Then Gawain spake to Parzival, 'Cousin, thou hast found a new battle-field, If aright I may read the token of thy helmet and splintered shield, Sore strife shall have been your comrade, both thine and thy brother's too! Say, with whom did ye fight so fiercely?' Then Parzival spake anew, 'No fiercer fight have I foughten, my brother's hand pressed me sore 415 To defend me, no charm more potent than defence 'gainst death's stroke I bore. As this stranger, whom yet I knew well, I smote, my sword brake in twain, Yet no fear did he show, and 'vantage he scorned of mischance to gain, For afar did he cast his sword-blade, since he feared lest 'gainst me he sin, Yet naught did he know when he spared me that we twain were so near akin. 420 But now have I won his friendship, and his love, and with right goodwill Would I do to him faithful service as befitteth a brother still!' Then Gawain spake, 'They brought me tidings of a dauntless strife and bold, In Château Merveil the country for six miles may ye well behold, The pillar within the watch-tower showeth all that within that space 425 Doth chance,--and he spake, King Arthur, that _one_ who there strife did face, Should be _thou_ cousin mine of Kingrivals, now hast thou the tidings brought, And we know of a sooth the combat was even as we had thought. Now believe me, the truth I tell thee, for eight days here our feast we'ld hold In great pomp, and await thy coming, shouldst thou seek us, thou hero bold. 430 Now rest here, ye twain, from your combat--but methinks, since ye thus did fight, Ye shall each know the other better, and hatred shall own love's might.' That eve would Gawain sup early, since his cousin of far Thasmé, Feirefis Angevin, and his brother, had tasted no food that day. And high and long were the cushions that they laid in a ring so wide, 435 And many a costly covering of silk did their softness hide. And long, and wide, and silken, were the clothes that above them went, And the store of Klingsor's riches they spread forth within the tent. Then four costly carpets silken, and woven so fair to see, Did they hang one against the other, so the tale it was told to me; 440 And beneath them, of down were the pillows, and each one was covered fair, And in such wise the costly couches for the guests would the squires prepare.