Parzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 2 of 2)Wolfram, von Eschenbach
General
Parzival: A Knightly Epic (vol. 2 of 2)
Wolfram, von Eschenbach
Perceval (Legendary character) -- Romances
And so wide was the ring that within it six pavilions right
well might stand
Nor the tent ropes should touch each other--(Now wisdom doth
fail mine hand,
I will speak no more of these marvels). Then straightway
Gawain he sent 445
To King Arthur, he fain would tell him who abode here within
his tent,
He had come, the mighty heathen, of whom Ekuba erst did tell
On Plimizöl's plain! And the tidings they rejoiced King
Arthur well.
And he who should bear the tidings, he was Iofreit, and
Idol's son;
And he bade the king sup early, and so soon as the meal was
done, 450
With his knights and his host of ladies, to ride forth a
train so fair,
And a fit and worthy welcome for Gamuret's son prepare.
Quoth the king, 'All who here are worthy, of a sooth, will I
bring with me.'
Quoth Iofreit, 'Ye fain will see him, so courteous a knight
is he,
And a marvel is he to look on--From great riches he forth
must fare, 455
For the price of his coat emblazoned is such as no man might
bear,
And no hand might count its equal, not in Löver or Brittany,
Or in England, or e'en from Paris to Wizsant beside the sea--
Nay, all the rich lands between them, were their wealth in
the balance weighed,
Then the cost of his goodly raiment, I think me, were yet
unpaid!' 460
Then again came the knight Iofreit, when he to the king had
told
The guise that should best befit him when he greeted the
heathen bold.
And within the tent of Gawain the seats were ordered fair,
In courteous rank and seemly, and the guests to the feast
repair.
And the vassals of Orgelusé, and the heroes within her train 465
Who gladly for love had served her, they sate there beside
Gawain.
Their seats they were on his right hand, on his left were
Klingsor's knights,
And over against the heroes sat many a lady bright,
All they who were Klingsor's captives, in sooth were they
fair of face,
And Parzival and his brother, by the maidens they took their
place. 470
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account