Book IV · KONDWIRAMUR, part 1 of 8
¶ARGUMENT
¶BOOK IV. tells how Parzival came to Pelrapär, and found it besieged by sea and land, and the folk wasted by famine. How Queen Kondwiramur besought his aid; how he overthrew Kingron, and sent him to the court of King Arthur. How Parzival wedded the Queen; and of the wrath of King Klamidé when he heard the tidings. How the Burgers defended Pelrapär against their foemen; how Klamidé challenged Parzival to single combat, and was overthrown; and how he came to the court of King Arthur at Dianasdron. Of the love of Parzival and Kondwiramur; and how the hero parted from his wife, and went in search of knightly venture.
¶BOOK IV
¶KONDWIRAMUR
¶Thus Parzival parted from them, and courteous he now might bear His knightly garb, and he knew them, the customs of knighthood fair. But alas! he full sore was troubled with many a bitter pain, And the world was too close, and too narrow the width of the spreading plain, And the greensward he thought was faded, and his harness had paled to white; 5 So the heart the eye constraineth and dimmeth awhile the sight.
¶For since he had waxed less simple somewhat of his father's lore, The desire of the man for the maiden, in his wakening heart he bore; And he thought but of fair Liassé, that maiden so true and sweet, How never her love she proffered, yet with honour the guest would greet. 10 And wherever his horse might turn it he took in his grief no heed, And if slowly it paced or swiftly he thought not to guide its speed.
¶Nor many a field well-fencèd nor wayside cross he found; Nor chariot-wheel nor horse-hoof had furrowed with tracks the ground; Untrodden the woodland pathway, nor wide was I ween the way, 15 And he knew not the hills and the valleys--Full oft shall ye hear men say, 'Who rideth astray, in his wandering the lost axe may often find.' They lay here unnumbered round him, if for axe ye have trees in mind. Yet tho' far was the road he journeyed yet he went in no wise astray, And thus from the land of Graharz he rode through the livelong day, 20 Till he came to the kingdom of Brobarz thro' mountains wild and high-- When the shadows of evening lengthened, and red flushed the western sky, Then he came to a mountain torrent, and the voice of the raging flood Rang clear as its waves rushed foaming round the crags that amid them stood. So he rode adown by the waters till he came to the city fair 25 Which a king had bequeathed to his daughter; 'twas the city of Pelrapär, And I wot that tho' fair the maiden who bare of that land the crown, Great grief and small gladness had they who dwelt in that noble town!
¶Like an arrow that swiftly speedeth from the bow by a strong arm bent, The waters onward rushing on their downward pathway went; 30 And a bridge hung high above them with woven work so fair, And the stream it flowed swift to the ocean--Well-guarded was Pelrapär, As children in swings delight them, and swing themselves to and fro, So swung the bridge, yet ropeless, youthful gladness it scarce might know!
¶And on either side were standing, with helmets for battle bound, 35 Of knights e'en more than thirty, and they bade him to turn him round, And with lifted swords, tho' feeble, the strife would they gladly wait, They thought 'twas the King Klamidé whom they oft had seen of late, So royally rode the hero to the bridge o'er the field so wide-- As thus to the youth they shouted, and with one voice his arms defied, 40 Tho' he spurred his steed full sharply it shrank from the bridge in fright, But ne'er knew he a thought of terror--To the ground sprang the gallant knight. And he led his horse by the bridle where the bridge hung high in air, Too faint were a coward's courage so bitter a strife to dare! And well must he watch his footsteps for he feared lest his steed should fall-- 45 From the other side of the water the knights had ceased their call, And with shield and sword-blade gleaming within the town they passed, For they feared lest an army followed, and they closed their portals fast.
¶So Parzival crossed the river, and he rode o'er a grassy plain Where many in search of knighthood must death for their guerdon gain; 50 And he came to the palace portal, and stately the Burg and high, And there hung there a ring of iron, and he gripped it right manfully. But none to his call made answer, save only a maiden bright Who looked forth from out her window, and was 'ware of the gallant knight. Spake the maiden so fair and courteous, 'An thou comest, Sir Knight, as foe, 55 Little need have we of thine hatred, for heavy enough our woe, A wrathful host doth threaten already by sea and land!' Then he quoth, 'Nay, gentle lady, at thy portals a man doth stand Who will, if he can, do thee service! For thy service my hand is fain, And never reward save thy greeting as payment I think to gain.' 60 Then the maiden she went in her wisdom to the queen and an entrance prayed For the knight, and in sooth his coming it brought to their sorrow aid.
¶So Parzival came to the city; down the roadway on either hand The folk who would fain defend them in close groups he saw them stand, Soldiers on foot, and slingers, and they who the dart could throw, 65 He saw as he came towards them, in many a goodly row. And many a squire so valiant, the bravest from out the land, Long, sharp, and strong were the lances they bare in each strong right hand. There too, so the story telleth, was many a merchant grave, And the javelin and axe were their weapons, so their lady commandment gave. 70
¶And their skins, they were loose for hunger--Then the Marshal of the queen Made his way thro' their ranks to the castle, and heavy his task I ween. And well was that castle guarded, with towers o'er the chambers high; And barbican, keep, and oriel in such numbers they met his eye That buildings so strong and so many in his lifetime he never saw, 75 And on horse or afoot from all sides the knights to his welcome draw. 'Twas a sorry host, for as ashes some were grey, some were pale as clay, (My lord the Count of Wertheim sure had starved on such scanty pay!)