The Story of Parzival the Templar Retold Fzigm Wolfram Von

Home , Parzival

T H E S T O R Y O F P ‘A R Z I V A L T H E T E M P L A R

R E TOLD F ZI GM

WOLFRAM VON nmmﬁﬁ

f ‘ ’ MARY BL A C KWELL f f éf éfii é flfii

ILLUS TRATI$353 5 13 ? WILLIAM

T H E S T O R Y O F P 'A R Z I V A L T H E T E M P L A R

RE TOLD FROM

WOLFRAM VON ESCHENBACH

BY MARY BL ACKWE L L STE R L ING

ILLUS TRATIONS BY WILLIAM ERNEST CHAPMAN

N EW Y OR K

° 9 E P DUTTON £9 C OMPA NY 3 1 We s t Tw enty -Third S treet

I D E D I CATE THI S B OOK TO

TH E ME MOR Y OF MY FATH E R

H E NRY S OME RS STE R LING

KNI GH T TE MP L A R

‘ P ut onthe whol e armour o f Go d that ye may be abl to w t staninth e vil da a nd a n one e i h d e y , h vi g d a ll to s ta n d . Sta n h r f o r a n our o ns rt abo ut w t d t e e e , h vi g y l i gi i h trut a nd a no nh breas t la te o f r teo us ne ss h , h vi g t e p igh ; ‘ And yo ur f eet shod with the p rep a ra tio no f the go sp el o f p ea c e ; “ Abo e a ll ta n h s hield o f a t Wh r w i h e v , ki g t e f i h , e e t y shall be abl e to quench a ll the ﬁery da rts o f the wi cke d . “ And ak the helme t o f s a at o nand the s word t e lv i , ” r r — n o f the S t w c is the wo o f God. E es a s p i i , hi h d p h i — 1 7 .

Know ye no t th a t your bo dy is the Temp le o f the — Ho ly Gho st I Co rinthi ans ;

Grant u s fa ith to rebuild Thy Ho ly Temp l e ino ur ea rts a nd ea to a nma te our es a m t us to th e h , z l i liv ; d i Immo rta em e not ma e ans eterna inthe l T p l d by h d , l n” heave s .

reema sonr is a s c ence o f mo ra t e e in F y i li y, v il d ” tr s a llegory a nd illus a ted by ymbo ls .

If the re is one among you who is de ﬁci ent in s om let him ra to the S r t o f rut w c Wi d , p y p i i T h , hi h co mes to th e s m e m ne but oes not o btru e i p l i d d , d d ” i — mo o u onano ne a nd h w o ta nt. o s p y , e ill b i C l gy, r n r m n F a z H a t a n.

To know Go d is to have o vercome D ea th and the p ower o f D ea th .

CONTENTS

P AGE Intr oducti o n : The M ea ning o f th e Sto ry To - day

P r ologue : H ow Titu r el Founded the Temp le of the Gr a il

PART I . ASPIRATION

C H AP TER H h . ow Ga muret e t e I Ang vin , o f Za s s amank oo King , T k P a rt in the Tourn ey a t Ka nvoleis

Of th e S o rr owful D eath of Gamuret Angevin

H H rz eleide III . ow Quee n e Br ought H er Child to the Fo r est V 1 1 1 CONTENTS

C H AP TER P AGE

’ H ow H erz eleide s S onsaw

’ S ome o f King Ar thu r s Knights

’ H ow H e rz ele ide s S onRo de Fo rth to S eek Knighth o od

’ H ow H erz eleide s S onmet with J e s chute a nd Sigun e

H ow P a rz wa l C a me B e for e King Ar thu r

’ z 1 h V III . Of P a r iv a l s Adv entur e W t th e R ed Knight

H ow Pa rziv a l Ca me to th e C a s tle o f Gurnema nz a t

Grah a rz

H ow P a rz w a l C a me to th e

City o f P elra p eire

H ow Pa rziv a l Ov e r ca me Kinrona nd Kla mide a nd g , o f H ow H e W edded Q ueen Kondwira mu r o f P elra p eire CONTENTS ix

PART II . FAILURE

AP TER P AGE

H ow a a a m XII . P rziv l C e to the T emp le o f th e Gr a il

H o XIII . w P a rziv a l wa s Rep r oa ch ed by Sigu n e

H ow P a rziv a l Fought with Orilus

H ow Pa rziv a l wa s M a de a Knight o f th e Round Ta ble

H ow P a rziv a l wa s Sha med by ’ Kondrie a nd o f Ga wa in s Pledge to Fight with King rimurs el

H h XV II . ow Gaw a in B eca me t e Knight o f th e Little M a iden Obilot

’ a w XVIII . Of G a in s Adv entu r e a t

S ch amf a nzon

H XIX . ow P a rziv a l met Aga in with u e a nd o f H is Adven Sig n , tur e with the Temp la r CONTENTS

PART III . FULFILLMENT

C H AP TER P AGE H XX . ow Pa rziv a l S ought Coun s el fr om Trevrez ent

’ Of Pa rziv a l s Remo r s e a nd Co nfes s io n

H o a h XXII . w Ga w in met wi th t e La dy Org elus e

H ow a wa c e ed th e XXIII . G in A hi v Adv e ntu r e o f th e Ch a tea u Merveil

’ Of Ga wa in s Adv entu r e a t th e P e ril ou s Fo rd

X h ow ea ce wa s ec a e X V . Of P D l r d B etw ee n Ga wa in and King Gra moﬂa z

H ow Pa rziv a l Fought with

Fe ireﬁs a nd o f th e oo , G d Tidings Kondrie Br ought

H ow P a rz wa l H ea l ed Anf o r CONTENTS xi

f the ee f XXV III . O M ting o P a rziv al a nd Kondwiramur

H ow a a w s XXIX . P rziv l a Cr own ed King o f th e Gr a il

Of Lo e th e onof . n S XXX h grin , Pa rziv a l

A Key to the P a rziv a l o f Wolfr a m V on Es chenb a ch

The S ix Themes of the Pa rziv a l

The Ethi ca l Tea ching

The Relatio n to An ci ent Tr a dition

The Gr a il Ston e o f the Pa rziv a l and the Sto n e o f the Philo sop he r s

Notes onthe Story of Parzival

ILLUSTRATIONS FACI NG PAGE

H erz eleide and Pa rziv a l Frontis piece

Pa rziv a l in the Fo r est

P a rziva l and Iwanet

The Fi sh er King

The H e rmita ge of Trevrezent

The Arriv a l at Mons a lva g e

The P r oces s ion o f the Gr a il (D es ignon

h E P er t e nd ap . )

2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o e a s th e ot e a e oes th e two P e ce l v d h r Gr il h r , r a s a a a Pa s a a nd Lo e v l , G l h d , r if l h ngrin . The p o em lend s its elf to a dap tati on in p r ose f o r c e but a s a o s e a a t e c a n e hildr n , p r n rr iv giv a s ugge sti o n o nly o f the individua l style and eaut o f t s ea me ae a oem o e b y hi gr t di v l p , ld r r ea de r s who a re inte r ested in un usua l liter a tu e a re u e to e o the o a o r the r , rg d nj y rigin l , a dmir a bl e tr a n s l a tio n in v er s e whi ch ha s been m s L e st a e s s s o . d by Mi Je i e . W n The a tte nti on o f th e old e r r ea de r a nd tea ch e r “ is dir ected to A Key to th e Pa rziv a l o f ” o a m von s c e a c c u e the W lfr E h nb h , in l d d in o es w c t a ces the s ou ces o f the s ix N t , hi h r r emes o f the P a a ou es th e et ca th rziv l , tlin hi l ea c a nd th e e at o to a c e t a t o t hing r l i n n i n tr di i n , a nd s ugge s ts a clue to the mys tery o f th e Gr a il to o f th P a a a t s u es e S n e e rziv l . F in ly gg t d in “ the a a a s o a nd the Pe ce a o f The G l h d t ry , in r v l ” s to o f the o a a but o m High Hi ry H ly Gr l , f r ing a e e a o f the P a a is to be a ce a d ﬁnit p rt rziv l , tr d e a t o to a na c e a t o eﬂecte the r l i n n i nt tr di i n , r d in a llus i o n s to Kabba li s tic Philos op hy a nd Ma L s To ea t es e a s s a es un s o ni c ege nd . r d h p g comp r eh endingly is to mi s s much o f the mea n ing o f the p o em ; to study them brings us into TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 3

the ea m of a c w c eme a e ma e r l M gi , hi h th W gn r d muc o f his P a s a us a ic h in r if l , giving vivid p tur e o f the co n fli ct b etwee n White Ma gi c m o a s a nd a (A f rt ) Bl ck M a gic ( Klings or ) . The mothe r to - day will find a l es s o n in the Pa a f or the oem is a c r to the mo e rziv l , p y th r to s a e her c om o a ce and a ea v hild fr ign r n , p l to e a e him to a e his a ce the wo p r p r t k p l in rld , by tea ching him the truth of life in r el ation to m n hi a is ou hi s elf a d to s fellows . P rziv a l a y th thrust c r uelly into the wo rld without a dequate e a a t o a nd the s uff e a he s p r p r i n , ring th t bring up o n hims elf a nd othe r s is brought a bout t ou o a ce The s o oes not em hr gh ign r n . t ry d p ha s iz e the effi ca cy of s uff e ring a s much a s it does the tr a gedy o f ign o r a n ce ; it is ana llego ry o f youth fa ce to fa ce with the gr eat Op p or uni h a o s t ty e c nn t gr a p . The a u o o f a ema a e oo The th r th t r rk bl b k , e C u c o f the o a a s a s The Hidd n h r h H ly Gr l , y , Pa a s t s ” t e e es but the a a a rziv l ir li tl int r t, G l h d e s o e e ma of us the s o nthr all f r v r . By ny t ry of the m s c es of the or is the y ti , B t Knight W ld , mos o e but th e Pa a w a e a n e t l v d , rziv l ill h v int r est f or th e a v e r a ge r ea de r th at the Ga lah a d I ts secu e and e a e o its ac s . co l k n tiv d t il d p l t, 4 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL s ymp atheti c p r es en ta ti on o f the h e r o ; the eth

ca tea c th e em a a nd a t emes i l hing ; T p l r Gr il h , ma ke it th e mos t c omp l ete o f a ny o f th e s to ri e s o f Arthuri a n Knighthoo d o f whi ch the Gr a il Le e is Th m not a a . e e ous e e g nd p rt r ligi th , e a te to the C u c is ex es s e t ou the r l d h r h , p r d hr gh s p irit o f fr ee wo r s hip a nd s e rvi ce o f a Br oth er oo w o s e a s s e th e em e a re a h d , h d y p nt in T p l fitting p r ep a r a ti o n f o r th e s ervi ce in the wo rld to c t e a re ca e om t me to t me whi h h y ll d fr i i . Pa rziv a l a p p ea l s to us b eca us e o f his huma n it w e a e e te ctu e s o f his e s o a t y h v d fini p i r p r n li y , e wh e r ea s th a t o f P e r ce v a l a nd Ga l ah a d is v a gu . Ga la h a d the Good Knight is the Idea l o f Y outh a fte r ma ny yea r s o f ca r e ful p r ep a r atio n sp ent w the u s h e o es o t to his m s s o ith n n , g f r h i i n whi ch he a ccomp li sh es u nfa lte ringly ; but the flo e o f his is s oo s t Pa a is the w r life n p en . rziv l com t m n e o him a s th e a who p le e a . W kn w b by ch ee r s his desol a ted moth er ; j oyful littl e child o f the o es t e o e s onm e uous ou f r ; b l v d , i p t y th who goes forth to s eek knighthood a nd is t e its outwa o t ou he oes hrill d by rd gl ry , h gh d not p er ceiv e its inn e r s ignifica nce— a nd who m e oo P a r a e ma m sta es a a s . ft r ny i k , fin lly k g d z iva l is the ea o f c o sta t o e a s is o id l n n l v , K nd TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 5

wiramur a nd ou the two a e oo is , thr gh , p r nth d hi ex a e . P a r a ea s w e to s ee a d lt d ziv l , l ving if k enu e is e t om her ma ea s eca us e v t r , k p fr ny y r b o f his u u e m s s o U e the s nf lfill d i i n . nlik knight o f the a a a s o h e oes not s ee f or a G l h d t ry, d k v s o of the a but s es to ea c the i i n Gr il , triv r h Temp le in orde r to lift the woe fr om Anf o rta s n h em s The t e Ka rdeis s a nd a d t e T p l a r . li tl L o e e es e the em o a a nd s ua h ngrin , r p r nt t p r l p irit l p owe r o f th eir fa the r ; th e fir s t becomes the ’ ru e o f Pa a s a s the o e s e es l r rziv l l nd , th r rv in the a em e a nd we a s sume a he is one Gr il T p l , th t Arib da le the a u e da e ec e . a y l t d King , d ght r bornto P a rziv a l a nd Kondwira mur in the Tem m he e re o f the p le b eco es t B a r Gr a il . The Pa rziv a l is a co nn ecting link b etween the P er cev a l of Crestienand the Pa r s ifa l o f Wa g ner a nd a s u o f the s two es ana d , t dy fir t giv

h mu - m ditional a p p r eci ati onof t e s i c dr a a . ’ Although Wa gner s he ro l a cks the a r cha ic in terest of the P er cev a l a nd the huma nity o f Pa a and his o a c s the s m c and rziv l , p l t l k i p li ity s in cerity of b oth o f th es e— s h owing the influ e n ce in s etting and tr eatment o f the B uddh a sto ry— thi s mus i ca l p r es entation of the Gr a il r the Legend is a g eat gift to wo rld . 6 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

We may look up o n the Gr a il Legends a s the p a r ables tha t a re to tea ch tha t life is s us ta in ed t ou s tua o ces a s we a s s ca a nd hr gh p iri l f r ll p hy i l , th a t o ften thr ough ma te ri a l s ymbol s w e a re to b l t ea t e s Th e a to e e ed to sp iri ua l r li i . Gr il S n o f the Pa a ff e s om th e a ea the rziv l di r fr S ngr l , V es s e o f The La s u e but ot t the l t S p p r , b h yp ify Sp iritua l Fea st to whi ch th e Gr ea t H ost bids us a t w c we ma ea t om The ee o f , hi h y fr Tr n o f th te f L ow e e a d e a o e . Kn l dg , drink W r if No writte n wo rds h a v e yet exp r es s ed the ’ w o e mea o f the a but a e s h l ning Gr il , in W gn r P e u es to Lo e a nd Pa s a w e a e a r l d h ngrin r if l , h v s a s te eta t o The P e u e to LO ti fying in rp r i n . r l d heng rinl ea d s us to th e T emp l e a nd brings u s into the p r ese n ce o f the Myste ri es ; s ings to us o f the j oy o f th a t co n s ec r a ti o n whi ch tho s e h kn ew who w er e in t e s e rvice o f the Gr a il . The Pr elude to P a r s ifa l bids us to the ‘ Memo a u e to th e ea t ea s of the a ri l S p p r , Gr F t Gr il ; ’ it s ings the mes s a ge o f the wo rld s n eed— of Lo e o f a t o f o e hencomes a v , F i h , H p . T ch a nge into the mu s i c ; the H oly Gr a il is no longe r in the h a nds o f its ea rthly w a rden s ; we ’ r the ee o f s m e s a e b eyond n d a y bol . Ang l w s ﬂu e — a nd we em e ea t f or we ing tt r tr bl gr ly , TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 7 di s ce rn sp iritua l things— a nd we yea rn f or w a wa s a e a a a to e o th e M s h t gr nt d G l h d , b h ld y teries emem e t a t e , r b ring h t h n

S uddenly a multitude of ang els bore his s oul to heaven .

R o ot and b os so m o f a ra se a r ent a t t n l P di g d , h hi g ‘ ’ wh c menca The ra i h ll G il , The c rowno f a ll ea rt w s e s a r u nes s t at hly i h , f i f ll h ’ ne e r s a a h ll f il , Fo r the ra wa s the c rowno f es s n the u nes s G il bl i g , f ll ’ o f ea rt s e t h d ligh , And Its j oys I right w ell ma y likento the glo ri es o f ’ ” e s H avenheight.

us the ra Its ma ens et inthe da a nd Th G il id giv h , y th e s t o f men igh , B ut It s endeth Its Knights inthe s il ence a nd their c renIt c a ms a a n hild l i g i , To the os t o f the ra a re t e counte ra h G il h y d , G il s e a nts t e a ll s a be rv h y h ll , S o the will o f God standeth w rittenonthe Gra il f o r ll n ” a me to s ee.

JESSIE WESTON . HOW TITUREL FOUNDED THE TEM PLE OF THE GRAIL

T H ERE was once a go o d man named Ti tu risone who to desired greatly have a son , a of o and after many ye rs prayer , a v ice o o in a dream inf rmed him , that if he sh uld j ourney to J erusalem and lay a cruciﬁx of o o r g ld up n the Holy Sepulche , his

prayer wo uld be answered . J oyf u lly Titurisone and his wife Eliza bel s et o u t to fo llo w the bidding of the dream and in J erusalem a s onwas born to t hem whom they called Titurel . While yet a yo uth he w onreno wn thro ugh his I I 1 2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL noble deeds when warring with the Sara t be cens , and he acquired great weal h sto wing it up on all in need . One day as Titurel was walking in the oo o w ds , there appeared bef re him an “ who : t Go d angel said Faithful Knigh , hath chosen thee to be the guardian o f a Treasure called the Grail ; from Heaven will It come to bring j oy to those who

. o the are called to serve It Once bef re , no t Grail came to earth , but men were w orthy o f Its blessings s o It was taken

. now to t away Return thy home , Ti urel , ” and prepare to leave it never to return . o Having arranged his househ ld , t his o Titurel , taking wi h him sw rd and shield went again to the wo o ds to await t o fur her commands . A white cl ud soon f o r appeared that seemed his guidance , and following it he w a s led f o r many days o se a o o t co v ver land and , ver m un ains t t t ered wi h fores s , and hrough many val e leys ; but never was he wearied . On night on the top o f a mountain he beheld a great beam o f light and knew that the THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 3

Grail had appeared to him : there he o rested , believing that his j urney was the o o o ended . On m rr w he saw bef re him t a cas le , from which knights clad in silver armo r came fo rth to greet him and hailed him as their King . Mons a l v a ge was this mountain called and there Titurel dwelt f or many years f o r with these knights , waiting eagerly the

Grail to appear again . Then he decided to erect a Temple that the Grail when It came might be preci ously guarded . Dur ing the night he prayed steadfastly f o r o o guidance , and in the m rning f und that o f a plan the Temple had been traced , f or while rich materials ready use , lay near . With j oy the knights commenced the the o to building, and ﬁrst , m untain p which was found to be o f s o lid o nyx was o o leveled and polished for a f undati n , o then the structure r se rapidly . The knights who labored upon it were called

Templars and while they rested at night , o t o invisible hands c ntinued heir w rk . 1 4 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

On the day that the Temple was con se cra te d o t o , the Grail ﬂ a ed d wn in a beam

o f t o . ligh , while an unseen ch ir was heard Tho se who l o oked up on the Grail daily

nor o o old . knew no sickness , s rr w , nor age Often commands f o r Titurel and the l on Temp ars appeared the Grail , in letters o f the o the ﬁre , and into w rld were

knights sent to accomplish deeds o f mercy . Every Goo d Friday a D o ve descended o t o the fr m heaven and aligh ed up n Grail , when Its blessings seemed greater than

ever . For four hundred years Titurel guarded the e t to no Grail , y his age appeared be o tha o rt the m re nf y . At ﬁrst Templars had to defend the mo untain from men who had heard o f its treasure ; then after t t many years a new enemy hrea ened ,

o the . o Klings r , magician Fr m Egypt had o Mons a l v a e he c me , and near g he built t t o f o a cas le , and wi h all kinds s rcery T tried to injure the knights . o assist him he subdued to his will a maiden named TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 5

Kondri c and bade her wander in the w oo ds to lure the Templars . One day there appeared upon the Grail the command for Titurel to marry that he might have a son to succeed him as King . o f Hearing of the piety a Spanish maiden , R ichou de to named , messengers were sent her asking her to become the wife o f the

o . Grail King , and with j y she consented Twenty years o f happiness they had to

t R icho u de . gether , hen died Their chil dren were a soncalled Frimu tel and a daughter named for her mother . Now there came a time when Titurel to s ee desired his son in his place as King, to and in answer his prayer for guidance , letters upon the Grail anno unced that rimu e o F t l might be cr wned . For some years all went well under the guardian of the ship new King , then unwisely he left the Temple to seek adventure in the o t w rld , and here , as if in punishment , he was wounded and met his death . Frimu tel Anf orta s Two sons had , and 1 6 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

e z o Tr vre ent. The ﬁrst was cr wned King to t o t succeed his fa her , the sec nd , af er o having served s me years in the Temple , went to dwell as a hermit in the woods Mons a l va near ge . Three daughters had Frimu tel— S cho sia ne H erz e l eide y , and cho s R ep ans e de S choie . S y ia ne married o t da u h and s on af er died , leaving a little g ter who f o r named Sigune , was cared by H e rz e id H e rz e l eide her Aunt l e e . served t to many years in the Temple , then lef a a e marry the Duke K s tis . R ep ns de S choie wa s chosen to bear the Grail when it was carried from the altar to the great

Hall , where each day the Templars and all at Mo nsa l va ge assembled f o r the

Feast which the Grail bestowed . Now Anf orta s like his father, was not willing to serve as faithfully as had t Titurel , and taking up arms agains o o Klings r, the magician , he was w unded with a spear thrust which caused him such

no t. pain that he knew peace , day or nigh the o no Before Grail was he br ught , but his t w a s healing came ; streng h renewed ,

PART I ASPIRATION

How GAMURET G TH E G AN EVIN , KIN OF ZAS S AMANK IN , TOOK PART TH E TOURNEY AT KANVOLEIS

H ER ZE L EIDE Wal eis , the Queen of the , had proclaimed a great Tourney, promis ing to the victor her love and her lands . She needed a wise knight to help her rule her people , for since the death of her hus Ka stis o f band , on the very day their mar ria e g , many cares had come to her from 2 2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

t the lands and pe ople lef her by her lord . Now there ro de in to the city o f Kan v ol eis o the o , the day bef re T urney, a Gamu ret a l knight named Angevin , who o o o f Za s th ugh b rn in Anjou , was King s ama nk t o , a coun ry in the far East , fr m where , but lately, he had arrived . Seeing o t the streets and h uses decked wi h swords , shields and pennants , and learning the c ause , he decided to remain for the

Tourney . From her palace windows Queen Her z el eide watched the approach of the stranger ; never had she seen a more noble oo no r who o so l king knight , one r de with o fine a retinue . Given a place nthe plain o t oo u side the city, the new arrivals s n o erected their tents , and these ad rned with rich Silks and with hundreds o f pennants flying from them made a brilliant sp o t upon the plain . Already were many knights gathered there and all wondered o t o fr m what country his knight had c me , for neither he nor his company were attired as the French people . TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 23 When she had learned his name Queen H erz el eide sent messengers begging the o f Za ss ama nk to o to King c me her palace , G amu ret and set out straightway, making o a n ble entry into the city . Before him went trumpeters and drummers , those who to ssed tambourines and those who played the flute ; behind came fiddl ers The o King wore a l ng cloak of green samite , with a robe underneath of white ; he had no beard , and beneath his helmet his hair hung in sunny curls . Upon cloak and robe an anchor was embro idered in gold to and precious stones , and his helmet was fastened an ancho r of gold from which a large diamond shone . As Queen Her z el eide Gamu ret conversed with Angevin , o l ve sprang quickly into her heart , and with j oy she heard that he was to take part in the Tourney . Gamuret Knights , both old and young, encountered on the morrow , but not one was there who could overcome him and many left the field discomfited . Few were there who had hoped to win the 24 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL Queen but they had desired to try their “ ” l ! ! o skill . F y Fly the Anch r cometh , was cried out by the squires , and at the cl o se of the day the King of Za ssamank o was proclaimed victor f the Tourney . That very day sorrowful tidings came to Gamu ret Angevin , for he learned of the o death of his m ther, and of his brother the

King of Anjou . On the death of his Ga ndien father, King , some years before , his brother had succeeded to the crown and G amuret had set out to win a king dom for himself . After many adventures in the East he arrived at the city o f Bagdad where he served the ruler who was called the Baruch . It was while ’ the there , that at Baruch s request he o d nned the robes of the East , and since he had journeyed so much by water , the Baruch had had an anchor embroidered o upon his robes , and emb ssed with j ewels

o n . his sword , shield and helmet ’ Gamu ret s Leaving Bagdad , ships were blown in a great storm into the harbor of Za ssama nk t , where hearing tha the Queen

STORY OF PARZIVAL feast was proclaimed at Ka nvo leis and ont e o f H erz el eide h day their wedding, promised her l o rd never to ho ld him from the o the o t it T urney and j ust , whe her o f or t to e sh uld be knigh ly pleasure , serv

a friend or to punish an enemy . OF THE SORROWFUL DEATH OF GAMURET ANGEVIN

MAN Y happy months Ga muret and H e rz e leide Queen spent together , and Gamu ret ruled wisely the three kingdoms is a Wa l e Nor l s . of , g and Anj ou Then there came tidings from Bagdad saying that the Baruch was besieged by his ene mies and implored the help o f his friend m Ga u re t . t Angevin With grea calmness , H erz el eide received the news of her hus ’ band s intended departure ; she allo wed n o ne to see her grief and Gamu re t and 27 28 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o No r she all the pe ple praised her . did she o weep when bade her l rd farewell , t o to t h ugh in her hear came the great fear , that never again might she s ee his l o ok o f o o to no r l ve , never feel his str ng uch , hear his v oice o f l o ve and comfo rt. When tw o mo n ths had gone by Her z el eide lo oked fo rward to hearing tidings o o sh f her l o rd . One day at n on e was awakened from sleep by the terror of a dreadful dream in which she saw Gamu ret f ro slain . Rising, she paced to and , a great fear in her heart . Then as she lo oked from the windo w She s aw approach ing some of the knights who had set o u t o with Ga muret. Bef re they reached the she palace , guessed their message and fell o unconsci us . G a mu re t the brave , the mighty, had met his death in a joust , while serving the

Baruch . In Bagdad the mourning was as great as that which to ok place in Kan v ol eis o , where with weeping the pe ple ’ lis tened to the recital of their l o rd s valorous deeds . The Baruch had given TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 29 him rich burial ; wi th gold and precious ’ stones was the hero s tomb adorned and o they placed a cross made of emeralds , up n

I t.

