If now the gallant Gawain a knightly joust would ride,

Tho’ never I feared for his honour yet I fear what may now betide.

And tho’ dear be the other’s safety yet never a doubt I know,

For he who in strife would face him an army had found for foe.

O’er far seas, in the land of paynim, his helmet was fashioned fair,5

And ruby-red was his harness, and the trappings his charger bare.

So rode he in search of adventure, and his shield it was piercèd thro’—

He had plucked for his helm a garland, and the tree where the garland grew

Was the tree that Gramoflanz guarded; and Gawain knew the wreath again,

And he thought, did the king here wait him it were counted to him for shame,10

If hither for strife he had ridden then strife there perforce must be,

Tho’ alone were the twain, and no lady the fate of their jousting see.

From Monsalv?sch they came, the chargers, which each of the knights bestrode,

And they spurred them alike to a gallop, and each ‘gainst the other rode,

On the dewy grass of the meadow, not the sand of the Tourney ring,15

Should the joust this morn be ridden; and I ween, as their deeds I sing,

I had mourned for the harm of either—’Twas a fair joust they rode that morn,

Of a race that fought fair and knightly was each gallant hero born;

And little had been his winning, great his loss, who there won the prize,

And ne’er had he ceased to mourn it, if he were in his calling wise.20

For faith had they pledged to each other, nor of old time, nor yet to-day,

Had their love and their truth been wounded—Now hear how they fought the fray:

Swiftly they rode, yet in such wise that each knight must mourn his fate—

For kinsman and knightly brethren, in strength of foeman’s hate,

In strife had come together; and he who this joust should win25

His joy were the pledge of sorrow, and his deed must he count for sin—

And each right hand it smote so surely that the comrades and foemen twain,

With horse and with goodly harness, fell prone on the grassy plain.

And then in such wise they bear them, with their swords such blows they smite,

That their shields are hewn and riven, and cloven in deadly fight.30

And the splinters of shields, and the grass blades, were mingled upon the ground,

And far other the look of the meadow ere their strife had its ending found;

And too long must they wait for a daysman—’twas early when first they fought,

And the hours sped by, and no man an end to their conflict brought,

And no man was there beside them—Will ye hear how, the self-same day,35

King Arthur’s knights to the army of King Gramoflanz made their way?

On a plain by the sea he camped him—On the one side of the ground

Flowed the Sabbins, and over against it the Poinzacleins its ending found.

And the plain it was strongly guarded; Rosche Sabbins the citadel,

With towers and with walls deep-moated, defended the fourth side well.40

And the host on the plain lay stretching its length for a mile and more,

And half a mile broad had they deemed it—As the messengers toward it bore,

Many unknown knights rode forward, archers, squires, with arms and spear,

And behind them, with waving banners, did the mighty host draw near.

With ringing blasts of trumpet would the army leave the plain,45

That very morn to Ioflanz marched the monarch and all his train.

And clear rung the ladies’ bridles as they circled around the king—

And, if I may tell the story, the tidings I fain would bring

Of those who had ridden hither, and camped on the sward so green,

For Gramoflanz bade them hither, and his combat they fain had seen.50

If ye shall not before have heard it then here would I make it known,

From Punt, the water-locked city, to his nephew’s aid had flown

Brandelidelein, and with him were six hundred ladies fair,

By the side of each lovely lady her knight must his armour wear;

For knighthood and love would he serve her—Of Punturtois, the gallant knights55

Were fain for this stately journey, in sooth ’twas a noble sight.

And there rode, an ye will believe me, Count Bernard of Riviers,

Rich Narant had been his father, and left Uckerland to his heir.

And in many a ship o’er the water had he brought so fair a host

Of ladies, that none gainsaid him who would make of their beauty boast.60

Two hundred of them were maidens, and two hundred already wed—

And if I have rightly counted ‘neath his banner Count Bernard led

Five hundred knights well proven, who with him had sailed the sea,

And each well might face a foeman, and each should a hero be.

Thus King Gramoflanz would wreak vengeance in strife for the broken tree,65

For he deemed he should be the victor, and the folk should his prowess see.

