Book XV · FEIREFIS, part 8 of 10

¶And Parzival quoth, 'Since I seek it, The Grail, in full many a fight, Both far and near, have I striven, in such wise as beseems a knight, And my hand of their fame hath robbed them who never before might fall-- If it please ye the tale to hearken, lo! here will I name them all!'

¶'King Schirniel of Lirivoin, and his brother of Avendroin, King Mirabel, 615 King Piblesun of Lorneparz, of Rozokarz, King Serabel, Of Sirnegunz, King Senilgorz, and Strangedorz of Villegarunz, Rogedal the Count of Mirnetalle and Laudunal of Pleyedunz. From Semblidag King Zyrolan, from Itolac Onipreiz, From Zambron the Count Plenischanz, and Duke Jerneganz of Jeropleis, 620 Count Longefiez of Teuteleunz, Duke Marangliess of Privegarz, From Lampregun Count Parfoyas, from Pictacon Duke Strennolas; Postefar of Laudundrehte, Askalon's fair king, Vergulacht, Duke Leidebron of Redunzehte, and from Pranzile Count Bogudaht, Collevâl of Leterbé, Jovedast of Arl, a Provençal, 625 Count Karfodyas of Tripparûn, all these 'neath my spear must fall. In knightly joust I o'erthrew them the while I the Grail must seek! Would I say those I felled in battle, methinks I o'er-long must speak, It were best that I here keep silence--Of those who were known to me, Methinks that the greater number I here shall have named to ye!' 630

¶From his heart was he glad, the heathen, of his brother's mighty fame, That so many a gallant hero 'neath his hand had been put to shame, And he deemed in his brother's honour he himself should have honour won, And with many a word he thanked him for the deeds that he there had done.

¶Then Gawain bade his squires bear hither (yet e'en as he knew it not) 635 The costly gear of the heathen, and they held it was fair I wot. And knights alike and ladies, they looked on its decking rare, Corslet, and shield, and helmet, and the coat that was blazoned fair. Nor narrow nor wide the helmet--And a marvel great they thought The shine of the many jewels in the costly robe inwrought, 640 And no man I ween shall ask me the power that in each did dwell, The light alike and the heavy, for I skill not the tale to tell; Far better might they have told it, Heraclius or Hercules And the Grecian Alexander; and better methinks than these Pythagoras, the wise man, for skilled in the stars was he, 645 And so wise that no son of Adam I wot well might wiser be.

¶Then the women they spake, 'What woman so e'er thus hath decked this knight If he be to her love unfaithful he hath done to his fame despite.' Yet some in such favour held him, they had been of his service fain-- Methinks the unwonted colour of his face did their fancy gain! 650 Then aside went the four, Gawain, Arthur, Gramoflanz, and Parzival, (And the women should care for the heathen, methinks it would please them well.)

¶And Arthur willed ere the morrow a banquet, rich and fair, On the grassy plain before him they should without fail prepare, That Feirefis they might welcome as befitting so brave a guest. 655 'Now be ye in this task not slothful, but strive, as shall seem ye best, That henceforth he be one of our circle, of the Table Round, a knight.' And they spake, they would win that favour, if so be it should seem him right. Then Feirefis, the rich hero, he brotherhood with them sware; And they quaffed the cup of parting, and forth to their tents would fare. 660 And joy it came with the morning, if here I the truth may say, And many were glad at the dawning of a sweet and a welcome day.

¶Then the son of Uther Pendragon, King Arthur, in this wise spake: For Round Table a silk so costly, Drianthasmé, he bade them take-- Ye have heard how it once was ordered, afar on Plimizöl's plain, 665 How they spread them there a Round Table, in such wise was it spread again-- 'Twas cut in a round, and costly it was, and right fair to see, And on the green turf around it the seats of the knights should be. It was even a goodly gallop from the seats to the Table Round, For the Table's self it was not, yet the likeness they there had found. 670 And a cowardly man might shame him to sit there with such gallant knights, And with sin would his food be tainted since he ate it not there of right.

¶Thro' the summer night 'twas measured, the ring, both with thought and care, And from one end unto the other with pomp they the seats prepare. And the cost were too great for a poor king, as they saw it in noontide light, 675 When the trappings, so gay and costly, shone fair in the sun-rays bright. Gramoflanz and Gawain would pay it, the cost, since within their land He was but a guest, King Arthur, tho' he dealt with a generous hand.

¶And the night, it seldom cometh but, as it is wont, the sun Bringeth back the day and the daylight when the hours of the night are run; 680 And e'en so it befell, and the dawning was clear and calm and bright, And many a flowery chaplet crowned the locks of many a knight; And with cheeks and lips unpainted saw ye many a lovely maid, And, if Kiot the truth hath spoken, knight and lady they were arrayed In diverse garb and fashion, with head-gear both high and low, 685 As each in their native country their faces were wont to show-- 'Twas a folk from far kingdoms gathered and diverse their ways were found-- If to lady a knight were lacking she sat not at the Table Round, But if she for knightly service had promised a guerdon fair, She might ride with her knight, but the others, they must to their tents repair. 690

¶When Arthur the Mass had hearkened, then Gramoflanz did they see With Gowerzein's Duke and Florant; to the king came the comrades three, And each one a boon would crave here, for each of the three was fain To be one of the good Round Table, nor this grace did they fail to gain. And if lady or knight would ask me who was richest of all that band, 695 Who sat as guests in the circle, and were gathered from every land, Then here will I speak the answer, 'twas Feirefis Angevin, But think not from my lips of his riches a further tale to win.