H erz el eide Near to death was the Lady , for the ago ny of her sorro w too k all her strength from her . Again and again she ou t Gamu ret called for , but there was no

. Bu t answering voice one day, into the darkness of her sorrow came a little light t of j oy, and the Queen remembered wha she had almost forgotten in her distress . Clothed in her fairest robes she began to spend many hours in her gardens , and there as she walked with her ladies she spoke to them of her coming joy when a child should be born to her . “ N 0 more will I shut myself up with ” “ sorrow , she said , I will walk in the sun shine and listen to the sweet sound o f the birds and wander among the ﬂowers . Then if ye will teach me how to fashi o n little robes , the hours of occupation will speed the days , till he who lieth near my heart shall cry with voice sweeter than that 3 0 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL o f a bird ; then I Shall see a face fairer than h t e o . o son ﬂ wers L ve will give me a , I ’ ”

o to t his t . kn w , ake fa her s place ’ S o on G amu re t s knights returned from ’ the East bringing back the hero s spear ’ t and shield . Wi h one o f the Queen s robes had the shield been co vered and t o t t fastened wi h g ld moun ings . Grea ly Gamu re t o now o had l ved it , and w uld H e rz el eide have kept it near her that she might pray befo re it ; but the pe ople begged the shield and Spear fro m her and buried them as richly as if they had been ’ o o o o h n ring the her s b dy . A strong and lo vely boy was born to e z el ei e ow she Queen H r d . N once more o knew happiness and smiled ften , and ’ laughed als o in pure j oy at her s on s baby bu t ways . She had no name for him “ ” o o son o r t called him , G d , some imes , “ ” “

son t son. ow Dear , or Beau iful N his voice ﬁlled the great silence and her lonely arms found comfort in holding him . HOW QUEEN H E RZE L E ID E B ROUGHT HER CHILD TO THE FOREST

T H AT her son might not know of t knightly warfare , and that she migh be spared the grief of having him leave her, Queen H e rz el eide made a home for him in a forest . She bade her servants if they truly loved her, never , when the boy was o grown old en ugh to understand , to speak to him of the world outside , nor of knight hood ; never to tell him of the great re 3 2 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

nown of his father . Her kingdoms she left inthe care o f noble princes and tho se who brought messages came always in t simple at ire . t Reluctan ly her people obeyed her , for they thought that the fo rest was no t a ﬁt ting home for the son of so mighty a man Gamuret as , and they sorrowed that the child should be shut from the world and miss the glories of the life his father

knew . In the forest home the years went by o of quickly, and the baby grew int a boy

great strength and joyous spirit . There was always some thing of interest for him t in the woods , and as his mo her watched she him at his play, felt a great happiness , believing that she might keep him with t her always in this swee companionship , where no sorrow of the world entered to

disturb them . Often she would leave her occupation to j oin him in his play ; or she ob would watch him unperceived , and

serve with pride and j oy, his beauty and

strength . The sun was not more golden ,

TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 3 3

o t the o f she th ught , han mass curls which made the boy so resemble his father . “ o M re than I can teach him , he learns

o the o t she to o . fr m f res , said her pe ple “ s o t o ? Heard ye ever swee a laugh , or v ice Tell me is there a flo wer in the gardens lovelier than my Son ’s face ? As I watch o him lo king up at the sky, I think he is listening to secrets which the wind and trees whisper to him . But not in any thing inthe wo rld have I seen such light as is in his eyes ; it came there through not o o f o Love . Call ye such w rk L ve a ? miracle My l o rd and I followed Lo ve with all fai thfulness and reverence and o this is the gift L ve gave us . IS there aught in the wo rld can match the beauty and sweetness o f a child like this ? ’ Queen H e rz el eide s thoughts co ncerning s on o her were those of her pe ple also , and they devised ways to amuse the boy that he might no t yearn for o ther children . Often would the mo ther l ook fo rward with sadness to the years when her son o o t no t the t w uld be a tall y u h , and li tle 3 4 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL child who se dependence onher bro ught her such j oy ; and she wo ndered ho w long he o w uld be satisfied to s tay with her . The boy found great pleasure in dis c o vering new sp orts f or himself ; he fash ione d a bow and arro ws and used the trees f o o r targets . One day he sent up an arr w o t t t t ward a whi e bird ha flew near , and ’ it th pierced e bird s breast . It fluttered

to o . weakly, then fell lifeless the gr und The boy l ooked wi th surprise at the still o o form and t uched the s ft plumage , then realizing that he had brought death to the o bird , he ran quickly to btain comfort o o t e rz l e i e s a fr m his m her . As H e d w him “ o S : c ming he said What aileth thee , is s a d ? o t a o Child , thy face A m men g ” o o th u wert so j yful . Wi th his face in her lap he s obbed : o to one of Oh , M ther, I have been cruel my dear birds and killed him ; I did it with

o no t to . my arr w , but I did mean harm him not Now I shall hear him sing again , and o t one o ? we cann spare even s ng, can we H erz el eide held her sontenderly and TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 3 5 soothed him ; this was the ﬁrst sorrow that had come to them . She talked long with o o him ab ut the animals in the f rest , of the o f the t t birds that men kill to eat , deer ha he might go ou t to hunt some day . The bo o y was perplexed , for the sp rt called t o o f him , but the h ught bringing pain and death to a the animals , made him wish never to hunt them . “ This is thy ﬁrst lesson in pain , dear H e rz el eide son , said , and although t o here is some pain we must f rget , I o no w w uld not lessen thy grief , because thy careless play hath hurt the bird that ” gave thee such joy . H erz el eide Some time after this , her to f o r one self was cruel the birds , day ’ as she watched her so n s face upturned o t to with such eagerness and l ve , to lis en the singing o f his feathery friends— a l most he had feared that they would punish him and cease to Sing— she felt a o j eal us pang, and grieved , thinking that her son l o ved his forest compani o ns mo re o ea l than herself . In this m ment of j 3 6 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL o u s she t to y, bade the servan s lay snares w a s o t the . bu catch the birds This d ne , v escaped and sang o u t a s sweetly a s befo re . When the b oy disco vered what his o t his o o so m her had planned , s rr w was great and he pleaded with her so earnes tly to o t the no o t t rmen birds m re , tha Her z el eide a s w ashamed o f her weakness . “ ” “ she o o Nay, pr mised him , such wr ng d Go d o oo s on. will I never again , g d f o r ou r o no t gave the birds j y, I will bring ” t hem pain . “ o t the bo o M her , asked y in w nder , ?” who is G o d “ how son Now shall I tell thee , dear , H e rz el eide no o ne replied , since there is who kn ows ; nor can we understand save a s e el Go d u s— H e the we f within , Crea to r who made everything in the wo rld . If I s a y to thee that Go d is all the Go o d in t ? s a the world , cans understand Or if I y ? to thee that He is all Light My wo rds no t to th t may reveal Him thee , but y hear o o no will . When th u art in tr uble and t is o Go d ear hly help nigh , call up n and THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 3 7

He will no t fail thee : He will hear and help will come to thee . Turn thy mind away from darkness and evil and think o f of God , the Light beyond Light ; o G odness , the glory of the world ; so per chance evil will not come near thee . o Now child , dost thou understand the p or words of thy mother ?” HOW H E RZE L E I D E ’S SON SAW SOME OF KING ARTHUR’S KNIGHTS

I N o o f o b o the seclusi n the f rest , the y t o grew in o a stalwart y uth, and one day the call came to him to go out into the

. the o o world He was hunting in w ds , o and lured by a deer that ran fr m him , he went farther from home than he had o t been bef re . Suddenly, his rained ears o o f heard an unusual s und , the tread ’

o t t . h rses fee , and be ls jingling swee ly 3l

40 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o t o who him , a f ur h r de up quickly, was appareled mo re richly than the o thers f o r bo he was their prince . The y rose as he o the to : appr ached , and prince said him “ o two Lad , hast th u seen pass this way men who were carrying o ff a maiden ; o r didst hear her cries ?” o Not at once c uld the boy answer . I ” have seen no one , said he , and he knelt “ ” o o d ? before the prince . Art th u G he S so . o o asked reverently bright th u art , o o o n ble , and like what my M ther has t ld ” me of Him . “ Nay, Lad , said the prince gently, I am only a humble knight who rides to serve God . “ A knight , the boy repeated in wonder . I pray thee tell me what is a knight ?” “ ” o Go th u to King Arthur , said the “ o prince , and he will sh w thee what it is to be a knight ; then wilt thou ride as we ride to save maidens in dis tress . If o o o the th u d st g , I think King will be well pleased to besto w knighthood upon thee ; THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 4 1 few are there who have as n oble a face as thine . Then the boy ro se and began to examine on o to o the the trappings the h rses , t uch silver armor and the bells , and his ques ti ons made the knights laugh at his igno “ : rance , but the prince said gently Lad , o o th u knowest little of the w rld , but I t o f Go o hink d th u knowest much . To o o o no t knighth d thou wilt bring h nor , o shame , as th se two wicked knights ’ But o we pursue . we must ride n; God s blessing upon thee ; may thy life be S o happy . the prince and his knights rode off and left the boy gazing after them , longing to follow . o As they r de , they came to where some ’ of Queen H erz el eide s people were tilling the ﬁelds in a clearing o f the fo res t.

When the strangers questioned them , they told the knights that but lately men who carried a maiden had ridden by swiftly, and they had heard her weeping . At this the prince and the three knights rode off 42 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

t nor t f o r in has e , did hey ride in vain , at nightfall they had rescued the maiden and punished tho se who had carried her away . “ W o o hat will our p r Lady do , if her ?” ’ s onhas seen these knights H e rz el eide s “ o No t pe ple asked each o ther in fear . l ong wo uld he tarry here if he knew o f oo o t knighth d , but w uld ride for h as did his t fa her to seek adventure . w a s to Already, the boy hastening home his ﬁnd mother , and seeing her walking beneath the trees , he called out her name wi th a v oice that trembled with excite B u t o o . n ment and new j y he said more , f o r H erz el eide t , who had turned to gree s a w his o t him , in face what sm te her hear and she sank unconsci o us to the ground . t t o son Wi h ender w rds and caresses , her to helped the servants to res re her, then while she wa s res ting he sp oke o f his a d in nor venture the woods , did he think to bring her grief . “ ” o t now s a w o M ther , he said , jus I f ur men in the fo rest who said they were TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 43

to knights , and one bade me ride King to Arthur and ask him make me a knight. o t o M her , I want a h rse with silver bells on the harness , I want to be like those shin ing men . Why hast tho u kept me from ? this j oy Wilt tho u let me go now to be ” o ? a knight , dear M ther Then as he saw o o how grieved his m ther l oked , how worn , “ he asked gently : Is it no t a glori ous to o thing be a knight , to go out int the ?” wo rld to help those who are in trouble That it was time f o r her son to leave “

H erz el eide . her, knew Thy father rode ” on she away knightly adventure , said “ o sadly, and left me f rever . Now wouldst thou depart and so bring new grief to me : but I must let thee go . “ t Were my fa her here , would he not de o o o sire me to g , that I may bring h n r to ” “ ? o thee asked the lad . M ther, tell me

I pray thee before I leave thee , of my ?” father . Was he not a noble knight ’ Into H erz el eide s eyes came a look of ’ to joy . She yearned speak her dear lord s to o f name , tell his achievements , but 44 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL greater was her desire that her sonshould not know o f knighthood . “ s onshe o o Dear , said , in the w rld th u shalt hear o f the knightly deeds o f thy G amu ret father , Angevin ; now is my heart ” t too heavy with sorrow o tell thee of him . HOW H ERZE L E ID E ’S SON RODE FORTH TO SEEK KNIGHTHOOD W I T H a s o rro wful heart H erz e l eide pre s onf o r pared her his departure . Think ing that he might be ridiculed and so deg to she sire return to her , made for him a ’ oo o f l s dress of c arse sackcloth , and fashio ned leggings o f calfskin to come to ’ his knees ; f o r his head she made a fool s cap . Then she dressed the lad herself in o these strange cl thes , lingering tenderly 45 46 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL o t o t t she ver the fas enings , kn wing ha t s o migh never again serve him . As she knelt befo re him to fas ten onhis leg she o o to gings , sp ke w rds of counsel him I . “ not to o t Be adven urous at ﬁrst , Her “ z e l eide s no t to o u n said , eek pass thr ugh tro dden ways ; cro ss no t wide and turhu o lent waters . Greet all c urte o usly and ’ t give them Go d s blessing . Lis en care to o ld s a to fully what men shall y thee , for from the mo uths of gray-haired men shalt thou receive instructi on ; accept any ” t chiding they may give hee . t o son Kneeling here bef re her , Her z el eide l o oked up into his face and s a w t o e t t again wi h pride and j y, and y wi h t its o the bit er pain , noble expressi n , beauty which no t even this humble dress o no t she t o t c uld hide ; even a helmet h ugh , o t t o his w uld res wi h such grace up n fair ,

a s . curling hair , this rude cap Then came to her the thought o f how s ome w oman “ would lo ve her son and she said : Tho u ’ son o t dear , if th u cans win a maiden s kiss

48 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

t o t deares M ther , he said , tenderly has tho u cared f o r me and now I go fo rth to o o Go bring thee h n r . d bless thee ’ ”

J o o . Heart s y, th u “ oo son H erz el eide Nay, dear , g d , said , ’ ’ no t J o t S o r call me Heart s y, but Hear s o o ro w . Yet th u my j y hast been . Fare o ne Go d well , my dear , may keep thee ever : I think thou shalt no t kno w my ” care again . As the boy rode forth he turned again to to o t who s a w and again wave his m her, t with wha happiness he went . All the servants had gathered to see him go and t o o here was weeping am ng them , th ugh ’ there were no tears in their Lady s eyes . She had thought to humiliate him with the t she rude garmen s had given him, and the o ld s teed she had cho sen f or him to ride ; o o yet , had he g ne f rth in the rich and beautiful apparel that his father Gamu re t o had always w rn , he could not have o no r o o seemed m re pleased , l oked m re o H e rz e l eide n ble , and knew that her fo olish scheme wo uld no t make her dear TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 49

one re turn to her . For a long while she stood beneath the trees watching, as if she to expected her son ride back again , then suddenly she fell to the ground . When the servants raised her , they found that this new burden o f grief had been to o great , the life had gone from her body . H ow H E RZE LE ID E ’S S ON MET WITH JE S CHUTE AND SIGUNE

TH E youth rode all day and at dusk came to a wide stream , beyond which he saw green meadows . He hesitated to cross f o r although the water was shallow and rippled along quietly, he recalled his mother ’s words and rode on thinking to pass over where the stream was narro wer . He rested beside it that night and on the morrow fo und its source and so cro ssed easily . Seeing tents pitched in the dis tance he rode toward them and stopped 50 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 5 1

before the first one he came to , which had gay ribbons fluttering from it ; over it s tretched a canopy o f leather to give shade t and o protect it from wind and rain . The flap of the tent was open and as the yo uth looked in he s a w a fair woman lying asleep upon a couch . This was J eschu te o f Oril us , wife the Duke , and the yo uth might have awakened her with gentle greeting had he not espied upon her finger a go lden ring ; but this reminded ’ him o f his mother s wo rds— he would kiss the lady and take her ring ! Dismount ing, he entered the tent softly , kissed J eschu te up o n the mo uth and with her hand held firmly in his , he tried to draw o ff her ring .

Awakened thus abruptly, the Lady J eschu te gazed in fright and astonishment a t o this y uth , who though queerly clad , had not the face of one who s ought to do harm . “ ! ” Begone she cried , what wouldst ? tho u here Shall I call my servants to punish thee ?” But the lad appeared not 5 2 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

a t to hear her , he was smiling down the ring he held , pleased with his success . The go lden clasp of her girdle he had o taken als . Thinking that he must be o o to f olish , and that it w uld be best o J eschu te hum r him , bade him partake of a te refreshment , and the lad with a great wa s appetite , for he hungered with his long riding . J eschu te to Then said him , Now give me back my ring and clasp , I beseech thee , for if my husband returns and ﬁnds them so gone , he will be angered that he will ride after thee and kill thee . “ Of thy husband I have no fear, said ’ the youth proudly, Twas an honor to kiss thee and take thy ring and I trust soon again to mee t with adventure as fair as ” te this . So saying he sto oped over J es chu and kissed her again , then mounted his horse and rode away . He had not gone far before he remembered a counsel of his ’ mother s , and turning in the saddle , called “ o Go d back courte usly, be with thee , ” Lady, and may He bless thee . TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 53

Orilu s re Soon after this , the Duke turned home ; the horse tracks before the ’ tent had surprised him , and his wife s ex o o be planati n angered him , nor w uld he lieve that she spoke truly . “Thou hast received here another knight ” “ o in my absence , he declared, and all wed him to kiss thee and take thy ring . Now has Shame come upon me . I who have won for myself a fair name in- knightly adventure , ﬁnd my honor gone . Have I ’ not overthrown eight of King Arthur s ? knights in one joust Yet what availeth it now that my wife hath brought such sorrow upon me ? Go thou and bid thy women clothe thee in thy meanest dress , then shalt thou come with me and we will r ide until we ﬁnd this youth , then will I ” kill him before thee . Poor J eschu te wept bitterly and tried to make her lo rd understand how the mis to fortune had befallen , but he refused o o believe her , and they r de f rth together to punish the foolish youth who was the cause of their trouble . 5 4 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL The lad had ridden away well pleased t no r t o to wi h himself , h ught be pursued and it was not lo ng befo re he met wi th o t t o o an her adven ure . The s und f a ’ w oman s v oice raised in weeping reached him and he came to where a maiden s a t o o f by the roadside , clasping the b dy a dead knight . “ o se e Lady, said the y uth gently, I well that thou art in great grief f o r l o ve o f this knight ; tell me how he was slain to t a d and if falsely, I will ride wha ever ”

it t to . venture please hee , avenge him “ ” “ ! the o Alas said maiden , my her was slain in a j oust and I fear none may avenge th his death . But tell me what y name is , f or it seemeth that I kn o w thee . “ t te I hink I have no name , the lad “ o t plied , but at home my M her called me , ‘ ’ ‘ ’ ‘ ’ B onls Che ls o r B e r a u ls . fi , or fi fi “ Go o d son— dear s on— beautiful s on “ no w o said the maiden , yea , I kn w

f o r th o . thee , I am y c usin Sigune Now I declare to thee thy name— it is P a rz iva l ’ lereea thro u h! Fo r which means , p g even

HOW PARZIVAL CAME B EFORE KING ARTHUR

TOWARD the end of the day Parzival came o u t up on a highway where he me t many people whom he greeted courteo usly . At eventide he was full weary and stopped at the house o f a fisherman to ask for fo o d and rest : the man demanded pay so the o ment , he gave him g lden clasp he had taken from J eschu te From him he learned that King Arthur was holding 56 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 5 7 co urt at Nantes so he decided to go there and the fisherman promised to guide’ him to the city the next day . In the early o u t morning they set , but when they ’ re neared the city walls , Parzival s guide o t so t o t o fused to g fur her , wi h c ur e us farewells the lad ro de on alo ne and passed o thr ugh the gates , which were wide open t o as if o make all strangers welc me . Inside the walls he found himself in a o mead w , where were growing more flo wers than he had ever seen before ; be o y nd , was the noble castle where King Arthur with his knights and the ladies of o o the C urt were gathered . Many pe ple were riding to and fro , or walking in o gr ups , and some of them smiled as the youth passed them , for his strange dress and tired - lo oking steed amused them ; and

Parzival smiled in return , greeting all who came near . o As he r de along , he saw approaching, a o knight appareled all in red , wh se steed b o re a co vering o f red silk while red plumes waved from its head . A red 5 8 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

the t i shield knigh carried , and n his hand o o t w a s he held a g lden g ble ; red his hair, is but h face was pale and very n oble . As to sa he drew near , Parzival spoke him y “ No w Go d t — I ing , may bless hee think this is the gree ting f or me to offer a knight — f o r s o my Mo ther bade me gree t all ” whom I met . “ Go d bless thee and thy mother, said “ the Red Knight heartily ; well I kn o w she is a noble woman and lo ves thee well ; tho u shal t be l o ved by many w omen I t s o o is th so o t hink , c mely y face , clearly d h t truth shine from hine eyes . Thy face pleases me well , Lad , and I would have is o . thee serve me , if th u wilt This my de t o to sire , that h u ride straightway King Arthur and te ll him that the Red Knight wai ts to j o ust with any knight who dares appro ach him . They will understand . ? Seest tho u this goblet which I ho ld But the o t a short while since , I was in C ur and as I s tooped to drink of the refresh t of o o f the men fered me , I spilled s me ’ onthe o to wine Queen s r be , thinking TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 5 9

to rouse some of the knights ﬁght with me . I am eager for some adventure and no ne here have asked me to j oust . I rode away o in all haste with the g blet , and now I wait for some knight to take it from me . “ ” Thy message will I bear , said Parzi i val . And he left the Red Kn ght and o o r de nquickly to enter the castle . There came fo rward a squire named Iwa net o , who spoke c urteously to the lad and said that he would lead him to the o King . Outside the n ble castle , Parzival dismo unted and entered wi th Iwa ne t into a great Hall , where sat many knights to about a Round Table . As he came ward them he spoke a courteous greeting , “ : saying God keep ye , all ye heroes ; I t gree ye , King and Queen , and I bring a message . The knights crowded around him, for never had they seen a fairer face , nor heard a gentler voice . They led him to where King Arthur and Queen Guin

t . evere sat , and bo h greeted him kindly When Parzival had delivered the message of to the Red Knight , he said timidly, the 60 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o to o f King , Sir, I have j urneyed far ask thee a gift. “ ? What is it tho u wouldst ask said t o King Arthur , wi h gentle v ice and smile , o t t encouraging the y u h o speak . “ o o t That th u w uldst make me a knigh , and robe me as a knight ought to be ap ” a rel e d be p , answered Parzival kneeling “ o f re him , then will I serve thee with all ” my strength . Right gladly will I give thee the gift “ o f oo . knighth d , said the King On the mo rro w I will besto w o nthee whatever I ” may . “ no t I pray thee , Sir , keep me waiting, begged Parzival . ow N there stood near the King, his

Seneschal Kay , who as he listened to the the o praise spoken of y uth , was filled with o to j eal usy, and wishing be rid of him “ : o no t said to the King Sir , why d st thou allow this lad to win knighthoo d by ? achieving s ome difficult adventure R e quire that he bring back to thee the golden goblet which the Red Knight hath taken . THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 6 1 This will test his spirit and prove if he be ready for knighthood . Let him win the ” gift he desires . be King Arthur hesitated at first , but lieving that the Red Knight wo uld no t harm the lad , requested him to undertake the adventure Parzival rode forth j oy o o o f fully, f ll wed by many the knights and ladies who crowded on the meadow to watch the meeting of the stranger and the wa s Red Knight , whose real name Ither , the King of Cumberland . a Now there dwelt at the Court , fair Kunnewa are— damsel , by name , sister to the Duke Orilu s who sought Parzival and never for years had she spoken nor laughed , nor would she ever, she had de cl a re d t , until the most noble knigh of the o o w rld sh uld come to the Court . So on o this day, as she watched fr m a balcony , and saw the fair youth of whom all were speaking, suddenly she laughed aloud . Both knights and ladies were surprised and pleased that the maiden had been re leased from her silence ; all but one , Kay , 62 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL the w a s . Seneschal , and he angered He came to the maiden and sho ok her ro ughly “ o and struck her . H w da res t tho u laugh ” no w o o , said he , because th u d st gaze up on this co untry lad who in no way re sembles a true knight? Many a noble knight hast thou seen befo re at the ” o ? Lahel ein Orilu s C urt Had and , her o t o br hers , been present , they w uld have o ne wa s avenged this rudeness , but there to defend her , and as his voice sounded o o o l udly in rebuke , all l ked in amazement , f or this knight who sp oke was called Sir Anta nor u m the Silent , and he had been der a spell like to that of Ku nnewa a re he might not speak until the noblest knight o f the world came to the Court . “ ” Anta nor Sweet Lady, said gently, tho u hast suffered shame because o f this o t o no t y u h, but sorr w ; he is indeed the true knight we have proclaimed him . no t Bear thy disgrace meekly, for it will ” be l ong till he avenges this insult . Then Antanor went up to Kay and said “ o o t f o r b ldly : Th u shal be punished ,

OF PARZIVAL ’S ADVENTURE THE RED KNIGHT

B OL D LY Parzival ro de up to

Knight and addressed him . “ “ 1 Sir , said he , the knights will t t but r to ﬁgh wi h thee , I have bee t 1 ake the goblet from thee , that I the gift of knighthoo d and thy a Loud and merrily laughed t “ o th Knight . If the g blet is to be ” thinl my armor also , said he , I ” will be thy life that I shall take . “ ” I shall conquer thee , declare 64 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 65

to o o val . I am eager win knighth d ;

o u s . ! o t c me , let ﬁght Ha I think th u mus be La he l einwho hath sto len my lands ” o fr m me . Fo r answer the Red Knight raised his swo rd and with a mighty blo w smo te the

o o f to t . h rse Parzival , which fell the ear h It might have fared ill with the lad who o o was verthr wn , but he sprang up quickly , t ook his j avelin and threw it with great t t t o f s reng h at the helme Ither, whose vis o r it pierced and in a moment the King of Cumberland lay lifeless at Parzival ’ s feet . When he saw that the Red Knight was ’ no dead , fear nor distress was in Parzival s f or o heart , all he c uld think of was that now don he might this glorious apparel , take the knightly steed and ride away at

- once , a new made knight . He knelt and ’ tried to unfasten I ther s armo r ; but had no success , not understanding the way it o o was w rn . Then there came t ward him Iw a ne t who o , hearing no further s unds hastened to see how it had fared with 66 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

t Parzival . Grea his amazement and grief at seeing I ther lying dead ; yet he helped the o o lad to und the arm r , and when Par z iv a l Iwane t said he intended to wear it , urged him ﬁrst to remove his co arse dress and leggings ; but he refused , saying that o t so as his dear mother had cl hed him, o w uld he remain . Arrayed in the armor o f t oo I her, the lad l ked indeed a knightly o I a ﬁgure . Ar und his waist w net girded ’ onI ther s o t o sw rd , bade Parzival hr w us e away his j avelin and never one again , f o r such weapons were unknightly ; als o he sho wed him ho w to carry his spear and o handle the sw rd . When he was well -mounted o nthe Red ’ o Iw a ne t Knight s h rse , Parzival said to , “ Tho u hast been a true friend to me and no w I bid thee do me one service mo re . t f o r Greet King Ar hur me in farewell , for no w t o tha I am a knight , I shall ride f rth at o nce ; take him the golden goblet which ? I have won. Will he no t be pleased o s a o t t or Als , y th u , ha I shall return , seek s ome means to avenge the rudeness o f Kay P ARZI V AL AND I WANE T

TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 67 to the maiden and the knight ; sweetly she laughed ; there was love in her v o ice— like ’ to my mo ther s it was— and nobly that o knight sp ke . Watch thou over the Iwa net maiden , , I pray thee , and save her o o fr m further insult . Now G d keep thee in peace ; my thanks to thee , farewell . Thinking that the yo uth had best be

Iwanet . gone , did not try to keep him He knewthat soon the foo lish lad would o o disc ver what wr ng he had done , and wo uld realize that he was no t yet a knight, though he rode now in the trap to pings of one . Sorrowfully he turned Ither and honored him by covering his body wi th the ﬂo wers of the meadow ; hid the cruel wound which had not marred the fair, strong face ; fashioned with branches ’ a cross and drew the knight s hands to gether to hold it on his breast . Then he went to the castle to bear the mournful tidings .

