The falconers from Karidöl, as the shadows of evening fell, Rode, hawking, by Plimizöl's waters, when an evil chance befell, For the best of their hawks flew from them, nor stooped to the lure again, 35 But all night in the dusky shadows of the woodland it did remain. With Parzival it sheltered; to the twain was the woodland way A road unknown, sharp the frost stung, in the far east uprose the day, And, lo! all around the hero, the snow-flakes lay thick and white: Thro' the forest paths untrodden, in ever waxing light, 40 Rode our hero by hedge or thicket, by rock and by fallen tree, Till clear grew the shadowy woodland, and its depths he well might see, And a mighty tree of the forest had fallen where he would ride, (The falcon yet followed after) 'mid its clustering boughs he spied A flock of wild-geese from the Northland, their hissing he first had heard, 45 Swift swooped the falcon upon them and struck to the earth a bird: And scarce might it fly the clutches of its foe, and fresh shelter take 'Neath the shade of the fallen branches; in its flight from the wounds there brake Three blood-drops, all glowing crimson, and fell on the spotless snow, As Parzival's eyes beheld them, swift sorrow his heart must know! 50