There found the prince some peasant-folk
Of Herzeloide with plow and yoke.
Of Herzeloide with plow and yoke.
Warner - World's Best Literature - v13 - Her to Hux
' The most spir-
itual are the stories of Perceval and the search for a sacred emblem,
which are known collectively as the Legend of the Holy Grail.
The best known of the many modern embodiments of this legend
are Tennyson's 'Holy Grail' and the text of Wagner's musical drama
'Parsifal. ' In the Middle Ages it found wider and more varied ex-
pression, being the substance of narratives in prose as well as verse,
and in no less than six languages,- French, Welsh, English, Ger-
man, Icelandic, and Flemish. During the latter half of the twelfth
century and the first quarter of the thirteenth, eight or ten different
authors wrote the romances which, for lack of the more ancient
works upon which they were based, we must call the original Grail
cycle. The popularity of the legend was wide-spread. Its influence
was profound, and showed itself especially in spiritualizing the Ar-
thurian narratives, which had previously been of a worldly and even
•
## p. 7516 (#322) ###########################################
7516
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
sensual character. Caxton no sooner set up his press in England
than he wrote: "Many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm
came and demanded many and often times wherefore I have not
made and emprynted the noble history of the San Graal;" and in
1485 he did "emprynt" Malory's 'Morte Darthur,' which is saturated
with the mysticism of the Grail idea.
In a mass of poetical work extending over many years, in vari-
ous lands, and produced by informing old borrowed stories with new
imaginative meaning, it is not easy to determine the distinguishing
features. There are, however, two principal lines of narration which
lie prominent to the view amid all the confusion of the Grail stories,
and to which the rest is subordinate. These are the tale of Perceval,
and the account of a miracle-working object connected with Christ's
passion. The former is in substance as follows:-
A banished queen, widow of a king slain in combat, lives in the
wild-wood with her little son. To guard him from the dangers of
court life, she brings him up in ignorance of his royal origin and of
all warlike arts. His childhood is spent in companionship with the
birds of the forest. He loves them, and understands their language.
One day he encounters several knights in a green glade, and is fas-
cinated by the splendor of their arms and what they tell of their
wandering life. Following their example, he sets forth to conquer
the world, to win the love of women and perform deeds of valor.
Ignorance, foolhardiness, and awkwardness are but the outward ap-
pearance of his true innocence, courage, simplicity, and chastity.
After many adventures he reaches an enchanted castle, upon which
some dreadful woe seems to have fallen. A wounded man, called
the "Fisher King," lies there speechless and supplicating relief; and
at regular intervals there are borne before this sufferer a bleeding
spear and a sacred vessel, at sight of which the King and his attend-
ant knights look expectantly at the simple Perceval. He has been
taught, however, never to ask questions, and so leaves the castle
without inquiring concerning its mysteries. Had he but asked, the
Fisher King would have been healed; for, as all the inmates of the
castle knew, this cannot be until a pure man makes question of the
holy relics. Perceval goes forth unto many more adventures, but is
ever haunted by pity for the King and regret of his own forbear-
ance. At length he learns from a hermit that the vessel was the
Grail, and devotes himself henceforth to searching for the castle, in
hopes of repairing his fault. After many years he finds it again, but
now the spell is not so easily unbound. He must first weld together
the parts of a broken sword. When this is done, the Fisher King
recovers, and hails Perceval as his deliverer and the chief defender of
the Grail. Upon the Fisher King's death, Perceval rules in his stead.
## p. 7517 (#323) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7517
The history of the Grail is given in most romances substantially
as follows: In a bowl which had served at the Last Supper, Joseph
of Arimathea caught some of the blood which flowed from Christ's
wounds as he hung upon the cross. Being miraculously conveyed to
England to escape persecution, he carried the precious vessel with
him. Throughout his life it furnished him with food and drink, and
with spiritual sustenance as well; and at his death he charged his
successor to guard it faithfully. It was handed down from generation
to generation, the Fisher King being a descendant of Joseph. This
vessel is the Grail. According to other versions, the Grail chooses
its own knights. It possesses miraculous properties, and at times is
instinct with divine life. To discover its abiding-place and become
one of its guardians is the ambition of good and valiant men, but
only the pure in heart may find it.
Any student of folk-lore will instantly perceive in the Perceval
narration an ancient heathen core, related to the tales of Siegfried in
early Germanic literature and more closely still to Celtic mythology.
Some investigators have tried to prove that the idea of a sacred
spear and vessel, endowed with wonder-working powers and guarded
by an order of knights, is also of Celtic and heathen origin. This
is a much-vexed question, and one of the most difficult in the whole
field of literary history. The advocates of this theory have at times
of late seemed tantalizingly near to untangling the mysterious knot,
and they may do it yet. But in the present state of knowledge it
still is safer to say that the account of a sacred spear and bowl,
as given in the Grail romances, appears to be mainly of Christian
legendary origin, and to be based upon the lives of saints and cer-
tain apocryphal books of the New Testament, principally the Gospel
of Nicodemus. It is probable that the Perceval story was familiar,
in one or more of its many different forms, to the people of western
Britain, before their conversion to Christianity. When the French
romancers of the twelfth century began to develop the Grail idea,-
the idea of a sacramental symbol, dwelling among men but discov-
erable only by the brave and pure,-they wove into their narrations
all the tales of chivalry, all the mysterious adventures, all the recon-
dite folk-lore, they remembered or could find in books. Points of
resemblance between Perceval's breaking the spell at the Fisher
King's castle and the religious legend of a quest for the Grail must
have caught the attention of these poets, half inventors, half com-
pilers, and been eagerly accepted. Chrestien de Troyes, who was
possibly the first writer from whom a Grail romance has come down
to us, was evidently intending to fuse these two elements in the
latter part of his poem, but evidently also hesitating over so bold
and difficult a task. He began his work about 1189, but died before
## p. 7518 (#324) ###########################################
7518
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
finishing it or even reaching the point where the blending was to
begin in earnest.
Mediæval poets felt no scruple about mingling Biblical stories and
the lives of saints with the mythologies of Greece and Rome, or of
Scandinavia, Germany, and Britain. They obeyed also a tendency
to materialize religion; a tendency almost universal, which has had
much to do with the attaching of undue importance to church rites
and sacraments. More controversy and bloodshed have been occas-
ioned by differences of opinion about baptism and the eucharist than
by divergence of conduct in following the moral law of Christianity.
This natural inclination to attribute deep spiritual significance to
physical objects and actions to symbolize, in a word was what
caused the Grail idea to develop so rapidly and gave it such a grasp
upon the imagination of men. And the Christian legendary element
in the Grail romances, while of later origin than the heathen ele-
ment, is the central and unifying principle, and has drawn to itself
and sublimated all those weird and strangely beautiful pagan stories
of which Perceval is the hero, and which awaken in our hearts a
faint reminiscence of the mysterious childhood of our race.
There have been many widely divergent opinions concerning the
meaning and origin of the word Grail,-or Graal, or Gréal, or Gral,
as it is variously spelt. An early and most natural conjecture was
that San Gréal was a mistaken way of writing sang réal, the royal
blood. But there is now scarcely any doubt that the early form
Graal was derived from the Low Latin gradale, and this in turn
from cratella, a bowl.
-
As to the order in which the members of the early cycle were
composed, there is much difference of opinion. Three, however, seem
older than the others, at least in the material they employ. They
are Chrestien's unfinished poem, the Conte du Graal,' in Old French;
the Welsh mabinogi, or prose romance, 'Peredur ab Evrawc,' prob-
ably written later than the former, though based not upon it but
upon very ancient matter, for it is simpler and shorter and makes
no mention of the Grail, being chiefly a life of Perceval (Peredur);
and the Early English metrical romance, Sir Perceval of Galles,' in
which no talismanic or miracle-working objects are mentioned at all.
