Quoth Arthur, 'Fair niece, thou saidst truly, he greeteth thee without guile 605 Such tale doth this letter tell me that never, at any while, Have I found of true love such marvel! His grief shalt thou put away, As he too shall cure thy sorrow, so do thou thy weeping stay, And trust unto me, this combat shall be hindered--Yet say thou here, Thou wert captive, how hath it chanced then that ye hold each other dear? 610 Thou shalt give him thy fair love's payment, that he do thee service true.'-- Spake Itonjé, 'See, here she standeth who us twain together drew, Our love, it had else been hidden--If thou will that I now may see Him whom my heart desireth she will summon him unto me!' Quoth Arthur, 'Now, show her to me; if I may, I this thing will guide 615 That your will shall be done, and hereafter ye twain shall in joy abide!' Quoth Itonjé, ''Twas none but Bené; and two of his squires are here, If thou wilt, do this thing, (for I think me my life shall to thee be dear,) Thou shalt see that the king cometh hither, that he looketh upon my face In whom all my joy is hidden, and my life shall be in his grace!' 620 Then Arthur, the wise and courteous, would speak with the squires without, He greeted them as he saw them, and boldly the one spake out, 'Sire, King Gramoflanz, he prays thee, for thine honour as knight and king, That the oath sworn 'twixt him and Gawain thou wilt to fulfilment bring. And further, Sire, he prays thee that none other with him shall fight, 625 So great is thine host, must he face _all_, methinks it would scarce be right! But _Gawain_ shalt thou send against him, for he willeth no other foe, And Gawain alone hath he challenged, as thyself thou shalt surely know!' Quoth King Arthur unto the pages, 'I will free us from blame alway, And sorely it grieved my nephew that he fought not the strife to-day. 630 And the knight who fought with your monarch, to victory was he born, The son of Gamuret is he--Three armies are here this morn, And from many a land came they hither, but never a man hath seen In combat so brave a hero, and glorious his deeds have been. He is Parzival, my kinsman, ye shall see him, the fair of face,-- 635 For the faith and the need of Gawain will I do to the king this grace.'