So now let him ride, but whither? Lo, a knight with uncovered head, And blazoned coat o'er his shining harness, full swiftly towards him sped! 180 And to Parzival thus quoth he, 'Sir Knight, I must deem it ill That thus thro' the woods of my monarch thou takest thy way at will! Begone! or receive such token thou shalt wish thyself far from here! Monsalväsch doth never brook it that men ride thus its walls anear, And here must thou strive in battle, and win here a victor's fame, 185 Or such penance be thine, as without there, in the open, men _Death_ shall name!' And he bare in his hand a helmet, and its bands were of silken sheen, Sharp-pointed his spear, and the spear-shaft was of wood new and strong I ween! And wrathful he bound his helmet on his head, not in vain should be His threat, for his blows should enforce it! Now ready for joust was he; 190 But many a spear as goodly had splintered 'fore Parzival, And he thought, 'Now, it well had chanced me, that death to my lot should fall If I rode thro' the corn upstanding--_then_ reason had he for wrath, But _now_ hath he none, since I ride here on naught but a woodland path, And I tread here but fern and heather! An mine hand shall not lose its skill 195 I will leave him such pledge for my journey as, I think me, shall please him ill!' Then they rode at full speed their chargers, and they urged them with spur and rein, As the bolt from the bow of the archer so swift flew those heroes twain, And the first joust they rode unwounded; but many a knightly fray Unscathed had Parzival ridden, and e'en so should it chance to-day. 200 (Unto skill and the lust of battle must his father's son be heir.) His lance-point upon the fastening of his foeman's helm struck fair, And it smote him where men in jousting their shield are wont to hold, And down from his gallant charger did he bear him, the Templar bold. And the knight of the Grail fell headlong down the side of a rocky dell, 205 Tho' couch he had found, I think me, he slumbered not over well.