These three compositions may have derived their Perceval elements
from a common source, opened to the medieval world during the
reign of Henry II. by some Norman-English compiler interested in
Welsh poetry.
Chrestien's poem was taken up by several other
French writers after his death. An introduction was fitted to it, in
which a violent attempt was made to reconcile the Christian and
heathen elements. Many thousands of lines were also added, by vari-
ous hands, in the early years of the thirteenth century. Meanwhile,
## p. 7519 (#325) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7519
probably before the end of the twelfth century, Robert de Borron
had written, in Old French verse,
verse, a trilogy, Joseph,' 'Merlin,'
'Perceval,' of which the 'Joseph' and part of the Merlin' have
been preserved. It was he especially who gave to all the material a
Christian character. There are also later prose adaptations of his
work. Great difficulty is occasioned by our ignorance of where to
place the French prose romance, the 'Queste del Saint Graal,' gener-
ally attributed to Walter Map, and another, the Grand Saint Graal,'
often accredited to Borron. In these the Christian symbolizing tend-
ency is strong, and the story of Perceval is buried under many
complicated tales of knight-errantry. They were, however, probably
written before 1204.
There are several other members of the early cycle of Grail
romances, but only one is of great importance, - the 'Parzival of
Wolfram von Eschenbach. He was a South-German poet, who lived
at least as early as 1170 and as late as 1220. The Parzival' is his
magnum opus. It is also the finest narrative poem of which the
authorship is known, between the era of classical antiquity and the
'Divine Comedy' of Dante. Furthermore, it is the most complete,
and virtually the final, mediæval handling of the two great themes
which are involved in the Legend of the Holy Grail, and which Wolf-
ram more thoroughly blends than any other poet. He accomplishes
this by reinstating and beautifying the Perceval element, and elim-
inating most of the confused monkish legendary matter concerning
the transference of the Grail from Palestine to Western Europe. He
professes to base his romance upon Chrestien's 'Conte du Graal' and
upon a work by "Kiot the Provençal," now lost without other trace
than this assertion. Material about Perceval was evidently more plen-
tiful and clearer than information as to the Grail, for Wolfram does
not know it as a bowl, but as a stone.
In this noble work there lives a spirit of reverence and moral
earnestness in marked contrast with the aimless and often frivolous
character of the other romances. The best qualities of the German.
mind-its hospitality to tender sentiment, its love of truth, its indi-
viduality in religion- are here abundantly present. The Grail is not
regarded merely as a talisman, but as a visible manifestation of the
ever-living Christ,
"a light to guide, a rod
To check the erring, and reprove,"
a reminder of spiritual needs and privileges. But what will keep
the 'Parzival' ever fresh and attractive is the breath of morning
blowing through it, as from the greenwood where the world was
young, where man was innocent and held converse with the sweet
birds, where moral evil came not, and moral good was taught by a
## p. 7520 (#326) ###########################################
7520
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
mother's lips. The celebrated passage in which Wolfram relates the
boyhood of Perceval is by far the choicest portion of his long poem.
His selection and development of this theme have guaranteed to him,
more surely than to the other authors of early Grail romances, a sub-
stantial and enduring fame.
During the next two hundred and fifty years it was the mission
of the Legend of the Holy Grail to be the spiritualizing tributary of
a broader stream of literature, the bright full current of Arthurian
romance. To this brimming river it gave purity and light. It gave
direction as well; and for time at least, the generations who sailed
upon the bosom of these waters moved as honor and true religion
might approve. Then the Renaissance, which was springtime to
many fields of thought, fell like a polar night on these shining floods
of fair mediæval story. The Legend of the Holy Grail, which had
leaped down in tiny rivulets from the high antiquity of so many
races, and had cleansed and beautified the literatures of so many
tongues, and served so long as the highway of communication be-
tween widely separated nations,- this purifying and unifying stream
lay frozen throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth cen-
turies. Suddenly, in our own time, it has been irradiated and warmed
to life again and to the old genial motion. Modern English and Ger-
man poets in reviving the Legend of the Holy Grail have been
impelled by the same moral earnestness as Wolfram von Eschenbach,
and by the same desire to show the way to seekers after the spirit-
ual life.
GeoM Leon Harper
THE BOY PERCEVAL
From the Parzival' of Wolfram von Eschenbach. Translation of George
McLean Harper
WHE
HEN doubt a human conscience gnaws,
Peace from that breast her light withdraws.
Beauty and ugliness we find
Even in the bravest heart combined,
If taint be in him, great or slight,
As in the magpie black and white.
Yet ofttimes may he savèd be,
For both share in his destiny —
## p. 7521 (#327) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7521
XIII-471
High heaven and the abyss of hell.
But when the man is infidel,
Of midnight blackness is his soul,
His course is towards yon pitchy hole;
While he of steady mind pursues
The shining road the righteous choose.
A knight-at-arms am I by birth;
In me sleep warlike strength and worth;
She who might love me for my song
Would show a judgment sadly wrong.
For if I seek a lady's grace,
And may not go before her face
With honors won by shield and sword,
I will not woo her, by my word!
No other game can have my praise
When Love's the stake and Knighthood plays.
I find the usage much to blame
Which makes no difference in the name
Of women false and women true.
Clear-voiced are all, but not a few
Quickly to evil courses run,
While others every folly shun.
So goes the world; but still 'tis shame
The bad ones share that honored name.
Loyal and fair is womanhood,
When once the name is understood.
Many there are who cannot see
Anything good in poverty.
But he who bears its trials well
May save his faithful soul from hell!
These trials once a woman bore
And gained thereby of grace a store.
Not many in their youth resign.
Riches in life for wealth divine.
I know not one in all the earth,
Whate'er the sex or age or birth;
For mortals all in this agree.
But Herzeloide the rich ladie
From her three lands afar did go-
She bore such heavy weight of woe.
In her was no unfaithfulness,
As every witness did confess.
All dark to her was now the sun;
The world's delights she fain would shun.
## p. 7522 (#328) ###########################################
7522
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
Alike to her were night and day,
For sorrow followed her alway.
Now went the mourning lady good
Forth from her realm into a wood
In Soltanè the wilderness;
Not for flowers, as you might guess;
Her heart with sorrow was so full
She had no mind sweet flowers to pull,
Red though they were and bright, or pale.
She brought with her to that safe vale
Great Gahmuret's her lord's young child.
Her servants, with them there exiled,
Tilled the scant glebe with hoe and plow.
To run with them she'd oft allow
Her son. And e'er his mind awoke
She summoned all this vassal folk,
And on them singly, woman and man,
She laid this strange and solemn ban:
Never of knights to utter word,—
"For if of them my darling heard,
And knightly life and knightly fare,
"Twould be a grief to me, and care.
Now guard your speech and hark to me,
And tell him naught of chivalrie. "
With troubled mien they all withdrew;
And so concealed, the young boy grew
Soltanè's greenwood far within.
No royal sports he might begin
Save one,- to draw the bow
And bring the birds above him low
With arrows cut by his own hand,
All in that forest land.
But when one day a singing bird
He shot, and now no longer heard
Its thrilling note, he wept aloud,
This boy so innocent yet proud,
And beat his breast and tore his hair,
This boy so wild yet wondrous fair.
At the spring in the glade
He every day his toilet made.
Free had he been from sorrow
Till now, when he must borrow
Sweet pain from birds.
1
## p. 7523 (#329) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7523
Into his heart their music pressed
And swelled it with a strange unrest.
Straight to the queen he then did run;
She said, "Who hurt thee, pretty son? "
But naught could he in answer say—
'Tis so with children in our day.
Long mused the queen what this might be,
Till once beneath a greenwood tree
She saw him gazing and sighing still,
Then knew 'twas a bird's song did fill
Her darling's breast with yearning pain
And haunting mystery.
