Now, unknown unto all, in secret stole Parzival from the court, And he stripped of its floating pennon a strong spear from Angram brought; And fully armed was the hero, and lonely he took his way Where the posts round the ring of battle shone fair in the dawning day. 410 And he saw the king await him, and ere ever a word they spake Men say that they smote each other thro' the shield, and the spear-shafts brake; And from either hand the splinters flew high in the summer air, For skilled were they both in jousting, and their swords they right well might bear. And the dew was brushed from the meadow, and the helmets felt many a blow 415 From the edge of the blades keen-tempered, no faltering might either know. And the grass underfoot was trodden, and the dew-drops in many a place Swept away, and I needs must mourn here the red blossoms' vanished grace. Yet more do I mourn for the heroes, and their toil without thought of fear, And who with unmixed rejoicing, the tale of their strife should hear 420 To whom they had ne'er done evil?--Then Gawain must himself prepare For the toil and the stress of battle, and the peril he thought to dare. And 'twas even the midst of the morning ere of all men the tale was told From his tent was Parzival missing, and they sought for the hero bold. Did he think to make peace? Nay, his bearing spake little, methinks, of peace, 425 For he fought as a man, and 'twas noontide ere ever the strife might cease.