And the princes from out his kingdom, with many a valiant knight,

And many a lovely lady, had come to behold the fight;

And a goodly folk were gathered—Now Arthur’s men drew near,

And they looked upon the monarch, how they found him ye now shall hear.70

Of Palmat was the high seat ‘neath him, and with silk was the couch spread o’er,

And maidens, so fair and graceful, they knelt low the king before,

And with iron hose they shod him; and high o’er the monarch’s head,

A silk, Ecidemon-woven, both broad and long, was spread,

On twelve spear-shafts tall was it lifted, from the sunlight to be a shade—75

Then came the men of King Arthur, and this was the word they said:

‘Sire, King Arthur hath hither sent us, and ever hath he been known

As one whom all men have honoured, and whom all shall as victor own.

Yea, honour enow is his portion—And yet wouldst thou mar his fame,

Since upon the son of his sister thou thinkest to bring this shame!80

And e’en had Sir Gawain wrought thee worse ill by far, I ween,

That the fame of the great Round Table might here for a shield have been.

For brotherhood all have sworn him who sit at that noble board,

And stainless shall be their knighthood who own Arthur for king and lord!

Quoth the king, ‘The strife I sware him e’en to-day my hand shall dare,85

And Gawain to-day shall face me, if well or if ill he fare.

For this hath been truly told me, that King Arthur draweth near

With his queen, and his host of warriors; I bid them welcome here!

Tho’ it may be the angry Duchess shall counsel him to mine ill,

Yet hearken and heed, ye children, the strife shall be foughten still.90

For here have I many a follower, and hindered of none will be,

What one man can do unto me that bear I right joyfully!

And if now I should fear to face that to which I my pledge have sworn,

Of Love’s service and Love’s rewarding henceforward were I forlorn!

In her favour I found aforetime my life and my life’s best bliss—95

God knoweth how he hath pleased her, she oweth me much for this!—

And tho’ ever I did disdain me to fight with one man alone,

Yet Gawain hath so bravely borne him that him as I my peer I’ll own.

And I think me I shame my manhood when such easy strife I fight;

And yet have I fought, believe me, (ye can ask if it seem ye right,)100

With folk whom mine hand hath proven to be valiant men and true,

But ne’er have I fought but one man! No praise shall be here my due,

From the lips of gracious women, tho’ the victory be mine to-day—

And greatly my heart rejoiceth that her bands have been reft away

For whose sake I fight this conflict; so many a distant land105

Are vassals unto King Arthur, and pay tribute unto his hand,

It may well be with him she cometh, for whose sake both joy and pain

Unto death I would gladly suffer, if she be for my service fain.

And what better fate can befall me than that this my fair lot shall be,

That she looketh upon my service, and her eyes shall my victory see!’110

And near to the king sat Bené, nor her heart for the strife did fail,

For full oft had she seen his valour, and she deemed he might well prevail.

But yet had she known that Gawain was brother unto the maid,

And ’twas he who now stood in peril, of a sooth had she been dismayed.

A golden ring from Itonjé she brought him for token fair,115

’Twas the same as her gallant brother did over the Sabbins bear

O’er the Poinzacleins came Bené in a boat, and this word she spake,

‘From Chateau Merveil doth my lady, with the others, her journey take.’

And she spake from the lips of Itonjé such steadfast words and true,

That more, from the lips of a maiden, I ween never monarch knew.120

And she prayed him to think of her sorrow, since all gain did she hold as naught

For the gain of his love, and his service was all that her true heart sought.

And glad was the king at the tidings, yet would fight with her brother still—

’Twere better I had no sister, such rewarding would please me ill!

Then they bare unto him his harness, ’twas costly beyond compare—125

No hero, by love constrainèd, who fought for love’s guerdon fair,

Were he Gamuret, or Galoes, or Killicrates, the valiant king,

Had better decked his body the love of a maid to win—

And no richer silk had been woven in Ipopotiticon,

Or brought from Kalomedenté, or the city of Akraton,130

Or from far-off Agatyrsjenté, than the silk for his garment wove—

Then he kissed the small ring golden, the pledge of Itonjé‘s love,

For he knew her for true and faithful, and tho’ peril upon him pressed,

Yet the thought of her love and her longing would guard, as a shield, his breast.

