'Alas, for the endless sorrow!' quoth the knight. 'Is my father dead? Here joy have I lost, tho' it well be that joy cometh in its stead. 300 In this self-same hour have I lost me great joy, and yet joy have found, For myself, and thou, and my father, we three in one bond are bound; For tho' men as _three_ may hold us, yet I wot well we are but _one_, And no wise man he counts that kinship 'twixt father, methinks, and son, For in truth for more must he hold it--With _thyself_ hast thou fought to-day, 305 To strife with _myself_ have I ridden, and I went near myself to slay; Thy valour in good stead stood us, from myself hast thou saved my life-- Now Jupiter see this marvel, since thy power so hath ruled the strife That from death hast thou here withheld us!' Then tears streamed from his heathen eyes, As he laughed and wept together--Yea, a Christian such truth might prize, 310 For our baptism truth should teach us, since there are we named anew In the Name of Christ, and all men they hold the Lord Christ for true! Quoth the heathen, e'en as I tell ye, 'No longer will we abide In this place, but if thou, my brother, for a short space with me wilt ride, From the sea to the land will I summon, that their power be made known to thee, 315 The richest force that Juno e'er guided across the sea. And in truth, without thought of falsehood, full many a gallant knight Will I show thee, who do me service, and beneath my banners fight, With me shalt thou ride towards them.' Then Parzival spake alway, 'Have ye then such power o'er these people that your bidding they wait to-day 320 And all the days ye are absent?' Quoth the heathen, 'Yea, even so, If for half a year long I should leave them, not a man from the place would go, Be he rich or poor, till I bade him. Well victualled their ships shall be, And neither the horse nor his rider setteth foot on the grassy lea, Save only to fetch them water from the fountain that springeth fair, 325 Or to lead their steeds to the meadow to breathe the fresh summer air.'