'From the lips of the whole world's Lover came a message of love and peace, (For He is a Light all-lightening, and never His faith doth cease,) And he to whom love He showeth, findeth aye in that Love his bliss, Yet twofold I ween is the message, and His token some read amiss; 580 For the world may buy, as it pleaseth, God's Wrath or His Love so great. Say, which of the twain wilt thou choose here, shall thy guerdon be Love or Hate? For the sinner without repentance, he flieth God's faith and Face, But he who his sin confesseth, doth find in His presence grace!' 'From the shrine of his heart, who shall keep Him? Tho' hidden the thought within, 585 And secret, and thro' its darkness no sunbeam its way may win, (For thought is a secret chamber, fast locked, tho' no lock it bear,) Yet, tho' against man it be closèd, God's light ever shineth there. He pierceth the wall of darkness, and silent and swift His spring, As no sound betrayed His coming, as no footstep was heard to ring, 590 So silent His way He goeth--And swift as our thoughts have flown, Ere God passed of our heart the threshold, our thoughts unto Him were known! And the pure in heart He chooseth; he who doth an ill deed begin, Since God knoweth the thoughts of all men, full sorely shall rue his sin. And the man who by deeds God's favour doth forfeit, what shall he gain? 595 Tho' the world count him honour-worthy, his soul seeketh rest in vain. And where wilt thou seek for shelter if _God_ as thy foeman stand, Who of wrath or of love giveth payment, as men serve Him, with equal hand? Thou art lost if thy God be against thee--If thou wouldst His favour earn, Then away from thy wrath and thy folly thy thoughts to His goodness turn!' 600 Quoth Parzival, 'Here I thank thee, from my heart, that such faithful rede Thou hast given of him who withholdeth from no man his rightful meed, But evil, as good, requiteth--Yet my youth hath been full of care, And my faith hath but brought me sorrow, and ill to this day I fare!'