Then he saw the roof of a castle rise fair in the evening glow, 820 And the lad he thought in his folly that the towers from the earth must grow Since the one roof bare so many--And he thought Arthur sowed such seed, And he who could work such marvels were a holy man indeed! Then he said, 'While at home I tarried ne'er looked I on woodland field That a crop so rich and so stately in growth might ever yield; 825 I think me my mother's people their labour but little know, For never too dry, I think me, is the soil where their seed they sow!'-- Now Gurnemanz of Graharz of this mighty Burg was lord: At his portal a spreading linden stood fair on the summer sward, Nor too long nor too wide was the meadow, and the horse and the road they led 830 To where Parzival found him seated who of castle and land was head. Now weariness sore constrained him, nor his shield might he rightly hold But it backward and forward wavered as beseemed not a rider bold. And Prince Gurnemanz sat all lonely, and the boughs of the linden tree Gave shade as was meet to its master, the captain of courtesy-- 835 And his life it fled from falsehood--Then e'en as should be his right He gave to the guest fair welcome, and with him stood nor squire nor knight. Then Parzival made him answer--In his folly he spake straightway, 'My mother bade me seek counsel from an old man with locks of grey; For thy rede will I do thee service, for so did my mother speak!' 840 'If here thou art come for counsel, and aid at my lips would seek, Thy favour thou still shalt leave me whatever my counsel be, If thou will that thy prayer I hearken, and give rede as seem best to me!' Then the prince cast a yearling falcon from his hand and aloft it flew, And it winged its way to the castle, and its golden bells rang true, 845 'Twas a messenger; and the pages came swiftly in garments fair, And he bade them to lead the guest in, and lodging as meet prepare; And the lad he spake in his folly, 'My mother she told me true, An thou follow an old man's counsel his rede shalt thou never rue!