Queen Herzeloide's anger burned
Against the birds, she knew not why;
Her serving-folk she on them turned
And bade to quench their hated cry,
And chase and beat and kill
In every brake, on every hill.
Few were the birds that flew away
And saved their lives in that fierce fray;
Yet some escaped to live and sing
Joyous, and make the forest ring.
Unto the queen then spoke the boy,
"Why do you rob them of their joy? "
Such intercession then he made,
His mother kissed him while she said,
"Why should I break God's law, and rob
The birds of innocent delight? "
Then to his mother spoke the boy,
"O mother, what is God? »
"My son, in solemn truth I say
He is far brighter than the day,
Though once his countenance did change
Into the face of man.
O son of mine, give wisely heed,
And call on him in time of need,
Whose faithfulness has never failed
Since first the world began.
And one there is, the lord of hell,
Black and unfaithful, as I tell:
Bear thou towards him a courage stout,
And wander not in paths of doubt. "
His mother taught him to discern
Darkness and light; he quick did learn.
## p. 7524 (#330) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7524
The lesson done, away he'd spring
To practice with the dart and sling.
Full many an antlered stag he shot
And home to his lady mother brought;
Through snow or floods, it was the same,
Still harried he the game.
Now hear the tale of wonder:
When he had brought a great stag low,
Burden a mule might stagger under,
He'd shoulder it and homeward go!
Now it fell out upon a day
He wandered down a long wood-way,
And plucked a leaf and whistled shrill,
Near by a road that crossed a hill.
And thence he heard sharp hoof-strokes ring,
And quick his javelin did swing;
Then cried: "Now what is this I hear?
What if the Devil now appear,
With anger hot, and grim?
But certain I will not flee him!
Such fearful things my mother told —
I ween her heart is none too bold. "
All ready thus for strife he stood,
When lo! there galloped through the wood
Three riders, shining in the light,
From head to foot in armor dight.
The boy all innocently thought
Each one a god, as he was taught.
No longer upright then stood he,
But in the path he bent his knee.
Aloud he called, and clear and brave,
"Save, God, for thou alone canst save! "
The foremost rider spoke in wrath
Because the boy lay in the path:
"This clumsy Welsh boy
Hinders our rapid course. "
A name we Bavarians wear
Must the Welsh also bear:
They are clumsier even than we,
But good fighters too, you'll agree.
A graceful man within the round
Of these two lands is rarely found.
That moment came a knight
In battle-gear bedight.
## p. 7525 (#331) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
Galloping hard and grim
Over the mountain's rim.
The rest had ridden on before,
Pursuing two false knights, who bore
A lady from his land.
That touched him near at hand;
The maid he pitied sore,
Who sadly rode before.
After his men he held his course,
Upon a fine Castilian horse.
His shield bore marks of many a lance;
His name - Karnacharnanz,
Le comte Ulterlec.
Quoth he, "Who dares to block our way? »
And forth he strode to see the youth,
Who thought him now a god in sooth,
For that he was a shining one:
His dewy armor caught the sun,
And with small golden bells were hung
The stirrup straps, that blithely swung
Before his greaved thighs
And from his feet likewise.
Bells on his right arm tinkled soft
Did he but raise his hand aloft.
Bright gleamed that arm from many a stroke,
Warded since first to fame he woke.
Thus rode the princely knight,
In wondrous armor dight.
That flower of manly grace and joy,
Karnacharnanz, now asked the boy:
"My lad, hast seen pass by this way
Two knights that grossly disobey
The rules of all knight-errantry?
For with a helpless maid they flee,
Whom all unwilling they have stolen,
To honor lost, with mischief swollen. »
The boy still thought, despite his speech,
That this was God; for so did teach
His mother Herzeloide, the queen-
To know him by his dazzling sheen.
He cried in all humility,
"Help, God, for all help comes from thee! "
And fell in louder suppliance yet
Le fils du roi Gahmuret.
7525
## p. 7526 (#332) ###########################################
7526
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
"I am not God," the prince replied,
"Though in his law I would abide.
Four knights we are, couldst thou but see
What things before thine eyen be. "
At this the boy his words did stay:
"Thou namest knights, but what are they?
And if thou hast not power divine,
Tell me, who gives, then, knighthood's sign? "
"King Arthur, lad, it is;
And goest thou to him, I wis
That if he gives thee knighthood's name
Thou'lt have in that no cause for shame.
Thou hast indeed a knightly mien. "
The chevalier had quickly seen
How God's good favor on him lay.
The legend telleth what I say,
And further doth confirm the boast
That he in beauty was the first
Of men since Adam's time: this praise
Was his from womankind always.
Then asked he in his innocence,
Whereon they laughed at his expense:
"Ay, good sir knight, what mayst thou be,
That hast these many rings I see
Upon thy body closely bound
And reaching downward to the ground? "
With that he touched the rings of steel
Which clothed the knight from head to heel,
And viewed his harness curiously.
«< My mother's maids," commented he,
"Wear rings, but have them strung on cords,
And not so many as my lord's. "
Again he asked, so bold his heart:
"And what's the use of every part?
What good do all these iron things?
I cannot break these little rings. "
The prince then showed his battle blade:
"Now look ye, with this good sword's aid,
I can defend my life from danger
If overfallen by a stranger,
And for his thrust and for his blow
I wrap myself in harness, so. "
Quick spoke the boy his hidden thought:
'Tis well the forest stags bear not
## p. 7527 (#333) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
Such coats of mail, for then my spear
Would never slay so many deer. "
By this the other knights were vexed
Their lord should talk with a fool perplexed.
The prince ended: "God guard thee well,
And would that I had thy beauty's spell!
And hadst thou wit, then were thy dower
The richest one in heaven's power.
May God's grace ever with thee stay. "
Whereat they all four rode away,
Until they came to a field
In the dark forest concealed.
There found the prince some peasant-folk
Of Herzeloide with plow and yoke.
Their lot had never been so hard,
Driving the oxen yard by yard,
For they must toil to reap the fruit
Which first was seed and then was root.
The prince bade them good-day,
And asked if there had passed that way
A maiden in distressful plight.
They could not help but answer right,
And this is what the peasants said:
"Two horsemen and a maid
We saw pass by this morning;
The lady, full of scorning,
Rode near a knight who spurred her horse
With iron heel and language coarse. "
That was Meliakanz;
After him rode Karnacharnanz.
By force he wrested the maid from him;
She trembled with joy in every limb.
Her name, Imaine
Of Bellefontaine.
The peasant folk were sore afraid
Because this quest the heroes made;
They cried: "What evil day for us!
For has young master seen them thus
In iron clad from top to toe,
The fault is ours, ours too the woe!
And the queen's anger sure will fall
With perfect justice on us all,
Because the boy, while she was sleeping,
Came out this morning in our keeping. "
7527
1
## p. 7528 (#334) ###########################################
7528
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
The boy, untroubled by such fear,
Was shooting wild stags far and near;
Home to his mother he ran at length
And told his story; and all strength
Fled from her limbs, and down she sank,
And the world to her senses was a blank.
When now the queen
Opened her eyelids' screen,
Though great had been her dread,
She asked: "Son, tell me who has fed
Thy fancy with these stories
Of knighthood's empty glories? "
"Mother, I saw four men so bright
That God himself gives not more light;
Of courtly life they spoke to me,
And told how Arthur's chivalry
Doth teach all knighthood's office
To every willing novice. "
Again the queen's heart 'gan to beat.
His wayward purpose to defeat,
She thought her of a plan
To keep at home the little man.
The noble boy, in simplest course,
Begged his mother for a horse.
Her secret woe broke out anew;
She said, "Albeit I shall rue
This gift, I can deny him naught.
Yet there are men," she sudden thought,
"Whose laughter is right hard to bear;
And if fool's dress my son should wear
On his beautiful shining limbs,
Their scorn will scatter all these whims,
And he'll return without delay. "
This trick she used, alack the day!
