Then leave he prayed of his hostess, he would lay him down to rest. Do ye think that for tapers straw-wisps must light so brave a guest? Nay, better were they I think me; he betook him, the hero fair, To a bed so rich and stately a king well might slumber there, Nor of poverty bare it token, and a carpet before it lay. 205 Then he prayed the knights to go hence, nor longer there delay, And noble lads un-shod him, and straightway he fell asleep, Till the cry of heart-sorrow woke him, and tears that bright eyes should weep. This chanced e'en as I will tell ye; no woman's law she brake, For pure was she aye, the maiden of whom this venture spake. 210 Long stress of war constrained her, and the death of her champion true, So heavy her heart with sorrow that sleep from her eyelids flew, So she went, this royal lady, (but never such love to claim As urgeth a gentle maiden to crave of a _wife_ the name) But she sought help and friendly counsel, tho' clad in a warlike gear, 215 A silken shift, (strife she wakeneth who doth thus to a man draw near.) And the maiden she wrapped around her a mantle of samite long, And she went as her steps were guided by sorrow and bitter wrong. Her maidens and waiting women who lay there around her bed She left them slumbering softly, and with noiseless footsteps sped 220 To a chamber, there, e'en as she bade them, Parzival all lonely lay, And around his couch the tapers burnt bright as the light of day. To his bed she turned her footsteps, and she knelt low his couch before, But no thought of love unlawful the heart of either bore. Of joy bereft was the maiden, his help she was fain to claim, 225 If awhile they lay there together it brought unto neither shame.