All armed was now the monarch; twelve maidens on palfreys fair,135

Each one a spear-shaft holding, the awning aloft would bear.

And the king, he rode beneath it, and its shadow was o’er his head,

As on to the strife he craved for the gallant hero sped.

And on either side of the monarch there rode fair maidens twain,

Tall and stately were they to look on, the noblest of all his train.140

The messengers of King Arthur no longer they made delay,

And, behold! they met with Gawain as they rode on their homeward way,

And ne’er had they felt such sorrow, their voices they raised on high,

And they cried aloud for his peril, and their love and their loyalty.

For the strife had near found its ending, and victor was Gawain’s foe,145

For his strength, it was more than Gawain’s, and well-nigh had he laid him low,

When the pages who rode towards them called loudly on Gawain’s name,

For well did they know the hero, and it grieved them to see his shame.

Then he, who erewhile would fight him, of conflict would have no more,

But he cast from his hand his weapon, and he cried, as he wept full sore,150

‘Accursèd am I, and dishonoured, and all blessing from me hath flown,

Since my luckless hand, unwitting, so sinful a strife hath known.

Methinks it is too unseemly! yea, guilty am I alway,

And born ‘neath a star of Ill Fortune, and forced from all bliss to stray.

And the arms that to-day I carry are the same that of old I bore,155

For they are of Ill-luck the token, e’en to-day as they were of yore.

Alas! that with gallant Gawain I have foughten so fierce a fight,

’Tis myself whom I here have vanquished, and my joy shall have taken flight.

With the first blow I struck against him misfortune hath reached my side,

And peace shall have sped far from me, and her face from my face doth hide!’160

And Gawain heard, and saw his sorrow, and he spake out right wonderingly,

‘Alas, Sir Knight, who art thou, who speakest thus well of me?

If I might such words have hearkened the while I had strength and power,

Then my honour had ne’er been forfeit, for the victory is thine this hour!

And fain would I know how men call him with whom I shall find my fame,165

Since hereafter I needs must seek it, so tell me, I pray, thy name—

For ever was I the victor when I fought with one man alone.’

‘Yea, gladly my name I’ll tell thee who aforetime my face hast known,

And true service I fain would do thee wherever such chance befall,

For thy kinsman am I, and cousin, and men call me Parzival!’170

Then out quoth Gawain, ‘So, ’tis fitting, here Folly her goal hath found,

And her ways full straight hath she wroughten which aforetime but crooked wound.

Here have two hearts, leal and faithful, their hate ‘gainst each other shown,

And thy hand which hath won the victory hath the twain of us overthrown.

And for both of us shalt thou sorrow, for thyself by thyself laid low,175

And the thought it shall surely grieve thee if thy true heart true faith doth know!’

Then, e’en as the words were spoken, no longer the knight Gawain

Might stand for very weakness, for the blows they had dulled his brain,

And his footsteps they failed and faltered, and prone on the grass he lay—

Then down sprang the squire of King Arthur, and aid did he bring straightway,180

For he lifted his head, and from off it he loosened the helmet’s band,

With his head-gear of peacock’s feathers the face of Gawain he fanned

Till his care new strength had brought him—Now on to the field did ride,

From the armies twain, much people, they flocked hither from either side.

And each one would seek his station, for here should the fight be fought,185

And the lists, they were set with tree-trunks, each smooth as a mirror wrought.

Gramoflanz the cost had given, since from him had the challenge come,

A hundred in all the tree-trunks, and brightly they shone each one.

And no man should come within them, and the place between was wide,

Full forty lengths from each other stood the fifty on either side,190

Each blazoned with many colours; and here should the combat be;

And on either side the army from the strife should hold them free.

As by moat and rampart sundered, so should they in peace remain,

In this wise they sware, the foemen, King Gramoflanz and Gawain.

