Parzival

by Wolfram von Eschenbach

  Gawan asked his people to see to it that the fine caparison of surcoat, helmet and shield were not taken away anywhere, or anything broken off it. The tabard alone would have been beyond the means of a lady of slender means, so costly were the stones on all four pieces. But a lofty love can well adorn a knight when the will is coupled with the wherewithal and with fine craftsmanship besides. The proud and wealthy Feirefiz was most assiduous with his homage to win the ladies’ favour, thus not one denied him her reward.

  Feirefiz’s armour was removed. They gazed at this mottled man, and all who liked to talk of marvels had ocular proof of one there – Feirefiz’s skin was strangely patterned!

  ‘Make me acquainted with your companion, Cousin,’ said Gawan to Parzival. ‘He looks so dazzlingly elegant, I never saw anything like it.’

  ‘If I am your kinsman,’ Parzival answered his host, ‘then so is he. Let Gahmuret assure you of that. This is the King of Zazamanc, where my father so gloriously won Belacane, who bore this knight.’

  Gawan duly kissed the Infidel. Mighty Feirefiz was black and white all over his skin, except that about half his mouth showed red.

  Luxurious clothes were brought for them from Gawan’s wardrobe. And now fair ladies were arriving. The Duchess had Cundrie and Sangive kiss him first, then she and Arnive kissed him. Feirefiz was delighted to see such lovely women, I fancy it was very pleasant for him.

  ‘Cousin,’ said Gawan to Parzival, ‘your helmet and shield tell me of new hardship you have undergone. You and your brother have both had to bear the brunt of battle. From whom did you get such cruel treatment?’

  ‘You never heard of a harder battle,’ answered Parzival. ‘My brother forced me to defend myself in desperate circumstances. Self-defence is a charm against death! My stout sword shattered from a blow I dealt this intimate stranger! But he showed little fear – he threw his own sword out of reach. He feared to commit a sin on me, before we traced our relationship. Now I enjoy his good will, which I shall always be glad to deserve of him.’

  ‘I was told of a battle gallantly fought. Up in Schastel marveile on the Pillar on my watch-tower you can see all that happens within a range of six miles. My uncle Arthur said that one man fighting there at that time must be you, Cousin from Kingrivals. You now bring confirmation, though it was already set down to your account. Believe me when I tell you, we would have waited a whole week for you here while a magnificent festivity was being held. Your fighting together troubles me. Rest under my roof and recover from it. Nevertheless, having fought, you know each other all the better for it. Now be friends where you were enemies.’

  Gawan supped all the earlier that evening because his cousin of Thasme, Feirefiz Angevin, and Feirefiz’s brother had still not broken their fast. A broad circle of long, thick mattresses was made, and these were covered with quilts of many kinds made of thick palmat-silk. Over this were ample lengths of quilted brocade. It was Clinschor’s wealth that was on display there. I also heard that four sumptuous brocades were put up to join and make a square for people to lean against. Below them were soft cushions of down overspread with quilts, with the aforesaid back-cloths fixed above them. This ring embraced an area sufficient to take six pavilions without crowding their guys. But I would be an incompetent narrator were I to let these marvels run on.

  My lord Gawan sent a message to Arthur to tell him who had arrived, saying it was the mighty Infidel the heathen Ekuba had praised beside the Plimizœl. Jofreit fiz Idœl told Arthur the news, which greatly pleased him. Jofreit asked the King to sup early and then set a brilliant train in motion with knights and a company of ladies, and to go there with all ceremony and so arrange matters that they could receive proud Gahmuret’s son with the honours due to him.

  ‘I shall bring all the distinguished people I have here,’ answered the Briton.

  ‘He is so courtly that you will all be delighted to see him,’ said Jofreit. ‘Indeed, you will see marvels in him. He comes from a region of great wealth – none could raise the price of his armour, there is not one who could afford it. If you were to lay all the lands of Löver, Britain and England, and from Paris along to Wissant, against it, this would fall short of meeting it.’

