Parzival

by Wolfram von Eschenbach

  The army was in three parts, with two spaces between, and Arthur now rode with the young people right out on to the meadow away from the army.

  ‘Bene, sweet girl,’ he said, ‘you heard the woeful tale my niece Itonje told me? – She cannot hold back her tears. My friends here may well believe it when I say that Gramoflanz has all but quenched Itonje’s radiant looks. Now assist me, you two, and also you, friend Bene, to have the King ride over here to me today and nevertheless fight the duel tomorrow. I shall bring my nephew Gawan to meet him on the meadow. If the King rides through my army today he will be all the more formidable tomorrow, for Love will give him a shield here such as his adversary will wish to be quit of – by which I mean high mettle inspired by Love that wreaks such havoc in close combat with one’s enemy. Let him bring some courtiers. I will mediate between him and the Duchess. Now go about this business discreetly, my dear companions, and you will reap much credit. I must make further complaint to you. What, wretched man, have I done to King Gramoflanz that he treats my family, perhaps deeming it a trifle, to such great love and hatred? Any fellow king of mine has good cause to treat me considerately. If he intends to reward with hatred the brother of the girl he loves, he has only to reflect in order to see that when his heart teaches him such thoughts it has turned traitor to Love.’

  ‘If my lord aims at being thought truly courteous, he should refrain from whatever you say is disagreeable, Sire,’ said one of the pages to the King. ‘You are aware of the old quarrel, in view of which it is better my lord should stay where he is rather than ride over here to you. The Duchess still maintains her feud with him and complains of him to all and sundry.’

  ‘Let him come with only a few,’ replied Arthur. ‘In the meantime I shall have obtained a truce from the noble Duchess regarding the feud, and I shall give him a fitting escort, for my nephew Beacurs shall receive him at half-way. He shall proceed under my safe-conduct, nor let him think it a dishonour. I shall show him some distinguished people.’

  The pages took their leave and went. While Arthur stayed alone in the meadow, Bene and the two pages rode into Rosche Sabins and out on the farther side where the army lay encamped. It was the happiest day in Gramoflanz’s life when Bene and the pages addressed him. He felt he had received news which Fortune herself had devised for him.

  He said he would be glad to come. Company was chosen. Three Princes of the Realm rode out beside their King. His maternal uncle King Brandelidelin did likewise. Bernout de Riviers and Affinamus of Clitiers each took a companion suited for the way. This made twelve in all. Young gentlemen-in-waiting beyond counting and a host of stout men-at-arms were appointed for the journey. – ‘What clothes were those knights wearing?’ Brocade refulgent with its load of gold! The King’s falconers rode at his side so that he could ply his sport. For his part, Arthur had not neglected to send handsome Beacurs to meet him half-way and escort him. Over the expanse of fields, wherever he saw a way through bog or brook, the King rode in pursuit of game – and even more in keenness for Love. Beacurs received him there, and the encounter was a happy one. With Beacurs, upwards of fifty comely pages had arrived, young dukes and counts who shed the lustre of high race. With them there rode some kings’ sons too. There was a great exchange of welcomes and salutations by the pages on both sides, they became acquainted with one another in perfect amity.

  Beacurs was of dazzling appearance, and the King lost no time in asking who the handsome knight might be. ‘He is Lot’s son, Beacurs,’ Bene told him.

  ‘Heart,’ he mused, ‘now find the maiden who resembles this youth riding here so delightfully! She who sent me the hat made in Sinzester, together with her sparrowhawk, is truly his sister! If she shows me further favour I would take her alone above all earthly riches, were the earth double its size! Her love must be sincere. I have come here in the hope that she will be merciful. Until now she has given me such encouragement that I am sure she will do something for me that will raise my spirits.’ Her handsome brother took Gramoflanz’s hand in his: it too was white and fine.

  Now in the army it had come about that Arthur had obtained a truce from the Duchess. She now had ample recompense for the loss of Cidegast, whom she had mourned so intensely, so that her anger was all but overlaid – Gawan’s embraces had brought her to life, and her hostility had ebbed away.