To this combat, by none awaited, came the folk from either side,195

At the self-same hour, fain were they to know what should there betide,

For they marvelled much who had fought here, and had shown such knightly skill;

Or who should such strife have challenged, for alone was it foughten still,

And neither side their comrades had bidden unto the ring,

But alone had each knight come hither, and men deemed it a wondrous thing.200

But now as the fight was foughten on the flower-besprinkled plain,

Came King Gramoflanz, to wreak vengeance for the garland upon Gawain;

And he heard what thing had chanced there, that so fierce the fight had been

That never a fiercer conflict with sword might a man have seen,

And the twain who fought together had never a cause to fight—205

Then the king, from out his army, rode straight to the gallant knights;

And he found them battle-weary, and much he mourned their pain;

Tho’ scarcely his strength might bear him, up-sprang the knight Gawain,

And the twain they stood together—Now Bené rode with the king,

And with him, as the strife was ended, she came to the battle-ring,210

And she saw Gawain all powerless, whom, for honour and fair renown,

O’er all the world had she chosen to crown with joy’s fairest crown.

With a cry of heartfelt sorrow from her palfrey the maiden sprung,

And she spake, as her arms around him in a close embrace she flung,

‘Accurst be the hand that such sorrow on so fair a form hath brought,215

For in sooth all manly beauty its mirror in thee hath sought!’

On the sward did she bid him seat him, and, the while that she wept full sore,

With tender hand from his eyelids she wiped the sweat and gore;

And heavy and hot his harness—Then Gramoflanz quoth again,

‘In sooth must I grieve for thy sorrow, since my hand wrought it not, Gawain;220

If to-morrow again thou comest, and wilt meet me upon this field,

Then gladly will I await thee, and will face thee with spear and shield.

Now as lief would I fight with a woman as with thee, who art brought so low,

For how shall I win me honour if strength shall have failed my foe?

Go, rest thee to-day, for ’tis needful, and then wouldst thou take the place225

Of thy father, King Lot, I am ready to meet thee here, face to face.’

But Parzival stood unwearied, nor as yet a sign he bare

Of pallor, nor strength had failed him, and he faced the monarch fair,

And he loosed from his head the helmet, that the king his face might see,

And he spake, ‘Sir, if this my cousin in aught shall have wrongèd thee230

Then take me as his pledge, unwearied, as thou seest, is yet mine hand,

And the wrath thou dost bear against him I may well with my sword withstand.’

Then spake the King of Rosche Sabbins, ‘Sir Knight, at the morrow’s morn

For my garland he payeth tribute, and its fame shall anew be born,

Or to such a pass shall he bring me that shame shall my portion be—235

Thou mayst otherwise be a hero, but this conflict is not for thee!’

In wrath spake the lips of Bené, ‘Fie on thee! thou faithless hound,

Thro’ him whom thy false heart hateth thine heart hath its freedom found.

She to whom thou wouldst do love-service, she liveth at his command,

Thyself hast renounced the victory which else might have crowned thine hand.240

Thou hast no claim on Love’s rewarding, and if ever within thine heart

Love had for awhile her dwelling with falsehood she bare a part!’

As thus she waxed full wrathful, Gramoflanz led the maid aside,

And quoth,‘Now, Lady, grieve not, this strife must needs betide.

But stay thou here with thy master, and say to his sister sweet245

That I am in truth her servant, in all that a knight finds meet.’

But now as Bené hearkened, and knew of a truth Gawain

Was brother unto her lady, and must fight on the grassy plain,

Then drave griefs plough its furrows thro’ her heart, both deep and sore,

And filled them with flood of sorrow, for truth in her heart she bore.250

And she quoth, ‘Ride hence, accursèd, thou false and faithless one,

For steadfast love and loyal thine heart hath never won!’

The king and his knights they rode hence, and the lads of Arthur’s train

They took the heroes’ chargers, weary with strife the twain.

Then Parzival, and Gawain, and Bené, that maiden bright,255

They rode to the camp of King Arthur with many a gallant knight.