A piece of coarse sackcloth she chose
And cut thereout doublet and hose,
From his neck to his white knees,
And all from one great piece,
With a cap to cover head and ears;
For such was a fool's dress in those years.
Then instead of stockings she bound
Two calfskin strips his legs around.
None would have said he was the same.
And all who saw him wept for shame.
## p. 7529 (#335) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
The queen, with pity, bade him stay
Until the dawn of a new day;
"Thou must not leave me yet," beseeching,
"Till I have given thee all my teaching:
On unknown roads thou must not try
To ford a stream if it be high.
But if it's shallow and clear,
Pass over without fear.
Be careful every one to greet
Whom on thy travels thou mayst meet;
And if any gray-bearded man
Will teach thee manners, as such men can,
Be sure to follow him, word and deed;
Despise him not, as I thee reed.
One special counsel, son, is mine:
Wherever thou, for favor's sign,
Canst win a good woman's ring or smile,
Take them, thy sorrows to beguile.
Canst kiss her too, by any art,
And hold her beauty to thy heart,
'Twill bring thee luck and lofty mood,
If she chaste is, and good.
Lachelein, the proud and bold,
Won from thy princes of old-
I'd have thee know, O son of mine -
Two lands that should be fiefs of thine,
Waleis and Norgals.
One of thy princes, Turkentals,
Received his death from this foe's hands;
And on thy people he threw bands. "
"Mother, for that I'll vengeance wreak:
My javelin his heart shall seek. »
Next morning at first break of day
The proud young warrior rode away.
The thought of Arthur filled his mind.
Herzeloide kissed him and ran behind.
The world's worst woe did then befall.
When no more she saw young Parzival
(He rode away. Whom bettered be? )
The queen from every falseness free
Fell to the earth, where anguish soon
Gave her Death's bitter boon.
Her loyal death
Saves her from hell's hot breath.
7529
## p. 7530 (#336) ###########################################
7530
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
'Twas well she had known motherhood!
Thus sailed this root of every good,
Whose flower was humility,
Across that rich-rewarding sea.
Alas for us, that of her race
Till the twelfth age she left no trace!
Hence see we so much falsehood thrive.
Yet every loyal woman alive
For this boy's life and peace should pray,
As he leaves his mother and rides away.
THE MYSTIC DAMSEL ANNOUNCES THE VISIT OF THE GRAIL
TO ARTHUR'S HALL: AND THE VOW IS MADE
From Malory's 'Morte d'Arthur›
TH
HEREWITH the king and all espied where came riding down
the river a lady on a white palfrey toward them. Then
she saluted the king and the queen, and asked if that Sir
Launcelot was there? And then he answered himself, I am
here, fair lady. Then she said, all with weeping, How your
great doing is changed sith this day in the morn. Damsel, why
say ye so? said Launcelot. I say you sooth, said the damsel,
for ye were this day the best knight of the world; but who
should say so now should be a liar, for there is now one better
than ye.
And well it is proved by the adventures of the sword
whereto ye durst not set your hand, and that is the change and
leaving of your name; wherefore I make unto you a remem-
brance, that ye shall not ween from henceforth that ye be the
best knight of the world. As touching unto that, said Launcelot,
I know well I was never the best. Yes, said the damsel, that
were ye, and are yet of any sinful man of the world. And sir
king, Nacien the hermet sendeth thee word that thee shall befall
the greatest worship that ever befell king in Britain; and I say
you wherefore, for this day the Sancgreal shall appear in thy
house, and feed thee and all thy fellowship of the Round Table.
So she departed and went that same way that she came.
And so after upon that to supper, and every knight sat in
his own place as they were toforehand. Then anon they heard
cracking and crying of thunder, that them thought the place
should all to-drive. In the midst of this blast entered a sunbeam
## p. 7531 (#337) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7531
more clearer by seven times than ever they saw day, and all
they were alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. Then began
every knight to behold other, and either saw other by their
seeming fairer than ever they saw afore. Not for then there
was no knight might speak one word a great while, and so they
looked every man on other as they had been dumb. Then there
entered into the hall the holy Graile covered with white samite,
but there was none might see it, nor who bare it. And there
was all the hall full filled with good odors, and every knight
had such meats and drinks as he best loved in this world; and
when the holy Graile had been borne through the hall, then the
holy vessel departed suddenly, that they wist not where it be-
came. Then had they all breath to speak. And then the king
yielded thankings unto God of his good grace that he had sent
them. Certes, said the king, we ought to thank our Lord Jesu
greatly, for that he hath shewed us this day at the reverence of
this high feast of Pentecost. Now, said Sir Gawaine, we have
been served this day of what meats and drinks we thought on,
but one thing beguiled us, we might not see the holy Graile, it
was so preciously covered: wherefore I will make here avow,
that to-morn, without longer abiding, I shall labor in the quest
of the Sancgreal, that I shall hold me out a twelvemonth and a
day, or more if need be, and never shall I return again unto
the court till I have seen it more openly than it hath been seen
here; and if I may not speed, I shall return again as he that
may not be against the will of our Lord Jesu Christ. When
they of the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose
up the most party, and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had
made.
Anon as King Arthur heard this he was greatly displeased, for
he wist well that they might not againsay their avows. Alas!
said King Arthur unto Sir Gawaine, ye have nigh slain me with
the avow and promise that ye have made. For through you ye
have bereft me of the fairest fellowship and the truest of knight-
hood that ever were seen together in any realm of the world.
For when they depart from hence, I am sure they all shall never
meet more in this world, for they shall die many in the quest.
And so it forethinketh me a little, for I have loved them as well
as my life, wherefore it shall grieve me right sore the departition.
of this fellowship.
## p. 7532 (#338) ###########################################
7532
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
SIR LAUNCELOT FAILS OF THE QUEST
From Malory's 'Morte d'Arthur›
THE
HEN Sir Launcelot enforced him mickle to undo the door.
Then he listened, and heard a voice which sang so sweetly
that it seemed none earthly thing; and him thought the
voice said, Joy and honor be to the Father of Heaven! Then
Launcelot kneeled down tofore the chamber, for well wist he
that there was the Sancgreal within that chamber. Then said
he, Fair sweet Father Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that
pleased the Lord, for thy pity have me not in despite for my
sins done aforetime, and that thou shew me something of that I
seek! And with that he saw the chamber door open, and there
came out a great clearness, that the house was as bright as all
the torches of the world had been there. So came he to the
chamber door, and would have entered. And anon a voice said
to him, Flee, Launcelot, and enter not, for thou oughtest not to
do it and if thou enter thou shalt forthink it. Then he with-
drew him aback right heavy. Then looked he up in the midst
of the chamber and saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel
covered with red samite, and many angels about it, whereof one
held a candle of wax burning, and the other held a cross, and
the ornaments of an altar. And before the holy vessel he saw a
good man clothed as a priest, and it seemed that he was at the
sacring of the mass. And it seemed to Launcelot that above
the priest's hands there were three men, whereof the two put
the youngest by likeness between the priest's hands, and so he
lift it up right high, and it seemed to shew so to the people.
And then Launcelot marveled not a little, for him thought that
the priest was so greatly charged of the figure, that him seemed
that he should fall to the earth. And when he saw none about
him that would help him, then came he to the door a great pace,
and said, Fair Father Jesu Christ, ne take it for no sin though
I help the good man, which hath great need of help. Right so
entered he into the chamber, and came toward the table of sil-
ver; and when he came nigh he felt a breath that him thought
it intermeddled with fire, which smote him so sore in the visage
that him thought it burnt his visage; and therewith he fell to
the earth, and had no power to arise, as he that was so araged
that had lost the power of his body, and his hearing, and his
saying. Then felt he many hands about him, which took him
## p. 7533 (#339) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7533
up and bare him out of the chamber door, without any amend-
ing of his swoon, and left him there seeming dead to all people.