  Jofreit had now returned after informing Arthur what he should do if he wished to receive his kinsman the Infidel. The seating in Gawan’s ring was determined according to protocol. The Duchess’s following and the companions in a group were seated to Gawan’s right. On the other side, Clinschor’s band of knights had fallen to with gusto. Opposite Gawan at the far end, seats had been appointed for the ladies, and it was there that Clinschor’s ladies were sitting, many beauties among them – Feirefiz and Parzival sat in the very midst of a bevy of dazzlers. Florant the Turkoyt and noble Sangive, the Duke of Gowerzin and his wife Cundrie, were sitting opposite one another. Nor, I fancy, were Gawan and Jofreit unmindful of their old comradeship, for they were sharing a platter. The Duchess with the bright glances was sharing with Queen Arnive, and they both applied themselves with a will to entertaining each other. Gawan’s grandmother sat beside him, with Orgeluse on the farther side of her.

  Unseemliness was revealed in full flight from that ring – the viands were brought in for the knights and ladies with discernment and propriety.

  Mighty Feirefiz observed to his brother Parzival ‘Jupiter contrived this expedition of mine to my good fortune, in that his aid has led me here where I see my noble kinsmen. I have every cause to commend the father I have lost, since he came of an illustrious line.’

  ‘You shall see more people whose distinction you cannot fail to acknowledge, many valiant knights ranged around Arthur, their Patron,’ said the Waleis. ‘Very soon after this meal is over you will see the noble people coming who have been much praised. As to Members of the Table Round now present, only three are sitting here: our host and Jofreit. Some time or other I won the honour of being asked to sit at it and I complied with their request.’

  The cloths were removed from the tables at which the ladies and gentlemen were sitting. It was time to do so, they had had their repast. Their host Gawan rose and earnestly begged the Duchess and his grandmother to take Sangive and sweet Cundrie and go to where the mottled Infidel was sitting and entertain him. Feirefiz Angevin saw these ladies approaching and rose to receive them, as did his brother Parzival. The lovely Duchess took Feirefiz by the hand and asked all the knights and ladies who had risen to their feet to be seated again. At this point Arthur rode up with his people to a great sounding of trumpets, tabors, flutes and shawms – Arnive’s son was approaching with much crashing and blaring! The Infidel thought this jolly business grand!

  In such style did Arthur ride to Gawan’s ring in the company of his wife and many handsome knights and ladies. The Infidel could see there were people there whose fresh complexions showed them in the bloom of youth. King Gramoflanz was still a guest of Arthur, and his sweet and faithful mistress Itonje was also riding along that path.

  The Company of the Table Round alighted there with its bevy of comely ladies. Ginover gave precedence to Itonje in kissing her cousin the Infidel, then herself approached Feirefiz and received him with a kiss. Arthur and Gramoflanz received this heathen with warm sincerity. They both offered him their humble duty, and other of his kinsmen gave him marks of their good will. Feirefiz Angevin was quick to understand from them that he was among good friends.

  Men, married women and many charming girls took their seats. If they felt enterprising and knew how to sue for love, knights could find sweet words from sweet lips, for many fine ladies sitting there allowed such suits without pique. No good woman was ever known to upbraid a man who claimed her help: she still has the privilege of saying ‘No’ – or ‘Yes’. If happiness can be said to have a yield, only true love affords such revenue. It was in this style I saw those nobles living: service and reward were seated there side by side. The sound of one’s mistress’s voice is a most helpful sound that can come to her friend’s rescue.

  Arthu
r sat down beside Feirefiz. Neither hung back from answering the other’s questions, pleasantly, fully and to the point.

  ‘God be praised for giving us this honour of seeing you here,’ said Arthur. ‘No man ever came from the infidel lands to those of the Christian rite whom I would more willingly serve in any way you wish.’

  ‘All my misfortunes were cut short when the goddess Juno arranged for the winds to blow my sails to these western kingdoms,’ Feirefiz told Arthur. ‘You behave most like a man whose fame is spoken of over a vast region. If you are called “Arthur”, your name is celebrated far and wide.’

  ‘The man who praised me to you and others did himself honour,’ replied Arthur. ‘It was his own good breeding that prompted him more than any desert of mine, it was from courtesy that he did so. Yes, I am called “Arthur”, and I would gladly learn how you came to this country. If it was some lady you admire that sent you out in quest of adventure, she must be very attractive in view of the great distance you have traversed. If she did not defraud you of your reward it will enhance the service of ladies. But if you have been left unrewarded, the whole sex will have to face the anger of their Servitors.’

