That eve would Gawain sup early, since his cousin of far Thasmé, Feirefis Angevin, and his brother, had tasted no food that day. And high and long were the cushions that they laid in a ring so wide, 435 And many a costly covering of silk did their softness hide. And long, and wide, and silken, were the clothes that above them went, And the store of Klingsor's riches they spread forth within the tent. Then four costly carpets silken, and woven so fair to see, Did they hang one against the other, so the tale it was told to me; 440 And beneath them, of down were the pillows, and each one was covered fair, And in such wise the costly couches for the guests would the squires prepare.
And so wide was the ring that within it six pavilions right well might stand Nor the tent ropes should touch each other--(Now wisdom doth fail mine hand, I will speak no more of these marvels). Then straightway Gawain he sent 445 To King Arthur, he fain would tell him who abode here within his tent, He had come, the mighty heathen, of whom Ekuba erst did tell On Plimizöl's plain! And the tidings they rejoiced King Arthur well.
And he who should bear the tidings, he was Iofreit, and Idol's son; And he bade the king sup early, and so soon as the meal was done, 450 With his knights and his host of ladies, to ride forth a train so fair, And a fit and worthy welcome for Gamuret's son prepare. Quoth the king, 'All who here are worthy, of a sooth, will I bring with me.' Quoth Iofreit, 'Ye fain will see him, so courteous a knight is he, And a marvel is he to look on--From great riches he forth must fare, 455 For the price of his coat emblazoned is such as no man might bear, And no hand might count its equal, not in Löver or Brittany, Or in England, or e'en from Paris to Wizsant beside the sea-- Nay, all the rich lands between them, were their wealth in the balance weighed, Then the cost of his goodly raiment, I think me, were yet unpaid!' 460
Then again came the knight Iofreit, when he to the king had told The guise that should best befit him when he greeted the heathen bold. And within the tent of Gawain the seats were ordered fair, In courteous rank and seemly, and the guests to the feast repair. And the vassals of Orgelusé, and the heroes within her train 465 Who gladly for love had served her, they sate there beside Gawain. Their seats they were on his right hand, on his left were Klingsor's knights, And over against the heroes sat many a lady bright, All they who were Klingsor's captives, in sooth were they fair of face, And Parzival and his brother, by the maidens they took their place. 470