So upon the morrow, when it was fair day, they within were
arisen, and found Launcelot lying afore the chamber door. All
they marveled how that he came in. And so they looked upon
him, and felt his pulse, to wit whether there were any life in
him; and so they found life in him, but he might neither stand,
nor stir no member that he had; and so they took him by every
part of the body, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in
a rich bed, far from all folk; and so he lay four days. Then
the one said he was on live, and the other said nay. In the
name of God, said an old man, for I do you verily to wit he is
not dead, but he is so full of life as the mightiest of you all,
and therefore I counsel you that he be well kept till God send
him life again.
THE GRAIL IS ACHIEVED BY SIR GALAHAD
From Malory's Morte d'Arthur'
THE
HEN rode they a great while till that they came to the castle
of Carbonek. And when they were entered within the
castle, King Pelles knew them. Then there was great joy,
for they wist well by their coming that they had fulfilled the
quest of the Sancgreal. Then Eliazar, King Pelles's son, brought
afore them the broken sword wherewith Joseph was stricken
through the thigh. Then Bors set his hand thereto, if he might
have soldered it again, but it would not be. Then he took it to
Percivale, but he had no more power thereto than he. Now
have ye it again, said Percivale to Galahad, for and it be ever
achieved by one bodily man, ye must do it. And then took he
the pieces and set them together, and they seemed that they had
never been broken, and as well as it had been first forged. And
when they within espied that the adventure of the sword was
achieved, then they gave the sword to Bors; for it might not be
better set, for he was a good knight and a worthy man.
And a
little afore even the sword arose great and marvelous, and was
full of great heat, that many men fell for dread.
And anon
alight a voice among them, and said, They that ought not to sit
at the table of Jesu Christ arise, for now shall very knights be
fed. So they went thence all save King Pelles and Eliazar his
son, the which were holy men, and a maid which was his niece.
## p. 7534 (#340) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7534
And so these three fellows and they three were there; no more.
Anon they saw knights all armed come in at the hall door, and
did off their helms and their arms, and said unto Galahad, Sir,
we have hied right much for to be with you at this table, where
the holy meat shall be parted. Then said he, Ye be welcome:
but of whence be ye? So three of them said they were of Gaul,
and other three said they were of Ireland, and the other three
said they were of Denmark. So as they sat thus, there came
out of a bed of tree of a chamber, the which four gentlewomen
brought, and in the bed lay a good man sick, and a crown of
gold upon his head; and there in the midst of the place they
set him down, and went again their way. Then he lift up his
head and said, Galahad, knight, ye be welcome, for much have
I desired your coming, for in such pain and in such anguish I
have been long. But now I trust to God the term is come that
my pain shall be allayed, that I shall pass out of this world, so
as it was promised me long ago. Therewith a voice said, There
be two among you that be not in the quest of the Sancgreal,
and therefore depart ye.
THEN King Pelles and his son departed. And therewithal
beseemed them that there came man and four angels from
heaven, clothed in likeness of a bishop, and had a cross in his
hand, and these four angels bare him up in a chair, and set him
down before the table of silver whereupon the Sancgreal was,
and it seemed that he had in midst of his forehead letters that
said, See ye here Joseph the first bishop of Christendom, the
same which our Lord succored in the City of Sarras, in the
Spiritual Place. Then the knights marveled, for that bishop was
dead more than three hundred year tofore. O knights, said he,
marvel not, for I was sometime an earthly man.
With that they
heard the chamber door open, and there they saw angels, and two
bare candles of wax, and the third a towel, and the fourth a
spear which bled marvelously, that three drops fell within a box
which he held with his other hand. And they set the candles.
upon the table, and the third the towel upon the vessel, and the
fourth the holy spear even upright upon the vessel. And then
the bishop made semblant as though he would have gone to the
sacring of the mass. And then he took an ubbly,* which was
made in likeness of bread; and at the lifting up there came a
* Oblate
――――――
unconsecrated loaf.
## p. 7535 (#341) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7535
figure in likeness of a child, and the visage was as red and as
bright as any fire, and smote himself into the bread, so that
they all saw it, that the bread was formed of a fleshly man, and
then he put it into the holy vessel again. And then he did that
longed to a priest to do to a mass. And then he went to Gala
had and kissed him, and bad him go and kiss his fellows, and so
he did anon. Now, said he, servants of Jesu Christ, ye shall be
fed afore this table with sweet meats, that never knights tasted.
And when he had said, he vanished away; and they set them at
the table in great dread, and made their prayers.
Then looked they, and saw a man come out of the holy ves-
sel that had all the signs of the passion of Jesu Christ, bleeding
all openly, and said, My knights and my servants and my true
children, which be come out of deadly life into spiritual life, I
will now no longer hide me from you, but ye shall see now a
part of my secrets and of my hid things: now hold and receive
the high meat which ye have so much desired. Then took he
himself the holy vessel and came to Galahad, and he kneeled
down and there he received his Savior, and after him so received
all his fellows; and they thought it so sweet that it was mar-
velous to tell. Then said he to Galahad, Son, wotest thou what
I hold betwixt my hands? Nay, said he, but if ye will tell me.
This is, said he, the holy dish wherein I ate the lamb on Sher-
thursday. And now hast thou seen that thou most desiredst to
see, but yet hast thou not seen it so openly as thou shalt see
it in the City of Sarras, in the Spiritual Place. Therefore thou
must go hence, and bear with thee this holy vessel, for this
night it shall depart from the realm of Logris, that it shall never
be seen
more here; and wotest thou wherefore? for he is not
served nor worshiped to his right by them of this land, for
they be turned to evil living; therefore I shall disherit them of
the honor which I have done them. And therefore go ye three
to-morrow unto the sea, where ye shall find your ship ready, and
with you take the sword with the strange girdles, and no more
with you but Sir Percivale and Sir Bors. Also I will that ye
take with you of the blood of this spear, for to anoint the
maimed king, both his legs and all his body, and he shall have
his health. Sir, said Galahad, why shall not these other fellows
go with us? For this cause, for right as I departed mine apos-
tles, one here and another there, so I will that ye depart. And
two of you shall die in my service, but one of you shall come
―――
## p. 7536 (#342) ###########################################
7536
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
again, and tell tidings.
vanished away.
Then gave he them his blessing and
AND Galahad went anon to the spear which lay upon the
table, and touched the blood with his fingers, and came after to
the maimed king, and anointed his legs. And therewith he
clothed him anon, and start upon his feet out of his bed as a
whole man, and thanked our Lord that he had healed him. And
that was not the world-ward, for anon he yield him to a place of
religion of white monks, and was a full holy man. That same
night about midnight came a voice among them, which said,
My sons and not my chieftains, my friends and not my warriors,
go ye hence, where ye hope best to do, and as I bade you. —
Ah! thanked be thou, Lord, that thou wilt vouchsafe to call us
thy sinners. Now may we well prove that we have not lost our
pains.
And anon in all haste they took their harness and departed.
But the three knights of Gaul, one of them hight Claudine, King
Claudas's son, and the other two were great gentlemen. Then
prayed Galahad to every each of them, that if they come to
King Arthur's court, that they should salute my lord Sir Launce-
lot my father, and of them of the Round Table, and prayed them
if that they came on that part that they should not forget it.