  Arthur the Briton took courtly ladies fresh and lovely of person, both married and unmarried, into a separate pavilion, a hundred all told. Nothing more delightful could have happened to Itonje, who was also sitting there, than that she was to see the King. Not for one moment did she cease to feel happy, yet one could read from her bright eyes that Love was tormenting her.

  Many knights of splendid appearance were seated there, but Parzival outshone them all in looks. Gramoflanz now rode up to the guy-ropes. The fearless King was wearing a tissue woven in Gampfassasche, stiff with gold and shedding its rays far and wide.

  Those who had just arrived dismounted. A crowd of Gramoflanz’s pages ran ahead of him and pushed their way into the pavilion. The chamberlains cleared a broad path in the direction of the Queen of the Britons. The King’s uncle Brandelidelin entered the pavilion before King Gramoflanz and was received by Ginover with a kiss, then the King was welcomed in the same way. The Queen kissed Bernout and Affinamus too.

  Arthur then turned to Gramoflanz and said: ‘Before you think of sitting down look round and see if you love any of these ladies and kiss her. You may both have leave to do so here.’

  A billet-doux he had perused out there in the fields told him who his lover was – I refer to his having seen the brother of the girl who had secretly declared her noble love to be his above all the world. Gramoflanz’s eyes sought and found the one who loved him, and his happiness soared high enough. Since Arthur had allowed them both to welcome each other with a greeting, he kissed Itonje on the lips.

  King Brandelidelin took his seat beside Queen Ginover, and for his part King Gramoflanz sat down next to the girl who had suffused her bright face with tears. As yet this was all she had had from him. Unless he is to punish innocence he must speak to her and offer to serve her to win her love. And she could take it upon herself to thank him for having come. Yet none heard them say a word. They were just content to look at each other. But when I catch proper speech I shall examine what they say and whether it be ‘No!’ or ‘Yes!’

  With a ‘Now you have had time to say all you want to my wife’, Arthur led the fearless warrior Brandelidelin into a lesser pavilion a short way over the field. At Arthur’s request, Gramoflanz and his companions remained seated, and little loth were those knights to do so in the dazzling company of the ladies. Their pleasure as they passed the time with them was such as might well content a man who sought it as solace for his troubles.

  Drink was now brought before the Queen. If the knights – and not to forget the ladies – drank their fill they had a better colour for it.

  Drink was also taken out to Arthur and Brandelidelin, and when the cup-bearer had left, Arthur opened with these words: ‘Now suppose, Brother, that they went to work in such a way that your nephew the King were to slay my nephew. If he then wished to bring a love-suit to my young niece, who is now telling him of her troubles over there where we left them sitting together, she would never show him any inclination – were she to behave sensibly – and for his plans would treat him to such hostility as would affront him, if he expected anything of her. Where love is tinged with hatred, happiness is denied entry to the constant heart.’

  ‘Brother,’ replied the King of Punturteis to Arthur the Briton, ‘these two who are in feud with one another are our maternal nephews: we must prevent this duel. Then there can be no other outcome than that they love each other with all their hearts. Your niece Itonje must first command my nephew to waive the duel for her sake, if he is suing for her love. Thus this duel and all its threat will be well and truly set aside. Help my nephew, too, to regain the Duchess’s good will.’

  �
�That I shall do,’ said Arthur. ‘My nephew Gawan has such authority with her that as a well-bred woman she will leave it to him and me to settle the score. Then you compose the quarrel on your side.’

  ‘I shall,’ replied Brandelidelin, whereupon the two went back to the pavilion. There the King of Punturteis resumed his seat beside courtly Ginover. Parzival, no less radiant in looks, was sitting on the further side – eye never lit on a man more handsome. Arthur went from there to his nephew Gawan, who had already been told that King Gramoflanz had come. Then, hard upon that, it was announced in Gawan’s presence that Arthur was dismounting in front of his tent, so he ran out on to the green to receive him.