There was much questioning, angry w o rds and deep sorro w among all ; many ladies had l o ved the knight and now they 68 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL wep t f o r him ; n one with greater sadness than Guinevere and befo re them all she sp oke o f the val o r and gentlene s s and many virtues o f the King o f Cumberland . Had Parzival been there he wo uld have t o received heir repr aches , and surely he w o uld have been mo ved by their s o rro w . But not even the King w o uld have f o r o t t given him then , and he m urned ha he had sent the igno rant yo u th up o n an a d venture that o nly a tried knight should have attemp ted . As they listened to those who cried o o t Ku nnew a a re shame up n the rash y u h , and Anta no r sp oke excuses f o r Parzival and declared that he would one day win th o e praise f all .

70 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL ply in a ﬂo wing robe o f white ; this was Gu rnema nz o o f the t o f , l rd cas le and the h kingdom o f Gra a rz . Wearied now by o o his l ng ride , Parzival appr ached with nor o wavering spear and shield , b re him self a s a skilled knight ; this Gu rnema nz perceived bu t ro se co urte o usly to greet the t As t s ranger . the you h raised his helmet , the old man s a w his beauty— the face o radiant , ﬂushed now with exerti n ; the ” o smile , frank and l ving . Sir , said Par “ z iv a l o o o o to , by g d f rtune have I c me t t o t the his cas le . My M her bade me seek advice o f o ld men and to fo ll o w what they so o said ; I pray thee , Sir, give me thy c un ” s el .

’ o God s welc me to thee , Lad , said “ G u rnemanz ; my counsel shall be given ” t o his hee freely . Then he released fr m t o t o wris , a falc n tha had a g lden bell o f o r ab ut its neck , it served as a messen “ ger . In a moment my squires will care ”

th t . for thee and y s eed , said he oo o the S n appeared fr m castle , squires t who the in fair garmen s , led guest into TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 7 1

the courtyard and bade him dismo unt ;

then he was taken to a room to rest . When the squires remo ved his armo r they were asto nished to ﬁnd underneath it a ’ fo o l s dress and one o f them hurried to tell

Gu rnema nz .

the Quietly lord of the castle heard him , for he knew that the stranger must be ’ H erz el eide s to son , tidings having come ’ him o f the lad s departure from the fo rest . “ ” “ bu t Humbly he may be clad , said he ,

his face and bearing are very noble . Per ’ ” chance twas his mother so clothed him . Yet when he came into the ro om and saw Parzival standing there in his strange “ o to : dress , he said s ftly himself The J oy of the Wo rld should be attired in ” mo re ﬁtting apparel . Upon the lad he smiled kindly and cared f o r him as ten derly as a father might have cared f o r his

s on. When he was rested they led the guest to the great Hall o f the castle where foo d

in abundance was spread , and it pleased the ho st well to see how heartily his guest 7 2 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

t ate . After his evening meal , Parzival was glad to seek rest and he slept until t th t o la e e nex m rning . Squires attended t his t t him hen , preparing ba h and assis ing him to dress ; now they persuaded him to don o t t the o the rich cl hes tha lay by c uch . There wa s a robe o f white sami te with girdle of scarlet ; hosen o f scarle t they p u t up on him ; and o ver his shoulders placed t a mantle lined wi h ermine inside , and o t t the with ut wi h sable , fas ened about waist with a rich belt and buckle of go ld . These garments became Parzival s o well that when he entered the Hall to seek his he t t o f t . host , he won admira ion the knigh s Le t u s praise als o the mo ther of such a on t to o s . , said hey each ther Gurnema nz After the morning meal , drew his gues t aside and ques ti oned him concerning his adventures and qui te will ingly the yo uth to ld him of how he had his left his mother , of meeting with Sig J e schu te o f ho w une and , and he had killed o the Red Knight . Pr udly he sp oke as if t he had achieved knigh ly adventure . TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 73

o o Thy ways have been f lish , said “ ’ Gu rnema nz sternly ; thy mo ther s wo rds o t tho u didst no t unders tand . N t yet a r ’ t o o t h u ready for knightho o d . Twas n skill that won thee the victo ry over I ther o f f or Cumberland , but treachery, knights o t use not the j avelin in j us ing . I fear tho u art not ready yet to comprehend the o t c unsel I shall give hee , but this much will I sa y to thee . “ Have never shame in thy heart . Care for the poo r and needy ; take time to stop o up n thy way to help them , for the gentle ness and service tho u renderest to thy humble fello w man shall be a greater glory than the winning of many battles . Seek to understand the life of the p oor as well as that of the rich ; then shalt thou use thy wealth with wisdom . “ Go d hath given thee ﬁve senses , but o ften one is to be used and not the others .

Seek to use each at the proper time . See — much but speak little . Yea , I would too have thee curb thy speech somewhat , o t many questi ons tho u asketh . Be nswift 74 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL to o o t o o te questi n , but disc ver wha ccasi n ire h u t t it. q speech , then be ready wi h ’ Tis wise f o r youth to be silent before what he d o th not comprehend . “ Slay never a co nquered f o e but yield s o t o o him mercy, shal th u make him m re noble . H old all w omen in hono r ; speak to them untruth never . One day shalt thou ﬁnd thy true lo ve and wi th her hap To pily unite . the co unsel o f Gurne manz Parzival listened gratefully and his heart was full o f shame because o f his foo lishness and igno rance . Then the o ld man bade his knights Sho w Parzival all the requirements o f knight oo o h d ; the way to h ld his arms , the rules o f the T ourney and the j oust ; the manner o f the wielding , when engaged therein , spear and sword and shield . The lad pro ved himself a go o d pupil f o r s oon he mastered this kn o wledge and was able to break the spears o f all tho se who j o usted a s Gu rnema nz to se e with him . Pleased w that he had acquired s o quickly such grace f or now t his t and skill , wi h great streng h THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 75

o o he w uld be able to win many a vict ry . That evening at supper the daughter of Gu rnema nz was present , Liasse was her o name ; y ung was she and gentle , and at the k bidding of her father , Parzival issed o the maiden . She hath no ring th u canst ” t Gurnema nz . ake , said smiling And Parzival ﬂushed with shame as he remem o bered his f olish deed . The two young pe ople conversed happily together and the o ld man sighed as he watched them ; he yearned to have them lo ve each o ther that he might claim the lad for his son . All too soon came the day when Parzi val declared that he must ride on and with grieving heart his host bade him farewell . “ Thou hast been as a son to me , he “ said . Three sons have I lost in battle and their mother died from grief and left me here lonely with my daughter . But S chentﬂeu r lately was my last son killed , when defending the maiden Kondwira mur from the wicked Kl amide who b e

a t P el ra eire . sieges her p Now , may ’ God s blessing rest upon thee , Lad , and 76 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

guide thee— wo uld that I might have thee ” f o r a son.

Dear Sir , answered Parzival , I thank thee f o r thy kindly wo rds and care t to t b u t no t perchance I may re urn hee , un til I have wo nfame as a knight shall I o a re ell— t o dare to w o a maiden . F w h u ” t who hast been as tender as a fa her to me .

Knights , squires and ladies gathered in

- the courtyard to wish Parzival Go d speed . Clad again w a s he in the armo r and trap of pings the Red Knight , and all declared that they had never seen a more n oble

looking youth .

78 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL c to o ared , what c untry adventure might o o t lead him . Over many a r ugh m un ain path he ven tured and at sunset time came to o to o f o r o to o a t rrent deep his h rse f rd , s e o o h follo wed alo ngside it. S o n he per ceive d the in distance , a castle lighted now with the glo w of the evening sun . Around the courtyard were many houses t o o the and stree s , beyond were w ds and s e a h . t t e m Descending wi h strea , Parzi val came to a great bridge s trangely fash io ne d f o r the , it hung in air suspended by o to f ro w ven supports , and it swung and t in he breeze . S tanding by this bridge onthe o ther side o f the water were gathered mo re than

t t f or . hir y knights , armed as if war These “ ” called o u t to the s tranger : Begone ! B u t Parzival appro ached fearlessly and when his ho rse sno rted wi th terror and re to t fused go fur her , he dismounted and t o o with gen le w rds and t uch , urged him o acro ss the swaying bridge . As s on as ho rse and knight touched the bridge the knights hurried away and entering the TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 79

o f o r c urtyard , barred the gates in haste , they tho ught no one w ould ride thus b o ldly unless a company o f his pe ople f ol lo wed . Quickly Parzival ro de over the plain to o that lead the gates , and lifting the ir n t o o o hanger here n , s unded it l udly . After a few moments a lady leaned from a win “ dow : o o and said Sir Knight , c mest th u ? as a f oe Besieged already are we by a wrathful King Who w o uld wed o u r Queen against her will ; our people are wasted o with hunger and we have trouble en ugh . “ ” t P a rz r Nay , gen le Lady, answered o val , taking his helmet fr m his head in “ o not greeting , I c me as an enemy but as

. ou a friend If I may serve y here , gladly t nt o will I and wi h o h ught o f reward . Hearing these w o rds the lady hastened j oyfully to the Queen and she o rdered that the gates be opened to admit the stranger . t Knigh s , squires and archers were gath ered in the co urtyard ; fully armed were

they f o r they feared their f oe was near . With co urte o us gree tings they welcomed 80 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL the knight and led him to a co ol b o wer o f to t t to u m linden trees res , assis ing him arm and bringing him water f or his re s t o to . fre hmen , and a rich r be wear Par z iv a l w a s pleased to hear that he had come to the ci ty o f P e l rap eire o f which Gurne o o to manz had sp ken , and he h ped here t t achieve knigh ly adven ure . ” o ne o f the t t t o Sir , said knigh s , wil h u speak wi th ou r Queen Ko ndwira mu r “ ” to t Lead me her , I pray hee , said Par

z iv a l .

o tw o o Acc mpanied by her uncles , K nd wiramu r descended the great s teps of the a s the castle to greet the stranger . Fair w t maiden Queen , pale her face , whi e her skin ; clothed all in white and go ld was she the o o , and sun cast a g lden glow ver she o o her . As smiled up n the y ung t o no the o knight , he h ught woman in w rld o o his t f o r c uld be l velier , and heart bea j oy as she kissed him in greeting . Taking his hand the Queen led him to the Hall where many maidens and knights were gathered . The faces of these were sad ,

8 2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL ro om richly appointed ; s oft rugs were o oo o up n the ﬂ r , skins were up n the velvet couch and a robe o f silk was laid there f or the t him . The squires lighted tall apers , then at his request left him and soon the wearied knight fell asleep . In the night Parzival was awakened the t o f the suddenly, and by ligh tapers he was surprised to s ee kneeling by the o Kondwiramur c uch , the Queen who was t weeping bit erly . “ ” t t ? Lady, what grieve h hee he asked , t o and rising , lifted her gen ly fr m her “ t knees . Sit here , I pray hee , and tell me ” o f th o y sorr w . “ ” Kondwira mu r Sir, said , my grief f or o made me seek thee , in thee I beh ld my deliverer ; and unless thou pro mise to ” save me I canno t sleep . ” t Lady, said Parzival tenderly, ell me how I may serve thee and whatever the ”

no t too ffi . task, it shall be di cult “ ” Kondwira mu r Sir Knight , said , thou seest ho w my lands have been was ted by

Kl amide and how my pe ople suff er . His TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 83

Kinro n Seneschal , g , hath slain half my knights ; to his death he bro ught Gurne ’ ma nz s o S chentﬂeu r. No t son , the n ble o much l nger can we hold the castle , but , t Kl a mide Sir , ra her than be wife of , I will ﬂing myself from the castle tower to o the m at bel o w . “ i Have no fear, sweet Lady, Parz val said gently, God will give me strength to deliver thee from Kingronand Kl amide and soo n shall thy people be relieved o f hunger . Now go to thy rest and sleep ” peacefully . H ow PARZIVAL OVE RCAME KING RON AND KLAMI D E AND OF H ow , H E WEDDED QUEEN KONDWI RA MUR OF P E L RAP E IR E

ON the mo rro w after he had heard serv f o r his o o ice , Parzival asked h rse and arm r and ro de fo rth to meet Kingro nthe Sen e scha l who t o w a s a , , wi h a large c mpany , p t e t p ro a ching . Riding swif ly Parzival m Kingro ns ome distance from the bridge and there the tw o j ousted ﬁercely un til with a mighty swo rd thrus t the Seneschal w a s o o verthr wn .

86 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL knight greeted and Queen Kondwiramur embraced Parzival and sp oke s o ftly her

t . so t o hanks and praise Then , tha all c uld “ she : o hear , said In the wide w rld is but o ne whom I could claim for my l ord— this ” knight who is my deliverer . “ ” o Lady, said Parzival , kneeling bef re “ o n her and kissing her hand , the earth is n o ne so lovely as thou ; if I have wonthy ” o l ve , I am indeed blest . That night was held the marriage feast o f Queen Ko ndwiramu r and Parzival and there was great rej oicing among all at the o o castle . By g d fortune , ships had sailed into the harbor and Parzival had pur o chased fr m the merchants , provisions en ough to last f o r a long time ; so there l was peace and plenty at P e rap eire . t o f a After hree days , tidings came the p Kl amide proach of King and his knights , f or when the King heard o f how his Sen escha l o o had been verc me , he ordered his knights to march with him to P e l rap eire “ and o nfo o t to besiege the cas tle gates . In s et o t haste and anger he had f r h, for he TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 87 had thought to conquer easily Queen Kondwiramu r and take her city . N 0 further than the bridge did they ’ come for Kondwiramur s knights guarded it no w with new hope , and Parzival with a company o f knights and squires rode through the woo ds and surprised Klam ’ ide s men at the rear, taking many of them prisoner . At the close of the day he re turned to the castle with them and this ended the ﬁghting for a few days . T hen Parzival sent the prisoners , with in out their armor, back to their King to form him that Queen Kondwiramu r had ’ wedded Kingrons conqueror . So angry was Kl amide that he sent a herald to the castle to bid this bo ld knight meet him in single combat . Well pleased was Parzival and he rode forth at once to answer the King ’s chal lenge while the knights onbo th sides gath ered around to watch the j ousting . Each gall oped swiftly toward the o ther and the co nﬂict was one never to be forgo tten by o f those who witnessed it . The noise the 88 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

clashing shields and swords was heard a t o the castle where , from her t wer , Queen Kondwira mu r o the t gazed up n ﬁgh , but there w a s no fear in her heart f o r She was certain that her l ord wo uld mas ter Klam ide .

For two hours they struggled , then sud denly by a spear thrust Parzival bro ught the King to the gro und where he lay u n to able rise , knowing that he was con J o o quered . umping fr m his h rse , Parzi ’ val to ok Kl amide s helmet from his head his o o ut : and raising own sw rd , cried “ Now shall I free my wife from thy woo ” ing— to death tho u go est ! i Mercy, gallant knight , cr ed Klam o l o w t ide , th u art victor , I am laid ; hine oo honor should spare me . A p r life shall o I live with ut her whom I love , but I ” wo uld not yet meet death . Remembering the co unsel o f Gurne how o manz , a knight sh uld spare a con

quered foe , Parzival granted the King his o s e t ou t life , but made him pr mise to for

PART II FAILURE

94 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL gan for Parzival a separati o n fro m his wife which lasted many years, no r did either think that adventure so strange and s a a s d w to befall him . ’ To ward evening o f the ﬁrst day s j our o the o t ney, Parzival , riding thr ugh f res , came to a harbor where many bo ats were a t o one o f anch r . Seated in these was a o man ﬁshing . He was cl thed in garments fashi oned royally and richly ornamented ; up on his head was a cap ado rned wi th peacock plumes ; his hair was gray and a the a his face pale and s d . As knight p

ro a ched o o . p , he l ked at him eagerly “ ” o o Sir, said Parzival c urte usly, I pray thee , guide me to shelter , for I have rid ” den all day and am weary . “ There is but one shelter near , Sir ” “ o Knight, the Fisher answered . If th u on o t o t take the road up y cliff, so n h u wil arrive at a mo at; call there to the warden and he will l e t do wn the drawbridge for thee . We shall meet again for I shall be ” thy ho st .

When he had thanked the Fisher, Par

96 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL lent thee this man tle ; it is her o wnand w e t t o deem thee wo r hy o f his h n o r . “ t f o r o I hank thee thy kindly w rds , “ t t f o r said Parzival , and I pray hee , gree th o o o t me y Queen . G d f r une it is that I ” o f und my way here . Thus richly attired Parzival was led through many corrido rs and passed by o o o f o t r ms , each which seemed m re beau i fully app oin ted than the o ther . Then they came to two doo rs which were wide o on t o o f pen , and standing the hresh ld a t o grea Hall , Parzival saw many w nders t herein . A hundred cro wns o f gold were fas tened to the walls and in them tapers burned . Small couches that served f or tables were against the walls wi th cushi ons befo re t hem resting up o n rich rugs . At each co uch s a t fo ur knights up on the cushi on seats ; fo ur pages and four squires sto o d beside The Hall w a s lighted als o by ﬁres from three large ﬁreplaces ; one wa s at the end o f the Hall opp osite the doo rs o o t and one wa s at each side . W ds tha TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 97

o t gave f rth sweet perfumes burned herein . a t s a w By the fireplace the end , Parzival the Fisher reclining ona high couch ; he wo re robes o f fur and up on his head was a cap o f sable ado rned wi th bands o f gold with a ruby in the center . He held out his hand to his guest and as Parzival ob walked into the Hall to greet him, he ’ served how pale and wo rn was his host s face , and he lay as if enduring great pain . ’ o As Parzival st od by the Fisher s couch , there en tered into the Hall a squire who o b re in his hand a spear , from which drops of blood fell , and as he passed swiftly o o o f thr ugh the Hall , a s und weeping was heard as if great sorrow had come up o n all t the hose within . When he was gone weeping ceased and there entered a pro cession of maidens . two t First came girls , children almos t were they, whose flowing hair was caugh with silken bands and bloss o ms ; each car ried a golden candlestick with burning tapers in the s o ckets . After them came two maidens clothed in brown silk, with 98 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL golden girdles abou t their waists and wi th flo wers in their hair ; then tw o attired as t two to o o f these came , and hey carried s ls ’ iv o ry which they placed befo re the Fisher s co uch Then came fo ur cl o thed in robes o f who o o green silk , b re tapers , and f ur to o f J who carried a table p acinth , which t o hey placed up on the iv o ry sto ls . As each maiden passed by the Fisher she o o o b wed reverently, then t k her place , Fo l s tanding at the left o f the couch . l o wing those wi th the Table came fo ur t tw o who o maidens bearing lights , hen b re o no t two o f t cl hs , knives silver which hey o o o t laid up n the Table , then t k heir places t o t o wi h the hers . Six m re maidens came six o s after , wearing as did the bef re , ilken robes o f rainb ow hues inw o ven wi th gold . Twen ty-fo ur maidens had come in to the o Hall , and as Parzival gazed in w nder , there en tered a maiden more fair than any of the o thers . Crowned like a Queen was she and arrayed in royal robes . Behind her came six maidens who carried to rches o f transparen t glass in which burned bal

1 00 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

no t t t t w a s mysteries , but knew ha his the Feast that the Grail be s to wed up on those h o w o served It . He w uld have ques tione d o s a w in c ncerning what he , and ’ o f quired the cause the Fisher s suffering , bu t remembering the counsel of Gurne to t o o f manz , he feared speak les he sh uld fend ; and s o l o oking ab o u t him wi th w on t dering eyes , he remained silen . Then there entered a squire who carried with him a swo rd encased in a sheath which was richly o rnamented wi th j ewels ; into its hilt a ruby was s et. He gave the swo rd to the King who o ff ered it to Par “ z iva l : t to t saying Sir, I pray hee accep this sword as a token o f ho spitality ; often I carried it un til Go d smo te me : no w thou ” shal t carry it and well shall it serve thee . Parzival accepted the swo rd wi th grate — t ful words now migh he have said more , but yet was he silent concerning what his

heart promp ted him to ask . The cars with the go lden vessels were taken from the Hall ; the cro wned maiden stepped fo rward from the o thers and took THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 0 1 the cushion with its Treasure ; each maiden fulﬁlled her duty and all passed from the t o Hall . Then it was tha Parzival bserved ho o t o o w an her d r had been opened , and he s aw lying within a room an old man o with a l ng, white beard , whose face was the mo st beautiful he had ever seen . “ ” Sir , said the Fisher courteously, thy o a w a ite th c uch thee , I think thou must be ” weary ; sweet be thy rest . Squires came forward to lead the guest to o his r om , and when they had assisted him to disrobe they left him . All that night Parzival s rest was disturbed with dreams of jousts in which he was defeated , and great so rrow was in his heart when he awakened ; why , he knew not . He called the squires but as no one came he slept o again . It was high n on when he opened o re his eyes nce more , and when no one s onde d to p his call , he rose and donned his

o two o . arm r , fastening on his sw rds ?” Why was this swo rd given me he asked “ - himself . Perchance to day I am to be called to some deed o f knighthoo d . Was 1 02 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL my dream a warning ?” Carefully he placed upon the couch the man tle which the Queen had lo aned him ; he thought that it must have been sent by the maiden who carried the cushi on ; her lovely face reminded him of his mother and he s to o d f o r a while musing o f these tw o w omen Ko ndwira u r m . and of his wife , Then he his o bu t o left the room to seek h st , f und no o ne ab o ut . Through many rooms he searched but they were deserted ; at lo cked oo o re d rs he kn cked , but there was no

s onse . p Much vexed at this mystery, he decided to leave the castle and passed into the courtyard where he fo und his steed o waiting . The drawbridge was d wn and o o o to t ho he r de over l king right and lef , p ing to s ee s omeo ne Al though no one the was in sight , moment he reached the o o ther side , the bridge was drawn int place again . Then , as Parzival waited by o who the m at a squire appeared , called “ to : o o out him Ride f rth , th u weakling ; clo sed thy lips that should have questi oned t co ncerning the distress o f thy ho st . Grea

HOW PARZIVAL WAS REPROACHED BY SIGUNE

FOR a l ong time Parzival fo ll owed the tracks thro ugh the fo res t; then unexpect e dl o o f y he came to an pen space grass , shining with dew and shaded wi th linden

. to t the trees As he paused res , he heard s ound of weeping, and riding onsa w a o maiden sitting under a tree , h lding in her arms the b o dy o f a knight. She did no t o o a s o bu t l k up Parzival appr ached , o s ee how she w a s o he c uld pale , how w rn t and dus ty her garmen s . 1 04 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 95

o Lady, said he gently, is there s me way I can serve thee ?” “ t I thank hee , answered the maiden “ how r t o sadly . But tell me ea nest h u ? here Dangero us is it f or any who do no t kno w the way to ride through these oo w ds . Where didst tho u spend the night ?

Lady, answered Parzival , I found shelter in a castle a l ong distance back ; ” and there occurred many strange things . “ ” “ Sir Knight , the maiden said , thy o w rds seem false , for there is no shelter anywhere near , save one which is the rich o o o est ab de inthe world . Up n a m untain Mons a l va e called g , there is a Temple , and there a holy man named Titurel ruled as King until the Grail chose his sonFri u l m te to take his place . This son sought adventure in the wo rld and met his death A f orta s there . Then was his son n o o cr wned King, but in the w rld was he o wounded because of wr ngdoing, and e now he suffers day and night . Near her o Trevrez ent the dwells a br ther of his , 1 06 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

’ f o r o f Anf o rta s Hermit , since the day wounding he hath dwel t s oli tary in this ’ o is fo res t a s a penance f r h bro ther s sin. No w if by chance thou hads t arrived a t Mons a l v a e o g , all this w uld they have o told thee . Thou w uldst have released the King from his pain and brought j oy ” t o all there . “ s a w I many marvels , and many knights ” and maidens were there , said Parzival , “ and my host seemed in great suff ering . At these words the maiden l ooked up “ ” t eagerly at him . Me hinks , said she , “ t that thou hast been o the Temple . Lift t o thy helmet I pray hee , for surely I kn w ’ thee . Yea , tis Parzival . Tell me , Cous o see o ? in , didst th u the wondr us Grail ? Didst a sk the Question Is the woe t ? o to ended here Ah , blessed art th u have been led onthis j ourney ; thy ren own o shall be spread far . J y hast thou brought to the s orrowing o nes at Mon salvage . “ o Lady, asked Parzival , how dost th u know my name ?

