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Parsifal’s
Quest
A
Version in Hexameter
“Woven in
language of myths –let the truth be
imparted in pictures”
1.
Parsifal and Herzeleide
Hidden
away in the woodlands - has Parsifal
grown into manhood,
Blind to
the ways of the world, - knowing naught of the
rulers of kingdoms.
ThereHerzeleide,
his mother - tells only the secrets of
nature;
Beauty of
streams, and the paths - of the forest are
all he encounters.
Timeweaves
a mystery that veils - any thought of
another existence.
Life is
the turning of flower - to fruit, and
provisions for winter
Have to be
gathered and sought for, - so follows the
flow of the seasons
2.
His Discovery
Then on a
day in the springtime, - while wandering
over a clearing,
Parsifal
spies the bright glow - of clear sunlight on
metal. He follows,
Wondering
what it might be – and beholds seven
horsemen in armour.
He bows
before them in wonder, - and learns they are
knights of King Arthur,
Seeking
the truth and upholding- the right,
protecting the ladies.
Courtesy,
freedom, and courage – are virtues
pursued by the knighthood.
3.
Herzeleide’s Distress
Brimming
with hopes he runs home; - at the door of the
hut, he now pauses,
“Mother,
‘tis time that I part; - to be knighted is
my heart’s desire,
There, at
the court of King Arthur – to willingly serve
where I’m needed.
It
is the Grail Quest they speak of – adventurous
trials, seeking goodness.
-‘Now’,
thought his mother, ‘my plan – to keep him
from danger is ruined;
So, like
his father, he’ll go – and be killed by some
knight seeking swordplay’.
ThenHerzeleide
gives answer: - “My fears have not been
without reason.
Why must
you now leave your mother? – To perilous
deeds you are driven.
Go, if
you must, you’ve your freedom; - May God keep
you safe from all danger!”
-‘What
can I do to protect him?’ – she thinks.
‘He knows naught of the problems
Waiting
to threaten his pathway’- At last an
idea comes to her:
-‘Foolish
he is without doubt – to negate my
advice and precautions,
So as a
fool I shall clothe him. – At court they will
break out with laughter;
Then they
will send him away; - I will have him once
more at my hearth fire.’-
Hiding
her tears Herzeleide – lets Parsifal go
to his future.
Sorrowful
is her demeanour – she knows that he
has no conception
What it
has cost her to lose him. – No more can she
do to persuade him.
-Suddenly
sad Herzeleide – succumbs to the shock
and falls over,
Pierced by
the anguish; Bereft – of all hope, she then
dies on the threshold.
4.
Sigune’s Lament
Parsifal
meanwhile has parted. – Nary a thought
of his mother
Enters
his head, as he wanders – O’er hillside and
woodland. For only
Knighthood
and courage awakes – in his mind. He is
called to attention:
Wailing in
loud lamentations – is heard; as he
searches the pathway,
Running
to see what has happened, - he meets with his
cousin, Sigune.
Stricken
with sorrow, she’s mourning - her husband,
brave Schionatolander.
Dead on
the ground he rests; - he was killed while
defending the forest
Owned by
the man who stands staring – distraught by the
terrible bloodshed.
Parsifal
has no idea - that it’s he who
possesses the birthright.
For he
has never been told – that he would
inherit the forest.
Destined
is he to discover – the truth of his
family title.
“Parsifal”,
utters Sigune, - “’tis time that you
knew of your forebears;
And of
your name which means ‘pierced - through the
middle’ or ‘pierced through the valleys’.
Look what
remains of my bridegroom. – His life has been
given away now.
After
this morning let grief – be my lot, my
companion be sorrow.
Go on
your way now; you may – never live to behold
your possessions!”
5.
The Fight for his Armour
“Onward
to forge” is my motto. – Don’t tarry; no
matter if tragic
Happenings
come to confront you – Now
Schionatolander would surely
Want me to
stride to the deeds – which are pending “to
fight against evil”…
Parsifal
journeys along. – When he comes to the
court, he’s astonished.
Everyone’s
dressed in fine clothing; - ‘tis just as his
mother expected;
Dressed as
a fool in patched trousers, - and wearing the
boots of a farmer;
Ridicule
meets his endeavour. – But even while
heartily laughing,
Arthur the
King watches closely. - He speaks then in
earnest, “If you would
Honestly
win knightly armour, - befitting the
Round Table glory,
There is a
way now. You must – try to conquer the
Red Knight in jousting.
No one
has dared meet that challenge…” – “but
I”, replied Parsifal bravely,
“Powerful
he may well be, - yet no fear will
affect my decision.”
Sunlight
is shining on spearhead. – The Red Knight,
enormous on horseback,
Knocks the
young lad down at once; - then he walks away
scoffing in laughter.
Parsifal,
furious, follows, - and shouting a
challenge attacks him.
Turning,
the Red Knight is briefly – viewed, facing a
spear unexpected!
So, are
the tables reversed, - and the Red Knight is
speared through the forehead!
Dead is
the ‘dangerous foe’. – Thus does Parsifal win
his own armour.
6.
The Castle of Gurnemanz
Skills will
be needed in battle; - there lives an old
knight in a castle.
Parsifal
goes there alone – in a tournament,
he’ll practice jousting.
PrinceGurnemanz
vows to teach him – to fight and win justly at
swordplay.
Chivalrous
conduct he learns, - whereby honour is
not to be doubted.
“Sure
of yourself, you need not – ever ask others
what is the problem.
Act and
give answer befitting - a knight, as is
manly and proper.”
Such is
the discipline that – leads to error
untold, in the future.
7.
Kondwiramor
Journeying
onward to meet – his adventure, he
travels o’er mountains.
Seeking
his fate, he then comes – to a swift flowing
stream that he follows
Down to
the sea; a fine castle – is under
attack; in a city,
Sieged by
the King Clamidae - who is trying to
court a fine lady.
She is a
princess whose name – is Kondwiramur.
Radiant in beauty,
Fair and
demur, she will not – deign to marry a
scoundrel who plunders
Kingdoms,
and murdered her father. – A vision of
her now appears to our hero,
Telling
her sorrow, revealing – to him in the
night how she suffers.
Parsifal
vows to prevail – against whatever
obstacles present
He now
intends to win back – and restore
Pelrapur and the kingdom.
Falling
in love with the princess – whose beauty
surpasses all others,
Parsifal
flares with the fire – that he’s destined to
show in his lifetime.
Now he is
brave without measure, - and conquers the
forces opposing.
Daring,
with nary a doubt, - he restores the lost
freedom and justice.
Fortune
has smiled on the lovers. – Kondwiramor
Queen and her destined
Parsifal
marry and live – in sweet harmony;
meanwhile the kingdom
Celebrates
victory; peace - now prevails, as the
evil is vanquished.
But, once
again, an idea – occurs to the newly
wed husband.
He is
now longing to see – his dear mother
again-she who raised him
Notrealising
this futile – desire will cause long
separation,
Parsifal
then asks his wife – to let him depart
on his journey.
“Granted
your wish, for I really – do love you; go
search for your mother.
May you
fare well; I do hope – your desire is
fulfilled and that we might
Soon be
together again, dear!” – So Parsifal
leaves the next morning.
If he
could know that his wife, – was now pregnant,
and would bear him twin sons,
He would
be bound to stay with her. – However, the
news is a secret,
Kept by
the Queen; so her husband – is free to
pursue his desire.
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