And Parzival in manhood had so borne the prize away

That all men were glad at his coming, and rejoiced in his fame that day.

And more, if I can, would I tell ye—the wise men of either host

Spake but of this man, of his valour in this wise they made their boast,260

‘Wot ye well who hath here been victor? ’Twas Parzival, he alone!’

And so fair was his face to look on none fairer was ever known.

So thought they who looked upon him, and they swear it, both man and maid—

So he came to the tent of Gawain; and little his host delayed,

But he bade them bring costly raiment, and rich as was his own gear,265

And alike were they clad, the heroes, and all folk must the marvel hear

That Parzival came among them, of whose glory all men had heard,

And the fame of his deeds so knightly, and no mouth but spake this word.

Quoth Gawain, ‘Art thou fain to look on four queens who are kin to thee,

And other fair ladies with them, then thy guide will I gladly be.’270

Quoth Gamuret’s son, ‘If fair ladies be here thou shalt vex them not

With the sight of my face, for no kindness from woman shall be my lot

Since by Plimiz?l’s bank they hearkened to the shame that upon me fell:

May their honour of God be guarded, for ever I wish them well,

But my shame weigheth heavy on me, and it vexeth so sore my heart,275

I were fain ne’er to look on woman, but live me a life apart’

‘Yet so must it be,’ quoth Gawain; then Parzival he led

To the four queens, who gave him greeting and kissed him with lips so red.

But sorely it vexed the Duchess, that she, too, must kiss this knight,

Who little had cared for her kisses, nor would for her favours fight—280

Tho’ her lands and her love she proffered when he before Logrois fought,

And she rode far to overtake him—thus shame in her anger wrought.

But the others they spake him gently, with never a thought of wrong,

Till shame from his heart was driven, and joy in its stead waxed strong.

Then Gawain of right and reason, if Bené his grace would hold,285

Bade her seal her lips to silence, to her lady no word be told,

‘That King Gramoflanz for his garland doth hatred toward me bear,

And at the set time to-morrow our strife must be foughten fair,

Speak no word of this to my sister, and do thou thy tears give o’er;’

And she spake, ‘I do well to weep thus, and to mourn, and to sorrow sore,290

For whoever shall fall in the combat my lady must sorrow know,

And however the battle goeth, the issue shall be for woe.

And well may we mourn the venture, my lady and I alike,

What boots it to be her brother, if thou at her heart wilt strike?’

Now the host to their tents betook them, and the mid-day meal was spread295

For Gawain, and the knights and ladies who should break at his table bread,

And Parzival as companion should have the Duchess fair—

And Gawain, he besought his lady for the hero to have good care;

But she quoth, ‘To my care dost thou give him, who can make of a woman sport?

How should I care for this man? Yet would I gainsay thee naught;300

And if this be thy will, I will do it, tho’ for payment I mocking know’—

Quoth Gamuret’s son, ‘Nay, Lady, thou doest me wrong I trow,

At least have I so much wisdom, if I know myself aright,

That women are free from my mocking, since ill ’twould beseem a knight!’

Whatever they set before them no lack had they there of meat,305

And courteous was their service, and with joy all the folk did eat.

But Itonjé, she looked on Bené, and she read in her eyes the tale

Of the tears she had wept but lately, and for sorrow her cheeks grew pale,

And nothing she ate, for she thought still, ‘Now wherefore doth Bené weep?

For I sent her but now to the monarch who my heart doth his captive keep,310

And for whose sake I grieve me sorely—Have I done aught to vex my knight?

Doth he think to renounce my service and no more for my love to fight?

If, with steadfast heart and manly, he thinketh on me no more,

Poor maid, I must die of sorrow, and the love that to him I bore!’

The noontide hour was over ere the feast had ended here,315

Then hither rode King Arthur, and his queen, fair Guinevere,

With a host of knights and ladies, to where, within their sight,

Mid the band of gracious maidens sat that true and valiant knight;

And to Parzival such greeting and such welcome fair they gave

That from many sweet lips sweet kisses he won, that hero brave!320

And Arthur would do him honour, and with many a gracious word

He thanked him for the valour that had spread his name abroad,

And the fame that had waxed so goodly, and that stood so high and fair,

That of right o’er all men living the crown of worth he bare.

