In the fear for the life of her husband Jeschuté, that lady fair, Mourned sore for his woe, yet the foemen to part might she little dare. 710 Then Parzival bade him rise up, and speak to his lady bright The words of peace and of pardon; and thus quoth the vanquished knight, 'Lady, since this my shaming in strife hath been for thy sake, So be it, the kiss of forgiveness from my lips shalt thou herewith take. Thro' thee have I lost much honour--What boots it? I pardon sware!' 715 Then swift from her steed on the meadow sprang the lady with white limbs bare, Tho' the blood that ran from his nostrils had dyed his mouth with red, Yet she kissed him e'en as he bade her, so was Parzival's bidding sped. Then the three rode on together till a hermit's cell they saw In the rocky wall, and our hero his bridle was fain to draw; 720 For he saw there a shrine so holy, and a spear with fair colours blent Stood beside the shrine; 'twas the dwelling of the hermit Trevrezent. There Parzival dealt with honour--On the relic an oath he sware, Himself laid the oath upon him, and he spake and they hearkened fair; 'If I have worth or valour, as 'seemeth a gallant knight-- 725 If I have it or not let those witness who have looked on my shield in fight; Yea, let them approve my knighthood, for knighthood's power may claim, As the shield-bearer oft shall tell us, high guerdon of praise and fame, And the name of knight is honoured--My body to shame for aye Will I give, and my fame and honour henceforth shall be put away; 730 (With these words I my bliss would pledge here in the Hand that shall highest be, And that Hand is God's Hand, I think me)--All loss, bitter mockery, In this life and the next be my portion from His power, if this lady fair E'er did thee wrong when it chanced her that the clasp from her robe _I_ tare-- (Of a token of gold I robbed her)--A _fool_ and no man was I, 735 Not yet had I waxed to wisdom--And sore did she weep thereby, And anguish and grief she suffered; yea, guiltless was she that day-- And forfeit my bliss and mine honour if the words be not truth I say! Now see, dost thou hold her guiltless thou shalt give her her ring again, From the clasp I in such wise parted that my folly must bear the blame!' 740