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
Would one liken his woe unto Gawain's, and be e'en such a
lover true,
Of his love-wounds let him be healèd, and then smitten by
darts anew, 80
And methinks he shall find that the sorrow and torment shall
vex him more
Than all the sum of the sorrow he hath borne for love's sake
before!
Nor love's torments alone vexed Gawain--Ever clearer it grew,
the light,
Till dark seemed the lofty tapers that erstwhile had shone so
bright.
Then up sprang from his couch the hero, and as blood, and as
iron, red 85
With wounds, and with rust, was his linen, yet beside him he
saw outspread
Hosen and shirt of woollen, and the change pleased our hero
well,
And robes lined with fur of the marten, and a garment that
o'er them fell,
(In Arras its stuff was woven, and from Arras 'twas hither
sent,)
And boots had they lain beside it, none too narrow for his
content. 90
In these garments anew he clothed him, and forth from the
chamber went
Gawain, and hither and thither his steps thro' the palace
bent,
Till he found the hall of his venture, no riches he e'er had
known
To liken unto the glories within this fair castle shown.
And there at one side of the palace a narrow dome he found, 95
And it rose high above the building, and a staircase within
it wound,
And above stood a shining pillar; nor of wood was it shapen
fair,
But so large and so strong that the coffin of Kamilla it well
might bear.
And Klingsor, the wise, he brought it from the kingdom of
Feirefis,
And his cunning and skill had fashioned both the hall and the
stair I wis! 100
No tent might so round be fashioned; did the Master Geometras
will
To raise such a work he had failèd, for unknown to his hand
the skill.
'Twas magic alone that wrought it--The venture it bids us
know
Of diamond, amethyst, topaz, carbuncle with red-fire glow,
Of chrysolite, emerald, ruby, and sardius, the windows tall, 105
That each one like to the other encircled this wondrous hall.
And rich as the window columns, and carven, the roof
o'erhead,
And herein was a greater marvel than all marvels ye yet have
read;
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