Right so departed Galahad, Percivale, and Bors with him. And
so they rode three days, and then they came to a rivage, and
found the ship whereof the tale speaketh of tofore. And when
they came to the board, they found in the midst the table of
silver which they had left with the maimed king, and the Sanc-
greal, which was covered with red samite. Then were they glad
to have such things in their fellowship, and so they entered, and
made great reverence thereto, and Galahad fell in his prayer long
time to our Lord, that at what time he asked, that he should
pass out of this world: so much he prayed, till a voice said to
him, Galahad, thou shalt have thy request, and when thou askest
the death of thy body thou shalt have it, and then shalt thou
find the life of the soul. Percivale heard this, and prayed him
of fellowship that was between them, to tell him wherefore he
asked such things. That shall I tell you, said Galahad: The other
day when we saw a part of the adventures of the Sancgreal, I
was in such a joy of heart that I trow never man was that was
earthly, and therefore I wot well when my body is dead my soul
## p. 7537 (#343) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7537
shall be in great joy to see the blessed Trinity every day, and
the majesty of our Lord Jesu Christ. So long were they in the
ship that they said to Galahad, Sir, in this bed ought ye to lie,
for so saith the Scripture. And so he laid him down and slept a
great while.
And when he awaked he looked afore him, and saw
the City of Sarras. And as they would have landed, they saw
the ship wherein Percivale had put his sister in. Truly, said
Percivale, in the name of God, well hath my sister holden us
covenant. Then took they out of the ship the table of silver, and
he took it to Percivale and to Bors to go tofore, and Galahad
came behind, and right so they went to the city, and at the gate
of the city they saw an old man crooked. Then Galahad called
him, and bad him help to bear this heavy thing. Truly, said the
old man, it is ten year ago that I might not go but with crutches.
Care thou not, said Galahad, and arise up and shew thy good
will. And so he assayed, and found himself as whole as ever he
was. Then ran to the table, and took one part against Galahad.
And anon arose there great noise in the city, that a cripple was
made whole by knights marvelous that entered into the city.
Then anon after, the three knights went to the water, and
brought up into the palace Percivale's sister, and buried her as
richly as a king's daughter ought to be. And when the king
of the city, which was cleped Estorause, saw the fellowship, he
asked them of whence they were, and what thing it was that
they had brought upon the table of silver. And they told him
the truth of the Sancgreal, and the power which that God had
set there. Then the king was a tyrant, and was come of the
line of paynims, and took them and put them in prison in a deep
hole.
But as soon as they were there, our Lord sent them the Sanc-
greal, through whose grace they were always fulfilled while that
they were in prison. So at the year's end it befell that this
King Estorause lay sick, and felt that he should die. Then he
sent for the three knights, and they came afore him, and he cried
them mercy of that he had done to them, and they forgave it
him goodly, and he died anon. When the king was dead, all the
city was dismayed, and wist not who might be their king. Right
so as they were in counsel, there came a voice among them, and
bad them choose the youngest knight of them three to be their
king, for he shall well maintain you and all yours.
So they
made Galahad king by all the assent of the whole city, and else
XIII-472
## p. 7538 (#344) ###########################################
7538
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
hey would have slain him. And when he was come to behold
the land, he let make about the table of silver a chest of gold
and of precious stones that covered the holy vessel, and every
day early the three fellows would come afore it and make their
prayers. Now at the year's end, and the self day after Galahad
had borne the crown of gold, he arose up early, and his fellows,
and came to the palace, and saw tofore them the holy vessel,
and a man kneeling on his knees, in likeness of a bishop, that
had about him a great fellowship of angels, as it had been Jesu
Christ himself. And then he arose and began a mass of Our
Lady. And when he came to the sacrament of the mass, and
had done, anon he called Galahad, and said to him, Come forth,
the servant of Jesu Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast
much desired to see. And then he began to tremble right hard,
when the deadly flesh began to behold the spiritual things. Then
he held up his hands toward heaven, and said, Lord, I thank
thee, for now I see that that hath been my desire many a day.
Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live, if it might please
thee, Lord. And therewith the good man took our Lord's body
betwixt his hands, and proffered it to Galahad, and he received
it right gladly and meekly. Now, wotest thou what I am?
itual are the stories of Perceval and the search for a sacred emblem,
which are known collectively as the Legend of the Holy Grail.
The best known of the many modern embodiments of this legend
are Tennyson's 'Holy Grail' and the text of Wagner's musical drama
'Parsifal. ' In the Middle Ages it found wider and more varied ex-
pression, being the substance of narratives in prose as well as verse,
and in no less than six languages,- French, Welsh, English, Ger-
man, Icelandic, and Flemish. During the latter half of the twelfth
century and the first quarter of the thirteenth, eight or ten different
authors wrote the romances which, for lack of the more ancient
works upon which they were based, we must call the original Grail
cycle. The popularity of the legend was wide-spread. Its influence
was profound, and showed itself especially in spiritualizing the Ar-
thurian narratives, which had previously been of a worldly and even
•
## p. 7516 (#322) ###########################################
7516
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
sensual character. Caxton no sooner set up his press in England
than he wrote: "Many noble and divers gentlemen of this realm
came and demanded many and often times wherefore I have not
made and emprynted the noble history of the San Graal;" and in
1485 he did "emprynt" Malory's 'Morte Darthur,' which is saturated
with the mysticism of the Grail idea.
In a mass of poetical work extending over many years, in vari-
ous lands, and produced by informing old borrowed stories with new
imaginative meaning, it is not easy to determine the distinguishing
features. There are, however, two principal lines of narration which
lie prominent to the view amid all the confusion of the Grail stories,
and to which the rest is subordinate. These are the tale of Perceval,
and the account of a miracle-working object connected with Christ's
passion. The former is in substance as follows:-
A banished queen, widow of a king slain in combat, lives in the
wild-wood with her little son. To guard him from the dangers of
court life, she brings him up in ignorance of his royal origin and of
all warlike arts. His childhood is spent in companionship with the
birds of the forest. He loves them, and understands their language.
One day he encounters several knights in a green glade, and is fas-
cinated by the splendor of their arms and what they tell of their
wandering life. Following their example, he sets forth to conquer
the world, to win the love of women and perform deeds of valor.
Ignorance, foolhardiness, and awkwardness are but the outward ap-
pearance of his true innocence, courage, simplicity, and chastity.
After many adventures he reaches an enchanted castle, upon which
some dreadful woe seems to have fallen. A wounded man, called
the "Fisher King," lies there speechless and supplicating relief; and
at regular intervals there are borne before this sufferer a bleeding
spear and a sacred vessel, at sight of which the King and his attend-
ant knights look expectantly at the simple Perceval. He has been
taught, however, never to ask questions, and so leaves the castle
without inquiring concerning its mysteries. Had he but asked, the
Fisher King would have been healed; for, as all the inmates of the
castle knew, this cannot be until a pure man makes question of the
holy relics. Perceval goes forth unto many more adventures, but is
ever haunted by pity for the King and regret of his own forbear-
ance. At length he learns from a hermit that the vessel was the
Grail, and devotes himself henceforth to searching for the castle, in
hopes of repairing his fault. After many years he finds it again, but
now the spell is not so easily unbound. He must first weld together
the parts of a broken sword. When this is done, the Fisher King
recovers, and hails Perceval as his deliverer and the chief defender of
the Grail. Upon the Fisher King's death, Perceval rules in his stead.
## p. 7517 (#323) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7517
The history of the Grail is given in most romances substantially
as follows: In a bowl which had served at the Last Supper, Joseph
of Arimathea caught some of the blood which flowed from Christ's
wounds as he hung upon the cross. Being miraculously conveyed to
England to escape persecution, he carried the precious vessel with
him. Throughout his life it furnished him with food and drink, and
with spiritual sustenance as well; and at his death he charged his
successor to guard it faithfully. It was handed down from generation
to generation, the Fisher King being a descendant of Joseph. This
vessel is the Grail. According to other versions, the Grail chooses
its own knights. It possesses miraculous properties, and at times is
instinct with divine life. To discover its abiding-place and become
one of its guardians is the ambition of good and valiant men, but
only the pure in heart may find it.
Any student of folk-lore will instantly perceive in the Perceval
narration an ancient heathen core, related to the tales of Siegfried in
early Germanic literature and more closely still to Celtic mythology.
