Then Kingron he spake in sorrow, 'Alas! that I needs must see The day when in Breton dwellings my king shall a captive be! 680 For richer wert thou than Arthur, and of vassals a greater host Hath served thee, nor strength was lacking, and of youth canst thou make thy boast. Shall men count it to _Arthur's_ honour that Kay in his wrath did smite A princess whose heart hath shown her the wisdom to choose aright, And smile upon one whom henceforward all men may with truth proclaim 685 Elect to the highest honour and crown of true knightly fame? The tree of their fame these Bretons may deem to have waxen high; Dead lay Cumberland's king, but I wot well be by no deed of theirs must die! Nor the fame shall be theirs that, my master, thou didst yield to that self-same knight, Or that I myself have been vanquished in fair and open fight; 690 And the sparks sprang bright from our helmets, and our swords clave the whistling air As for life and death we battled, and men looked on our combat fair.' Then all at the good Round Table, both rich and poor alike, With one voice spake that Kay did evil when a maiden he thought to strike. But now will we leave their story, and fare back unto Pelrapär 695 Where Parzival reigned as monarch; the waste lands were builded fair, And joy was their lot and singing, (and red gold and jewels bright King Tampentäre left in the city where awhile he had reigned in might) Then rich gifts he gave till men loved him for his knightly hand and free; New shields and costly banners the pride of his land should be, 700 And many a joust and Tourney did he and his heroes ride. And e'en on the distant borders in gallant deeds he vied, That hero young and dauntless, and no foeman might e'er deny That on battle-field or in Tourney his hand won the victory. And now of the queen would I tell ye--What lot might ye hold so fair 705 As hers, that gentle lady? In earth's joys had she fullest share. Her love it might bud and blossom, nor weakness nor wavering show, For the worth of her lord and husband her heart scarce might fail to know. And each found their life in the other, and each was the other's love. If, as saith the tale, they were parted, what grief must each true heart move! 710 And I mourn for that gentle lady, her body, her folk, her land, (So he won of her love the guerdon) had he freed with his strong right hand.