Book XVI · LOHENGRIN, part 5 of 14

¶And the knights, in the hall they waited, that with countless tapers bright Was decked, on the walls they sparkled, and burnt with a steady light, For a solemn feast they made ready, when the Grail should be shown to all; 335 For it was not on every feast-day, that they bare It thro' the hall, But on high festivals only--When nearer their aid should draw, On that even when joy forsook them, and the bleeding spear they saw, 'Twas then, that the Grail might help them, that It thus thro' the hall was borne-- Yet Parzival asked no question, and left them of joy forlorn-- 340 But now, in joy and gladness, might they look on the Grail again, For at last was their mourning ended, and their sorrow was pierced and slain!

¶When the queen her riding garment had put off, and decked her hair, She came in such garb as beseemed her, in the light of the tapers fair; And Feirefis stepped to meet her, and he took her by the hand, 345 And no man gainsaid his fellow, that in this, or in other land, None might speak of a fairer woman! And rich was the garb she wore, A silk by a skilled hand woven, such as Sarant had wrought of yore, And with cunning and skill had fashioned in Thasmé, the paynim town-- Feirefis Angevin, he led her thro' the palace hall adown, 350 And the three great fires they burnt there with Lignum aloe sweet; And more there were by forty, both carpets alike and seats, Than the time when Parzival sat there and looked on the wondrous Grail, But one seat above all was costly, nor the host to his place should fail. And Feirefis, and Anfortas, they should sit there beside the king-- 355 And, courteous, they did them service, who the Grail to the hall should bring.

¶Aforetime methinks ye heard it, how they to Anfortas bare The Grail, even so would they do now 'fore the child of King Tampentäre, And Gamuret's son--The maidens, no longer they make delay, Five-and-twenty in rightful order they wend thro' the hall their way. 360 And Feirefis gazed on the first maid, with her sweet face and waving hair, And she pleased him well, yet the others who followed were yet more fair; And costly and rich their garments, and lovely each maiden's face, But Répanse de Schoie, who followed, was first in her maiden grace, And the Grail, so men have told me, might be borne by her hands alone; 365 Pure was her heart, and radiant as sunlight her fair face shone.

¶Did I tell ye of all the service--how many did water pour, And the tables they bare, (I wot well far more than they had of yore,) How discord fled from the palace; how the cars on their circuit rolled, With their freight of golden vessels, 'twere long ere the tale were told. 370 For the sake of speed would I hasten--with reverence from the Grail Each took of the fowl of the forest, wild or tame, nor their drink should fail; Each took wine or mead as it pleased him, Claret, Morass, or Sinopel; At Pelrapär 'twas far other, as Gamuret's son might tell!

¶Then the heathen would know the wonder--What hands did these gold cups fill 375 That stood empty here before him? The wonder, it pleased him still! Then answered the fair Anfortas, who sat by the heathen's side, 'Seest thou not the Grail before thee?' But Feirefis replied, 'Naught I see but a green Achmardi, that my Lady but now did bear, I mean her who stands before us with the crown on her flowing hair, 380 And her look to mine heart hath piercèd--I deemed I so strong should be That never a wife nor a maiden my gladness should take from me; But now doth it sore displease me, the love I may call mine own-- Discourteous indeed I think me to make unto thee my moan When I never have done thee service! What profits my wealth, I trow, 385 Or the deeds I have done for fair women, or the gifts that I gave but now, Since here I must live in anguish! Nay, Jupiter, thou wast fain I should ride here, didst hither send me to torment of grief and pain?'

¶And the strength of his love, and his sorrow, turned him pale where he erst was light-- Kondwiramur, she had found a rival in this maiden's beauty bright-- 390 In her love-meshes did she hold him, Feirefis, the noble guest, And the love that he erst had cherished he cast it from out his breast. What recked he of Sekundillé, her love, and her land so fair, Since she wrought on him woe so bitter, this maiden beyond compare? Klauditté, and Sekundillé, Olympia, and many more, 395 Who in distant lands had repaid him with love for his deeds of yore, What cared he now for their kindness? It seemed but a worthless thing To Gamuret's son, the heathen, great Zassamank's noble king!

¶Then he saw, the fair Anfortas, his comrade in pain so sore, (For the spots in his skin waxed pallid, and heavy the heart he bore,) 400 And he spake, 'Sir Knight, it doth grieve me if thou dost for my sister mourn, No man for her sake hath sorrowed since the day that the maid was born. No knight for her joust hath ridden; to none doth she favour show; But with me did she dwell at Monsalväsch, and hath shared in my bitter woe, And it somewhat hath dimmed her beauty, since she seldom hath joyful been-- 405 Thy brother is son to her sister, he may help thee in this I ween.'

¶'If that maiden shall be thy sister,' quoth Feirefis Angevin, 'Who the crown on her loose locks weareth, then help me her love to win. 'Tis she that my heart desireth--What honour mine hand hath won With shield and spear in Tourney, for her sake hath it all been done, 410 And I would she might now reward me! The Tourney hath fashions five, And well known unto me is each one, nor against knightly rule I strive. Spear in rest 'gainst the foe have I ridden; I have smitten him from the side; His onslaught have I avoided; nor to fair joust have failed to ride In gallop, as should beseem me; I have followed the flying foe-- 415 Since the shield, it hath been my safeguard, such sorrow I ne'er may know As that which to-day besets me--I have fought with a fiery knight At Agremontein, I bare then a shield of Asbestos bright, And a surcoat of Salamander, else sure had I there been burned; And in sooth my life have I perilled, and my fame have I dearly earned. 420 Ah! would but thy sister send me to battle for love's reward, In strife would I do her bidding, and her fame and mine own would guard. And ever my heart fierce hatred to my god Jupiter shall bear, If he make not an end of my sorrow, and give me this maiden fair!'