  ‘It is much the reverse,’ replied the Infidel. ‘Now let me tell you how I came here. I lead so powerful an army that the defenders of Troy and those who besieged them would have to leave me free passage, if both sides were still alive and sought to bring me to battle. They would not be able to win the victory but would instead suffer defeat at my and my men’s hands. I have achieved the honour by deeds of arms in many cruel tests that the Queen Secundille accords me her favour. Whatever she wishes is my wish too. She has given my life direction. She commanded me to give open-handedly and so recruit good knights, I should please do so for her sake. And this indeed was done. – Many distinguished knights covered by their shields have been appointed to my following. In return, her love rewards me. I display an Ecidemon on my shield as she commanded me. Wherever I was in peril and as soon as my thoughts were on her, her love has come to my aid, giving me far more encouragement than my god Jupiter.’

  ‘It is entirely your nature, inherited from your father and my cousin, Gahmuret, that you should journey into distant lands in the service of ladies,’ said Arthur. ‘I will tell you of chivalric service than which greater has never been given for the adorable person of any woman on earth – I mean the Duchess sitting here. Much forest has been cleared in the hope of winning her love! It has been the cause of many a good knight’s forfeiting his happiness and of dashing his élan.’ Arthur told him all about her war and also about Clinschor’s company, who were sitting there on all sides, and the two battles Feirefiz’s brother had fought on the broad meadow at Joflanze. – ‘And whatever else he has experienced on occasions when he did not spare himself. He is in quest of a lofty goal: he aspires to win the Gral! I desire you both to tell me the lands and peoples you came to know through war.’

  ‘I will name those who are in command of my knights here,’ replied the Infidel. ‘King Papiris of Trogodjente and Count Behantins of Kalomidente; Duke Farjelastis of Affricke and King Liddamus of Agrippe; King Tridanz of Tinodonte and King Amaspartins of Schipelpjonte; Duke Lippidins of Agre-muntin and King Milon of Nomadjentisin; Count Gabarins of Assigarzionte and King Translapins of Rivigitas; Count Filones of Hiberborticon and King Kyllicrates of Centriun; Count Lysander of Ipopotiycon and Duke Tiride of Elixodjon; King Thoaris of Orastegentesin and Duke Alamis of Satarchjonte; King Amincas of Sotofeititon and the Duke of Duscontemedon; King Zoroaster of Arabia and Count Possizonjus of Thiler; Duke Sennes of Narjoclin and Count Edisson of Lanzesardin; Count Fristines of Janfuse and Duke Meiones of Atropfagente; Duke Archeinor of Nourient and Count Astor of Panfatis; the lords of Azagouc and Zazamanc and King Jetakranc of Gampfassache; Count Jurans of Blemunzin and Duke Arfinamus of Amantisin. One thing I thought a disgrace. In my country, people claimed that no better knight ever bestrode war-horse than Gahmuret Angevin. It was my wish, and also my way, that I should travel till I found him. So doing, I gained battle-experience. I embarked on the sea in great force at the head of an army drawn from my two lands. My ambition was to do deeds of arms. Whatever lands were good and warlike I nevertheless subdued them, far off into remote regions. Two mighty queens accorded me their love, Olimpia and Clauditte. Secundille, now, is the third. I have done much for love of women. And now only today do I learn that my father Gahmuret is dead. But let my brother, too, tell of his trials.’

  ‘Since I departed from the Gral,’ said noble Parzival, ‘I have shown much knightly activity in battle, both in tight places and in the open, and have lowered the reputations of divers knights unused to it before. These I will now name for you. King Schirniel of Lirivoyn and his brother Mirabel of Avendroyn; King Serabil of Rozokarz and King Piblesun of Lorneparz; King Senilgorz of Sirnegunz and Lord Strangedorz of Villegarunz; Count Rogedal of Mirnetalle and Lord Laudunal of Pleyedunze; King Onipriz of Itolac and King Zyrolan of Semblidac; Duke Jerneganz of Jeroplis and Count Plineschanz of Zambron; Count Longefiez of Tuteleunz and Duke Marangliez of Privegarz; Duke Strennolas of Pictacon and Count Parfoyas of Lampregun; King Vergulaht of Ascalun and Count Bogudaht of Pranzile; Lord Postefar of Laudundrehte and Duke Leidebron of Redunzehte; Lord Colleval of Leterbe, the Provençal Lord Jovedast of Aries and Count Karfodyas of Tripparun. This happened wherever tourneying was to be had while I was riding in quest of the Gral. Were I asked to name my opponents to the last man it would exceed my knowledge: I must of sheer necessity leave many unmentioned. Yet I believe I have named all whose names were made known to me.’

