Book IV · KONDWIRAMUR, part 5 of 8
¶But tho' heavy had been his labour, yet scanty, I ween, the board. And the Burgers they came before him, and they sware him with one accord 340 They would have him for lord and master; and the queen in her turn she spake, And she said that this knight so valiant for her love and her lord she'ld take Who had won him a fame so mighty o'er Kingron the seneschal-- But now from the castle bulwarks two sails might be seen by all, A strong wind to the haven brought them, and their lading must needs make glad 345 The folk, they bare naught but victuals,--God's guidance they surely had!
¶Then they rushed adown from the ramparts, and swift to the ships they fled, The hungry crowd, for the booty, as leaves by the wind are sped. With flesh they were not o'erweighted, so wasted and thin were they, Nor they strutted with well-filled belly, but bending they went their way. 350 The queen's marshal he sware the shipmen, by the doom of the hempen cord, Safe conduct for life and lading, none should touch that which lay aboard. Then he bade them to lead these merchants straightway into the town, And Parzival for their lading the double he paid them down, And gladly the merchants took it, for princely they deemed such pay; 355 And the Burgers these welcome viands to their fires did they bear straightway.
¶Now fain would I there take service, no man of them all drank beer, Wine and food had they there in plenty--Then he did as you now shall hear, Parzival, the gallant hero, for first in portions small, With his own right hand he shared out the viands among them all, 360 Yea, even unto the nobles; so long had they lacked for bread, He feared it had wrought them evil if perchance they were over-fed. But to each one he gave his portion, and his counsel they deemed it right, And more should they win ere nightfall from the hand of this gallant knight.
¶To their marriage couch they bade them, 'twas the will both of king and queen-- 365 Yet throughout the night so courteous he bare him, in truth I ween, He little had pleased those ladies who now, in these latter days, In passion's heat forget all that should win for a woman praise; Tho' modest they seem to strangers, yet their heart gives their mien the lie, And their tenderness worketh sorrow to their friend, tho' in secrecy. 370 But the steadfast knight and faithful guards himself at every hour, And well knoweth to spare a woman an she chanceth within his power. For he thinketh, and thinketh truly, 'For many a lonely year For her favours I served this lady; now, behold, the day is here When her will is to reward me, and here we twain do lie-- 375 Had I touched with bare hand her vesture I were blest to eternity! An I vantage take of her slumbers to myself untrue I seem, Methinks we were both dishonoured did I waken her from her dream, For a woman's sleep is holy, and all men shall own its sway.' Thus the Waleis, who ne'er had feared him, lay still till the dawn of day. 380
¶Thus he whom men called the Red Knight, a maiden he left the queen, Yet surely she deemed in the morning his wife she o'er night had been, And for love of her lord her tresses she bound with the morning light As matrons are wont to bind them. And he won him, the gallant knight, Castles and lands around them from the hand of his maiden bride, 385 But her heart was ere this his guerdon, and in peace did the twain abide.
¶Thus glad in their love they held them two days till the third night fell, And often he thought might he take her to himself it would please him well. Then he thought of his mother's counsel, and how Gurnemanz spake of yore, That man and wife should as one be, and the doubt vexed his soul no more, 390 And his wife did he take unto him--Love's custom ever old, Yet ever new to lovers, to these twain brought joy untold.
¶'Twas well, not evil, with them--Now hear how the king, their foe, As he rode in his might to battle, must tidings of evil know. 'Twas a squire who fain had told them, all crimson his spurs with blood; 395 'Before Pelrapär on the meadow have they foughten those heroes good, 'Twas a bitter strife and knightly; thy seneschal fell that day, Kingron, who led thine army, to King Arthur must take his way. As he in departing bade them lies the army upon the plain. Pelrapär shalt thou find well guarded 'gainst thyself and thine armies twain, 400 There within is a gallant hero, and naught doth he crave but strife; In the camp of thy hired soldiers is many a rumour rife, They say from the good Round Table cometh Ither of Cumberland To the help of the queen, and knightly and valiant methinks his hand! 'Twas his arms that rode forth for jousting, and no man his deeds shall blame, 405 In such wise hath he borne his armour as winneth him meed of fame.'
¶Quoth the king to the squire, 'My lady, the queen, she desireth me, And she and her land so goodly I trow shall my portion be. And Kingron the seneschal told me, and surely the truth he spake, That famine doth plague the city, and peace they ere long must make, 410 And the queen she her love shall proffer'--His wrath must the squire abide. Then the king and his host passed onward, and a knight did toward them ride, And he spared not his horse but spurred it, and told them the self-same tale, And the king deemed the loss o'er-heavy, and courage and joy must fail.
¶Then a prince spake from out the army, 'Tho' Kingron hath valour shown, 415 Yet never he fought for our manhood, he fought for himself alone. Now let him to death be stricken--Why then should they be cast down, Two hosts, this one, and the army that lieth before the town?' Then he bade his lord take courage, 'Once more will we try our fate, Let them look to their arms, the conflict shall be for their strength too great, 420 We will make an end of their gladness! Bid thy vassals and kinsmen hear, With banners twain before them to the town shall they draw anear; Down the hill will we ride upon them, but afoot must we storm the gate, For so shall we work them evil, and victory shall on us wait.' Galogandres, the Duke of Gippones, it was who this counsel gave, 425 And sorrow he brought on the Burgers--but slain was this hero brave, And slain, too, the brave Count Narant, a prince from Uckerland's shore, And many another hero whom dead from the field they bore.