1 08 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

e thine if thou hast asked th Questi on . “ o s the Nay, C u in , Parzival said , at castle they did no t tell me this concern o t o t t o ing the sw rd . Wha d s h u mean by a ques ti on ? I asked n one there . What ” the s e e t ? is Grail , did I it here “ Thou dids t behold the Grail and the mys teries— tho u dids t s e e the suff ering o f th o t ? o s e e y h s , the King Th u didst the ? bleeding spear and the knives o f silver ?” And thy lips were silen t the v o ice o f “ Sigune trembled with distress . Surely co urtesy demanded that thou questi o n o c ncerning these things . Alas , if it be true o that thou wert silent , th u art a cursed o o knight . Beg ne fr m me ; leave me with w n ” my hero ho knew o shame . ” o Fair C usin , pleaded Parzival , speak

no t so . o o unkindly If I have d ne wr ng , ” my repentance shall be great . ? What shall avail thy repentance now From this shame can thy honor be released ? ever Who will comfo rt tho se who suffer o f ? o sa — no because thee Beg ne , I y ” o t l nger will I speak wi h thee , and TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 99

o Sigune bent ver the knight she held , and wept bitterly . All sorrowfully Parzival mounted his o steed and r de away, nor cared whither o his h rse went . Now he thought over all that he had seen in the mysterious castle and he repented bitterly that he had not questioned co ncerning the suffering of his

t . host , as his hear had bidden him HOW PARZIVAL FOUGHT WITH OR ILUS

As Parzival ro de slowly along he saw fresh ho o f marks and urging onhis steed he entered a path where he sa w tw o one of o t riders , far ahead the her . Near Parzival ro de a lady ona s o rry lo oking so t its mare , hin that ribs might be co unted ; w o rn and dusty was the harness t and made o f hemp . The garmen s o f the lady were s o ragged that in places her

1 1 2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

hast thou taken from me , my ring and my N ow t t happiness . , I pray hee , urn and o ride swiftly away, for if my l rd sees thee ” he will harm thee . “ ” ! o Ha cried Parzival , now I kn w sor thee . But how have I brought thee row ? “ My l o rd will not believe what I tell o o f him of thy visit ; he thinks wr ng me , J e schu te replied . “ Lady, now were death better than ? ﬂight . Do any ride ahead of thy lord “ o Nay, he rideth al ne , but mighty is he and easily can he overcome six men by himself . Ah , greatly is he changed ; o nce he was kind who is now so cruel to ” J eschu te me , said mournfully . N ow the steed o f Orilus at this moment sa w neighed and the Duke , turning, that his wife was conversing with a strange knight . Swinging his horse around he ro de quickly to ward him with spear o raised . Few r de as richly appareled as the Duke Orilu s ; his armor wa s of the o ﬁnest steel ; up n shield , helmet and TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 1 3

t o s et breas plate , a drag n with j ewels , was o blaz ned in gold . J eschu te drew aside in terro r as her l o rd o o appr ached , but Parzival r de to meet ’ f him . Fear was in the lady s heart or the o she ho w y uth , but as watched skillfully ’ he met the thrusts o f Orilu s spear and ’ how strong his blows upon the o ther s she o o shield , trembled lest her l rd sh uld she o a l be hurt , for dearly l ved him , o th ugh he had so greatly shamed her . The so und of clashing spears rang through the fo rest ; the horses sn o rted and the com ba ta nts i breathed heav ly, and the blows upon the shields caused the sparks to ﬂy . S oon was the helmet of Oril u s dashed to ’ the ground by Parzival s stroke ; then was ’ that knight s horse struck down , but he j umped up quickly and with a great leap caught Orilu s about the waist and dragged him from the saddle . Hand to ’ hand fought they then , till the Duke s strength began to fail . “ o Now art th u conquered , cried Par “ z iv a l , and I bid thee swear that thou wilt 1 1 4 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

o believe thy wife and ask her f rgiveness . Not yet would Oril u s yield him but t stro ve to over hrow his adversary . At last Parzival bro ught him to the gro und and the Duke knew that he was defeated “ and said feebly : D ost thou desire to kill me ?”

Thy life will I spare , answered Par z iv a l o , if th u wilt believe what thy wife t ells thee . ” Orilu s Sir, said , many riches will I no t to o J es give thee , but ask me f rgive chute , for greatly hath she dishonored me . “ ’ Shame to thee , said Parzival , twas o t o I , but a fo lish you h , who r de rudely into her tent and took her clasp and ring ” I meant no harm when I kissed her . “ Orilu s be Thou , cried , well I must ’ lieve thee f o r thy face is n oble . So tis ?” thou I have s ought to punish “ Thou hast greatly wronged thy lady, Sir , said Parzival indignantly . “ ’ Two uld have been better hadst tho u trus ted her . Ano ther promise I require o f

1 1 6 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

“ Oril u s Sir , I thank thee , said , and now speak to me , I pray thee , thy name ; Ori u s l of Lalande am I . “ ! ” Ha exclaimed Parzival in surprise , ’ is t my enemy I have conquered . Par z iv a l Wa l eis t o the am I , and hr ugh thee and thy bro ther Lahel einhave I l ost my ’ be kingdom ; twas thee slew my prince , o l ved by Sigune . “ Oril u s let Sir , said the Duke , peace be between u s ; all that I have taken from thee will I restore , but know this , that in ” a fair ﬁght did thy prince meet his death . With friendly wo rds Parzival left the two who returned to their home , where ’ J eschute s servants arrayed her in her richest robes and mounted her o na white Orilu s o o palfrey , but r de f rth with bat tered shield and helmet for he did not wish to wait for new armor . King Arthur and Queen Guinevere wel comed the Duke Oril u s and his Lady and surprised was that knight to ﬁnd that the maiden whom he had been sent to defend Ku nnew a a re was his sister . HOW PARZIVAL WAS MADE A KNIGHT OF THE ROUND TAB LE

OW Orilu N after s and J eschu te had ap eared a t the p Court, King Arthur de sired greatly to meet with Parzival that he might assure him of his forgiveness o f and make him one the Round Table . Then he decided to set out with his to knights seek him, and he made all promise not to enter into j ous t with any t met hey , without ﬁrst asking his consent , 1 1 7 1 1 8 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL f o r he knew that they must go through strange countries and he wished them to pass through peaceably . On the eighth day of their j ourneying they me t with Parzival and it was in this wise .

Although it was the springtime , a light o snow was upon the gr und , and Parzival , t riding along narrow woodland pa hways , made his way wi th difficul ty o ver the ground . Suddenly, a hawk flew near him and fo llowed as if for protection : it ’ had escaped from Arthur s knights who were near Then a flock of wild geese flew by and the hawk swooped down up o n them and one fell wounded to the earth . Three drops of blood dropped up on the o sn w and as Parzival saw them he smiled , f o r thoughts o f Kondwira mu r came to him . He likened the white o f the snow to the o f o f the whiteness her skin , the red bl o od to her lips ; her fair face came clearly before him and he stood spell b ound thinking o f her . o o s aw Thus , a squire f ll wing the hawk,

1 20 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

Arthur in humiliati on to tell him how o o quickly he had been verc me . Then Kay craved permissi on to go forth and it As o o t was granted . he rode al ng he th ugh how he would conquer this knight and win back the fav o r of the King and the knights by his pro wess . As he approached “ ou t Parzival he called rudely, I have come to lead thee captive to King Ar ” thur . Then when Parzival did not look up , he rode nearer and struck his helmet : ? saying Dost sleep Well , I shall ” waken thee . At these words Parzival turned quickly o o and felled the ther to the gr und . His wa s charger killed under him , Kay obliged to return on foot to his tent where he lay f in great su fering . Now when Gawain heard of the defeat S e ra mor of g and Kay, he obtained the ’ King s permission to seek the knight , not to j oust with him but to off er him courte o u s greeting . When he came to where the stranger was standing , gazing at the

o . sn w , he knew that this was Parzival THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 2 1

Sir, called he , why wilt thou not greet those who speak to thee ? Why dost thou not seek King Arthur who is ?” ready to forgive thee Then as he s aw how Parzival gazed at the drops upon the snow, he rode up and covered them with his cloak . ! ” Alas said Parzival in distress , who takes from me my dreams ? ’ ’ Tis I , Gawain of Arthur s Court , answered that knight , and I pray thee , come with me to King Arthur who waits ” near . “ t ma no t Yea , tha would I do , but I y an seek him until I have punished Kay, swered Parzival . “ Thou hast j ust overcome him and S eg ” “ ramor , said Gawain , and he lies two wounded . Hast forgotten how knights attacked thee ? Both didst thou o c nquer . A love spell was upon thee , I

but it. t think , I have broken Now wil thou come with me ?”

Gladly Parzival assented , and as they a pproached the tents he saw Kunnewa a re 1 22 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

Orilu s J eschute with and , and that maiden “ : V came forward quickly, saying ery o welcome art thou . Well hast thou pr ven thy knightho od . Not until that day s a w or when I thee , knew I smiles laugh ter ; then the gladness that came to me was the cause of sorrow and disgrace .

But thou hast avenged me ; now receive , ” I pray thee , my kiss of gratitude . “ I thank thee f o r this honor and thy ” gracious words , said Parzival . Sir Anta nor came also to greet the “ youth : Welcome to him who hath avenged the wrong done the maiden V Ku nnewa a re . , said he anished is Kay ’s pride and he lies repenting his rude ” ness . Ku nne When Parzival was refreshed , waare brought him a robe that she had fashioned ; a j ewel clasped it at the neck , and a girdle with j ewels was ab o ut the waist wi th a clasp in which a ruby was to set . Then he was led where the King and Queen wai ted eagerly to greet him . ’ f or a l Tears were in Guinevere s eyes ,

1 24 STORY OF PARZIVAL

o o f . were sp ken him by all Yet , though he smiled and seemed as merry as the f o r others , Parzival was sad he remem

bered what none present knew , how he Mons a l a e had failed at v g . HOW PARZIVAL WAS SHAMED BY KONDRIE AND G ’ , OF AWAIN S PLEDGE TO FIGHT WITH KINGRI MURSEL

SUDD E N L Y into the happy group o f t o t knigh s and ladies , there r de a s range looking maiden mounted on a large mule . Fair was her silken robe of azure but her face was ugly and her eyes were cruel . In her ugly hand she held a whip whose 1 25 1 26 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

s handle wa adorned with a ruby . Straight to King Arthur she rode while all l ooked upon her in dismay . “ o sono f Th u Uther Pendragon , said “ she o . s rrowfully, how art thou shamed A stain is up on the hono r of thy Table t Round since he whom ye call Red Knigh , o sits here . N ble was he who was slain o bef re Nantes , but unworthily is his name t borne by ano her . Then turning to Parzival the maiden “ o said , Now speak , th u Parzival , and tell me— when thou sawest the Fisher sit there o in suffering and sadness , why didst th u ? no t seek to lift his woe Worthless are thy mouth and tongue ; evil -hearted art f thou . But thou shalt su fer . Know this , t t Za ssa ma nk ha in the far East in , rules one who is King there and thy brother . is to o o Strange he look up n , for b th white is and black he A heathen is he , yet I think no t that he would have remained silent at Monsa l va ge . Dost think thy o o father , the n ble Angevin , w uld have o his o o so ? t o l st h n r And oh , the grief h u

1 28 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o in glittering arm r , bearing an unsheathed t o o t sword in his hand . Wi h c urte us gree ings he addressed the King and Queen , then asked f o r Gawain . When he saw “ : him he said Sir King , there sits a false t f o r the of knigh , he hath killed King S cha a n H is t the o mf nz o . f bro her , King Aska l on t , hath sen me to avenge this wrong and I demand that Gawain j oust ” with me . “ ” Sir, said King Arthur in surprise ,

we hold Gawain a brave knight . Me thinks thou a rt too quick with thy blame ” and dost dishonor thyself . ’ Then up sprang Gawain s brother, “ B ea u cor s : o p , and cried out Sir, w uldst ﬁght with Gawain ? Thou speakest falsely of him and I will defend his

. t honor Now , brother, grant tha I take ” th y place , said he eagerly to Gawain . ” Nay, that I cannot, replied Gawain gently, I thank thee , brother, but truly w ould I be shamed if I gave this duty to ”

o t . o f an her Now , Sir, he demanded the “ ” stranger, speak to us thy name . THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 2 9

Kinrimu rs el g am I , the Landgrave of ” S cha a mf nz on.

o Thou d st accuse me wrongly, said “ to t Gawain , but it will please me ﬁgh ” thee whenever thou art ready . “ ” When we meet again , said Kingri “ mursel , then we will j oust . Safely thou mayest pass through our lands ; none will ’ but t harm thee, when we two mee twill be to ﬁght . With these words he bade farewell to the King and Queen and gal l oped swiftly away with his head held proudly . The day that had been full of joy ended in sorrow and Parzival prepared to ride forth to continue again that j o urney which Monsal v a e might lead him to g , where he might make amends for his failure . There came to him Kl amide who said

Sir, through thee I knew sorrow at Pel rap eire ; now wilt thou help me to happi ness ? The maiden Ku nnew a are would o a rt I wed , and I beg that th u , who her ”

o . ch sen knight , will help me win her

Right gladly Parzival consented , nor had 1 3 9 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL he to urge the maiden to consider Klam ’ f or o ide s message , her heart had g ne out to him and j oy was hers knowing of his love . No w it chanced that there was at that o o time at the c urt , a Queen who had c me lately from the far East , and she sought “ ou t Parzival and said to him : Sir

Knight , the damsel who reproached thee Feire ﬁs o f Za ssamank spoke of , King and called him thy bro ther . Kno w that this o o is true . Well I kn w thy br ther and would praise him ; none in the East is o f more valiant , unless it be the Baruch Bagdad ; his pe ople love him and many noble deeds hath he achieved . Unlike f or ff are ye , his face is dark ; of two di er ent races were his parents , the one dark , o o th the other fair . Pr ud w uld y father be to see his two sons and I declare to thee that thy manhood and valor are of the highest . “ God reward thee , Lady, for thy gra n ” cio s words , said Parzival gratefully, “ shame and so rro w are now my porti o n

1 3 2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

That day was held the marriage feast o f Ku nnew a a re and King Kl a mide and o t the maiden was cr wned his Queen . Tha day also many knights s e t ou t to reach o o t o the Chateau Merveil . R de f r h als Gawain to reach S chamf a nz onand wi th the remaining knights King Arthur re t Ka ridOl urned sadly to . XVII

HOW GAWAIN B ECAME THE KNIGHT OF THE LITTLE MAIDEN OBIL OT

’ F T ER A many a weary day s journeying, Gawain from a hilltop saw a sight which gladdened his heart , for a mighty army o was appr aching . The knights carried co stly shields that glittered in the sun and held aloft new spears from which gay pennants were ﬂying ; banners waved ’ from the pages hands . Horses drew 1 3 3 1 3 4 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL heavy wagons and there were many mules

- well laden . From his steed sprang Gawain and waited by the ro adside until the company t o f who had passed ; hen , a squire lingered who o behind , he inquired was c mmander o f these people . “ ” o ? Sir, said the squire , d st mock me

Surely thou and thy knights ride with us . “ ” o o Nay, answered Gawain c urte usly , o o never have I seen those pe ple bef re , nor have we ridden this road until to day . “ o Now I pray thy pard n , said the “ squire , and gladly will I tell thee what thou dost wish to kno w . First rides the King P oidikonj onz and with him are his s onand the Duke Astor ; they ride to serve the young Prince Melj a nz who is about to attack the city o f B ea u ro sch . This is the cause —onthe death o f his Mel a nz bo father , j , then a y, was left in charge o f the Prince Lip p a u t who had o wa s to pr mised the King, when he dying , c are f o r his sonand watch o ver his lands

1 3 9 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

o f Li au t who and squires , the wife p p , t o with her daugh ers , watched fr m the cas “ o to : Now who tle wind ws , said them is this who comes ; is it perchance a knight ?” who will aid us ’ Tis a merchant , I think , said Obie . t For shame , sister , said the lit le Obi “ l o t he o his , is armed as a knight , n ble face o and bearing . I Sh uld like to claim him f o r my knight . Since no one came to invite him to enter o o be the c urtyard , Gawain dism unted o o neath s me linden trees utside , and while he rested , his squires removed the packs from the horses and placed them on the grass . “ Li a ut Daughter , said the Duchess p p , o o s o what merchant w uld be r bed richly, ?” o r have so many squires to attend him “ t o o My sis er speaks disc urte usly of all , “ Obil o t t o t she said , wi h sc rn ha h treated o Mel a nz o the n ble j ; unseemly her w rds , t me hinks . “ s e e o t o Well , said Obie , I n hing n ble o o s in that man . See h w j eal usly he guard TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 3 7

t his treasure , this knigh of thine , sister . All these w o rds Gawain heard and he o was angered and would have g ne away, but now were Melj a nz and his knights at the gates and he stayed to watch them . “ Why doth thy knight no t seek to help ” “ ? o us asked Obie scornfully . He kn w t eth full well we are besieged . My knigh

! - s hall win honor f o r himself to day . She then sent a servant to inquire of the

stranger what he had to sell , but the man ’ ﬂed at the anger in Gawain s face . It chanced that the Burg-grave of Beau on to rosch , his way to the castle , stopped

address Gawain , and ﬁnding him to be a

knight of mien and voice so gentle , he bade him come with him to the valley be t o lod low , where he migh ﬁnd h norable g i a ing . Soon the Prince L p p u t hastened o after them , for his daughter had inf rmed him that a suspici o us person had been

waiting for admittance to the castle . Greatly surprised was the Prince when he co nversed with Gawain to discover how

he had been misjudged , and he welcomed 1 3 8 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL him to B ea u rosch and asked his forgive ness f or the rudeness shown him . Als o he begged the knight to be his guest at the cas tle and en treated him to remain with t hem and help them agains t their enemies . But Gawain w a s ye t to o angry to grant his reques t and sadly the Prince returned to the castle . On his way he passed his daughter Obi l o t and wi th her w a s her li ttle compani o n ’ Cl a ditté the - u t . , Burg grave s daugh er “ ” o o ? What d st th u here , my child he asked . “ o to t t t Father, I g seek his s ranger knigh to a sk to u s o u r him help in need , was ’ Obil o t s answer . “ Go then , little daughter , said the “ t Prince tenderly , perchance he will gran ” t thee what he ha h refused me . So came Obil o t with sweet timidity to “ : Knight Gawain and said Sir , I am Obil ot to Li a u t , daughter Prince p p and t a i to his is my friend Cl u d tté . I beg thee fo rgive the disco urte o u s wo rds that must th s t e have reached y ear , and I beseech h e

1 49 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL and to -day thou dost bring me new happi ” ness . “ t I must speak my wish secre ly, said the Obil o t. S o Prince bade a knight lift her before him on the saddle . “ o Cl a u i But what f d tté asked Obil o t. The knights laughed and each begged the little girl to ride with him ; the success ful one lifted her proudly and all ro de along merrily . “ ” Obil ot Father , said , softly, since I have a knight , must I not send him a ?” to ken

Now trust me , little daughter, said “ the Prince , if this is thy request it can be granted easily . I pray that this knight ” will help us to victory .

When they reached the castle , Prince Lip p a u t led Obil o t to her mother and said : “ o Lady, our maiden needs a new g wn , a better one than she has ever had ; also she desires some token to give to him who has ” pro mised to be her knight and serve us . Straightway the Duchess found silks which were heavily embroidered wi th go ld TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 4 1 and a lo vely garment was fashioned for the maiden ; one sleeve was not sewn in that Obil ot might send it to Gawain and this token Cl a u ditté bo re to the knight who received it with amusement and pleasure . o That evening, as the mo n shone clear, the people wo rked hard to fo rtify the city ’ and a t the day s dawning the ﬁghting be gan . Gawain rode forth early and over o came all who j usted with him . Before long he and the young Prince Melj a nz met and fought together . Their spears to were broken , their chargers brought the gro und and the two fought on foot with o Mel a nz sw rds , until j whose arm had been broken by a spear thrust , had to de clare himself conquered . Afar the ladies had watched the combat and all spoke ’ Gawain s praise . Now it chanced that there had come to Mel Prince janz , a stranger knight clad all ff in red , and he had o ered him his services . Without the city walls he jousted val ia ntl o y, and equally matched w uld have 1 42 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

who been Gawain and this stranger , called himself the Red Knight . Hearing that the Prince had been taken captive , he called to him those knights whom he had “ o to : c nquered and said them Sirs , I c ommand ye to ride within the city walls the t and release Prince if ye can , but if his o pr ve impossible , then ride straightway to the city o f P el rap eire and yield ye to the Konwiramu Queen d r. Tell her that the knight who co nquered Kingronand Klam f o r t o t ide her , sende h l ve and tender gree he . f o r f or t ings He yearns her ever , but ” e Grail must he y t seek . Then with fare wells to them the stranger mounted his s teed and ro de swiftly away from Beau ro sch . After the j ous ting Gawain loosed from — now his arm the token , tattered was it and pierced by spear thrusts , and he gave it to Cla u ditté to take to Obilo t and ten derly that maiden fastened it o ver her bare arm . With all courtesy was Prince Melj a nz cared f or and when his wo unds had been

1 44 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o o bu t Obil ot as ever up n the y ung Prince , o laughed and seemed very gay . She r se t who to gree her knight held her tenderly, “ then said to Melj a nz Draw near that I may give the maiden Obil o t her pris ” o nen Then Obil o t laughed again gayly and “ : to sis said Sir, I give my prisoner my f or t ter , and love shall unite them , her rue l o ve is he and the two must forgive each ” o ther . At her sister’s words Obie reached out ’ her hand and touched tenderly Melj a nz s wound and that knight clasped her with S o his o ther arm and kissed her j oyfully . was peace made between them and that very day was their wedding feast held . Obil o t f or But there was sorrow for , her n o knight must ride o . With l ving words and caress he bade farewell to her and went upon his way with happiness in his heart because he had served this sweet lit tle maiden . XVIII

OF GAWAIN ’S ADVENTURE AT S CHAMFANZON

FTER B ea urosch A leaving , Gawain rode f o r some time through the woods until he came to Aska l onand there inquired his to S chamf a nz on way , for he thought it wo uld be well for him to seek Kingrimu r sel . Over many a marsh and moorland he passed and traversed many a hillside , then

he saw , in the distance , a fortress built o up n a hill . Before it a plain stretched and there were gathered ﬁve hundred

knights , who , seeing a stranger approach , 1 45 1 49 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

o ro de f rth to meet him . Riding ﬁrst w a s the King o f Askal onand o f him Gawain a s c amf a asked if he w near S h nz o n. “ ” “ o the t o Y nder , said King, mayest h u t see the cas le where dwells my sister , the Antikonie who S cha mf a nz on Queen , rules t t o since the death o f o u r father . Wil h u ? ride onand s oo n I will j oin thee there no w o o We start up n a falc n chase , but t shall return s oon . My sis er will give ” thee welcome a t the castle . o n Thanking the King , Gawain rode and was received graciously by the maiden Antikonie , and as they conversed , they o t oo disc vered hat they were co usins . S n gen tle wo rds o f affecti o n passed between ’ the two and Gawain held the Queen s hand tenderly in his . Suddenly they were interrupted by an old knight who ap p ea red in the doorway and cried ou t “ t o o Lady, wil th u give thy l ve to the ” traitor who killed thy father ? old t So saying , the knigh went away, but angry cries were heard through the cas tle

1 48 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL ing a large chess board which hung upo n she u se the wall , bade Gawain it for a shield , and herself seized the heavy chess men and flung them at the crowd . Many a man she felled and Gawain was filled wi th admiration for her courageous assis t ance . Great was his wrath against these pe ople and he wished that he had no t ven tu red into S chamf a nz onwitho ut inquiring l first for Kingrimu rse .

Arriving at the castle , the King was sur prised to disco ver the people in such a tumult , but when he learned that the man who was accused of the death o f Scham ’ f a nz ons King was being attacked , he quickly armed himself and went to j oin the o thers . But at that moment there came hastening into the castle , the Land Kinrimu rsel o grave g , and alth ugh he de to t sired meet Gawain in single comba , o now his hon r bade him assist him , since he had promised the knight protection , should he pass thro ugh Askal on. He dro ve the pe ople o ff and requested the to o King declare a truce until the m rrow , THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 49 and as the Queen Antikonie reproached her brother bitterly for his discourtesy to u n his guest , the King consented to peace til the next day , though he desired greatly to be rid of the knight. That evening he called his counselors to him and asked their advice concerning the punishmen t of

Gawain . “ ” but Sir, said one , lately when I B eau rosch o fought at , he who c nquered me said that he sought for the Grail . I have heard that this treasure is kept in a Tem ple on top of a mountain , and dangerous is the way that leads there , for knights guard it well . Now give Knight Gawain his freedom if he will promise thee to seek the Grail ; I think he will not pass through the ” adventure safely . This counsel the King followed and pro claimed his decision onthe morrow . It pleased Gawain well to set ou t upon this quest and he promised Kingrimu rsel that he would meet him for their combat x in si teen days . Alone must the knight r ide to seek the Grail , so he bade farewell 1 5 9 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL tenderly to his knights and squires who t f o r t o wept at the par ing , dearly hey l ved t of heir lo rd . The grief Queen An ti konie all might s ee and Gawain parted from her s o rrowfully . Now goo d fo rtune it was that the ﬁght between Kingrimu rs el and Gawain had o o f o r been p stp ned , in a few days the man ’ who had killed S cha mf a nz ons King con fessed his crime and even the King o f Aska l onfelt ashamed that he had s o wronged Gawain . Since by his request the Landgrave had challenged the knight , Kingrimu rsel was now freed from this j oust; well pleased was he for he admired

Gawain and desired his friendship .

