Book IV · KONDWIRAMUR, part 4 of 8

¶But e'en as she named Liassé then sorrow awoke anew In his heart who would fain do service, and his spirit, so high and true, Sank, as sinketh a hill to the valley, at the thought of that maiden dear; Yet he spake to the queen, 'Say, Lady, how best may I serve thee here?' 260 'Sir Knight an thou couldst but rid me of Kingron the seneschal; In knightly joust of my warriors full many before him fell. With the morning again he cometh, and he thinketh that free from harm His lord soon shall lie, my husband, in the clasp of my circling arm. My Burg hast thou seen, and thou knowest how lofty its towers and high, 265 Yet down to the moat below them will I fling myself joyfully, Ere of maidenhood King Klamidé shall rob me against my will, If no better may be, then by dying, his boasting I yet may still!'

¶Then he quoth, 'Lady, French or Breton, of what country soe'er he be, From Kingron my hand shall shield thee, with what power may be given to me.' 270 The night was spent, with the dawning the queen she arose again, Lowly she bent before him, nor from thanks would her lips restrain. Then she passed from the chamber softly, and no man might be aware, Tho' wise were he else, of her errand, save only the knight so fair.

¶Nor Parzival longer slumbered, for the sun was swift to rise, 275 And it pierced thro' the clouds of morning, and smote on his wakened eyes; And he heard the sweet bells chiming, as the folk church and minster sought, For Klamidé their joy had banished, and their land in sore peril brought.

¶Then up rose the young knight also; the chaplain was in his place And he sang to God and his lady; and the guest saw the maiden's face, 280 And he gazed till the Mass was ended, and the benediction o'er. Then he bade them to bring his harness, and soon was he armed once more, A good knight and strong they deemed him, in gallant armour fair. Then on came Klamidé's army with banners borne high in air. And Kingron, he came full swiftly, he sped far before the force, 285 And, so hath the story told me, of Iserterre's land his horse. And there waited before the portal the son of King Gamuret, And the prayers and the hopes of the townsfolk on the youthful knight were set.

¶Nor with sword he ere this had striven--From afar did he aim his stroke, And so swift his joust, in the meeting the gear of both chargers broke, 290 And their girths were burst asunder, and each steed to its knees was brought, And the heroes who yet bestrode them of their swords must they needs take thought; In their scabbards did they find them--And already did Kingron bear Wounds in arm and breast, and I wot me that loss was his portion there. For this joust brought him loss of the glory that methinks had been his alway 295 Till he met with this knight, and their meeting, of his pride was the dying day. And valiant did men account him, six knights had he prostrate laid Who rode in one field against him, yet here was he well repaid By Parzival's right hand valiant, and Kingron the seneschal Thought strange was indeed his peril, for stones surely on him fell 300 Cast forth from a mighty engine--Other arms wrought his overthrow, For a sword clave clean thro' his helmet, and Parzival laid him low, And he knelt with one knee upon him, and he bade him forthwith to give What he ne'er to a foe had given, his pledge, an he fain would live. But he thought not to be his captor who had vanquished him here in field, 305 But he bade him ride hence to Graharz and his pledge to its lord to yield.

¶'Nay, Sir Knight, thou hadst better slay me, 'twas I who slew his son, 'Twas my hand of life that robbed him, Schenteflur--Thou from God hast won Great honour, yea, men shall praise thee for the strength that thou here hast shown, Of a sooth art thou here the victor, and Good Fortune shall be thine own.' 310 Quoth Parzival, 'Yet another is the choice I will give to thee, Yield thou to the queen whom thy master in his wrath wronged so grievously!' 'Nay! Then were I lost of a surety, for I wot with their sword-blades keen My body they'ld hew in pieces, small as dust in the sun is seen! Such sorrow of heart, I think me, and grief thro' my hand they win, 315 Full many a gallant hero who dwelleth those walls within.'

¶'Then hence from this plain shalt thou journey to the kingdom of Brittany, And bear to a gentle maiden thy pledge and thy fealty. For she for my sake hath suffered a sorrow she ne'er had borne, Had not Kay been of knightly customs, and of courtesy fair forsworn. 320 Say to her how with me it fareth, that I come not in joy again Till my spear, thro' his shield sharp-piercing, hath wiped out her honour's stain. To King Arthur and to his lady, and the knights of the Table Round Bear my greeting, and say in their presence shall I never again be found Till the day I from shame have freed me; from the shame which I too must share 325 With the maiden who smiled upon me, and great grief for that greeting bare. Say to her I am aye her servant, to serve her with service fain!' So Kingron must swear unto him ere they parted, those heroes twain.

¶Thus he came afoot to the city, for thither had fled his steed, The Burgers' help in battle, from their anguish the folk he freed. 330 But the outer host was troubled that Kingron, their chosen knight, In this wise had been dishonoured, and broken his dauntless might. Then they led Parzival in triumph to their queen so fair and young, And the maiden was fain to greet him, and her white arms around him clung, And in close embrace she held him as she spake, 'The wide earth doth hold 335 No man I will have for my husband save him whom these arms enfold!' And as here they disarmed the hero her part would the maiden bear With ready hand and skilful, nor her service she thought to spare.