Parzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 1 of 2)Wolfram, von Eschenbach
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Parzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 1 of 2)
Wolfram, von Eschenbach
Perceval (Legendary character) -- Romances
In Book III. he tells of the sorrow and the faith of Queen
Herzeleide;
of Parzival's childhood; of his meeting with the knights; of his
faring forth to seek knighthood from King Arthur; and of the
death
of Herzeleide. How Parzival met with Jeschuté, and robbed her of
her
token, and of the wrath of her husband Orilus. Of the sorrow of
Siguné,
and how Parzival learnt his name and his lineage. How Parzival
met with
the Red Knight and bare his challenge to the court of King
Arthur, and
how he craved a boon of the king. Of the shaming of Kunnewaaré;
and of
the death of the Red Knight. How Parzival came to Gurnemanz of
Graharz
and was cured by him of his folly and taught all knightly wisdom,
and
how he rode forth from the land of Graharz.
BOOK III
GURNEMANZ
Is there ever a singer among you, who singeth a sweeter song
Of the favour and love of women, I hold not he does me wrong!
Full fain am I still to hearken to aught that may give them
joy,
But to one alone among women my homage I still deny.
Nay, ever the fire of my anger doth kindle and flame anew, 5
And the sorrow her treason wrought me, it grieveth me still I
trow!
I, whom men have named the singer, I, Wolfram of Eschenbach,
The words that against a woman I spake, I may ne'er take
back.
Nay, I hold fast my wrath for ever, and clasp it closer
still,
As I think how in soul and body alike hath she wrought me
ill! 10
How can I do aught but hate her, till death setteth seal on
life?
Yet it grieveth me sore that others should mingle in this our
strife;
It grieveth me sore that maidens should say, as they name my
name,
'Forsooth he hath shamed all women, let it be unto him for
shame!'
Nay, then, an they reckon for evil the words that in grief I
spake, 15
I will speak them no more for ever, though my heart should in
silence break!
But let them beware in their anger, these warlike maidens
fair,
How they stir from his eyrie the eagle, rouse the lion from
his lair!
Full well I know how to defend me, full well know I what
beseems
The maid of a knight's devotion, the maid of the poet's
dreams! 20
Let a maiden be steadfast-hearted, pure and true in word and
deed,
And her champion true she'll find me, comes there ever an
hour of need.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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