bare him
onward bound
Till he came to a goodly haven, and in Seville his goal he
found. 920
And with gold did he pay his steersman right well for his
guidance true,
And they parted, those twain, and sorrow the heart of that
steersman knew!

BOOK II

HERZELEIDE

ARGUMENT

This Book tells how Gamuret sought for King Kailet, and found him before Kanvoleis. How the Queen of the Waleis ordered a Tourney to be holden, and of the heroes there assembled. How Gamuret did valiant deeds, and was adjudged the victor; and how two queens laid claim to his love. Of the wedding of Gamuret and Queen Herzeleide and their love to each other. How Gamuret went to the aid of the Baruch, and was treacherously slain before Alexandria. How the news was brought to the land of the Waleis; of the sorrow of Herzeleide; and of the birth of Parzival.