1 5 2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL but seeking the magic water of which

Sigune had told him , he plunged the pieces into it and the sword was whole o o f again . After f ur years wandering, he came one day to a fo rest and rode thro ugh s aw o it for many days , until he bef re him to a hermitage , newly built . He decided stop and inquire through what country he “ so : rode , he called out Doth anyone dwell here ?” ’ A maiden s voice spoke in reply, saying , ” to Yea . Then Parzival tied his horse a tree and stepped to the window where he the maiden waited . Within her hand s carried a b ook of prayer and up on her ﬁnger gleamed a ring o f gold se t with a o sh garnet . Up n her head e wore a black veil that partly hid her face . “ ” “ sit Sir, said she, beneath my window ” and res t. “ I thank thee , Lady, said Parzival . Wilt tho u tell me why tho u dwellest in this lonely place ? H ow dost thou obtain ?” thy foo d ” no Sir, the maiden replied , I have TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 5 3

f o r fear nor want , the Grail feedeth me and careth f or me . Each week cometh the maiden Kondrie here with gifts from the ” Grail . “ Now how can that be , exclaimed Par “ z iva l ? , art thou in the service of the Grail

If so , why dost thou wear upon thy ﬁnger t tha circlet of gold , token of earthly love ? “ Sir , it was given me by my beloved , ilu s whom Duke Or slew . Outside he lieth richly tombed and since his death my days un have been spent in prayer, and shall be til I a m with him again . Not yet had he ’ made me his wife , but in God s sight we were true husband and wife ; so I wear this ” ring , token of the marriage vow . Then Parzival knew that this was Sig une and lifted his visor that she might recognize him . ’

o . Tis th u , Parzival , the maiden cried Dost thou seek yet for the Grail ? Or hast found it ? Why ridest thou this way ? “ Cousin , said Parzival sadly, I have 1 54 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL been punished f or the grief I wrought at Monsa l va e g , nor can I ﬁnd again the mountain ; for years have I wandered in vain and my heart will ever urge me o n until o nce mo re I beho ld the Grail that I may heal the King . From my wife am I separated ; two babes have been born to

o no t . me , twin s ns , but these have I seen Never shall I seek wife no r children until o f I have fulﬁlled this quest . Messages o bu t t l ve we exchange , heir dear faces I

see . ow o no t may not N , C usin , chide me how o f so r again , I pray thee , seeing full ” row I am ; thy words were bitter befo re . “ no t to o o Nay, I will add thy s rr w , “ t Sigune replied gently, yet , alas , that his J o great honor hath passed thee by . y would the ques tio n have brought them a t Monsa l va ge ; now woe is there because o f ” thy silence .

Yea , great wrong have I done , said “ to Parzival , yet surely I shall bring pass t o no t the happiness they desire . Cans th u s o t t a sist me , C usin ; where lies the path ha leads to Monsa l va ge

1 5 6 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

o branch of a tree he would have f llowed . When Parzival stood again in the thicket he saw that his horse was dead , but the steed of the other knight stoo d quie tly on the path . Already had the defeated knight risen and was hastening away, so Parzival mounted his steed and rode to quickly after him, hoping discover the to Monsal a way v ge . But soon the knight disappeared in the woods , the path came to an end and disconsolately, Parzival to turned seek another path , despairing ’ no w of ﬁnding the way to the Fisher s castle . PART III FULFILLMENT

1 60 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

Beside him walked a lady and two li ttle girls and the garments o f all were co arse f o r t and simple , hey were on a pilgrimage . Fo r such a c o ld mo rning the children were t scantily clad ; and hey walked barefo o ted . o Foll wing them came knights and squires . The old knight smiled upon Parzival who returned a reverent greeting . “ ” old it Sir , said the man , grieveth me to see thee in armor on this Holy ” Day . “ o o Go d Sir , answered Parzival c urte “ o usl o f y, I know not what time year this o is ; of h ly days I have forgotten . Once I o o called God my Master, but He f rso k ” me ; now I do not strive to serve Him . “ ” old o Sir, the knight resp nded gently , this is Go od Friday and on that day no o t true knight wears arm r . I pray hee , o o on hon r this H ly Day . Continue this road and tho u wilt reach a hermitage ; there dwells o ne who will give go o d co un sel and Show thee that thy wo rds are sin ” ful . one o f Father, said the little girls , THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 6 1

shall this knight not partake ﬁrst of food , ere he rides on ?”

My daughter speaks wisely, the father “ replied , tarry with us , I pray thee , and o j in us in our morning meal . My squires o follow with tents and pr visions . In this way we travel each year to honor Him ” who died on the Cross . Now Parzival desired to remain with oo them , but as he l ked upon the little girls walking barefooted , and considered how full of peace and love they were , he thought he could not ride beside them clad so richly and comfortably, and with such anger and despair in his heart . So bid ding them all farewell , he rode on . After a time he l et the bridle reins lie ’ loose upon the horse s neck, and said “ a loud : If it be true that there is a Power that guides us , then let it lead me now

Go thou , my steed , as God shall guide thee . Soon he saw below him the meadow Orilus where he had fought with , but the ground blooming then with fresh grass 1 62 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

and radiant with summer ﬂowers , was co vered now with snow . Coming again to the altar where Orilus had taken his

' oath, Parzival observed that there was a o d or in the rocks , and riding on he came to a simple hut which he thought was the hermitage he sought . Here indeed lived the Tre v re z ent hermit , , and hearing the ’ o s und o f horse s feet he came to the door .

Seeing the armed knight , he said in a dis “ t o ressed voice , Sir , why d st thou go armed ? at this H o ly Season Tho u rides t doubt in t less peace , but ano her garment were o t m re ﬁtting . Dismount and bide wi h me here awhile ; knightly service need not - ride st call thee to day . If thou for love , t o who t let h se need thee wai ; give Him , who is the Love of Love , thy worship and service .

At these words , Parzival sprang from “ o his h rse and said in a humble voice , Sir , I have sinned and I crave counsel from ” t hee . “ o t the Right gladly will I c unsel hee ,

THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 63

hermit replied , but tell me who sent thee ” hither ? “ On the way I met pilgrims and I think my horse fo llo wed their tracks . Passed ” they no t this way ? “ ’ Kahenis t Yea , twas , a holy man , wi h his wife and daughters— sweet little maid ens they— each year this family seeks me

’ here in my poo r abo de before they go up on ” their pilgrimage . “ ” Sir, asked Parzival , hast thou never ?” fear in these lonely wo ods “ ?” Of knights , meanest thou asked the “

. no . hermit Nay, I fear man Once was

I a knight and won renown in the world , but no w my days are given to prayer . o o C me , let us fasten thy h rse by yon wall o there he can gather some f od . And the hermit himself led the steed , though Par z iv a l protested . The two then entered the hermitage where a ﬁre gl o wed cheerfully . The knight removed his armo r and glad was he to rest and thankful to have found so 1 64 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

kind a host . When he was refreshed , Trevrez ent opened a doo r and showed him the shrine where he had come with

J eschu te and Orilus . “ ” Sir , said Parzival , I have been here before , but four years ago must it have ! been . Alas that I should have wandered

o . so long, naught have I acc mplished For many mon ths I have attended no serv ice because my heart was heavy with de a s o to spair . Once I w glad ; j oyfully I r de o o o o seek knightho d , but sorr w f ll ws me ever and knighthood hath brought me ” shame . “ Sir Knight , said the Hermit earnestly, cease from such despair and trust G o d is more ; He never fails to help . Truth

His name . He breaketh faith never . o o r Now which wilt th u choose , Love Hate ? Love maketh a shrine in the heart and there God dwells . Like a sunbeam H e enters where there is sin and sorrow the and pierceth darkness . The pure in hearth he cho oseth and all is well f o r them . What do st thou gain by thy thoughts o f

1 66 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o Trevrez ent who Brotherh od , said , are t o r called Templars , and hey serve there in the w o rld as the Grail commands . ? Knowest tho u what sustains them It is — o a Sto ne pure and precio us . Thr ugh its o the oe magic , the wondr us bird , Ph nix rises from the ashes to new life ; als o is man re o newed by It . If he be ill and l ok up o n

. o who oo It , he is made well Th se l k o upon It daily never grow o ld . This St ne is called the Grail . From Heaven It Mo nsa l v a e on oo came and at g G d Friday , a Dove comes do wn from heaven and lays a Wafer up o n the S tone and It receive th all the goo d that earth can supply ; p o wer f o o o . to heal , and all manner f d and drink Go So d careth f o r the Templars . “Who may enter the service of the ? Grail Only tho se whose names whether man o r maiden— appear onIt in the mys tic writing . Children are in Tem is o o ple , and blessed that M ther wh se ” child is summoned there . Trevrez ent paused and Parzival said “ eagerly : Since knightho o d may co n TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 67 quer fame in this life and blessing in the next, and since I have achieved many o o no t victories and know no fear , d st th u think that G o d will call me to be a Knight o f the Grail ? Trevrez ent : Gently answered First , o o must th u l se all pride , for easily is youth ’ o t in its pride misled . Twas pride br ugh Mons a l v a e o woe to those at g , and the st ry o f their sorrow shall I tell thee now . Tears ﬂowed down the hermit’s face and for a while he could not speak . OF PARZIVAL ’S REMORSE AND CON FE S S I ON

S IR o Trevrez ent Knight , c ntinued , at Mons al v a ge there reigns a King who is in great suff ering ; f or him I weep : so wilt tho u when thou hearest my sto ry . Know this— n one may ﬁnd the Temple t e unless he is called . Yet la ely o narrived who there , when he beheld the King and o t : the w nders here , remained silent had 1 68

1 79 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

o ? o true , can I ever kn w happiness If th u

to . art my uncle , speak truly me f or o o o Yea , s rr w at parting fr m thee , ’ thy mo ther s spirit ﬂed . Perchance this grief may soften thy heart and take away ” tt Trevre z e nt its bi erness , said gently “ ” “ Oh , Sir, said Parzival , I knew my o f mother sorrowed when I left her, but her death I never dreamed . After I had been at P el rap eire a sho rt time I left to bu t seek her , the adventure at the castle Mons a l v a e and my desire to reach g again , kept me from going to the forest . True o were the w rds that Sigune spoke , when ’ ” sh o e said that I pierced my m ther s heart . Tenderly Trev rez ent comfo rted Parzi o a t val , whose sorr w was great hearing these tidings of his mother ; then he sp oke e to him again o f Mons a l v a g . “ Two o ther sisters will I name , said he ,

. S cho siane one dead , one living y died young and left her child Sigune in thy ’ o t e m her s care . In the Temple H e rz el ide t she t to o served many years , hen lef bec me a s the wife o f Duke K tis . My o ther sister THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 7 1

R e a ns e S choie is p de , and in the Temple she bears the Grail . “ o w N for a time , all was well at Mon salvage with Anf orta s for King ; but seeking to win in the world a lady whom o he loved , he f ught with the magician ,

who . Klingsor , claimed her This was the sino f Anf orta s to join in worldly warfare f o r love , for when it was time the Grail would have chosen a wife for him . With a poisoned spear was he wounded in the to thigh , and back the Temple was he brought with all his strength spent . We drew the spear from his wo und and took

no . him before the Grail , but healing came He yearned to die but the Grail gave him new strength , though It eased not his pain . Then we sent messengers to the far East to seek herbs of healing . By the four rivers that ﬂow from the Garden of

- Paradise they searched , but the herbs they found brought no relief to the King ; they brought back drops of blood from the o pelican , a stone fr m the neck of the uni corn and many o ther things which were 1 72 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL used in the East for healing ; but he who might not be cured by the Grail could not o be helped by earthly means . Bef re the Grail we all knel t and prayed f or guid t ance . Then appeared mystic wri ing which said that a knight sho uld be led to t o the Temple , and while here , if he w uld ’ questi o n concerning the King s suffering o and the mysteries he saw , healing w uld Ano rta come to f s . “ So shall end the s o rrow at Monsal va ge - but since this knight came and ques ? tioned not , shall the woe be lifted ever Here have I dwelt for many years praying ’ f o r my brother s release ; no longer do I f o r love the world , no more do I yearn the glo ries of knighthood . Often at night I climb some hill that I may see the light shining from the Temple ; then new hope comes to me and I know that when it is ”

o . time , the day of rejoicing will c me A long time sat Trev rez ent and Parzival o the talking together, and each m ment heart of the young knight grew mo re s a d . o At midday, the hermit ar se and said

1 74 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

concerning Monsa l va ge . Sawest tho u ? there the wondrous Spear This they ’ to uch to the King s wo und and it draws o t ff o u t the pain . M s he su ereth when the

days are cold and when the moon is full . Up on the end o f the spear are drops that burn like ﬁre and so they draw ou t the cold from his wound . He may not walk , but in the summer they carry him to the water that he may enj oy the co ol breezes ” o f summer and fo rge t his pain in ﬁshing . “ ” sa w Sir , said Parzival , I this Spear borne through the Hall by a squire and all

cried out in sorrow when they s a w it . “ f o r Yea , all there grieve their King ; s knights , squires , damsel , and even the t the lit le children . Know this , that Grail calleth back to the Temple the children o f tho se who have served there ; one child ona l a e must they send to M s v g . I think thy mother expected to dwell there with t o hee some day, and perchance when th u t o art called , h u mayest yet lift the bur ” e den of woe . Tr v rez ent paused and walked to the window where he l o oked TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 75 l o ngingly in to the fo rest as if he were try ing to s ee the mystic Temple . ” Tell me , nephew , said he , whence t came thy steed , for it is marked wi h the D o ve of Mons al v age “ o won In a j ust I it , for I overcame the ” o rider and took his h rse . “ ” Doth this knight live ? asked Trev rezent sternly . “ Yea , he rose and ran from me , leav ” ing his steed .

S o thou hast robbed a Templar . ” o T z n revre e t. M re shame is thine , said “ ’ Nay, uncle , twas to defend myself I ” “ o f ught , said Parzival ; I knew not that the knight came from Mons a l va ge . t Wil thou tell me , Uncle , who bore the cushi o n into the Hall at the Temple ? “ R e a nse S choie Thine aunt is she , p de , and upon that cushi o n is carried the Grail ” which bringeth j oy . “ Who was it lay in the room nearby ? Old was he and a crown o f go ld was upon his head ?” ’ ’ Twas thy mother s grandsire , Titurel , 1 76 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

” o f the ﬁrst King the Grail , answered o Tre vrez ent. When thou goest again t the Temple they will tell thee the won drou s story of how it was built . Four hundred years did the Grail keep Titurel o bu t Anf o r y ung , since this woe came to tas he hath grown old . Night and day he prayeth for the deliverance of the ” King . Fourteen days Parzival tarried with Trevrez ent o f , the hermit , who told him his adventures in the world and sp oke to him of the valorous deeds of Gamuret

Angevin . Then strengthened by his ’ uncle s counsel and wi th new hope in his s et heart , Parzival out again , praying once more with all earnestness and humility that he might achieve the great adventure and bring j oy to those at Mon salvage .

1 78 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

o seated upon the gr und , weeping over a o wounded knight , wh se head lay in her lap . Gawain sought to comfort her and the lady thanked him and asked his o be name . Dism unting, dressed the ’ knight s wounds tenderly . “ ” Sir, said the wounded knight , I t thank thee for thy kindness . In a jous I was wounded by a knight called Lischois ; could I move I would ride after him . “ Sir, said Gawain , I will seek this S o knight and punish him for thee . t Knigh Gawain rode on , and soon before him he saw a stately fortress which was surrounded by a beautiful garden , where o live , pomegranate , and ﬁg trees grew in abundance . Riding through the garden

Gawain came to a little stream , and walk ing beside it he saw the loveliest lady he had ever met . “ Lady, said he gently, I pray thee , o f tell me thy name . Gawain am I ’ o Arthur s C urt . Here w o uld I tarry for ” thy sweetness draweth me . TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 79

“ Or el u se g is my name , Sir Knight , the

o f Lo rois . lady replied , the Lady g am I But I warn thee that it hath fared ill with ” knights who praised me . “ I Didst thou smile upon me , Lady, o o f th o w uld not fear to speak y l veliness , “ ” o t s ? said Gawain . May I n erve thee “ t o t difﬁ Yea , if h u has the courage , for cult is service with me . To begin with , thou mayest pass over yon bridge and go through the garden until thou dost reach the o f t courtyard the castle . There wil o th u see one who holds my steed . All ready is he , so bring him to me and I will ” straightway ride forth with thee . “ Lady, wilt thou hold my horse for ” ? she me asked Gawain , and although the seemed displeased at this request , r e s Lady O g l u e consented .

Crossing the narrow bridge , Gawain came to where many knights and ladies were dancing upon the grass and singing . “ '” o Alas said one to the ther , when they “ o ur saw the stranger , behold Lady hath claimed the service of another knight that 1 80 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL she may laugh at him and scorn him .

And they tried to detain him , but Gawain went a t once to an olive tree where the ’ o o Lady s steed waited . An ld man wh stood beside , wept as he untied him for “ ” “

. t the knight Sir, said he , cares thou ? f o r counsel Touch not this steed ; our B u t Lady seeks to harm thee . Gawain heeded not and taking the ho rse hastened to bring him to Orgelu se . S o she beautiful looked , so sweetly she o f smiled upon him, that the heart Gawain beat for j oy and no wrong could he im “ ” o agine of her . Welcome , f olish man , not m she said , thou art wise to enter y ” service . “ o o to ss S on th u wilt bring me happine , ” “

o . t I kn w , said Gawain Shall I lif thee to the saddle ? “ Such service I do not accept from o ne whom I have not yet proven , answered Or eluse g haughtily, and mounting easily,

she bade the knight ride onbefore her . As they passed al ong Gawain spied an herb growing by the wayside and dis

1 82 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o e lady by thy side came my w . I warn ” thee let her be But Gawain o nly smiled at these words and dismounting

s ought to help the knight . Hardly was he upo n the ground than the knight who had ’ so on seemed helpless , sprang Gawain s ho rse ; his companion had already o the two t m unted hers , and rode wi h all

speed away . At this ungrateful act Gawain was Or el u se amazed , but it pleased the Lady g “ ” “

. ! o well Ha laughed she , th u desired to be his leech , and my knight , but now I

will have thee for footman . Dost wish ?” yet to serve me

Yea , Lady, that I do , answered “ o on Gawain , I ask n thing better earth than to fo llo w thy bidding ; suff er shame

and pain , or whatever may come in thy ” service . At this moment came riding back the ’ knight who had stolen Gawain s ho rse “ ou t : Now o and he called Gawain , th u ” f o t o art paid r he ill th u didst me . ! ” “ Ha said Gawain , now I know thee , TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 83

o f o r Urian . Ungrateful art th u , had it no t f or o been me , King Arthur w uld have ” had thee slain . “ ” Well , answered the other , even if o o o t th u didst save my life , th u br ugh est me into great trouble ; thy f oe am I and thy charger will I keep . So saying,

Urian rode swiftly away again . “ ” o Lady, said Gawain sorr wfully, this knight Urian hath an evil heart . For his misdeeds Arthur would have punished to him with death , but I begged him spare ’ the knight s life ; yet that he might do to penance , I had him sent to the kitchen ’ serve a year : twas this he will not for

i . g ve Well , since he chooses to reward ” me in this way I shall punish him . The tired old steed that had been ’ Urian s , Gawain would not ride , but tak ing her by the bridle and carrying his

o to . sw rd and shield , prepared go on “ “ Or eluse o o What , mocked g , wilt f ll w me ?” “ Yea , Lady, I will follow , whether it o S o brings s rrow or j oy . Gawain and 1 84 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

Orgel u se proceeded up on their way ; the squire had disappeared . After awhile when the mare seemed rested , Gawain mounted her and the two went on at a oo o quicker pace . S n they arrived up n a o to o mead w which led a river , and acr ss the water two cas tles could be seen . Swiftly to ward them came riding a knight with spear upraised . “ Lischois This knight is called , said “ the Lady Orgelu se ; he will o verthro w

. o on t thee , I think See how fr m y cas le windows across the river, ladies watch ; ” oo s n will they behold thy shame . Then ’ she rode quickly to the water s edge “ ”

o . where a B atman waited Farewell , “ she to called Gawain , here will I leave thee to ﬁght . “ ” Lady , begged Gawain , wilt leave ? ?” me so Shall I never s e e thee again ” o Yea , if thou art vict r , answered Or el u se o t oo g , and the B a man t k her t swif ly away . These two knights met then and fought ’ o o as hero es . Not Gawain s p r steed was

XXIII

HOW GAWAIN ACHIEVED THE AD VENTURE OF THE CHATEAU MER VEIL

As Lischois Gawain and were resting, the B o atman approached and called out : “ to Sir , any steed captured here belongs o me for t ll . “ ” Nay, said Gawain , this steed thou no t f o r o shalt have , this m rning it was s to len from me by the knight Urian . But 1 86 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 87 tho u mayest take this knight and his ” o h rse . “ t Tha will please me well , replied the “

o o o to . B atman , an h n rable ll will that be Now no t o o to t wilt thou c me als my cas le , ?” Sir Knight , and rest “ o Yea , B atman , answered Gawain ,

gladly will I for I am weary , also would I fo llo w the Lady who cro ssed with thee ” before . So the two knights entered into the boat and were brought to the Boatman ’ s castle where every kindness was shown them . Their wounds were dressed , fresh robes were put upon them and then were they led to the hall f o r supper . Here ’ Bené , the Boatman s daughter , conversed with the two , while her brothers served them . Early Gawain sought rest and slept s oundly after his wearisome day . He awakened early in the morning and lay listening to the songs of the birds ; the fragrant air of spring refreshed him and he l ooked out with joy upon the green 1 88 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

trees and clear sunlight . Suddenly, he o the was aware that fr m castle nearby, many ladies were again gazing from the o o o o s o t t t wer wind ws , and they st d s ill tha it seemed as if they had been there always

i no t o . t and m ght m ve Perplexed at his , Gawain determined to disco ver who these o maidens were , but desiring to sleep l nger , he turned from the window . ou t When again he awakened , he sought B ené o and questi ned her , but that maiden looked up on him in terro r and then wept

t nor o she . bi terly, w uld answer him Her father entering and ﬁnding her weeping “ : B ené ou r asked What ails thee , , hath ” guest vexed thee ? “ o no Nay, mine h st , said Gawain , dis o o c urtesy have I sh wn her , but asked a questi o n which caused the maiden to weep . Perchance tho u wilt tell me o f these ladies who gaze from the to wer o f yonder ” castle . When the B o atman heard these words “ ” he wrung his hands . Sir Knight , said “ w o e is t he , their grea

1 99 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

win this adventure , said the Boatman . “But many knights from Arthur’s court u n have been here , yet none would I let o who derta ke it . Two nly have I met one Lischois were strong enough ; was , o o whom th u didst verthrow , and the o ther called himself the Red Knight. But yesterday he rode by and bestowed on me ﬁve steeds ; upon them once rode princes and kings ; but this knight re quired them not for he rode alone and to ” seek the Grail . “ t I know well who that knigh was , “ said Gawain ; there is none stronger nor n obler than he ; but when he saw these Merveil ladies at Chateau , was it not his ” desire to undertake the adventure ? “ ” Sir , replied the Boatman , we guarded him so well that he saw nothing ” o strange ab ut the castle . “ Well , said Gawain , good fortune is f o r it that this adventure is left me ; now , ” I pray thee , Sir , assist me to make ready . “ ” o Since th u art determined , said the “ o do to t B atman , all I can is wish hee TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 91

t well . Perchance hou wouldst like to carry my shield , for it bears no signs of o battle upon it . At the d orway of the castle thou wilt mee t a merchant ; buy many things of him and leave thy horse f o r a pledge . The castle thou wilt ﬁnd deserted till thou comest to a certain room where stands a wonderful bed which is ‘ ’

Lit Me rveil . no t called , Le Let thy sword nor thy shield go from thee for an ” instant . ’ Squires led ou t Gawain s horse and they wept as they saw the knight spring so eagerly into the saddle . Greatly did B ené to see mourn , for she thought never “ Gawain again . Farewell , said the ”

t . Boatman sadly, may God protec thee o All happened as the B atman had said , for at the castle door Gawain met the mer chant and purchased of him, leaving his ” “ charger . Sir , said the merchant , I am well pleased to guard thy steed ; here have sa t t I for a year , but no man hath bough of me ; ladies only have looked upon my o wares . May good f rtune attend thee , 1 92 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL f o r herein are damsels who need thy serv

ice . Boldly Gawain went up the hill which led to the Chateau Merv e il and never had he seen a more beautiful castle . Enter o ing , he found the r oms richly furnished , o and after passing thr ugh many, he came to where the Bed rested up on a ﬂoor o f glass ; of richly carved wood was it fash

ioned . , with rubies set in its four posts be As soon as the knight entered , the Bed o gan to move swiftly, g ing from one side o f the room to the other, and Gawain needed much skill to keep out of its way, o f r the glass ﬂoor was very slippery . He wo uld have cast from him his sword and so shield , heavy were they, but remember ’ to ing the Boatman s counsel , he clung them . Finally, he jumped on the Lit

Merveil wondering what it would do next . At once the Bed dashed itself against the o wall , and went fr m wall to wall , as if to ﬂing the knight from it and the tumult o was awful . Gawain covered his b dy and o to o o o f o r face with his shield and n ne s n ,

1 94 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL wound him and this seemed to make the lion stronger than before ; then with a mighty stroke Gawain reached his heart and he fell over dead . Wearied now was Gawain and his head was dizzy with the awful noise that yet s o unded ; unconscious the hero fell to the ’ o o ﬂ r and lay on the lion s body, where his ’ o t cl hes became wet with the lion s blood . Now from the tower there watched a Arnivé e Queen named , who , with thre other Queens , was imprisoned at Chateau Me rveil and when she saw the hero lying in the dangerous room beside the lion , she fo rgot all fear and came straightway to him , followed by some of her maidens . she In her lap held his head , unlaced his helmet and bathed his wounds . In a little while Gawain opened his eyes and “ said ; I thank thee , Lady, for thy service ; t assist me to rise , I pray thee , tha I may ” go through with this adventure . “ Nay, the adventure is over, declared “

