'For my life will I give fair ransom, for kingdoms twain, I trow, My brother with might hath won him, of riches he hath enow. Thou shalt ask as it best may please thee: if from death thou wilt set me free, 685 He loveth me, and will loose me whatever the cost may be. And my Dukedom again as thy vassal will I take from thy valiant hand, Thy fame it shall gain new lustre, since I might not thy power withstand. Now release me, thou hero dauntless, from forgiveness of her, my wife; Whatever shall be for thine honour, by that will I buy my life, 690 But with her, my dishonoured Duchess, at peace will I never be, Nay, not for all pain or sorrow that shall otherwise fall to me!' Quoth Parzival, 'Folk or kingdoms, or riches or jewels rare, All these they shall nothing profit--Thy pledge thou to me shalt swear In naught to delay thy journey, but to haste thee to Brittany 695 Where dwelleth a gentle maiden--One hath smitten her sore for me, And I will on that man have vengeance, an his safety she shall not pray-- Thy pledge and my loyal service bear thou to that maid straightway, Or here, without fail, I slay thee--To King Arthur and to his queen, To both shalt thou bear my greeting; well paid hath my service been, 700 If they for that blow ill-smitten the maiden do well entreat. But first will I see that thou givest to this lady thine homage meet, And that without guile--Dost withstand me, and thinkest my will to dare, On a bier, and no more on a charger, from hence shalt thou lifeless fare! Now mark thou my words, for their doing a pledge shalt thou straightway give, 705 And thy surety swear unto me, if longer thou fain wouldst live!' To King Parzival spake his foeman, Duke Orilus, 'Helpeth naught 'Gainst this thy will, I will do it, for fain I my life had bought!'