  They got the Duchess to agree to a reconciliation, but only on these express terms: that if her beloved Gawan would renounce the duel for her sake, she would grant peace; and further she would be reconciled only if the King would with-draw his accusation against her father-in-law, Lot. This she asked Arthur to convey to him. Arthur, politic man, went away with these conditions. Gramoflanz then had to let his Garland go. And whatever hatred he entertained for Lot of Norway melted away like snow in sunshine for lovely Itonje’s sake, untroubled by the faintest resentment. This came about while he was sitting beside her – he agreed to all she asked him! And now they saw Gawan approaching with a brilliant company. I could not unfold all their names for you or whence they derived their titles.

  And now for affection’s sake rancour was put aside.

  Proud Orgeluse and her noble mercenaries and also Clinschor’s squadron – a section of it, not the full complement – were seen arriving. The walls of Arthur’s pavilion below the cupola were now removed. Earlier, Arthur had invited the good Arnive, Sangive and Cundrie to the solemn proceedings of this peacemaking. Let any who considers this a trifle deem grand whatever he fancies. Gawan’s companion Jofreit led the dazzling Duchess by the hand into the pavilion, where, well-bred and discerning, she waited for the three queens to enter first. Brandelidelin kissed them, and Orgeluse too welcomed him with a kiss. Gramoflanz went towards her to make peace, but also hoping to win her good will. Orgeluse kissed the King with her sweet lips in sign of reconciliation and felt a great urge to weep. She was thinking of the death of Cidegast. Even now her woman’s anguish compelled her to mourn for him. Set it down to fidelity if you like.

  Gawan and Gramoflanz also set the seal on their reconciliation with a kiss. Arthur gave Itonje away to Gramoflanz in marriage, for which he had performed much service, an event which delighted Bene. Cundrie was given to Lischois, Duke of Gowerzin, whose love for her inflicted many a pang on him – his life had been bare of any happiness till he knew desire for her noble love. Arthur offered King Lot’s widow Sangive to the Turkoyt Florant, and indeed that prince gladly took her as a gift well worth cherishing.

  Arthur was generous in giving ladies away – he never wearied of bestowing such gifts! But this was all discussed and agreed beforehand.

  Now when these matters had been transacted in full, the Duchess announced that Gawan, having served her for her love with high distinction acclaimed by all, was rightful lord of her lands and person, an announcement which saddened her knights-servitor, who in the past had broken many lances aspiring to win her love.

  Gawan and his companions, Arnive and the Duchess together with a radiant bevy of ladies, and noble Parzival, Sangive and Cundrie too, all took their leave; but Itonje remained there with Arthur. Now let nobody say where a finer wedding-feast took place. Ginover took charge of Itonje and her lover the noble King, who, spurred on by love for her, had distinguished himself many times with deeds of arms.

  Many a man rode to his quarters racked by love for a high born lady. We can omit to tell what they had for supper, since whoever was partnered in noble love wished day to be night.

  Goaded by his pride, King Gramoflanz sent a message to his people at Rosche Sabins to strike camp, where they lay beside the sea, and come with his army before dawn, and that his Marshal was to choose a site amenable to an army. ‘See to it that all my arrangements are magnificent, and that each prince has his own ring of tents.’ It was meant to make a sumptuous display.

  The messenger set out, and now it was night. There were no few unhappy men there who had been brought to that pass by women. For when one’s service comes to naught and one finds oneself unrewarded, one speedily succumbs to misery – unless a woman lends a helping hand.

  Now as to Parzival, he was thinking of his lovely wife and all her modest charm. Would he address himself to another and offer service for her love and take to unfaithful ways? From such love he refrains. His manly heart and person have been maintained by great fidelity, with the result that no woman was ever possessed of his love other than Condwiramurs, fairest flower that blows.

  ‘How has Love treated me,’ he pondered, ‘since I first knew Love? After all, I am of Love’s lineage. How then have I lost Love? If I am to strive for the Gral, desire for the chaste embraces of her whom I left too long ago must ever harass me. If my eyes are to show me pleasure while my heart speaks to me of sorrow, the two are at odds with one another. No one will ever grow high-spirited from such a situation. May Fortune guide me to what is best for me to do!’

