And soon as he doffed his harness they gazed on the wondrous sight, 395 And they who might speak of marvels said, in sooth, that this heathen knight, Feirefis, was strange to look on! and wondrous marks he bore-- Quoth Gawain to Parzival, 'Cousin, I ne'er saw his like before, Now who may he be, thy comrade? For in sooth he is strange to see!' Quoth Parzival, 'Are we kinsmen, then thy kinsman this knight shall be, 400 As Gamuret's name may assure thee--Of Zassamank is he king, There my father he won Belakané who this prince to the world did bring.' Then Gawain, he kissed the heathen--Now the noble Feirefis Was black and white all over, save his mouth was half red, I wis!
Then they brought to the twain fair raiment, and I wot well their cost was dear. 405 (They were brought forth from Gawain's chamber.) Then the ladies, they drew anear, And the Duchess she bade Sangivé and Kondrie first kiss the knight Ere she and Arnivé proffered in greeting their lips so bright. And Feirefis gazed upon them, and, methinks, he was glad at heart At the sight of their lovely faces, and in joy had he lot and part. 410
Then Gawain spake to Parzival, 'Cousin, thou hast found a new battle-field, If aright I may read the token of thy helmet and splintered shield, Sore strife shall have been your comrade, both thine and thy brother's too! Say, with whom did ye fight so fiercely?' Then Parzival spake anew, 'No fiercer fight have I foughten, my brother's hand pressed me sore 415 To defend me, no charm more potent than defence 'gainst death's stroke I bore. As this stranger, whom yet I knew well, I smote, my sword brake in twain, Yet no fear did he show, and 'vantage he scorned of mischance to gain, For afar did he cast his sword-blade, since he feared lest 'gainst me he sin, Yet naught did he know when he spared me that we twain were so near akin. 420 But now have I won his friendship, and his love, and with right goodwill Would I do to him faithful service as befitteth a brother still!'
Then Gawain spake, 'They brought me tidings of a dauntless strife and bold, In Château Merveil the country for six miles may ye well behold, The pillar within the watch-tower showeth all that within that space 425 Doth chance,--and he spake, King Arthur, that _one_ who there strife did face, Should be _thou_ cousin mine of Kingrivals, now hast thou the tidings brought, And we know of a sooth the combat was even as we had thought. Now believe me, the truth I tell thee, for eight days here our feast we'ld hold In great pomp, and await thy coming, shouldst thou seek us, thou hero bold. 430 Now rest here, ye twain, from your combat--but methinks, since ye thus did fight, Ye shall each know the other better, and hatred shall own love's might.'