Book V · ANFORTAS, part 3 of 10
¶And green were the robes of these maidens, green as grass in the month of May, 165 Of Samite in Assagog woven, and long and wide were they. At the waist were they girt with a girdle, narrow, and long, and fair, And each of these gentle maidens ware a wreath on her shining hair.
¶Now Iwan, the Count of Nonel, and Jernis, the lord of Reil, To the Grail were their daughters summoned from many a distant mile. 170 And they came, these two princesses, in raiment wondrous fair, And two keen-edged knives, a marvel, on cloths did those maidens bear. Of silver white and shining were they wrought with such cunning skill, And so sharp, that methinks their edges e'en steel might they cut at will. And maidens four went before them, for this should their office be 175 To bear lights before the silver; four children from falsehood free. Six maidens in all they entered and took thro' the hall their way, Now hearken, and I will tell ye the service they did that day.
¶They bowed, and the twain who carried the silver they laid it low On the Jacinth, and courteous turning to the first twelve in order go. 180 And now, have I counted rightly, here shall eighteen maidens stand; And lo! see six more come hither in vesture from distant lands, Half their robes were of silk, gold inwoven, half of silk of Nineveh bright, For both they and the six before them, parti-coloured their robes of light.
¶And last of those maids a maiden, o'er the others was she the queen, 185 So fair her face that they thought them 'twas the morning's dawn, I ween! And they saw her clad in raiment of Pfellel of Araby, And she bare aloft on a cushion of verdant Achmardi Root and blossom of Paradise garden, that thing which men call 'The Grail,' The crown of all earthly wishes, fair fulness that ne'er shall fail! 190 Repanse de Schoie did they call her, in whose hands the Grail might lie, By the Grail Itself elected was she to this office high. And they who would here do service, those maids must be pure of heart, And true in life, nor falsehood shall have in their dealings part.
¶And lights both rare and costly before the Grail they bore 195 Six glasses tall, transparent--and wondrous balsam's store Burnt within with a strange sweet perfume; with measured steps they came, And the queen bowed low with the maidens who bare the balsam's flame. Then this maiden free from falsehood, the Grail on the Jacinth laid, And Parzival looked upon her, and thought of the royal maid 200 Elect to such high office, whose mantle he needs must wear. Then the seven courteous turned them to the eighteen maidens fair, And the noblest they placed in the centre, and twelve on either side They stood, but the crownèd maiden no beauty with hers had vied!
¶And as many knights as were seated around that palace hall, 205 So to each four was there a server, with golden beaker tall, And a page so fair to look on who bare a napkin white-- Riches enow, I trow me, had ye seen in the hall that night! And they bare there a hundred tables, at each table four knights would eat, And swiftly they spread them over with coverings fair and meet. 210
¶The host himself took water, and heavy at heart was he, And Parzival, too, he washed him, for so should the custom be. A silken towel, bright coloured, a count's son would proffer fair, Swift to the guest he gat him, and knelt low before him there. And wherever there stood a table there four squires were ready dight 215 To serve the four who sat there, and their service they knew aright, For twain would carve, low kneeling, and twain to the knights would bear Of food and drink as needful, and thus for their wants would care.
¶Now hearken ye greater riches--on wheelèd cars were rolled To every knight in order, fair vessels of wroughten gold, 220 And four knights set them on the tables, and with each ye a steward might see To aid them, and claim the vessels when the feast at an end should be.
¶Now hearken another marvel--to a hundred squires they spake, And they bade them in fair white napkins the bread from the Grail to take. And straightway they went, and to each knight at each table the bread they bare; 225 As I heard so I tell unto ye, and the truth ye, each one, shall swear, 'Twas the Grail Itself that fed them, and before the Grail did stand What of food or drink desiring, each one might stretch forth his hand. (Would I here betray another then in sooth ye shall lie with me) Food warm or cold, or dishes that known or unknown shall be, 230 Food wild or tame--Such riches ye never on earth shall find, So many have said, yet I think me that folly doth rule their mind-- For the Grail was the crown of blessing, the fulness of earth's delight, And Its joys I right well may liken to the glories of Heaven's height!
¶Then they brought in small golden vessels that which every man should need 235 Of sauces, or salt, or pepper--would one sparely or fully feed, Yet each found enough--and courteous they bare to each noble guest; And red wine and sweet drinks luscious, each one as he liked him best Might speak the word, and proffer the cup, and behold! 'twas filled By the power of the Grail--Thus the hunger of that gallant host was stilled, 240 And the Grail Itself sustained them, and Parzival wondering saw The riches and mighty marvels, yet to question his host forbore.
¶And he thought, 'Gurnemanz he bade me, in truth, without thought of guile, To withhold my lips from question--If here I abide awhile Methinks it will then befall me as aforetime in Graharz land, 245 They will tell me, without my question, how here with this folk it stands.' Then e'en as he sat thus musing came a squire who a sword did bear, And its sheath was a thousand marks' worth, and its hilt was a ruby rare, And the blade, it might well work wonders--Then the host gave it to the knight, And he spake, 'I full oft have borne it in many a deadly fight 250 Ere God's Hand thus sorely smote me; now with this shalt thou be repaid If aught hath in care been lacking--Henceforth shalt thou bear this blade Whatever chance befall thee, and when thou its power hast tried Thou wilt know thou art fully armèd, whatever strife betide.'