  His armour lay nearby. ‘Since I lack what the happy ones command – I mean Love, who cheers the sad thoughts of many with the aid of her delights – since I have been cut off from my part in this, I do not care what happens to me now. God does not wish my happiness. If our love, mine and hers, which compels me to languish for her, were such that severance went with it and doubt and despair preyed on our minds, I could easily arrive at another. But as things are, the love she inspires has taken away from me all other love and hope of happiness. Thus I find no release from my pining. May Fortune give joy to those who desire it, final and lasting! God grant joy to all these companies! As to me, I shall ride out from amid these joys!’

  He reached for his armour, which he often managed on his own, and had soon encased himself in it. He is now intent on new hardships. When the joy-forsaking man had all his armour on he saddled his horse with his own hands. He found his shield and lance ready. His riding away so early in the morning was loudly lamented. As he set out, day was breaking.

  Chapter 15

  MANY people have grown impatient at the Sequel’s being locked away from them. Some I could name failed to fathom it, hard though they tried. I shall now withhold it no longer, but make it known to you in plain narrative, since in my mouth I bear the lock to the story of how gentle, handsome Anfortas was made well again. This story reveals to us how the Queen of Belrepeire maintained her chaste and womanly thoughts till she reached the place of her reward and entered a realm of high bliss. Parzival shall bring this to pass, if my skill avails me.

  I shall now recount such toils on his part as never before, compared with which any fighting he had put his hand to was child’s play. If I could waive my obligation to this story I would not wish to hazard him, I myself should be loth to do so. But now I shall commend his fortunes – that portion of bliss which is his – to his own heart, in which daring resided with modesty. For his heart had no dealings with cowardice. May this give him firm assurance that he will keep his life!

  Since it has fallen to Parzival’s lot, a very champion of all battles will face him on a dauntless expedition. This selfsame courtly person was an infidel all ignorant of Christianity.

  Parzival rode briskly across an open space towards a great forest – towards that mighty stranger! It is wonderful that I, a poor knight, can describe to you die magnificence that Infidel wore as his crest. If I were to tell you about his wealth till you were sick and tired of it, I should still have to go on describing it if I meant to say anything at all! All that Arthur disposed of in Britain and England would not buy the jewels on this knight’s tabard with their pure and noble qualities! It was rare and costly, believe me – rubies and chalcedonies would not have fetched that dazzling tabard! Pairs of salamander-worms in Mount Agremuntin had woven it in t
he fire. It was overlaid with precious gems of the true water, both lustrous and opaque. I cannot name their virtues.

  The Infidel’s desire was for love and die winning of fame, and they were for die most part women who had given him the things with which he adorned himself so sumptuously. Love conducted zest and spirit into his manly heart, as she still does with her suitors today. To crown his high fame he wore on his helmet an Ecidemon: once they have scented it, venomous reptiles have no further lease of life, thanks to die nature of this small creature. In Thopedissimonte, Assigarzionte, Thasme and Araby, there was not to be found such brocade as his mount was wearing for its trappers. The handsome, unchristened man aspired to women’s reward: it was for this that he adorned himself so elegantly. His high heart compelled him to strive for noble love.

  This same doughty youth had anchored in an inlet where die forest came down to the sea. In keeping with his power and wealth he had twenty-five armies of which none understood another’s tongue, while as many separate territories were subject to him, Moors and other Saracens of varied aspect. In his host, drawn from far and wide, there were many strange arms and armaments.

  For his part, this lone man had left his army and ridden out into the forest in search of adventure to stretch his limbs. Since these kings assumed die right to seek battle in pursuit of glory on their own, I shall let them ride. Yet Parzival did not ride alone. There went in comradeship himself and Courage, which fights so manfully that ladies would be bound to praise it, unless their frivolity sent them raving.

  Here, two who are as gentle as lambs, yet are lions for valour, are going to seek each other’s harm. Alas, that broad though die earth is, they did not pass each other by, this pair that fought for no cause! I would be anxious for the man whom I have brought this far, had I not die consoling thought that die power of die Gral must save him. And Love, too, must defend him. He has served both with unswerving devotion.