His desire was for love's rewarding, and the winning of high renown, 35 He had won from the hands of fair women the jewels that his pride did crown. For the favour Frau Minne showed him with joy did his proud heart beat, And it swelled high with manly courage, as is for a lover meet. As reward for his deeds of knighthood on his helmet a beast he bare, Ecidemon, all poisonous serpents they must of its power beware, 40 For of life and of strength doth it rob them, if they smell it but from afar-- Thopedissimonté, Assigarzionté, Thasmé, and Arabia, They scarce of such silk might boast them as was covering for his steed-- He sought, that mighty heathen, in a woman's love his meed, And therefore he bravely decked him, and fain would his courage prove, 45 And his manhood, it urged him onward to battle for sake of love.
Now the knight, so young and gallant, in a haven beside the wood, But little known, on the water had anchored his ships so good. And his armies were five-and-twenty, and they knew not each other's speech-- 'Twas a token fair of his riches, and the lands that his power might reach, 50 As the armies, so were the kingdoms that did service unto his hand-- And Moors and Saracens were they, and unlike was each warlike band, And the hue of their skins was diverse--Thus gathered from lands afar Ye might see in his mighty army strange weapons of heathen war.
So thus, in search of adventure, from his army this man would ride, 55 In the woodland green he wandered, and waited what should betide. And since thus it well doth please them, so let them ride, these kings, Alone, in search of ventures, and the fair fame that combat brings. Yet Parzival rode not lonely, methinks he had comrades twain, Himself, and the lofty courage that lord o'er his soul did reign. 60 And that he so bravely fought here might win from a woman praise, If falsehood should not mislead her, that injustice should rule her ways.
So spurred they against each other, who were lambs in their purity, Yet as lions were they bold and dauntless, 'twas a sight for a man to see! Ah! woe is me for their meeting, for the world and its ways are wide, 65 And they well might have spared each other, nor, guiltless, to battle ride. I should sorrow for him whom I brought here, save my heart did this comfort hold, That the Grail shall with strength endue him, and Love shelter the hero bold, Since he was of the twain the servant, nor his heart ever wavering knew, And ever his hand was ready to serve them with service true. 70