Parzival by Wolfram von Eschenbach

Author:Wolfram von Eschenbach [Eschenbach, Wolfram von]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Literary Collections, Essays, Classics
ISBN: 9780141904122
Google: tu3RlcieUqEC
Publisher: Penguin Group USA, Inc.
Published: 1980-08-28T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10

WE are approaching strange tales such as can empty us of joy and bring high spirits: they have to do with both.

The term of one year was past, and the judicial combat which the Landgrave had been accorded on the Plimizoel after its transference from Schanpfanzun to Barbigoel, had been settled and King Kingrisin left unavenged. Vergulaht had confronted Gawan there, but the assembled company had noted their kinship, which irresistibly quashed the duel. Moreover it was Count Ehkunat that bore the guilt of the deed of which Gawan had been accused. Thus Kingrimursel cleared brave Gawan of his suit.

Thereupon Vergulaht and Gawan each went his separate way in search of the Gral, setting out at the same hour. It was a quest that would require them to deliver many attacks, for whoever desired the Gral would have to make his way to glory sword in hand – only thus is glory to be striven for.

As to how the ever-blameless Gawan fared since he set out from Schanpfanzun and whether his excursion involved him in fighting, let them tell who saw it. But he will certainly be going into battle soon.

One morning lord Gawan came riding up to a green meadow. There he glimpsed a shield which had been holed by a lance-thrust, and then a palfrey harnessed for a lady, with costly bridle and saddle. The beast had been tethered to the shield, which was hanging from a bough.

‘Who can this woman be,’ he mused, ‘that is of such warlike bearing as to use a shield? If she decides to attack me, how shall I defend myself? I fancy I shall be able to acquit myself if I dismount. Granted diere is jousting on foot and if she will wrestle that long, she may actually bring me down, whether I win favour or disfavour for it! Though she were Lady Camilla* herself, who won renown with deeds of arms below Laurente, and were Camilla in full vigour as she rode there and were now to challenge me I would nevertheless try her mettle!’

The shield, moreover, was badly gashed, and as Gawan rode up he surveyed it. A window had been carved in it by the entry of a broad spear-head – in this way does battle paint a shield! Who would pay the blazoners if their colours were like this?

The trunk of the tree was very thick. Behind it on the clover sat a disconsolate lady. She had forgotten all joy, so intense was her grief. As Gawan rode round the tree towards her he saw a knight lying in her lap. This was the cause of her great sorrow.

Gawan was forthcoming with his greeting, and the lady acknowledged with a bow. Her voice struck him as hoarse, worn out by shrieks of woe. My lord Gawan now dismounted. The man who lay there had been run through, and he was bleeding internally. Gawan asked this knight’s lady whether he were alive or in his death throes.

‘He is still alive, sir,’ she answered, ‘but I don’t think it will be for long.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.