Quoth the Waleis unto King Arthur, ‘Yet Sire, when I saw thee last325

My honour so sore was wounded that it well-nigh to earth was cast;

And in knighthood I paid such forfeit that of knighthood was I forlorn—

But now have I hearkened to thee, and if thou be not forsworn

Then honour still dwelleth with me, tho’ my heart it misgives me sore!

I would trust in thy word right gladly—But what of these knights who swore330

True friendship and brotherhood with me, and from whom I must part in shame?’

Then all with one voice they spake there—He had won for himself such fame

And had wrought such brave deeds of knighthood in many a distant land,

That his fame o’er the fame of all others did high and unspotted stand.

Then the knights of the Duchess’ army they came where by Arthur’s side335

Sat Parzival, fair to look on, ‘mid the knightly circle wide.

And the king in the tent received them, but so courtly was he and wise,

That, tho’ wide was the tent of Gawain, he thought best that in all men’s eyes

He should sit without on the meadow, and the knights they should sit around,

And strangers they were to each other who place in the circle found.340

Would ye know who was this and that one? The tale it were all too long

If Christian I named and paynim—Who were Klingsor’s warriors strong;

Who were they who so well were armèd, and showed them such men of might

When they rode from the city of Logrois, and would for their Duchess fight;

Who had followed King Arthur hither—If each one, his land and kin,345

I named in their rightful order ’twere ill to the end to win!

But all men they spake together, there was none there like Parzival,

For his face and his form so lovely many women might love him well;

And nothing there failed unto him of aught that beseemed a knight

Who beareth the crown of honour, and fighteth a goodly fight.350

Then Gamuret’s son upstood there, and he spake, ‘Ye who shall be here

Give counsel, and help me win that which my soul ever holdeth dear;

A strange and a hidden wonder it drave me from out your band—

Ye who brotherhood once have sworn me, and in friendship have clasped my hand,

Now help me, by this your knighthood, mine honour to win again!’355

And gladly would Arthur grant him that for which his desire was fain.

Then aside with few folk he stepped him, and straitly he prayed this grace,

That the strife, at the hour appointed, he in Gawain’s stead might face,

‘Right gladly will I defy him, King Gramoflanz, in his pride;

I brake from his tree this morning a bough ere I thence did ride,360

And for that he of need must fight me—For conflict I sought his land,

And for nothing else came I hither but to fight with his strong right hand.

I thought not I here should find thee, my cousin, it grieves me sore,

For this king did I surely take thee, who never from strife forbore.

Now let me, I prithee, fight him; if ever he know defeat365

My hand shall such lesson teach him as he findeth not over sweet!

They have given me back mine honour, and thy brother knight am I,

And thy kinsman true, fair cousin, so grant to me, cousinly,

That this combat be mine—I swear thee for us twain will I face the foe,

And there do such deeds of valour that all men shall my manhood know!’370

Quoth Gawain, ‘In the court of King Arthur have I many a brother dear,

And kinsman true, yet to no man may I grant what thou prayest here.

My cause is so good, I think me, that Fate so shall rule the fight

That I stand at the last the victor, tho’ my foe be a man of might.

God reward thee that thou, of thy kindness, this conflict for me wouldst face,375

But the day is not yet in its dawning when another may take my place!’

Now Arthur the prayer had hearkened, of their speech he an end would make,

Once more in the ring beside them his seat did the monarch take.

And the cup-bearers did not tarry, the noble youths they bare

Many golden cups so precious, and wroughten with jewels fair,380

Nor one alone could fill them—and when their task was o’er

The folk uprose, and gat them each one to his rest once more.

And night-fall had come upon them—Naught did Parzival delay,

But he wrought in such wise that his harness might be ready ere break of day.

Were a strap or a fastening broken, of that did he have good care,385

And he bade them look well unto it, that all should be fit and fair.