Arnivé t . Queen , and hou art victorious

Now shall we bear thee to a room to rest . THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 95

So Queen Arnivé and the maidens car ried Gawain to a room and placed him on a soft couch and there the Queen dressed his wounds with sweet smelling salves and a n s n herbs , and gave him dri k which oo t him s brough leep . XXIV

OF GAWAIN ’S ADVENTURE AT PERILOUS FORD

TH E next morning Knight G s tossed upon his bed in pain , distres his wounds and by the sorrow in his as he yearned for the Lady Orgelu s < a nc restless he became that he arose ,

donne q ing that he could walk , cl o thes he fo und at the bedside an a derin o 4 his room . W n thr ugh the gg

1 98 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

the t he perceived in dis ance , a lady and a who o t knight r de swif ly, and he sighed , f o r Or el u se sa w it was the Lady g that he , though at ﬁrst he deemed this a visi on o f the Bu t t t o the pillar . when hey s opped n meadow where he had fought wi th Lis “ ”

o t she . ch is he knew hat it was Lady, Arniv é said he to Queen , if that knight is on s a t t really on y plain , I should y ha he desired to j o ust ; s ee ho w he ho lds up his

. o spear and shield Well , if he sh uld chal ” lenge me , I am ready . “ Knowest thou the lady who rides wi th ?” A him asked rnivé . “ ’ Or elu se Yea , tis the Lady g , Duchess ” o f Lo rois g , answered Gawain . ’ Tu rko wit t Tis , the mighty jous er, who rides beside her ; it would no t be well ” f o r to Arnivé thee ﬁght with him, Queen

said . “ o o t Lady, sh uld he desire me to j us t o no t wi h him , I w uld refuse ; and since he t Or el us e t rides wi h g , I hink I shall chal

lenge him . THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 1 99

“ Arnivé I pray thee , begged Queen in t distress , desist from his adventure ; if

wo e . thou art slain , will come upon us How couldst thou be victo r who art yet ?” so weak from thy wounds But Gawain requested the Queen to have his charger waiting and arming him self well , he set out from the Chateau Merveil , riding with a light heart, now that he knew his lady was near . There ’ was rejoicing at the Boatman s castle to not see the hero alive , but Gawain tarried , and borrowing a spear , bade the Boatman take him across the water . The knight Tu rkowit had indeed come to to j oust with Gawain , for he wished overcome every knight that loved the Or el u se o o Duchess g , h ping by his pr wess to to win her love . The lady was pleased she have him attack Gawain , for wished to see that knight tried by difficult a dv en ture . Tu rkowit f o r who It fared ill with , he tho ught to conquer s o easily was wo rs ted 2 00 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

l ow o and laid by Gawain , and his h rse and himself given to the B o atman f or hos

tage . Was the lady Orgelu s e pleased ? Had she ? she any welcome for Gawain Nay , “ but mocked him . Thou seekest the she ' s ee how praise of ladies , Sir , said they watch thee from the tower ; this t pleases hee I know . The Lit Me rveil hath wrought thee little harm— the ladies o helped thee I think . My ch sen knight o shall do ther things , besides rescuing ” o ? ladies . D st desire yet to serve me “ No peril is to o great for me to under ” take for thee , Lady, answered Gawain

gently . “ Or eluse Well , said g , I will tell thee o f the adventure that I would have thee o o o follow . Y nder, near a peril us f rd is o t t t o a tree , and fr m it I desire ha h u pluck o is t a d f o r me fresh leaves . Danger us his the o o o to venture , I warn thee ; w d bel ngs o t t o who Klings r , and ill fares it wi h h se t dare ride herein . “ t o o If I succeed , wilt h u cr wn me thy

2 02 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL the water that fo ams so dangerously un ’ dernea th ; tis called the Perilous Ford . Go d May have thee in his keeping, Knight

Gawain . Fo r a few paces Gawain rode beside the to Ford , then urged his steed the mighty j ump . The space was not cleared , the horse ’s feet were scarce on the outer edge o f the bank and the waters rushed by to drag him further away . Above the ’ knight s head was a strong branch which he seized in time and drew himself in safety to the bank Then he turned to was help his horse , who swimming now in the stream . With his spear he caught hold o f the bridle and drew him to the bank . Unhurt was he and Gawain mounted and rode toward the tree pluck ing a branch of leaves b oldly ; then he was not surprised to see a knight riding toward

He wore a clo ak of green velvet and from his headgear peaco ck plumes waved ; he wo re no armor nor did he carry a

sword . THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 203

“ I will not yield thee these leaves , cried

Gawain to him . The knight greeted him courteously say “ : ing Thou mayest ride free , I will not

ﬁght with thee . Thy battered shield tells me that but lately thou wert engaged in ’ o a t adventure , and I kn w twas the Cha t M eau e rveil . That adventure would I one im have dared , for whom I love is to prisoned there , but other tasks had I ful

ﬁll . I know that one sent thee here to slay ’ - f or me ; ill will she bears toward me , twas I slew her husband Idega st and took her captive . All my lands and a crown would

I have bestowed on her , to have possessed her love , but hate only has she for me . o t Sir, I sorrow for thee if thou d s love the r elu se Lady O g . Now love I another R maiden ; ome , is she called , and she dwelleth at Chateau Merveil daughter of

King Lot is she . Sir , I beg of thee , take

this golden ring to her , token of my love . Bring two more knights here and I will ﬁght thee ; but I have taken a vow to ﬁght with no less than two until I meet in single 2 94 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

o c mbat, one whom I desire to slay . To his t death his father brought my fa her, and I ” on would meet the s . “ Now tell me I pray thee , Sir, the name ” of him thou seekest and also thy name ,

said Gawain . “ Son of King Lot is he whom I seek, Gramofla z do Gawain his name . King n ” men call me . “ Strange is thy love , said Gawain , ’ thou dost accuse thy lady s father of dis honor and wouldst fight with her bro ther . Thinkest thou the maiden would love thee ? if she knew Now shall I tell thee that I am Gawain and I will defend my father ’s ” honor by punishing thee . “ it Is thou , Gawain , whom I have ? t hated Yet thou please h me . Well we o must fight , but let us have a great j ust before King Arthur and all the knights and ladies ; my pe ople will I bring and do thou bid all at Chateau Merveil to be pres o the ent . Meet me up n plain before Iof ” lanz , there will I be avenged . t To this Gawain consen ed , and though

206 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

“ Lady, with gladness I forgive thee ; ” and I shall avenge the wrong done thee . And Gawain told her of what he had said a z to King Gramoﬂ n. “ To the Chateau Merveil will I ride ”

Or eluse . with thee now , said g And as the two rode away together, many a look of lo ve and many a smile and warm hand f o r clasp they exchanged , joy was in their hearts . Yet the lady wept a little also . “ “ Or elu se Sir, said g , another tale of ’ sorrow must I tell thee ; know that twas for love of me that Anf orta s was t wounded . When he and Klingsor fough t together to win my love , grea was my woe to see the noble King wounded . By o magic , Klings r draws all things to his o will , and when he s ught my love I scarce knew how to refuse him . I called many knights to my service and to try them, bade them engage in difﬁcult adventure . One only refused to follow me ; in red armor he was clothed and ﬁve of my knights he fought with and o verthrew ; their steeds he gave to the Boatman . I THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 207 would have been glad to call him my knight , but he scorned me and spoke of his fair wife who waited f or him at Pel ra e ire p , while he rode sorrowfully to seek ” the Grail Temple .

Lady, be not troubled because this ” Ga knight refused to serve thee , said wain , a more noble one than he is not at ’ Arthur s court ; but he may not enter the service of knight or lady until he has been ” to Mona l a e s v g . Now they approached the water and hailed the Boatman . On the other side t many knights stood . Wait they to j ous ?” with me asked Gawain . “ Or el use Nay, answered g , these knights wish to hail thee their lord , for thou hast undone the magic of Klingsor and now all are free at the Chateau Mer veil ; the treasure and the people there are ” now thine . The Boatman had brought food for them

and his daughter had come with him , so a merry feast they had as they crossed

over . 2 08 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

“ “ Or el use Sir , said g , if it please thee , ” Wilt thou free Lischois and Tu rko wit? “ o Yea , Lady, bef re nightfall this shall ”

o . be d ne , answered Gawain All at Chateau Me rveil welcomed Ga wain and seeing the lo ve that was be tween the Or el u se him and Lady g , they greeted her with all courtesy and the four Queens Arnivé led her to a rich room . Then dressed the wounds of Gawain again and

knights attended him to serve him . That evening Gawain sent a messenger secretly to t to to wit King Ar hur bid him come , ness the j oust between him and King Gramoﬂanz .

2 1 0 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

o o have I l ved him for his n ble deeds . Many letters o f lo ve have we exchanged and s oon I hope to see him . In this castle are enemies o f his and I pray thee to help ” him against them . Of the approaching t the no t combat wi h King , Gawain did Itone speak , nor did he tell j that he was o her br ther . That day was held the marriage feast o f Or elu s e Gawain and the Lady g , and Lis

o Tu rkowit t. ch is and , freed , were presen There w a s rej oicing and feasting and in Ga the evening a merry dance , but since ’ o his t wain s w unds prevented aking part , his Lady s a t wi th him watching the others . One there w a s who took part in the fes tivi t a s a d I tone ties wi h heart ; this was j , for she could no t welcome to the Chateau Mer Or elu se veil the Lady g , who hated the man sh o e l ved . o o The day f ll wing, tidings came that

King Arthur had s e t o u t to reach I oﬂa nz . On this day Queen Arnivé heard of the

' quarrel between Gawain and Gramoﬂanz t and her s o rro w was grea . THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 2 1 1

“ to Have no fear, said Gawain her , all o will be well . I w uld not grieve thee , my f o r no t Lady of Healing, would I have l o st my life but f o r thee No w canst tho u tell me how Klingso r fashi oned this castle and how he accomplished the wonders here ?” “ an Through magic was it wrought , “ we s re d . the Queen In the East , Kling sor studied magic and in all wisdom was he versed ; but he used his knowledge for No . w evil , and misfortune befell is he o conquered , nor will he c me here again .

His people are thine now , for he declared that any knight who could live through the o f perils his castle , should possess it and all therein . It pleased him to capture maidens and ladies of royal birth and hold them here : now these hast thou delivered and they may return to their people who ” o m urn for them . That afternoon King Arthur arrived with his knights , squires , ladies and other o o f on pe ple the court , and they gathered the plain near the water ; on the other side 2 1 2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL was King Gramofla nz already arrived with those whom he had brought to watch him take vengeance on his enemy . He desired greatly to punish Gawain since he e had won the love o f the Lady Org l u se . To Gramofla nz e King came Ben , the ’ o t B atman s daugh er , bringing with her as token to show that she came from the Lady I tone j , the golden ring which the King o had sent her by Gawain , and with j y King G ra mofla nz lis tened to the messages o e f love which Ben brought . Now it chanced that as Gawain rode along with his squires to meet King Gram o fla nz s a w , he a knight come riding swiftly toward him and in a moment the two were o j ousting . Quickly was Gawain vercome to o o f and as he fell the gr und , one his o ou t squires in fear and s rrow , called his t name . When the o her knight heard this he cast down his spear and shield and “ cried out in a distressed voice : Alas ! that I have fought with my gallant friend

Gawain , shame is upon me .

2 1 4 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

’ since tis through me he is unable to meet thee . “ Nay, answered the King angrily, this o not f o r t f or who c nﬂict is hee , but him hath wronged me and who must pay me ” tribute . No w e Gramoﬂanz Ben rode beside , but his wo rds s o displeased her that she left him and went to Gawain and assisted his squires to lift him to his ho rse and a ccom ’ a p nie d them to the wounded man s tent .

There , all tenderly , Parzival bound up his o f o r w unds and cared him . Then came King Arthur with his Court to welcome Parzival and all spoke praise of the adventures he had achieved since o last he had been with them . And the f ur Queens and the Lady Orgel u se greeted him j oyfully and to ld him of the brave deeds of Knight Gawain at Chateau Mer veil . “ Alas , said Parzival to them , would t tha I had fulﬁlled my quest . When I o to nor was here bef re , shame came me , o o have I lifted it yet . Oh, that s me ne TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 2 1 5

o w uld guide me to this strange , hidden

. t adventure I yearn to fulfill . Would hat I might fight with King G ra moflanz ; him ff o have I o ended , for this m rning I plucked ” a branch from his tree . “ Dear brother Knight , spoke Gawain , o t fr m where he lay in his ent , many here no t to are my true friends , yet one is there whom I would yield my right ; I thank thee , but my foe I must meet , perchance o se the m rrow will e me victor . o f At the dawning the next day , Parzi o val arose and fully armed , r de quietly away from the tents and reached the plain Gra moflanz who o a where , th ught the p roa chin p g knight was Gawain , was wait set ing to meet him . Fiercely the two at each other and they were yet j o usting when Gawain and the others arrived . ’ Twas the young knight who was the vic to r and he said to Gramofla nz : Tho u t to - wil need to rest day, Sir, to recover thy t ei ehance - o streng h , p to m rrow thou wilt be able to meet Knight Gawain . Then u p ro de King Arthur and Knight 2 1 6 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

. a o Gawain Sir, s id King Arthur , th u didst request that thou mightest j oust with the King in place o f Gawain and thou wert refused . Thou hast stolen secretly o away and f ught against his will , yet he ” no t t t t. will be angry wi h thee , I rus “ ’ Nay, answered Gawain , tis a gal lant deed he ha s done and no harm hath o t to - o he wr ugh , for morr w I can myself meet the King and n one shall interfere . No w tidings had come to I to nj é of how her brother was to ﬁght wi th the man she l o ved s o dearly and her anger wa s great o o against Gawain . Seeing this , the g d Queen Arnivé went to King Arthur and begged him to fo rbid the combat and the King desiring greatly that he might pre it o vent , pr mised his aid . Soo n Gramoﬂa nz sought him to win his promise that no ne other but Gawain o oo sh uld meet him , and King Arthur t k “ : him to where the ladies sat , and said If t t o o there be a maiden here ha th u l vest ,

I pray thee , greet her with a kiss . And King Gramoﬂa nz l ooked eagerly at the

2 1 8 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL the tw o knights were ready to end their strife . Preparations were made for the mar ria ge feast o f King G ra moﬂa nz and I toné o j , and a n ble gathering was present to witness their happiness ; there was the o C urt of Arthur , the knights and ladies from Chateau Merv eil and the people o f a a nz King Gr moﬂ . o Apart sto d Parzival , gazing sadly at o o f the merry gr ups , thinking his Lady

Kondwiramur o o . , the ﬂ wer of w men “ ” o L ve hath dealt unkindly with me , he “ said aloud . Of Love was I born and o t L ve would I serve , yet am I separa ed from her who hath my true love I seek f or t the Grail Temple , but ever my hear yearns to s ee the face o f my dear one : to o long have we dwelt apart . Why should to o o o i i I remain here lo k up n this rej c ng , ? when my heart is s o heavy with s o rrow

I wish all happiness , but no longer can I t arry here . o e At dawn the next day, Parzival d nn d his armo r and rode secretly away . XXVI

HOW PARZIVAL FOUGHT WITH FEIR E FIS AND OF THE GOOD TIDINGS KOND RI E B ROUGHT

BY daybreak , Parzival found himself in deep woods and soon he was surprised to see a knight approaching . He stopped his horse and gazed upon the” stranger in wonder , for never had he seen a man o ride so richly appareled . His arm r was adorned with j ewels , also his shield of 2 1 9 2 20 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL go ld which shone like the sun ; and from o f o his breastplate g ld , glistened many rubies ; rich trappings o f silk were upon his steed . A mighty man this knight looked and when he caught sight of Par z iv a l he spurred his horse fo rward quickly f o r and raised his spear and shield , having lately arrived from the East , he was eager f o r adventure . Never were two knights t o o better ma ched , b th had y uth , strength o and courage , and their j usting was a go odly sight . Their spears and shields clashed lo udly through the still woods and it seemed as if neither might conquer the o ther . Yet , after a time , Parzival weak t ened a li tle , then as if remembering his dear o nes and that he must s trive f o r their “ ou t t : sakes , he cried his wa chword Pel ” rap eire ! and went at the o ther with such a ﬁerce s troke that he was bro ught to his bu t knees . The stranger rose quickly, per ’ ceivin o g that Parzival s sword was br ken , o he said courte usly, speaking in French o o no w o Gallant her , th u hast no sw rd our s o o no t and spears are broken , I w uld

222 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

ow o f o N tell me thy br ther , said he , what co lo r is he ? “ ’ Tis said that he is strange to look ” “ o up n , replied Parzival , fair was his o father , but his m ther was of the dark ” o pe ple of the East . Straightway Feireﬁs lifted his helmet and the two gazed at each other in aston ishment f o r , much alike were they, though Feire ﬁs had hair like the sun and a dark

o . skin , while Parzival was wh lly fair Then they knew that they were bro thers t o s a t and heir joy was great . A l ng time t o hey c nversing , each telling the other of his life and adventures . “ t Come thou with me to the Eas , “ Feireﬁs the begged , and share with me riches there and the kingdoms which were ’ o u r t father s . Anger hath been in my hear to f or o ward him , thr ugh grief at parting

o o . with her l rd , my m ther died “ ” o Br ther , said Parzival gently, a gal lant man was o u r father and I have heard all speak well of him . How could he TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 223 keep from seeking adventure ? Alas ! in ” knightly j oust was he slain . “

Feirefis . A great sorrow was that , said o Now must I forget my anger , for my j y is great at finding my brother . But say, ” wilt thou come with me to the East ? “ ” “ Brother , said Parzival , I ride upon a striv quest , and never shall I cease from ing for my desire until I achieve it . Wro ng have I done f o r which I must make amends ; shame have I brought upon myself and this must I overcome with o knightly deeds . But do th u come with to me seek King Arthur , who , but a short time ago , I left with his Knights of the Round Table and with a large company of knights and ladies who came to witness o a j ust . I know that it will please thee to see this noble gathering and my brother ” knights will welcome thee . To this Feir efis consented and the two made ready to leave the woods to join King Arthur and the Court . Great Wa s the rejoicing when Parzival 224 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

appeared ; from the magic tower a squire the o who had seen fight , but n ne knew it was who j ous ted so p owerfully wi th Par ’ z i a T t t w o t v l . o Gawain s en the t knigh s went and there they were attended by t o o the squires , who gazed wi h curi sity up n stranger . To o o welc me Parzival and his br ther , King Arthur o rdained a great feast and the t musicians played trumpet , the flu e th o o and e h rn and all made merry . Up n the grass was stretched a circle o f green silk and round it the knights took their places a s reveren tly as if it had been the ’ Round Table at Arthur s castle : all left o ff their armo r and were arrayed in robes o t f silk . Nearby s a t the ladies in faires o dresses decked with fl wers , and it seemed as if all the beau tiful damsels and ladies o o e o f in the w rld were there . On nside Queen Guinevere sa t the Queen Kunne o n o s a t Arnivé waare and the ther , Queen t wa s Or el u s e the o here g , and ther Queens

and maidens from Chateau Me rveil . The meado w w a s fragran t wi th summer ﬂo wers

226 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL we at the Chateau Merveil hold our de li e v rer . , Gawain Now may I ride as mes senger for the Templars in the service of

- the Grail . To day I bid ye rejoice for I bring good tidings . Greetings to all ye o f t the Round Table , and to thee , gallan

Feireﬁs . Be glad , also , thou son of Gamu ret H erz el eide f o r and , thy woe is past ; thou hast been called to Mons al vage , there shalt thou be King . Soon shalt thou be united to thy wife and chil dren and soon shalt thou seek Amfortas again and release him from his suff er ing . Compassion is in thy heart now and thou mayest make amends for thy ” mistakes . c At the words of Kondri , tears came ’ “ ” : into Parzival s eyes Lady, said he , “ these are wondrous tidings . Am I , who have sinned so often , to enter this high service ? Shall I be able at last to bring Anf ortas ? release to , my uncle If I am to be united with my dear ones in this o o H ly Place , with reverent and l ving hearts shall we serve the Grail . Now tell TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 22 7

to Mon me I pray thee , when may I go ”

f or not . salvage , I would delay “ ” “ c Sir , answered Kondri , thou mayest set out with me now , and one companion ” mayest thou choose to accompany thee . Then the Queen begged Kondrie to rest o u t awhile , and that maiden sought Queen Arnivé and pleasant converse had they to

. its gether When the feast was at end , Feireﬁs asked his brother if he might ac company him upon his journey and Parzi val consented . With tears of j oy, all watched the three depart and no t one was there who did not rejoice that this honor had come to the Knight Parzival . XXVII

HOW PARZIVAL HEALED ANFORTAS

MAN Y years had passed since Parzival climbed to Mo ns a l v a ge and left such grief behind . Daily was Anf orta s brought b e fore the Grail , but It relieved not his suf f e ring Often wo uld the King pray f or death to deliver him . Have I not suf ” f ere d ? enough, is there none can help me o he w uld cry out . And the knights , grief stricken and desirous o f helping their “ : An King , would answer Have faith f or who o fortas , he climbed here bef re shall 228

23 0 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

draw near and save me . Thou didst leave o to w o e me bef re my , but now pity and o understanding are in thy heart . Th u o o ch sen one of God , release me now fr m my suffering . At these words Parzival walked slowly Anf orta s toward . Before the couch he o o o o st d and in a v ice br ken with weeping , “ : said This time I shall not fail thee , O

King . Anf orta s Before , knelt Parzival and prayed for the deliverance of the King :

twice he rose and knelt again . Then in

a voice that sounded through the Hall , he “ cried out : My heart is full of pity for ? thee ; what aileth thee , mine Uncle What mean these mysteries at Monsa l vage ? ’ As he heard Parzival s words , the face Anf orta s t of shone , and the beauty tha had been his before his wounding came to him again . He rose from his couch t healed , embraced the young knigh and o t sp ke his gra itude . S o had come at last the great day of re a e j oicing to Mons a l v g . XXVIII

OF THE MEETING OF PARZIVAL AND KONDWIRAMUR

NOW there had ridden messengers to in form Queen Kondwiramur that Parzival Ac had been elected King of the Grail . Kiot companied by her uncle , the knights P elra eire from p , and the Templars who Monsal va e had been sent to bring her to g , the Queen with her little sons set ou t for the j oyful meeting with her dear lord . As they neared the mountain the tents were 23 1 23 2 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

f o r o . t pitched , the night had c me On his very spot had S egra mor and Kay fought with Parzival and here had he seen the drops of blood upon the snow which made him muse o f Kondwiramu r.

From the Temple , Parzival set out with to some of the knights meet his wife , and they stopped upon their way to greet Trevrez ent and tell him of the joy that had come to Mo ns a l v a ge and of how Par z iva l had been called there to be King . “ t ” Thou has my blessing , nephew , said Trevrez ent do f o r , greatly I thank God His mercy ; never should we do ubt His o ho F th — a l ving kindness . He w is a er S n — — ” Ma nunderstands all . “ Thy counsel served me well , said “ o to Parzival , th u didst bring back love in my heart and s et my feet up on the right

t . No w path . I give thee grateful hanks ride I to meet her whom I hold s o dear ; o t bu t no w l ng have we been separa ed , side by side we shall pass o ur days in the serv ice o f the Grail . ’ s a w the At the day s dawning, Parzival

23 4 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL to Mons a l v age ; and he declared that his sonKa rdeiss o sh uld rule his kingdoms , but Lohengrin was to serve in the Grail o Konwiramu r Temple . S rrowfully d part o s on to ed fr m her little , giving him in the keeping of his uncle Kio t who was to rule until the boy Ka rdeiss should be old en ough to take up his du ties as King . As the others rode up on their way to the l a Temple , they came to where a maiden y o m tionless upon the grass , and Parzival lifting her tenderly, recognized Sigune .

Happy and peaceful her face , and she smiled as if greeting her beloved . Queen Kondwiramu r prepared her for burial and they laid her beside her knight in the shrine she had made for him . XXIX

HOW PARZIVAL WAS CROWNED KING OF THE GRAIL

TH E courtyard at Mons a l va ge was ablaze with tapers as the little company drew near, and a j oyful welcome was given them . First to greet Parzival and Feireﬁs his Queen was , but when he would have kissed the child Lohengrin , the boy turned from him frightened by his strange appearance 23 6 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL Gathered about the stairway to wel come them were Anf orta s and the Tem

l a rs o R e anse S choie o c . p , als p de and K ndri Kondwiramu r kissed the King in greeting o o and t ld him of her j y at his healing .

