Whatever they set before them no lack had they there of meat, 305 And courteous was their service, and with joy all the folk did eat. But Itonjé, she looked on Bené, and she read in her eyes the tale Of the tears she had wept but lately, and for sorrow her cheeks grew pale, And nothing she ate, for she thought still, 'Now wherefore doth Bené weep? For I sent her but now to the monarch who my heart doth his captive keep, 310 And for whose sake I grieve me sorely--Have I done aught to vex my knight? Doth he think to renounce my service and no more for my love to fight? If, with steadfast heart and manly, he thinketh on me no more, Poor maid, I must die of sorrow, and the love that to him I bore!' The noontide hour was over ere the feast had ended here, 315 Then hither rode King Arthur, and his queen, fair Guinevere, With a host of knights and ladies, to where, within their sight, Mid the band of gracious maidens sat that true and valiant knight; And to Parzival such greeting and such welcome fair they gave That from many sweet lips sweet kisses he won, that hero brave! 320 And Arthur would do him honour, and with many a gracious word He thanked him for the valour that had spread his name abroad, And the fame that had waxed so goodly, and that stood so high and fair, That of right o'er all men living the crown of worth he bare. Quoth the Waleis unto King Arthur, 'Yet Sire, when I saw thee last 325 My honour so sore was wounded that it well-nigh to earth was cast; And in knighthood I paid such forfeit that of knighthood was I forlorn-- But now have I hearkened to thee, and if thou be not forsworn Then honour still dwelleth with me, tho' my heart it misgives me sore! I would trust in thy word right gladly--But what of these knights who swore 330 True friendship and brotherhood with me, and from whom I must part in shame?' Then all with one voice they spake there--He had won for himself such fame And had wrought such brave deeds of knighthood in many a distant land, That his fame o'er the fame of all others did high and unspotted stand.