Book XIV · GRAMOFLANZ, part 4 of 11

¶But now as Bené hearkened, and knew of a truth Gawain Was brother unto her lady, and must fight on the grassy plain, Then drave griefs plough its furrows thro' her heart, both deep and sore, And filled them with flood of sorrow, for truth in her heart she bore. 250 And she quoth, 'Ride hence, accursèd, thou false and faithless one, For steadfast love and loyal thine heart hath never won!'

¶The king and his knights they rode hence, and the lads of Arthur's train They took the heroes' chargers, weary with strife the twain. Then Parzival, and Gawain, and Bené, that maiden bright, 255 They rode to the camp of King Arthur with many a gallant knight. And Parzival in manhood had so borne the prize away That all men were glad at his coming, and rejoiced in his fame that day.

¶And more, if I can, would I tell ye--the wise men of either host Spake but of this man, of his valour in this wise they made their boast, 260 'Wot ye well who hath here been victor? 'Twas Parzival, he alone!' And so fair was his face to look on none fairer was ever known. So thought they who looked upon him, and they swear it, both man and maid-- So he came to the tent of Gawain; and little his host delayed, But he bade them bring costly raiment, and rich as was his own gear, 265 And alike were they clad, the heroes, and all folk must the marvel hear That Parzival came among them, of whose glory all men had heard, And the fame of his deeds so knightly, and no mouth but spake this word.

¶Quoth Gawain, 'Art thou fain to look on four queens who are kin to thee, And other fair ladies with them, then thy guide will I gladly be.' 270 Quoth Gamuret's son, 'If fair ladies be here thou shalt vex them not With the sight of my face, for no kindness from woman shall be my lot Since by Plimizöl's bank they hearkened to the shame that upon me fell: May their honour of God be guarded, for ever I wish them well, But my shame weigheth heavy on me, and it vexeth so sore my heart, 275 I were fain ne'er to look on woman, but live me a life apart'

¶'Yet so must it be,' quoth Gawain; then Parzival he led To the four queens, who gave him greeting and kissed him with lips so red. But sorely it vexed the Duchess, that she, too, must kiss this knight, Who little had cared for her kisses, nor would for her favours fight-- 280 Tho' her lands and her love she proffered when he before Logrois fought, And she rode far to overtake him--thus shame in her anger wrought. But the others they spake him gently, with never a thought of wrong, Till shame from his heart was driven, and joy in its stead waxed strong.

¶Then Gawain of right and reason, if Bené his grace would hold, 285 Bade her seal her lips to silence, to her lady no word be told, 'That King Gramoflanz for his garland doth hatred toward me bear, And at the set time to-morrow our strife must be foughten fair, Speak no word of this to my sister, and do thou thy tears give o'er;' And she spake, 'I do well to weep thus, and to mourn, and to sorrow sore, 290 For whoever shall fall in the combat my lady must sorrow know, And however the battle goeth, the issue shall be for woe. And well may we mourn the venture, my lady and I alike, What boots it to be her brother, if thou at her heart wilt strike?'

¶Now the host to their tents betook them, and the mid-day meal was spread 295 For Gawain, and the knights and ladies who should break at his table bread, And Parzival as companion should have the Duchess fair-- And Gawain, he besought his lady for the hero to have good care; But she quoth, 'To my care dost thou give him, who can make of a woman sport? How should I care for this man? Yet would I gainsay thee naught; 300 And if this be thy will, I will do it, tho' for payment I mocking know'-- Quoth Gamuret's son, 'Nay, Lady, thou doest me wrong I trow, At least have I so much wisdom, if I know myself aright, That women are free from my mocking, since ill 'twould beseem a knight!'

¶Whatever they set before them no lack had they there of meat, 305 And courteous was their service, and with joy all the folk did eat. But Itonjé, she looked on Bené, and she read in her eyes the tale Of the tears she had wept but lately, and for sorrow her cheeks grew pale, And nothing she ate, for she thought still, 'Now wherefore doth Bené weep? For I sent her but now to the monarch who my heart doth his captive keep, 310 And for whose sake I grieve me sorely--Have I done aught to vex my knight? Doth he think to renounce my service and no more for my love to fight? If, with steadfast heart and manly, he thinketh on me no more, Poor maid, I must die of sorrow, and the love that to him I bore!'

¶The noontide hour was over ere the feast had ended here, 315 Then hither rode King Arthur, and his queen, fair Guinevere, With a host of knights and ladies, to where, within their sight, Mid the band of gracious maidens sat that true and valiant knight; And to Parzival such greeting and such welcome fair they gave That from many sweet lips sweet kisses he won, that hero brave! 320 And Arthur would do him honour, and with many a gracious word He thanked him for the valour that had spread his name abroad, And the fame that had waxed so goodly, and that stood so high and fair, That of right o'er all men living the crown of worth he bare.

¶Quoth the Waleis unto King Arthur, 'Yet Sire, when I saw thee last 325 My honour so sore was wounded that it well-nigh to earth was cast; And in knighthood I paid such forfeit that of knighthood was I forlorn-- But now have I hearkened to thee, and if thou be not forsworn Then honour still dwelleth with me, tho' my heart it misgives me sore! I would trust in thy word right gladly--But what of these knights who swore 330 True friendship and brotherhood with me, and from whom I must part in shame?' Then all with one voice they spake there--He had won for himself such fame And had wrought such brave deeds of knighthood in many a distant land, That his fame o'er the fame of all others did high and unspotted stand.