Some investigators have tried to prove that the idea of a sacred
spear and vessel, endowed with wonder-working powers and guarded
by an order of knights, is also of Celtic and heathen origin. This
is a much-vexed question, and one of the most difficult in the whole
field of literary history. The advocates of this theory have at times
of late seemed tantalizingly near to untangling the mysterious knot,
and they may do it yet. But in the present state of knowledge it
still is safer to say that the account of a sacred spear and bowl,
as given in the Grail romances, appears to be mainly of Christian
legendary origin, and to be based upon the lives of saints and cer-
tain apocryphal books of the New Testament, principally the Gospel
of Nicodemus. It is probable that the Perceval story was familiar,
in one or more of its many different forms, to the people of western
Britain, before their conversion to Christianity. When the French
romancers of the twelfth century began to develop the Grail idea,-
the idea of a sacramental symbol, dwelling among men but discov-
erable only by the brave and pure,-they wove into their narrations
all the tales of chivalry, all the mysterious adventures, all the recon-
dite folk-lore, they remembered or could find in books. Points of
resemblance between Perceval's breaking the spell at the Fisher
King's castle and the religious legend of a quest for the Grail must
have caught the attention of these poets, half inventors, half com-
pilers, and been eagerly accepted. Chrestien de Troyes, who was
possibly the first writer from whom a Grail romance has come down
to us, was evidently intending to fuse these two elements in the
latter part of his poem, but evidently also hesitating over so bold
and difficult a task. He began his work about 1189, but died before
## p. 7518 (#324) ###########################################
7518
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
finishing it or even reaching the point where the blending was to
begin in earnest.
Mediæval poets felt no scruple about mingling Biblical stories and
the lives of saints with the mythologies of Greece and Rome, or of
Scandinavia, Germany, and Britain. They obeyed also a tendency
to materialize religion; a tendency almost universal, which has had
much to do with the attaching of undue importance to church rites
and sacraments. More controversy and bloodshed have been occas-
ioned by differences of opinion about baptism and the eucharist than
by divergence of conduct in following the moral law of Christianity.
This natural inclination to attribute deep spiritual significance to
physical objects and actions to symbolize, in a word was what
caused the Grail idea to develop so rapidly and gave it such a grasp
upon the imagination of men. And the Christian legendary element
in the Grail romances, while of later origin than the heathen ele-
ment, is the central and unifying principle, and has drawn to itself
and sublimated all those weird and strangely beautiful pagan stories
of which Perceval is the hero, and which awaken in our hearts a
faint reminiscence of the mysterious childhood of our race.
There have been many widely divergent opinions concerning the
meaning and origin of the word Grail,-or Graal, or Gréal, or Gral,
as it is variously spelt. An early and most natural conjecture was
that San Gréal was a mistaken way of writing sang réal, the royal
blood. But there is now scarcely any doubt that the early form
Graal was derived from the Low Latin gradale, and this in turn
from cratella, a bowl.
-
As to the order in which the members of the early cycle were
composed, there is much difference of opinion. Three, however, seem
older than the others, at least in the material they employ. They
are Chrestien's unfinished poem, the Conte du Graal,' in Old French;
the Welsh mabinogi, or prose romance, 'Peredur ab Evrawc,' prob-
ably written later than the former, though based not upon it but
upon very ancient matter, for it is simpler and shorter and makes
no mention of the Grail, being chiefly a life of Perceval (Peredur);
and the Early English metrical romance, Sir Perceval of Galles,' in
which no talismanic or miracle-working objects are mentioned at all.
These three compositions may have derived their Perceval elements
from a common source, opened to the medieval world during the
reign of Henry II. by some Norman-English compiler interested in
Welsh poetry.
Chrestien's poem was taken up by several other
French writers after his death. An introduction was fitted to it, in
which a violent attempt was made to reconcile the Christian and
heathen elements. Many thousands of lines were also added, by vari-
ous hands, in the early years of the thirteenth century. Meanwhile,
## p. 7519 (#325) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7519
probably before the end of the twelfth century, Robert de Borron
had written, in Old French verse,
verse, a trilogy, Joseph,' 'Merlin,'
'Perceval,' of which the 'Joseph' and part of the Merlin' have
been preserved. It was he especially who gave to all the material a
Christian character. There are also later prose adaptations of his
work. Great difficulty is occasioned by our ignorance of where to
place the French prose romance, the 'Queste del Saint Graal,' gener-
ally attributed to Walter Map, and another, the Grand Saint Graal,'
often accredited to Borron. In these the Christian symbolizing tend-
ency is strong, and the story of Perceval is buried under many
complicated tales of knight-errantry. They were, however, probably
written before 1204.
There are several other members of the early cycle of Grail
romances, but only one is of great importance, - the 'Parzival of
Wolfram von Eschenbach. He was a South-German poet, who lived
at least as early as 1170 and as late as 1220. The Parzival' is his
magnum opus. It is also the finest narrative poem of which the
authorship is known, between the era of classical antiquity and the
'Divine Comedy' of Dante. Furthermore, it is the most complete,
and virtually the final, mediæval handling of the two great themes
which are involved in the Legend of the Holy Grail, and which Wolf-
ram more thoroughly blends than any other poet. He accomplishes
this by reinstating and beautifying the Perceval element, and elim-
inating most of the confused monkish legendary matter concerning
the transference of the Grail from Palestine to Western Europe. He
professes to base his romance upon Chrestien's 'Conte du Graal' and
upon a work by "Kiot the Provençal," now lost without other trace
than this assertion. Material about Perceval was evidently more plen-
tiful and clearer than information as to the Grail, for Wolfram does
not know it as a bowl, but as a stone.
In this noble work there lives a spirit of reverence and moral
earnestness in marked contrast with the aimless and often frivolous
character of the other romances. The best qualities of the German.
mind-its hospitality to tender sentiment, its love of truth, its indi-
viduality in religion- are here abundantly present. The Grail is not
regarded merely as a talisman, but as a visible manifestation of the
ever-living Christ,
"a light to guide, a rod
To check the erring, and reprove,"
a reminder of spiritual needs and privileges. But what will keep
the 'Parzival' ever fresh and attractive is the breath of morning
blowing through it, as from the greenwood where the world was
young, where man was innocent and held converse with the sweet
birds, where moral evil came not, and moral good was taught by a
## p. 7520 (#326) ###########################################
7520
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
mother's lips. The celebrated passage in which Wolfram relates the
boyhood of Perceval is by far the choicest portion of his long poem.
His selection and development of this theme have guaranteed to him,
more surely than to the other authors of early Grail romances, a sub-
stantial and enduring fame.
During the next two hundred and fifty years it was the mission
of the Legend of the Holy Grail to be the spiritualizing tributary of
a broader stream of literature, the bright full current of Arthurian
romance. To this brimming river it gave purity and light. It gave
direction as well; and for time at least, the generations who sailed
upon the bosom of these waters moved as honor and true religion
might approve. Then the Renaissance, which was springtime to
many fields of thought, fell like a polar night on these shining floods
of fair mediæval story. The Legend of the Holy Grail, which had
leaped down in tiny rivulets from the high antiquity of so many
races, and had cleansed and beautified the literatures of so many
tongues, and served so long as the highway of communication be-
tween widely separated nations,- this purifying and unifying stream
lay frozen throughout the sixteenth, seventeenth, and eighteenth cen-
turies. Suddenly, in our own time, it has been irradiated and warmed
to life again and to the old genial motion. Modern English and Ger-
man poets in reviving the Legend of the Holy Grail have been
impelled by the same moral earnestness as Wolfram von Eschenbach,
and by the same desire to show the way to seekers after the spirit-
ual life.
GeoM Leon Harper
THE BOY PERCEVAL
From the Parzival' of Wolfram von Eschenbach. Translation of George
McLean Harper
WHE
HEN doubt a human conscience gnaws,
Peace from that breast her light withdraws.
