Book XV · FEIREFIS, part 7 of 10

¶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

¶Quoth Arthur, 'Himself doth he honour who thus spake in my praise to thee And to other folk, since such counsel he won of his courtesy Far more than of my deserving--for he spake of his kindly will. Yea, in sooth shall my name be Arthur, and the tale would I hearken still Of how to this land thou camest, if for love's sake thou bearest shield, 545 Then thy love must be fair, since to please her thou ridest so far afield! If her guerdon be not withholden then love's service shall wax more fair, Else must many a maid win hatred from the knight who her badge doth bear!'

¶'Nay, 'twas otherwise,' quoth the heathen; 'Now learn how I came to thee, I led such a mighty army, they who guardians of Troy would be, 550 And they who its walls besiegèd, the road to my hosts must yield-- If both armies yet lived, and lusted to face me on open field, Then ne'er might they win the victory, but shame and defeat must know From me and my host, of a surety their force would I overthrow!-- And many a fight had I foughten, and knightly deeds had done, 555 Till as guerdon at length the favour of Queen Sekundill' I won. And e'en as her wish so my will is, and her love to my life is guide, She bade me to give with a free hand, and brave knights to keep at my side, And this must I do to please her; and I did even as she would, 'Neath my shield have I won as vassals full many a warrior good, 560 And her love it hath been my guerdon--An Ecidemon I bear On my shield, even as she bade me, at her will I this token wear. Since then, came I e'er in peril, if but on my love I thought She hath helped me, yea, Jupiter never such succour in need hath brought!'

¶Quoth Arthur, 'Thy gallant father, Gamuret, he hath left thee heir 565 To the heart that on woman's service thus loveth afar to fare. Of such service I too can tell thee, for but seldom hath greater deeds Been done for a woman's honour, or to win of her love the meed, Than were done for the sake of the Duchess who sitteth beside us here. For her love many gallant heroes have splintered full many a spear, 570 Yea, the spear-shafts were e'en as a forest! And many have paid the cost Of her service in bitter sorrow, and in joy and high courage lost!'

¶And then the tale he told him of the fame that Gawain had found, And the knights of the host of Klingsor, and the heroes who sat around, And of Parzival, his brother, how he fought fierce combats twain, 575 For the sake of Gramoflanz' garland, on Ioflanz' grassy plain; 'And what other have been his ventures, who never himself doth spare As thro' the wide world he rideth, that shall he himself declare; For he seeketh a lofty guerdon, and he rideth to find the Grail. And here shall it be my pleasure that ye twain, without lack or fail, 580 Shall tell me the lands and the peoples against whom ye shall both have fought.' Quoth the heathen, 'I'll name the princes whom I here as my captives brought':

¶'King Papirus of Trogodjenté, Count Behantins of Kalomedenté, Duke Farjelastis of Africk, and King Tridanz of Tinodent; King Liddamus of Agrippé, of Schipelpjonte King Amaspartins, 585 King Milon of Nomadjentesin, of Agremontein, Duke Lippidins; Gabarins of Assigarzionté, King Translapins of Rivigatas, From Hiberborticon Count Filones, from Sotofeititon, Amincas, From Centrium, King Killicrates, Duke Tiridé of Elixodjon, And beside him Count Lysander, from Ipopotiticon. 590 King Thoaris of Orastegentesein, from Satarthjonté Duke Alamis, And the Duke of Duscontemedon, and Count Astor of Panfatis. From Arabia King Zaroaster, and Count Possizonjus of Thiler, The Duke Sennes of Narjoclin, and Nourjenté's Duke, Acheinor, Count Edisson of Lanzesardin, Count Fristines of Janfusé, 595 Meiones of Atropfagenté, King Jetakranc of Ganpfassasché, From Assagog and Zassamank princes, Count Jurans of Blemunzîn. And the last, I ween, shall a Duke be, Affinamus of Amantasîn!'

¶'Yet one thing for a shame I deemed it--In my kingdom 'twas told to me Gamuret Angevin, my father, the best of all knights should be 600 That ever bestrode a charger--Then so was my will and mind, That, afar from my kingdom faring, my father I thought to find; And since then strife hath been my portion, for forth from my kingdoms twain A mighty host and powerful 'neath my guidance hath crossed the main, And I lusted for deeds of knighthood; if I came to a goodly land, 605 Then I rested not till its glory paid tribute into mine hand. And thus ever I journeyed further--I won love from two noble queens, Olympia and Klauditté; Sekundillé the third hath been. And well have I served fair women!--Now first must I learn to-day That my father is dead! My brother, the tale of thy ventures say.' 610