And a shield new and strong must they bring him, for his own, in many a fight,

With many a blow was cloven, and they brought him a shield of might;

And the serving-men who bare it, they knew not the knight, I trow,

And Frenchmen were some among them, as the venture doth bid ye know.390

And the steed that erewhile to jousting the Knight of the Grail must bear,

Of that did a squire bethink him, and ne’er might it better fare.

But now ’twas the hour for slumber, and the night had o’ercome the day,

And Parzival slept, and before him all ready his armour lay.

And King Gramoflanz, he rued it that the day such chance had brought395

That another man in his presence for the sake of his garland fought;

Nor his folk might still his longing for the strife that the morn should bring,

And the thought, that he had delayed him, full sorely it vexed the king.

What, then, should the hero do here? Since honour he sought and fame,

He scarce might await the dawning, and the strife that with daylight came,400

But ere sunrise himself and his charger were clad all in harness rare—

Did women, with wealth o’erburdened, the cost of his decking share?

I wot that, without their aiding, it costly and fair should be,

For the sake of a maid did he deck him, in her service no laggard he!

So he rode hence to seek his foeman, and sorely it vexed the king405

That the early light of the morning Sir Gawain had failed to bring.

Now, unknown unto all, in secret stole Parzival from the court,

And he stripped of its floating pennon a strong spear from Angram brought;

And fully armed was the hero, and lonely he took his way

Where the posts round the ring of battle shone fair in the dawning day.410

And he saw the king await him, and ere ever a word they spake

Men say that they smote each other thro’ the shield, and the spear-shafts brake;

And from either hand the splinters flew high in the summer air,

For skilled were they both in jousting, and their swords they right well might bear.

And the dew was brushed from the meadow, and the helmets felt many a blow415

From the edge of the blades keen-tempered, no faltering might either know.

And the grass underfoot was trodden, and the dew-drops in many a place

Swept away, and I needs must mourn here the red blossoms’ vanished grace.

Yet more do I mourn for the heroes, and their toil without thought of fear,

And who with unmixed rejoicing, the tale of their strife should hear420

To whom they had ne’er done evil?—Then Gawain must himself prepare

For the toil and the stress of battle, and the peril he thought to dare.

And ’twas even the midst of the morning ere of all men the tale was told

From his tent was Parzival missing, and they sought for the hero bold.

Did he think to make peace? Nay, his bearing spake little, methinks, of peace,425

For he fought as a man, and ’twas noontide ere ever the strife might cease.

A bishop sang Mass for Gawain, and the folk they stood thick around,

And many a knight and lady on horseback might there be found,

Without the tent of King Arthur, ere the Mass to an end they sing—

While the priest did his holy office, beside him there stood the king;430

When he spake the Benediction, then Gawain armed himself for fight,

And greaves of iron, well wroughten, they did on his limbs of might.

Then uprose a voice of wailing from the women, and one and all

The host rode forth to the meadow; and lo! there did strife befall,

And they heard the clash of the sword-blades, and they saw the fire-sparks fly435

From the helmets as there the foemen their blows with fierce strength did ply.

King Gramoflanz oft had boasted he would scorn with one man to fight,

He thought here that six were his foemen, and each one a valiant knight

Yet none but Parzival faced him, and he fought in such gallant wise,

That he taught to the king a lesson which men e’en to-day may prize;440

That in his own praise his own lips should speak never more this tale,

He could fight and could conquer two men, since o’er one he might not prevail.

From left and from right came the armies, o’er the grassy plain so wide,

And, each one their station keeping, they halted on either side,

And they looked on the mighty combat, on one side the chargers stood,445

And afoot on the ground they battled with sword-blades, the heroes good.

And sharp and sore was the conflict, and steadfast the twain did stand,

And their swords on high they tossed them, and oft did the blades change hands.

Now Gramoflanz reaped sore payment for the garland from off his tree,

To the kinsman of his fair lady should the strife none too easy be.450

His kinship with fair Itonjé had stood Parzival in good stead,

If right might have claimed a hearing, yet was not his strife ill-sped.

And they who much fame had won them, again for fair fame w............