Crusade Against the Grail - Rennes-le-Chateau Research and ...

PARSIFAL 17
It was extraordinarily difficult for the poet Peirol to tear himself away from
Donna Sail de Claustra, who groaned and rebuked him:
When my love saw that my heart no longer thought about her, she began her
reproaches. You will see some: "Friend Peirol, it is not right on your part that
you leave me in the lurch. If your thoughts no longer belong to me alone, and
if you no longer sing, of what use are you?"
—My love, for so much time I have served you, and you no longer sympathize
with me. You know perfectly well how little you think of me.
—But Peirol, have you already forgotten the beautiful and noble lady who
received you with such mercy and Minne? Nobody would have suspected
such a frivolous heart in your songs and verses. You appeared so happy and in
love!
—My love, I loved you from the first day, and I continue loving you. But the
hour has come when more than one man who—if Saladin didn't exist—would
be lucky to stay with his lady, has no other recourse than, even with tears, to
separate himself from her.
—Peirol, your participation in the crusade will hardly contribute to the
liberation of the city of David from the Turks and Arabs that occupy it. Listen
to my well-thought-out advice: love, versify, and let the crusade follow its
course. Look at the Kings who, instead of going there, are fighting amongst
themselves; take the barons for an example, who are trying to avoid taking up
the cross under the vain pretexts of quarrels.
—My love, I have always loyally served you. You know it yourself. But
today, I am obliged to deny you my obedience. The crusade has delayed too
much, and it should have already gone to the aid of the pious Marquis of
Montferrat. 17