  The Infidel was heartily pleased that his brother’s renown stood so high from having won so many great distinctions. He thanked him warmly for it, for he derived honour from it too.

  Meanwhile Gawan had given orders for the Infidel’s magnificent panoply to be brought into the ring as though without Gawan’s knowledge. They all judged it a masterpiece. Knights and ladies fell to examining the tabard, shield and surcoat. The helmet was perfectly proportioned, and they all joined in admiring the rare and noble stones which had been set in it. Let no one ask me of what kinds they were, the heavy and the light: Heraclius or Hercules, and the Greek Alexander could tell you better, and yet another, the wise Pythagoras, who was an astronomer and beyond dispute so sapient that no man since Adam’s time could equal him in understanding, he could speak from great knowledge of precious stones.

  The ladies there were whispering that if Feirefiz had proved false to the woman who had adorned him in it, his reputation would have been sadly tarnished. Because of his exotic complexion, as it seems to me, some were so well disposed towards him that they would gladly have borne with his service. Then the four of them, Gramoflanz, Arthur, Parzival and their host Gawan, withdrew, leaving the mighty Infidel to the attentions of the ladies.

  Arthur made preparations for a festivity to be held on the meadow next morning without fail, formally to receive his kinsman Feirefiz. – ‘Apply your best thought and energy to enlisting him as a fellow member of the Table Round.’

  They promised one and all to do their best, unless Feirefiz himself were against it. In the event, mighty Feirefiz undertook to be their Companion.

  After the good-night cup they all went to their rest. It was to the pleasure of many on the morrow when (if I may so express myself)* ‘the sweet, bright dawn shone out’.

  Arthur son of Utepandragun could be seen actively engaged in making ready a magnificent Table Round of drianthasme† Now you heard before how they fashioned a Table Round on the meadow beside the Plimizœl. The present one was cut to the same pattern, circular, and with every mark of splendour. They made a ring of seats all round on the dewy greensward, so wide that from there to the Table Round it was fully the length of a jousting charge. This Table Round lay there all alone at the centre not for any use it gave, but for its name. A man of low degree would have good cause for embarrassment had he sat beside those worthies – it would have been a gross misdemeanour
to have partaken of their fare.

  This ring was measured out in the bright moonlight and arranged to splendid effect. By mid-morning, when people saw that the ring was ready, its magnificence was such as would have been beyond the means of a petty king. It was Gramoflanz and Gawan who met the main expense of it. Arthur was a stranger in that country, nevertheless he made a handsome contribution.

  Night has rarely fallen without the sun’s ushering in the day thereafter, as is its wont. And it was precisely this that happened there – the day shone out upon them, sweet, clear and brilliant. Many a knight sleeked his hair, then set a garland on it. You could see the fair skin of many ladies, unfeigned as nature made it, enframing red lips – if Kyot is telling true. Knights and ladies were wearing clothes not cut in just one country. Women’s head-dress was worn low over the forehead or high, according to their national customs. This company had been assembled from over a wide area, and their fashions varied accordingly. No lady without a gallant dared take her seat at the Table Round on any pretext. But if a lady had accepted service that aspired to her reward and had engaged herself to bestow it, she rode to the ring of the Table Round. The others had to forgo it and just sat there in their tents.

  When Arthur had heard Mass, Gramoflanz was seen arriving together with the Duke of Gowerzin and the latter’s companion Florant. Each made his separate plea for membership of the Table Round, and Arthur was quick to grant it. And if any man or woman were to ask you who was the richest and mightiest from any land of all who ever sat at the Table, you could not answer them more accurately than that it was Feirefiz Angevin. So let the matter rest there.