And Parzival he was joyful at the message the heralds bare, And his heart was fain for the combat; and out spake the hero fair, 'Now I pledge me upon mine honour that no man within this wall Shall lift his hand for my peril, _alone_ will I stand or fall!' 500 So betwixt the moat and the meadow a truce did they swear that day, And those smiths of battle armed them as meet for the coming fray. On a gallant war-horse armèd sat the King of Brandigan, 'Twas hight Guverjorz--This charger with many a gallant man, And many a goodly present, from Gringorz his nephew, king 505 Of Ipotente did Count Narant from the north o'er the deep seas bring. And therewith were a thousand footmen, well armed save no shield had they; (If the tale speaketh true to the third year the king had made good their pay.) And Gringorz sent him knights five hundred, each one with his helm on head, And skilled were they all in battle; with Klamidé they hither sped. 510 And thus had the mighty army, alike both by sea and land, Encircled the town of Pelrapär, and great need must its folk withstand! Forth rode Parzival from the city to the field that should aye declare If 'twas God's will his wife to leave him, the child of King Tampentäre. Proudly he rode, yet he spurred not his steed to its swiftest flight, 515 And 'twas armed for need, and its covering was a samite of red so bright, And the iron lay beneath it--And the hero himself shone fair In his harness red, red his corslet, and the shield that he proudly bare. And Klamidé began the conflict--A short spear of wood unwrought, With that would he fell his foeman, and the joust from afar he sought; 520 And Guverjorz sprang forth swiftly, and the joust it was ridden well By those heroes young and beardless, nor one from his saddle fell, And never a horse or a rider had foughten a better fight; And the steam rose in clouds from the chargers on which sat each gallant knight,