The Queen was led to rest , then she s on and her were arrayed in fair robes , and accompanied by Feirefis they entered the Hall where the Templars had assem A or bled for the daily Feast . Beside nf the in tas was Parzival seated , and King vited Feirefis to take the place on his other side , while the Queen with the little o L hengrin sat next to Parzival . Now on this day the knight with the no t o f or Spear came int the Hall , there was to be no more weeping nor sorrow in the Temple . Music was heard and the o o f o t s und bells ringing s f ly, and all within the Hall rose as the wondrous pro cession of the Grail entered . Each maiden fulfilled her task and o J R e a nse up n the acinth Table , p de S cho ie laid the cushio n which held the ’ Treasure ; Anf o rta s placed it in Parzival s

THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 23 7 hands and all bo wed lo w befo re this Gift o f o d G . Then the squires came fo rward to re ceiv e the Foo d the Grail besto wed and Anf o rta s after the Feast was over,

o o f . cr wned Parzival , King the Grail S ongs of rej o icing were heard ; and from o o o an adj ining r om , Titurel beh lding the shining face of the young knight , as sur rounded by his loved o nes he received his o c nsecration , knew that all would be well o s a a e forevermo re at M nl v g . Feireﬁs At all he saw , being a heathen , marveled greatly, so at the request of Titurel he was baptized and the light of the Christian teaching made clear to him the mysteries at the Temple . While he dwelt there o ther joy came to R e anse him, for he won the love of p de S choie and she prepared to leave the

Temple to journey with him to the East . Feireﬁs would have persuaded Anf ortas “ to : accompany them , but he said Nay,

Sir, I have no wish to seek adventure , in ’ God s service only shall I ride forth ; the 2 3 8 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

t to t o s years lef I wish fill wi h n ble deed , f o r unwo rthily I served the Grail in my ” you th . There was much sorro w at Mo ns al v a ge when Feirefis and the lo vely Grail bearer left the Temple . A band of Tem plats went with them to guide them through the wo o ds to the sea where the pe ople of Feirefis waited f or their lo rd . In the East was R ep a nse de S choie crowned Queen and she to ld the people of the mysteries of the Grail and helped them to follo w Its teaching . o J son Of the val r of Prester ohn , the of Feirefis Angevin and R ep anse de

S choie t . , many s ories are related o S on after Parzival became King, there appeared upon the Grail the command that henceforward when a Templar was the o e in service in world , he sh uld not t ll o f o no r his his name , nor speak his c untry race . The Grail would make kno wn t t when it was time to reveal hese hings , but should he be questioned and forced to

X X X

OF LOHENGRIN THE SON OF PAR ZIV AL

T H ERE dwelt in the kingdom o f

Brabant , a Princess named Elsa , who had displeased her pe ople because she refused to marry . The fame o f her beauty and o gentleness spread far , and many a n ble Prince came to woo her ; hopefully they approached her , but unsuccessful , they ro de s o rro wfully away . No one o f o o w her c urtiers , the C unt 240 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL 24 1

Tel ramu d to the , desired greatly win

Princess , and when she had refused him t s o re many imes , he was angry that he

o to . s lved harm her One day, there came from King Henry of Germany a summons to the Princess to appear before him in o rder to prove herself innocent o f charges which had been brought against a her by the Count Tel r mu d . The distressed maiden sought the soli tude o f the woods and there prayed to Go d to send her aid . A falcon ﬂew down and nestled for a moment in her hand , then as it ﬂew away, a little silver bell fell from its neck , and it seemed to the Princess that the do ve bade her ring the she silver bell , should be in need of a ’ knight s service .

The next day, the Princess Elsa with some of her ladies and courtiers arrived “ ”

o . bef re the King Princess , said King f or Henry kindly , he pitied the lovely “ o maiden , th u art accused of having con tracted a marriage wi th one of thy vas o o sals . This , th u knowest is f rbidden a 242 THE STORY OF PARZIVAL

t o Princess , and I mus inﬂict s me punish t ment on hee , unless thou canst prove thine innocence . If there is here any knight who will face thine accuser and o c nquer him, then shalt thou be declared ” o t inn cen before all . Then King Henry bade his Heralds sound their trumpets and require the champio n of Elsa o f Brabant to step

. o bu t forth Twice the trumpets s unded , no knight dared face the C ount Tel ra mud . Apart knelt the accused maiden , t t praying steadfas ly ; in her hear was hope , for on leaving her kingdom , she had rung the silver bell . Now the Heralds called out the third t ime for the champi on o f Elsa of Brabant .

There was a sound of women weeping , ’ f o r the hearts of the Princess people were o ou t : full o f grief . Suddenly a v ice cried “ Behold the swan— he brings a champion knight for the Princess . s a w o Soon all appr aching , a small boat that was being drawn by a large white o swan . Bef re it ﬂew a white dove , and

244 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

no r o my name , c ncerning my race and o t o ne un c un ry ; day I may tell thee , but ” o til then th u must wait trustfully . Befo re all the pe ople Elsa gave her o t o pr mise . Then he King called f r the accuser o f the Princess and he and the Knight o f the Swan stoo d before each

o t f o r . o ther , to ﬁgh her honor So n was Tel ramu d laid l o w and he was required to beg most humbly the pardon Of his o o Princess wh m he had wr nged . to That same day, Elsa returned Brabant with her people and her cham o t she pi n , and when they arrived here was wedded to the Knight o f the Swan . Many happy years they spent together and two beautiful boys were bo rn to them . Then came a time when some of the p eo ple , curious and suspicious , tortured Elsa by accusing her lo rd o f having conquered Te lra o mu d thr ugh sorcery . They begged her to discover the knight’s name and warned her that f o r s ome wrongful reason he withheld it from her . In a moment o f misery and fear, when trust had been TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL 245

driven from her heart , Elsa broke her promise . Calling all the people together by the river, the Knight of the Swan , standing beside Elsa and his children , spoke to “ them all and said : Now will I tell you my name and of my life before I came here Far away on a lofty mountain t there stands a Temple , wherein is kep a Treasure called the Grail— Gift of God to men . There rules Parzival as King of the Grail . His son am I , and Lohengrin is my name . There dwell the Templars , who a Brotherhood guard the Grail , and often are they called to service in the world . One day, there appeared upon the Grail the command for me to appear as champion for Elsa of Brabant . As I was about to mount my charger, we saw on the water, a boat drawn by a swan , and knew that God had provided this boat f or my j ourneying . My father gave me in parting , a silver horn , which he bade o me s und , should I desire to return to the

Temple . 246 TH E STORY OF PARZIVAL

“ Once sorrow came to us a t Monsal vage , through a Question ; therefore the to Grail bade us not speak at ﬁrst , our o f names , nor our race , when we dwelt o o in the w rld . Soon would I have t ld Elsa these things and revealed to her the j oys and Mysteries which are at the

. Now t Temple the Grail calls me , I mus l et go . Guard my wife and children and my sonGo dfrey one day rule in my place ; perchance my other sonwill come to me ” and serve in the Temple . o it Then taking his h rn , Lohengrin blew t hrice . ’ Kneeling at her lord s feet Elsa en t o reated his pard n . Gently he raised her o and sp ke his forgiveness . Then a voice “ cried out : A swan— the swan boat ” comes . Up the river came the little boat drawn o by the swan ; the white d ve ﬂew before . o Tenderly L hengrin kissed his boys , and gave to one his silver ho rn and to the other his swo rd . Then he held his wife in o to o o cl se embrace , whispering her w rds f

A KEY TO THE PARZIVAL OF WOLFRAM VON ESCHENBACH

Th em s o f the a a e Six Th e P rziv l . e The Ethi ca l T aching .

The Rel atio n to Anci ent Tra diti on . The Gra il Stone o f the Pa rzival and The Stone o f The oso he s Phil p r .

25 2 A KEY TO TH E PARZIVAL

n t u e a me ae a e so a e and Ki g Ar h r b ing di v l p r n g , it s eems a lmo st a s if the o rigina l sto ry had ha d an AngevinKing in his p la ce ; the who l e p o em wo uld ha ve been then a p icture o f The Knight ho o d o f the twelfth century with which th e Gra il a nd em a t em s wo u fi ua The T p l r h e ld t eq lly well . o mi ss i on o f King Arthur and the Round Ta ble a nd the f ew ts who a re me t o e wou Knigh n i n d , ld be s u e the e n and his ts p p li d by Ang vi King Knigh , who with the T emp l a rs would p o rtray a Knight h oo d only a little l ess mysteri ous and thrilling t a the t u a t oo h n Ar h ri n Knigh h d . h a m t e a we s ix t e es o r sto es . In P rziv l , find h ri The m s t c s to o f the a w c is un y i ry Gr il , hi h e anot e the aut o c a ms to a e ea lik y h r, h r l i h v r d the o c es o f ou w e e it ha d ee re in Chr ni l Anj , h r b n to ld from the sto ry a s first written down by Flege ta s an a a a st o ome and ast o o e we ni , Ar bi n r n r ( r l g r, m h i h sta s a ssu e w o ea t t e . ) , r d in r The ma in s to ry o f P arzival bea rs a cl ose re s embla nce to the ta le o f P eredur ( see the Mabino o n h a r stien To t s a d t e e ce C e . gi n) , P r v l Of hi a nt o uct o is e the sto Ga muret in r d i n giv n in ry Of , f o r whi ch we have no so urce excep t we sup p o se the p oet to hav e b een celebrating the d eed s o f an A ou o r The Tem lar t eme is ngevin C nt King . p h in p a rt hi sto ri c a nd in p art a romanti c p i cture m m c o e Ga o f the Knights Te p la r . A u h l ng r A KEY To TH E PARZIVAL 253

wa ins to t a ou Crestienis e and ry h n f nd in giv n , a masterly co nclus io nrea che d in the a dditi o n o f the L ohenrinsto w c is a e a a tat o g ry , hi h bri f d p i n from o ne o f the ea rly fo rms o f The Knight Of The Swa The s ix t emes o r sto es are wo e n . h ri v n to et e s u and w t the e ce t o o f a g h r killf lly, i h x p i n f ew a es the oem ea s c ea and consecu p g , p r d l rly i l t ve y . THE TITUREL — We lea rn fro m the a uth o r that the “ ” m ste o f the Gralbur is not to be e ea e y ry g , r v l d at st but e e w e Trevrezent e a s to ﬁr , v n h n xp l in a a the em e the a a nd the uest o P rziv l T p l , Gr il Q i n , we wo uld h ave but a v ague understanding Of th em if we did not know the TITUREL ( see o o ue a a me ta o em w c we as Pr l g ) , fr g n ry p hi h sume Wo lfram wrote a s anintroducti o n to the a a a o em w c ate wa s muc e a o P rziv l , p hi h l r h l b ate e t vonS c a e e r d by Alb r h rf nb rg .

THE E TH ICAL TE ACH ING

S Y M B OLISM OF LIGHT A ND DARK NESS — Inthe Pa rziva l w e a re to rea d a d eﬁnite ethica l teach to w c we a re t o uce t o u a s m ing, hi h in r d d hr gh y bolism o f L t and a ess a t eme w c igh D rkn , h hi h is e oo and carri d throughout the p o em. G d Evil are p resente d a s b ea ring the s ame rel ati on to ac o t a s t an a ss Go d is e h her Ligh d D rkne . 254 A KEY To TH E PARZIVAL

L t but t e e is a ea m o f a es s u e igh , h r r l D rkn r l d by anEvil o ne— yet wh ere the thought o f God — oo —is no E cancome : God is L t G d , vil igh a nd H e is A ll . a t is t e co t a ste w t ou t P a r F i h h n n r d i h D b . z ival p a ss es fro m the s imp le Fa ith Of his youth to the a nes s o f o u t a n s a The d rk D b d D e p ir . d a rkness o f the hea thenteaching is co ntra sted with the light o f the Chri sti an d o ctrine ; but the ” te m eat e must be su o s e to re ate to r h h n , p p d l o ce ta neo es o f the E a st o f w c e a nly r i p p l , hi h B l k a ne a nd her p eop le a re a typ e ( l ater to be en te e Feirefis and R e ans e de S cho ie ligh n d by p ) , f o r the tea c s te a c the sto o f hing Of Whi M gi , ry the a th e m ste ous e ens e e e Gr il , y ri l g d h ld in r v r ence Trevrezent who te s us t at ato a nd by , ll h , Pl ” the s ibyl s inth eir day sp ok e wo rd s o f truth l m a l ca e fro m th e enlightened Ea st o f the M agi . In a ninte resting way the symbo li sm o f Light a nd D a rk is ca rri ed out al so in relatio n to s evera l “ ” c a a t s h e t a s ono f c e . a a is t e e h r r P rziv l g n l , f ir ” Gamuret; Fe irefis is the fiery d a rk so n; th e o me the t e o f s tua st e t the atte f r r, yp p iri l r ng h , l r, th o f t e ot must a c e e e typ e p hys i ca l s r ngth . B h hi v a s tua en te ment and eac at o ne t me p iri l ligh n , h i inhis life s ho ws the confli ct b etween the Light a anth a ess ou t W e the ( F ith ) d e D rkn ( D b ) . h n

two so ns oust to et e it is Feireﬁs who is vic j g h r ,

25 6 A KE Y TO TH E PARZIVAL

’ a uth o r s p urp o s e to sh o w us th at the p rep ara

o a o i mane o f th e ti nwas in d equate . M re s d e d d moth er than the a wa k ening o f sp iritual con s cious ness a nd the d evel op ment Of religi ous feel ing ; with thi s kno wledge o f things sp iritua l must g o a kno wl edge o f the p ra ctical : the child must be e a e f o r the wo w c he is to e p r p r d rld in hi h liv , ow ot o o a nd e s ce h e must encoun kn b h g d vil , in ter ot Th au t o f H erzeleid wa s a o s b h . e f l e p i t e o ne o to her so na c to her iv ; h p ing bring b k , she re fra ined fromp rep aring him f o r Knight h oo d whi ch would have led him to the Thresho ld o f L e w e e the mot e must ea e her c if , h r h r l v hild to meet the exp eri ences and temp tati ons whi ch every individua l must enco unter ; there his a c t o s s ou be the esu t o f o ce not I no i n h ld r l Ch i , g

rance. ’ We s ee th at the h ero s fa ilure is due to igno ’ a ce f o r a a s st o o s acts are the re r n , P rziv l fir f li h ’ su t o f his mot e s u e co u se w c cou d l h r h rri d n l , hi h l not tak e root a s th ere was no p revi ous p rep ara h c m a s ti on . T e yea rs o f loving o p ni on hip sp ent w t h er a re re ecte his e e e ce f o r wo me i h fl d in r v r n n , and his u c a o e an a t u ss H e in n h nging l v d f i hf lne . fa ils never d eliberately butthrough Ignorance ; we t him a nd o him H s ows o u p i y f rgive . e h nj dg me t at st no tu t o h e o ows the cou se n fir , in i i n ; f ll n l o f o t e s w t o ut u e sta it stea o f h r i h nd r nding , in d A KE Y To TH E PARZIVAL 2 5 7

s nto he cta tes o f his ea t The cou li teni g t di h r . n s el o f Gurnemanz s eems to awak en in the youth self- co n sci ousnes s and fa ls e p rid e ; the rea l mean ing Of the mediaeva l a dmo niti o n to s ilence he do es not comp rehend ; a nd the hitherto qui ck

s o e o ut a ce to a ce w t his eat O or p k n y h , f f i h gr p p tunit is s e t e o e w at he o es no t com e y , il n b f r h d p r

e a nd s o e s the o ce o f his ea t ea h nd di b y v i h r , f ring to b um ate s o u he ut a uest o e h ili d h ld p q i n . “ PARZIVAL A ND PARSI FAL Redemp ti o n thro ugh ” ’ suff e w e ea is the esso o f a e s ring, r d l n W gn r P ars i al but the o em o f the a a is f , p r bl P rziv l dif f erent The e o s u to suff e u o . h r bring n ld ring p n mse a nd o t e s t o u his a u e no r o es hi lf h r hr gh f il r , d the exp eri ence o f suff ering seem n eces s ary f o r th e d evel op ment o f his ch a ra cter ; feeling h ad ee ee a o use him but he ee e the b n k nly r d in , n d d t j udgment and conﬁd ence tha Kno wl edge brings . — NOWh r a th P rs al E UE TIO . e e s e e a i TH Q S N , v in f , d o es the th eme o f th e Q uesti o n intimate th at the h ero must be p rep a re d thro ugh exp eri ence o r su f

f erin to a cco m s his m s s o — a a a ha s g , p li h i i n G l h d the tra ining which enables him to fulﬁll his d estiny with out fa ilure— the o nly requi s ite is a feeling o f p ity a nd the j udgment to sp eak bo ldly the est his t Th a o f e ce a qu i on o f h ea r . e f ilure P r v l in the H igh H is f ory of the H oly Graal is irrevo ca e f o r w e h e etu s the seco t me to bl , h n r rn nd i 258 A KE Y To TH E PARZIVAL

the a st e o f the a a he s t at his u c e C l Gr l , ﬁnd h n l has e he is a e o we e to t the so o w di d ; bl , h v r, lif rr w c is u o t o s e the ast e a nd to esto e hi h p n h in C l , r r the H o ly Gra a l a nd the Sp ea r whi ch h ad been h sto e . t e a a S u e a nd Trevrezent l n In P rziv l , ig n s eem to feel that s ince the knight fa iled to p ut the uest o he ha s o st his o o tu t f o r Q i n , l p p r ni y e e but a a the s o no f one who has s e e v r, P rziv l , rv d the em e w be ca e t e e o ne da and in T p l , ill ll d h r y, th en he will a sk the Questi o n whi ch will te as m o h co s e o f le e A f rta s from s uffering . T e un l Trevrezent is the turning p o int f o r Pa rziva l ° gently the Hermit ta lks w ith him a nd w ins his co e ce s o te the tte ess his ea t nﬁd n , f ning bi rn Of h r ,

f o r the o ut ee s a nd ust t at he ha s ee y h f l , j ly, h b n a m o f c umsta e vi cti irc nc s .

PARZI VAL A N D LOHE GRI — Th e uest o t eme N N . Q i n h is co t u inh Lo e s to The so r n in ed t e h ngrin ry . ’ ro w o f the a a is due to a o ut s es ta nc P rziv l y h h i y , ’ his s e ce inLo e to a woma s cu o s t il n ; h ngrin , n ri i y, h er u w s s ec n i e p e h .

THE RE LATION TO ANCIE N T TR AD ITION

TH E HERMETI C A ND KA B B ALISTI C PHILOSOPH Y

- FREE A O RY — Th a a a nd o t e o ms M S N . e P rziv l h r f r o f the Gra il Legend take ona new interest and signiﬁca nce wh en we trace in them a relatio n

260 A KEY TO THE PARZIVAL

Magi c is known o nly to th ose who through ear

nest stu a e e et ate its ste es f o r dy h v p n r d My ri , a c is a Kno w e e w c t use w M gi l dg hi h , if righ ly d , ill

e ma nom o o e a ll t s N atu e ea giv d ini n v r hing in r , l d him to a co nsci ousness o f another life a nd p rove i s e st t xi ence . ac a c is so ce s e s e c a tme ts Bl k M gi r ry, p ll , n h n n , hyp noti sm ( if wrongly used ) o r a ny misuse o f t s ow e e and o we f o r w o u e s hi Kn l dg P r r ngf l nd , invo lving a lways the d estructio n o f the p erso n who act ces i p r i t.

The a a s ea s o e o f a c w e P rziv l p k p nly M gi , hil inth e High Hi sto ry a nd the Ga la ha d sto ri es a re ma ma ca o ccu e ces but the o ex ny gi l rr n , nly o e t o f ac a c the a Le e s is p n n Bl k M gi in Gr il g nd , K nso li g r . R TI To F Y — a c at o ELA ON REEMASONR . We tr e a rel i n to Freema so nry in the High Hi sto ry a nd the a a a t ou the a us o s to a o t e oo G l h d , hr gh ll i n Br h rh d a nd a R ed o ss — w c we st the Cr , hi h ﬁnd ﬁr in o s e Le e the o o ue to the e o sto J p h g nd , Pr l g H r ry , — and the a a t ou the o t e o o in P rziv l , hr gh Br h rh d o f the em a s a nd the a ous e e e ces to T p l r , v ri r f r n o e e s Ma s ni c L g nd . Jo sep h o f Arimath ea makes a R ed Cro ss Shi eld a nd Perceva l and Galah a d both b ear Shi eld s o s s o m ma rked in the center with a R ed Cr . Fr the White Knight who dwell s in the White Ah A KEY TO THE PARZIVAL 26 1

’ be a a a ea s the sto o f o se s S e y, G l h d h r ry J p h hi ld , whi ch has been p reserved mira cul ous ly f or him ° and w e he a es S a a s he is we come h n rriv in rr , l d the o t e s who eco e the S e P er by Br h r r gniz hi ld . ’ ceval s S e a so e o e o ce to o se hi ld l , b l ng d n J p h , t ou no sto o f it is e and the ot e s h gh ry giv n, Br h r “ s a ute i S e a e a u e a nd a e t l t. A hi ld b nd d z r rg n w t a R ed o ss t e eo and a os s o f o i h Cr h r n b g ld , is its esc t o a nd its o ss e ce a car d rip i n , in b , P r v l ” s Th a ows Th o P er ri e e H ll . e Br thers take ceval ona j ourney in a Ship which has a white sa ma e w t a R ed o ss ate t e ca il , rk d i h Cr ; l r h y rry “ him awa it and he is s ee no mo e no r y in n r , did ” e ma o m f him a rthly nkn w wh at beca e o . the a L e e s the e so a t o In Gr il g nd , p r n li y Of J s ep h is shroud ed in a mystery whi ch is so lved o su o s him to a e ee anE sse e nly by p p ing h v b n n , a s ect o f Jews who had embra ced the a ncient eac t ou the s ec et st uct o s o f T hing, hr gh r in r i n members o f a Broth erho o d who had come from a It is state t at esus e o e to the Indi . d h J b l ng d E s se a e a nd t at he wa s e st ucte ni n Ord r, h b ing in r d the o t e oo a u the e t by Br h rh d , in Indi , d ring igh

eenea s o f w c we a e no eco . ” y r hi h h v r rd Th at Mysti c Broth erh oo d to whi ch Josep h be o e a nd the one w c he o me we e l ng d , hi h f r d , r branches o f the p riestly Order which p romul ate the a c e t a t o a eac and g d n i n Tr di i n l T hing, in 2 62 A KEY TO THE PARZIVAL

1 2 D we a t o sta t e w o m A . . t we 3 , ﬁnd h C n n in , h a ssume wa s a o owe o f the eac o u e f ll r T hing, f nd d a no ther bra nch inmemo ry o f his c o nve rs io n to Chri sti anity— the Ord er Of the R ed Cro ss K ts nigh . t at m ste o us c t o f the Ea st S a a s In h y ri i y , rr , J o sep h fo und ed a nOrd e r o f the Bro th erhoo d a nd t e ta w e e f o r ce tu es e o e h n in Bri in , h r n ri b f r his a a t e e th e u s ha d ee s ea rriv l h r , Dr id b n p r ding h c s o f he a c a t o t e Tea hing t n i ent Tr di i n . In time th eir T ea ching h a d to give wa y to the c urc but its ea ea s a s w t es se h h , in rly y r , i n d by the J o sep h Brotherho o d a nd the Co ns tantin e e s t a t u te a mo o us w t Ord r , Chri i ni y ni d h r ni ly i h the a n cie nt T ea ching and many o f its symbo l s a n o c s a e o m i d d trine h ve b een dev l p ed fro t. In the fo urth century Architecture wa s yet a s ec et o es s o a nd o sta t e a ste o f r p r f i n , C n n in , M r the o e e o f c tects a t Rome wou a e C ll g Ar hi , ld h v a s s e ow to his ts not o the o w p d d n Knigh , nly kn l e Of n bu a so he e c n e u t t a c t ea . dg b ildi g, l n i n T hi g The cl o s e co nnecti o n between R ome a nd Brita in wo uld h ave le d eventua lly to the fo unding in ta o f an e s m a to t at o f the R ed Bri in , Ord r i il r h

o s s ts . ere e w o m we ma Cr Knigh Th M rlin , h y a ssume had been taught by memb ers o f the o se ot e o o a nd a so th e u ca J p h Br h rh d , l by Dr idi l ests wa s c o se to o u the new e o f p ri , h n f nd Ord r

264 A KE Y TO TH E PARZIVAL

but we a ssume that the Knights o f the G ra il ca rri ed the shi eld ma rk ed with th e sp ec i a l Cro s s

o f the n ts em a No s s a K igh T p l r . hi eld v e ’ Gamuret s is given sp eci a l menti o n ; no r is th ere m e o h a yst ri us Ship . In t e Ga l aha d sto ry we ﬁnd re ference to l egends o f Ad am a nd E ve a s

th a a t ff r r e bu t e e o m ea c o t e . in P rziv l , h y di r f h h Alth ough th ere is in th e l atter no menti ono f

S o omo a s the a a a the a a is the l n in G l h d , P rziv l o nly Gra il sto ry th a t reﬂ ects the T emp l e o f S ol o mo t a t o a nd em a s es f o r us th e Ma n r di i n , p h iz s oni c ap p licati o n o f the building o f the T emp l e rea a so h o m o f o f Ch a ra cte r . We d l in t e p e “ “ “ The oen Th e e ca n a nd The Ph ix, P li Ea e w c a re e ens o f eema son but gl , hi h l g d Fr ry , t e a r no e a ne inth e sto h y e t xp l i d ry . TH E LOST WORD — Inthe High Hi sto ry w e rea d

o f The o w La a nd Crestieno f Wid dy , in , “ The o w e ame su es t e o f The Wid d D , gg iv ’ h Widow s S on. The d es o la ti o n o f t e Gra il

em e t ou the ounn o f the K n T p l hr gh W di g i g , s uggests the s o rro w whi ch fo llo w e d The D ea th ’ i n s s a s to rons o the Wdow s S o . o e e f J p h p k B , “ The S ecret o r s and ro ns ma not die W d , B y

u t h e ha s s o e t em to his s o na nd es us is n il p k n h , J s up p o s e d to h a v e uttere d th em o nthe Cro ss “ ” “ ” The S ec et o s a nd Th e ues t on r W rd Q i ,

a kin to The L os t Wo rd o f M a s o ni c Legend s . A KE Y TO TH E PARZIVAL 265

The s o ow u e so e o f Th e o u e rr f l p i d W nd d King, s eems to be a rep etiti on o f the a nci ent th eme

o f The eat o f o us s s a nd its ate D h H r ( O iri ) , l r e e o me t f e e t eo es as The d v l p n by di f r n p p l , , in eat o f o s us a so The eat o f D h Di ny i , l , in D h ’ a m o f e the ow s S on th e sto es Hir Tyr , Wid ; in ri o f eus and Eu ce o s awa t a and Orp h rydi , Ad ni , Hi h , “ ” “ ” “

a e . o us e s e o e o s B ld r In H r , P r p h n , Ad ni , “ and a e we a e the o o us R etu to L e B ld r h v j y rn if , ” “ a nd in the B a ld er we h ave a l so The S ecret Wo s w c nw s e e his ear— th e rd , hi h Odi hi p r d in m mm p ro i s e o f I o rtality . Furth er s uggesti on s o f the rel ati on to a nci ent tra diti o n in th e P a rziva l a re fo und in the coun

s e s o f H erz eleide Gurnemanz and Trevrezent l , , whi ch a re s imila r to tho se found in the Pro verb s n m s a h s s a d the Ta l ud . To und er t nd t e p a a ges re at to E ve so Ko ndrie and her l ing , Kling r, ot e and S ekundille one must s tud the Kab br h r, , y b li i s a st c Legend . — BOO K S F OR R EF EREN CE Tho se who wi s h to kno w furthe r o f thi s a nci ent tra diti o n will ﬁnd the following b o ok s mo st interesting rea ding The ” Lexi co n o f Freema so nry a nd oth er b o o k s on “ t su c a c e Th e sto his bj e t by Alb ert G . M k y ; Hi ry ” “ o f The ts em a s A so Ste a Knigh T p l r , ddi n ; ll r ” eo o and a so c st o nom A t u Th l gy M ni A r y , by r h r “ ” ew tt ow ste es o f eemaso H i Br n ; My ri Fr nry , 266 A KEY TO THE PARZIVAL

J ohn Fellows ; Signs and Symb ols o f Primo rdi al “ Man e t u c wa ° a c ac a nd , Alb r Ch r h rd M gi , Bl k

W te a a tman The sto o f Th e hi , Fr nz H r n ; Hi ry ” “ “ ” Ros c uc a s A c em a ace s us a nd i r i n , l h y , P r l “ The e u c the o a a Hidd n Ch r h Of H ly Gr l , by “ ” t u a a t Th s n E w e e E s e es . s Ar h r d rd W i ; n , Dr Gi “ ’ ” “ e The o s o e s S to ne o r The ues t b rg ; Phil p h r , Q ” “ ” o f The s o ute and S era hita a a c ' Ab l , p , by B lz “ “ h Th a T e eat o . e a a Gr W rk , by T . K K bb l h ” ” U e e att ew s The ster es a c nv il d , M h ; My i Of M gi “ Le - a te Za o and S t a e Sto ( vi W i ) n ni , A r ng ry , “ ” u w e - L tto The ute o f the o s by B l r y n ; Fl G d , by a a R M r h Ellis yan .

THE GRAIL STONE OF THE PARZIV AL AND THE STON E OF THE PH ILOSOPH E R S

TH E LEGEND S OF THE GR AI L — Unlike a ny oth er Legend o f the Gra il is the Gra il o f the P a r

z ival f o r t s t o f Go d is a Sto e ure and , hi Gif n , p r p ecious . Who lly ind ep end ent a t ﬁrst o f th e Pe rceva l sto the L e en o f o se a nd the a ry , g d J p h Gr il , founded o nthe Ap o chryp hal Go sp el o f Ni co

emus a me e w t the e ro s to r w e d , ﬁn lly rg d i h H y , h n the e t c ta sma ns— ma c ca ro s ea a nd C l i li gi ld n , p r ,

s wo r we e e a ce w t the S a c a menta V es d , r r p l d i h r l

2 68 A KEY TO THE PARZIVAL

’ t u s ts u e the s o s ea c f o r Ar h r knigh , l r d by vi i n , r h the Gra il th at they may see it op enly a nd so lve its m ste but o n f o r a a a is the su eme y ry, ly G l h d p r

s o . e e is no uest the a a o vi i n Th r Q in P rziv l , nly tho se who a re ch o sen may go to the T emp le ; t e e o ma the a be s ee and a wa s h r nly y Gr il n , l y o e n t u a nd hi ts a e p nly . Ki g Ar h r s knigh h v h ea rd o f Anf orta s and his suffering but fea r to e tu e nea the em e es uma eca use v n r r T p l , p r bly b they did not wi s h to intrud e without a ninvita t o to the oma e all s s c e The a a . i n , in d in h ld by r d Pro mi se o f the D eliverer seems to ha ve been ow o t o se who s e e o r who h ad kn n nly by h rv d , h em e No t om s ca ee w t t e . b n , i hin T p l fr p hy i l p a in o nly did Anf o rta s p ra y to be rel ea sed ea e s es to wa m him the S ea to h ling h rb , ﬁr r , p r a w the ice om his wo u the o u s s e t dr fr nd , h r p n in s o e a s o a ce but we e ce e t at he ﬁ hing , p r v l , p r iv h yearns f o r the S p iritua l h ealing which the Gra il

d eni es . Ca nwe ﬁnd a clue to the Gra il o f the Pa rziva l ? Co uld the idea h ave a ri sen fro m the rumo r th at the a es se wa s cut o m a s e sto e Gr il V l fr ingl n , ’ “ ” aneme a ? Crestiens me t o o f a a a r ld n i n Gr l , co vered with p reci ous stones wa s certa inly not its I s t e t e some aste t a t o e at o . e E d riv i n h r h n rn r di i n , so me L e e a o ut a Sto e t at wou acco u t g nd b n , h ld n ? f o r thi s Gra il being rep res ented a s a Sto ne A KE Y TO TH E PARZIVAL 2 69

Every theme o f the p o em rel ates to the Ea st -the sto ry b egins and ends th ere— b egins with Ga muret the at e and e s w t the son , f h r, nd i h ,

eireﬁs who ta es the a ma e ac to the F , k Gr il id n b k Ea st w t him the a so este o and i h ; gr nd n , Pr r J hn ,

the eat- a so o e o f ou o th e gr gr nd n , G dfr y B ill n , f o m m so no L e eco e a ous usa e s . h ngrin , b f Cr d r The e at o o f the oem to ana c e t t a t o r l i n p n i n r di i n , makes it seem mo re tha n mere conj ecture to a s sume th at thi s sto ry o f the Gra il wa s ﬁrst to ld the a a Fle etanis who ea it th e by Ar bi n g , r d in s ta rs— a vi sio n a s clea r to him a s was the vi s ion o f th Re e at o to t o — and t at the e v l i n S . J hn h Gra il is rel ate d to s ome anci ent tra ditio n o f a Sto e a te at the Le e the S ac ame ta n , n d ing g nd Of r n l

Gra il . In the Pa rziva l the Gra il is called Lap i s E x illis but the mea o f E x illis is a m s , ning y o u h t o a mea t a The ter . t e au e t o s y C ld h r h v n y, Sto e o f E e o r The Sto e o f o u at o ? n xil , n F nd i n We rea d th at through th e Gra il Stone the life o f h oe e t e Ph nix is ren wed . the sto o f The Terrestial a a se w c In ry P r di , hi h bears a resembla nce to the s etting o f the Gra il sto o f the a a the e o— wh o some ry P rziv l , h r in — vers i ons is Preste r Jo hn is greeted up on his a r a int s wo e u ace m st c messe riv l hi nd rf l p l , by y i n “ ” s ho st o him a ger w be o w n Stone . 270 A KEY TO THE PARZIVAL

Amo the om ses the s o o f t ng p r i in Vi i n S . “ J o hn the Initi ate we rea d— To him that ov er comet w I e to ea t o f the e ma na h ill giv hidd n n , a nd w e him a white s tone and the s tone ill giv , in a new na me written whi ch no manknoweth s ave h ” e that receiveth it. t att ea o f he s tont a th In S . M hew we r d t e h t e u e s e ecte the same is ecome the ea b ild r r j d , b h d ” o f th e corner . In the hi sto ry o f Freemasonry w e ﬁnd leg “ “ ” “ e s o f The ewe the e ect A s a The nd J l , P rf hl r , ” “ f m ” ou at o Sto e The S ea o S o o o . F nd i n n , l l n We ea o f the o ccu t u e ow e e the r d l C b Of Kn l dg , mys ti c White S tone o f the Egyp ti a ns a nd oth er p eop les ; and o f the Emera ld Stone o f H o rus a nd B uddh a whi ch a re the mo st imp o rta nt o f several green stones h eld a s sa cred by many o f the Ea st e r I s f t s t o t he np eop les . t i o in ere t o n te h at t co lo r green p red ominates in the Pa rziva l a nd th at the Gra il rests o na cus hion made o f green Arch m a rdi . THE STONE OF TH E PHILOSOPHERS — These Stones seem to be related to the Great Sto ne o f the a nci ent tra diti o n— TH E STONE OF T HE P H I LOS O P H E R S — to be rea d o f in all bo oks onMagic m (Alche y ) . Alch emi sts sought to transmute all meta l s to ’ go ld ; they stro ve to mak e The P hilos opher s

2 7 2 A KE Y To TH E PARZIVAL

Fro m h eaven came T HE STONE OF TH E PHI ” “ ” L P H E R S a nd esus o ssesse i w r a OS O t e e . J p d , d The Grea t T ea cher sp o ke in p a rabl es whi ch o nly “ ” o s ho h a a s o a r o TO t e w d e t e u e sto . h r h , nd r d “ da o t o s e who a e ea s to ea a nd y, nly h h v r h r , t os ho ma a n h t r e w s ee u e st t e s e es . h , y nd r d My i I th e sto o f the Ro s c uc ans we ea n hi ry i r i , r d muc a o ut T E TO E OF T E PHILO OPHER h b H S N H S S , and it would s eem a s if the auth o r o f the Pa rziva l s to am a w t the teac ns o f the R o sicru ry , f ili r i h hi g

e a o t er o o ha d nt o uce nto his sto i n Br h h d , i r d d i ry some t e m ste o us o so w c we Of h ir y ri p hil p hy , hi h kno w is a nexp ress i ono f the a nci ent traditi ona l a Te ching . Did a nIniti ate p a s s d own the sto ry from ” mout to ear a nd a o t e w te it w t th e h , did n h r ri i h u o se o f co cea its meann s o t at o n p rp n ling i g , h ly the ini ti ate d co uld und ersta nd it? And did Wo lfra m a nd p erh ap s the a utho r o f his s ource a so w te w t out com e e the m st c hi l , ri i h p r h nding y i p lo s0p hy o f the sto ry ? Since we h ave no d eﬁnite clue to the mystery o f the a S to ne o f the a a w e ca no t Gr il P rziv l , n be f a r wro ng in a s suming th at It o riginated fro m the tra diti o ns surrounding TH E STONE OF THE PHILO OPHER S S . NOTE S

I t has ee the aim t s Sto o f P a z a b n in hi ry r iv l , to p reserve a s much a s p o s s ible o f the medi aeva l sp irit in s etting a nd language ; to a dd nothing to the o rigina l sto ry sav e in a f ew s ituati o ns wh ere s o muc is e t to the ma at o t at some am h l f i gin i n, h p li ﬁcationwas neces sa ry ; to omit such p a s sages o nly ’ a s a re e o the c s te est o r w c are too b y nd hild in r , hi h va ue to e e s at s acto g r nd r i f rily . The Pa rziva l o f Wolfram vo nEs ch enbach may

' be stu e throu h the e t o s o f S m oc a tsc di d g di i n i r k , B r h , e t and ot e s w ose N o tes and t o s e ss H r z h r , h h in Mi ’ Westo s t a s at o a re o f eat a ue to the n r n l i n , gr v l e o r stu e t omme ts o th u e w teach r d n . C n n e Tit r l ill b ou t s o s e f nd a l so in h e e bo k . PROLOGUE — Th e a has e e the e o Gr il n v r p r ﬁx H ly , “ ” h It i e th t e a a . s s e a e in P rziv l p ll d Gr l , in “ ” e ma and the em e is ca e Gralbur G r n , T p l ll d g, The mountain is Monsalva sch o r Monsalvage ; ca e a e Monsalvat and is ot e w s e ll d by W gn r, , h r i ow a s Monts auva e e e de S a a e— the kn n , g , T rr lv g w o r emote mou ta o r the ou t o f S al ild r n in, M n

vation . 2 74 NOTES

Mountseraat the re ees are the u s On in Py n , r in o f a M onastery whi ch ap p ea rs to h ave been o c cu i d a o t e oo t m p e by Br h rh d Of Knigh s T e p la r. The auth o r may ha ve known o f thi s Broth er h o o d a nd from them d eriv ed his insp irati o n f o r th ts o h e e s ms o a e e Knigh f T e Gra il . Th r ee t h v been a cl ose co nnecti o n in the Pa rziva l b etween ’ the East and S a and Gamuret s ou e p in , j rn y om o e o to Kanvoleis o es not a ea to fr T l d , d pp r a o no n Th e at o no f th va h ve b een a l g e . e r l i e rious aces to o ne o t e is no t c ea owe e p l h r l r h v r, and the a ctio n o f the p oem p asses qui ckly from o ne a ce o a ot p l t n her . — m hi o em 1 no CHAPTER I . Wo a e s t S I , I lfr divid d p o a on t t Th ma a us o o s e c e a e . e v ri B k , giving h i l terial co ta e c a te s a nd ha s ee n in d in h p r i , ii , b n a e ate om a muc o e sto w c is bbr vi d fr h l ng r ry , hi h ou oo s and I o f the oem Gamuret f nd in B k I I p , and H rz leide e e .

’ Gamuret s brother h aving succeed e d to his ’ at e s om o f e s him a ns w c he re f h r kingd , f r l d hi h us es t e es him a t t e and ames him f , h n giv i l n ’ e Ga muret s mot e and the eo e u e Ang vin . h r p p l rg him to ema nou but h e ec es to see r in in A j , d id k m f o r ms e e e e a a kingdo hi elf . Wh n d f nding B l — k ane h e di sco vers a cous in— Kailet inthe Scot t s a m a nd a te Gamuret a nd B elakane are i h r y , f r ma e t e e te ta Ka ilet and his com rri d , h y n r in

276 NOTES

’ w c we ma t a s ate as ea t s S o ow hi h y r n l H r rr ,

is use stea o f H rzelo de d in d e y .

— Lahel i is h V . e n t e only ch a racter menti oned in sp eci a l connecti o n with the sto ry who do es not ma e his o e a a a a a re k p r p r p p e r nce a g in . We

not to o f ho a a eco is ld w P rziv l r vere d h l and s . Laheleina nd Gurnemanz ﬁght in the Tourney at K nol i a v e s .

— i me l . a a s not na u t oo a VI P rziv l d n il B k III , “ ” t o u he is s o e o f a s The e s ma a h gh p k n W l h n , r n m Th re ference to his usti c a d s i p l e manners . e ’ mo st rea so nabl e interp reta ti on o f the hero s n a me seems to be e ce— to e ce and a e — o est , p r p i r , v l f r ; ’ h ho e o t ates he o es S i une s e w p i rces r p ene r t f r t. g ’ meaning th at he ha s p i erced his moth er s h ea rt ’ h may be a fancy o f Wo lfra m s . In t e High sto e ce a is s o ame his at e be Hi ry , P r v l n d by f h r s h has o f his a s a cau e e been d ep rived l nd . W g ’ “ ” e s a s — f al o r u e o o su ests the n r P r i , p r f l , gg “ meaning o f the fo lk lore tale o f The Lay o f the Great F The ﬁrst p art o f the story o f Sigune and her

o e S chio natulander is ou the tu e . l v r, , f nd in Ti r l ’ s t who is one a a s ces Thi knigh , Of P rziv l Prin , follows the bidding o f Sigune to resto re to her a o st a c et and meet w t Orilus is s a l br h , ing i h l in him by . — t a a s to o o u t a t VII . King Ar hur p p e r h ld C r NOTES

Na tes as we a s at Ka ridol Carduel a r s e n ll ( , C li l , Caerlleon ame o t but the c e a st e is at , C l ) , hi f C l Ka ridol as it is ca e the e ma , ll d in G r n . — h R e t o f th o t e s to e V III . T e d Knigh e h r ri s has quite a different cha racte r and merits the d eath ’ he received a t P a rziva l s h a nd s ; he ha s insulte d the uee a nd the ou e o is the o one Q n , y ng h r nly h a m him w o d res go fo rth to eet . X — om o o — K ondwiramur who is the a . Fr B k IV , f ir “ Blancheﬂeur co o e a s o f o and o o f , l r d iv ry g ld , res ien S he o es no t a ea the H is C t . d p p r in High h a o to t e a a st nor a s a . ry, in G l h d ry , in P r if l In the ﬁrst s to ry the D amsel o f the Ca r wi s hes to be ’ re eas e e ce a S a a a e c a e s l d by P r v l ; in ir G l h d , P r iv l s ste s e es the t a s a u un i r rv Knigh ; in P r if l , K ndry willingly temp ts him a nd s erves him when sh e can ece t o u him h er e ea se o m , r iving hr gh r l fr ’ s s s Th m a Ko d ir mur Klingso r p ell . e e ning Of nw a “ ” is a O ue Lo e Ide l f Tr v . — 1 m I . a te s x i and a re o o o XI Ch p r , xiii , xiv fr B k Anorta We ar o a ssume t a a a s . e t t V, f h P rziv l does not realize that his mothe r is d ea d until

Trevrezent te s him H e ea es his w e t at ll . l v if h h ma s f hi mo No e a a e y eek tidings o s ther. xp l n t o is e o f the S ea a nd the Swo and i n giv n p r rd , nowh ere el se do we ﬁnd th e elabo rate a nd b eau t u esc t o o f the ocess ono f the a if l d rip i n Pr i Gr il , n h F a a d t e e st. 2 E 28. NOT S

X — e a e u t h em III . Sigun h ving b en bro gh up in t e T p le kno ws th e Prop hecy o f the Pro mi s ed Knight a nd giv es P a rziva l the ﬁrst kno wledge Of his

a u e a nd o f the ster es he ha s e e un f il r , My i b h ld co m e n No his o e es is to r p reh ndi gly . w nd ire e tu to the em e to e a his e o rn T p l r p ir rr r .

- a a a e a a t h e s o t s XIV . P rziv l t k s sp e r th a ﬁnd nhi a lta r ; fo ur yea rs later h e menti ons it to Trevre z ent who tell s him that the o wner w a s much ’ ’ vexed ! Orilus sp eech co ncerning Pa rziva l s l a nd s h a s b eeninterp o lated to co mp lete the o rig a c ent ere is no me t o Wo l in l in id . Th n i n in ’ fram s p o em o f Pa rziva l a nd Orilus reco gnizing each o the r in th e relati o n s tate d in the ﬁrst p a rt

o f h to t e s ry . I — a te s a nd a re o m o o XV , XV . Ch p r xv xvi fr B k Arthur I . V ,

The Lo e S e is ca e a u ne a nd v p ll ll d Fr Min , the incid ent o f th e drop s o f blo o d is describ ed “ h P eredur I wa s t nn o f the La in t e . hi ki g dy

w o m est o e and et o u t me t at her h b I l v , I b h gh h w te ess w a s e t at o f the s o w and t at hi n lik h n , h the bl a ckn ess o f h er ha ir a nd her eyebro ws wa s

e t a t o f th e a e a nd t at the two red s ots lik h r v n , h p up o n her ch eek s were lik e the two drop s o f “ ”

o e e the a h as a e o c s . blo d . H r l dy r v n l k

280 NOTES

The weird allus ions to Ad am and E ve and h Ea t a r a c e t e e s It is nt rest t e r h e n i n l g nd . i e ing to o se e t at w e S atu a ws the b rv h h n rn dr nigh , ’ King s s uffering is I ncreased ; he d rea ds the cold a nd is a f ecte th c a ns o f th e moo f d by e h ge n . ’ L e o te D Arthur we ea o f the ou In M r , r d f r R e s o f a a s t nthe a e o f iv r P r di e . Wi hi G rd n a a s e was the s ou ce o f t ese R e s at the P r di r h iv r , o h f fo t o f t e Tree o Knowl edge .

Now am o f all menat e o f God he Ad f h r, did ea ns uc s l r h kill , ea sts w a nd tame he ew t em a nd All b , ild kn h , h m m t hi e n a ed th e a s will . he ew the s ta s a nd t e at wa a s And kn r h ir p h y , t e c c e th e s e t sk h y ir l il n y, And the o we o f the s e e a ets how t e p r v n p l n , h y e rul e menfrom h eav n high .

e we se t to the m st c wa te s a f a r o ff Th n n y i r , in a t e se l nd h y ri , so o s Eu ates the e s o f Pi n , Gih n, Tigri , p hr , riv r a a se P r di , And so nea r th ey ﬂow th at the p erfumes whi ch breath e fro m its scented a ir

Sha ll yet to their s treams be wa fted .

P val T arzi : JESSIE L . WES ON . NOTES 28 1

- . a te s to a re om oo XXII Ch p r xxii xxv fr B k X , Or elus e oo Arnivé a nd oo XII E ide g ; B k XI , ; B k , ’ t th r s to o f awa g as . Th ey tell e th illing ry G in s a dventures with the La dy Orgeluse ( The Proud L a dy ) . XXV — From B ook XIII Klings or and B ook XIV ramoﬂa n s c a te is w tte o m a mo st G z. Thi h p r ri n fr o s a ra It is m os s e to ete m c nfu ed n r tive . i p ibl d r ine the relati on ship between Gawa in and the four uee s and Arnivé a s the mot e o f t u Q n , h r Ar h r , s eems u te o e a s are a so the e e e ces q i inv lv d , l r f r n to Arnv an so a a so i é d Kling r. We l e rn th t Kling r “ ame om the a o f Ethisne w e e o t C fr l nd , h r f r h fro m fa ir P a ra di se ow the st eams o f the e is and he Fl r riv r Tigr , t o u t him t at eat e w se h gh h h h n i , e s h a ns o o I H hould wint e Gr il a d h uld h ld t.

P r va T . a zi l : JESSIE L . WES ON

We read that Ko ndrie and her brothe r were s e t uee S ekundille to s e e m o tas o f n by Q n rv A f r , r h The o f who s e enown she ad hea rd . King the Gra il sends the dwa rf to s erve the Lady Or eluse and we see t at o c we s at g , h K ndri d ll at M i A Ch eau erve l a nd must ob ey Klingso r . t t mes she is a e to se e the a f o r tw ce i bl rv Gr il , i she comes as messe e to a a and she ng r P rziv l ,

takes foo d from the Gra il to Sigune . 282 NOTES

We rea d some w eird l egends o f E ve which a re e ate to Kondrie and the wa Malcrea r l d d rf ,

ture . The s m e amat c te o f the sto is i p l , dr i lling ry o scu e inthe Gra mo ﬂanz o o and a e b r d B k , bri f s mma o is t s c a u ry nly given in hi h p ter . — m . F r o o o ei e s . XXVI Fr B k XV, ﬁ XXX — a te s and a re om Ch p r xxviii , xxix , xxx , fr ’ oo L oheranrainw c is Wo am s B k XVI , g , hi h lfr na me f o r the Knight o f the Swan and his sto ry is merely a suggesti on o f the ea rly Lohengrin “ ” to S e The t o f h a s . e T e Sw ry Knigh n , by R o e t a ff a and the c a te o nthe Swa b r J r y, h p r n “ ” t The t u o f the E s oets Knigh , in Ar h r ngli h P , o w na by H a rd M ay di er . “ The a a is a oo o f the ac a rt not to P rziv l b k bl k , ” be u e stoo w t out a ke sa s a tma nd r d i h y, y H r nn Aue ; but Wo lfram tell s us th at bl a ck a rt might

not avail to help menread the sto ry o f the Gra il .

DE SCRIPTION S OF THE TEMPLE OF THE GR AIL

It was circul ar in fo rm and had s eventy- two o cta onc o s e e two o f w c su o te a g h ir , v ry hi h p p r d e the m s t o se a to we w t ma win b lfry . In id r r i h ny n o t s The to mos o t o f d ows a d p in ed a rche . p t p in

284 NOTES

m it th a ta s o ena el ed up on . All e l r t nes were o f o he i s e o f the c o s ap p hire . Up n t n id up la o f the ma ntowe the suna nd mo o we e e es e te i r, n r r p r n d amo s and to a es and s e a t a s o f in di nd p z , h d ligh da e e the a es s o f the t The win y, v n in d rkn nigh .

o ws o f the em e we e o f c sta e a nd d T p l r ry l , b ryl , o a s o es Th o o a s o f ther tr n lucent st n . e ﬂ r w crys tal a nd u e eat it s es w e e ca e o ut o f , nd rn h , ﬁ h r rv d

n me e The to s e o o a d s ee a . we we a e nyx , d liv r r d rn d with p reci o us stones inl a id with go ld ; th eir roo fs me o t e were o f go ld and bl ue ena l . Up n every o w r there was a go ld en ea gl e with exp anded wings n h which a t a di sta ce s eemed to be ﬂying . At t e summit o f the ma in to wer wa s a nimmense ca r

u e e w c ow e e a s ta a nd s e e to u e b n l , hi h gl d lik r rv d g id m t t th ce te o f the T e p l a rs thi h er at nigh . In e n r the st uctu e u e the ome wa s a m atu e r r nd r d , ini r e es e tat o o f the w o e em e a nd e e on r p r n i n h l T p l , h r ” a nalta r o f go ld the Gra il wa s kep t. “ o m Le e s o f the e es Fr g nd Middl Ag ,

UE R B E R . E . A . G

IN HOC SIGNO V INCE S

Thi s is the motto a dop ted by Co nstantine and use d by the R ed Cros s Knights a nd th e Knights em I is s a t at w e o sta t e we t T p la r . t id h h n C n n in n NOTES 285

m ax ntius at the Milvianr M e . o t to eet e . f r h b idg , A D 1 2 t e e a ea e the sk a am nc o s s w t 3 , h r p p r d in y ﬂ i g r i h — — “ these wo rd s o nit Inh oc s igno oinces By this s ign thou sha lt co nquer . ’ The vi ctory that day wa s Consta ntine s a nd he ec a e t at h e wa s now a o owe o f st a t d l r d h f ll r Chri i ni y . H is moth er H elena had been co nverted to the Chri sti an teaching through a dream in which was a e h o f m m reve led to h r t e buri a l p l ace J esus . In e o r o f t s sco e e e a o ane the ts y hi di v ry , H l n rg iz d Knigh o f the o S u c H ly ep l h er . s is th o m Thi e cr ss sy bo l used by Co nstantine .

PRONUN CIATION OF P ROP ER NA MES I N TH E P ARZIVAL TORY S .

We find a curious combination o f French and e ma o e ames the a a but all G r n p r p r n in P rziv l , in cases s a e w e e the wo s a e a e te e c , v h r rd h v d fini Fr n h s e as Chateau Merveil Arnivé B onls p lling, , , , fi ,

m e . etc . a Ger anronuni ti ns u be , p c a o ho ld giv n o O