Beauty and ugliness we find
Even in the bravest heart combined,
If taint be in him, great or slight,
As in the magpie black and white.
Yet ofttimes may he savèd be,
For both share in his destiny —
## p. 7521 (#327) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7521
XIII-471
High heaven and the abyss of hell.
But when the man is infidel,
Of midnight blackness is his soul,
His course is towards yon pitchy hole;
While he of steady mind pursues
The shining road the righteous choose.
A knight-at-arms am I by birth;
In me sleep warlike strength and worth;
She who might love me for my song
Would show a judgment sadly wrong.
For if I seek a lady's grace,
And may not go before her face
With honors won by shield and sword,
I will not woo her, by my word!
No other game can have my praise
When Love's the stake and Knighthood plays.
I find the usage much to blame
Which makes no difference in the name
Of women false and women true.
Clear-voiced are all, but not a few
Quickly to evil courses run,
While others every folly shun.
So goes the world; but still 'tis shame
The bad ones share that honored name.
Loyal and fair is womanhood,
When once the name is understood.
Many there are who cannot see
Anything good in poverty.
But he who bears its trials well
May save his faithful soul from hell!
These trials once a woman bore
And gained thereby of grace a store.
Not many in their youth resign.
Riches in life for wealth divine.
I know not one in all the earth,
Whate'er the sex or age or birth;
For mortals all in this agree.
But Herzeloide the rich ladie
From her three lands afar did go-
She bore such heavy weight of woe.
In her was no unfaithfulness,
As every witness did confess.
All dark to her was now the sun;
The world's delights she fain would shun.
## p. 7522 (#328) ###########################################
7522
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
Alike to her were night and day,
For sorrow followed her alway.
Now went the mourning lady good
Forth from her realm into a wood
In Soltanè the wilderness;
Not for flowers, as you might guess;
Her heart with sorrow was so full
She had no mind sweet flowers to pull,
Red though they were and bright, or pale.
She brought with her to that safe vale
Great Gahmuret's her lord's young child.
Her servants, with them there exiled,
Tilled the scant glebe with hoe and plow.
To run with them she'd oft allow
Her son. And e'er his mind awoke
She summoned all this vassal folk,
And on them singly, woman and man,
She laid this strange and solemn ban:
Never of knights to utter word,—
"For if of them my darling heard,
And knightly life and knightly fare,
"Twould be a grief to me, and care.
Now guard your speech and hark to me,
And tell him naught of chivalrie. "
With troubled mien they all withdrew;
And so concealed, the young boy grew
Soltanè's greenwood far within.
No royal sports he might begin
Save one,- to draw the bow
And bring the birds above him low
With arrows cut by his own hand,
All in that forest land.
But when one day a singing bird
He shot, and now no longer heard
Its thrilling note, he wept aloud,
This boy so innocent yet proud,
And beat his breast and tore his hair,
This boy so wild yet wondrous fair.
At the spring in the glade
He every day his toilet made.
Free had he been from sorrow
Till now, when he must borrow
Sweet pain from birds.
1
## p. 7523 (#329) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7523
Into his heart their music pressed
And swelled it with a strange unrest.
Straight to the queen he then did run;
She said, "Who hurt thee, pretty son? "
But naught could he in answer say—
'Tis so with children in our day.
Long mused the queen what this might be,
Till once beneath a greenwood tree
She saw him gazing and sighing still,
Then knew 'twas a bird's song did fill
Her darling's breast with yearning pain
And haunting mystery.
Queen Herzeloide's anger burned
Against the birds, she knew not why;
Her serving-folk she on them turned
And bade to quench their hated cry,
And chase and beat and kill
In every brake, on every hill.
Few were the birds that flew away
And saved their lives in that fierce fray;
Yet some escaped to live and sing
Joyous, and make the forest ring.
Unto the queen then spoke the boy,
"Why do you rob them of their joy? "
Such intercession then he made,
His mother kissed him while she said,
"Why should I break God's law, and rob
The birds of innocent delight? "
Then to his mother spoke the boy,
"O mother, what is God? »
"My son, in solemn truth I say
He is far brighter than the day,
Though once his countenance did change
Into the face of man.
O son of mine, give wisely heed,
And call on him in time of need,
Whose faithfulness has never failed
Since first the world began.
And one there is, the lord of hell,
Black and unfaithful, as I tell:
Bear thou towards him a courage stout,
And wander not in paths of doubt. "
His mother taught him to discern
Darkness and light; he quick did learn.
## p. 7524 (#330) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7524
The lesson done, away he'd spring
To practice with the dart and sling.
Full many an antlered stag he shot
And home to his lady mother brought;
Through snow or floods, it was the same,
Still harried he the game.
Now hear the tale of wonder:
When he had brought a great stag low,
Burden a mule might stagger under,
He'd shoulder it and homeward go!
Now it fell out upon a day
He wandered down a long wood-way,
And plucked a leaf and whistled shrill,
Near by a road that crossed a hill.
And thence he heard sharp hoof-strokes ring,
And quick his javelin did swing;
Then cried: "Now what is this I hear?
What if the Devil now appear,
With anger hot, and grim?
But certain I will not flee him!
Such fearful things my mother told —
I ween her heart is none too bold. "
All ready thus for strife he stood,
When lo! there galloped through the wood
Three riders, shining in the light,
From head to foot in armor dight.
The boy all innocently thought
Each one a god, as he was taught.
No longer upright then stood he,
But in the path he bent his knee.
Aloud he called, and clear and brave,
"Save, God, for thou alone canst save! "
The foremost rider spoke in wrath
Because the boy lay in the path:
"This clumsy Welsh boy
Hinders our rapid course. "
A name we Bavarians wear
Must the Welsh also bear:
They are clumsier even than we,
But good fighters too, you'll agree.
A graceful man within the round
Of these two lands is rarely found.
That moment came a knight
In battle-gear bedight.
## p. 7525 (#331) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
Galloping hard and grim
Over the mountain's rim.
The rest had ridden on before,
Pursuing two false knights, who bore
A lady from his land.
That touched him near at hand;
The maid he pitied sore,
Who sadly rode before.
After his men he held his course,
Upon a fine Castilian horse.
His shield bore marks of many a lance;
His name - Karnacharnanz,
Le comte Ulterlec.
Quoth he, "Who dares to block our way? »
And forth he strode to see the youth,
Who thought him now a god in sooth,
For that he was a shining one:
His dewy armor caught the sun,
And with small golden bells were hung
The stirrup straps, that blithely swung
Before his greaved thighs
And from his feet likewise.
Bells on his right arm tinkled soft
Did he but raise his hand aloft.
Bright gleamed that arm from many a stroke,
Warded since first to fame he woke.
Thus rode the princely knight,
In wondrous armor dight.
That flower of manly grace and joy,
Karnacharnanz, now asked the boy:
"My lad, hast seen pass by this way
Two knights that grossly disobey
The rules of all knight-errantry?
For with a helpless maid they flee,
Whom all unwilling they have stolen,
To honor lost, with mischief swollen. »
The boy still thought, despite his speech,
That this was God; for so did teach
His mother Herzeloide, the queen-
To know him by his dazzling sheen.
He cried in all humility,
"Help, God, for all help comes from thee! "
And fell in louder suppliance yet
Le fils du roi Gahmuret.
7525
## p. 7526 (#332) ###########################################
7526
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
"I am not God," the prince replied,
"Though in his law I would abide.
Four knights we are, couldst thou but see
What things before thine eyen be. "
At this the boy his words did stay:
"Thou namest knights, but what are they?
And if thou hast not power divine,
Tell me, who gives, then, knighthood's sign? "
"King Arthur, lad, it is;
And goest thou to him, I wis
That if he gives thee knighthood's name
Thou'lt have in that no cause for shame.
Thou hast indeed a knightly mien. "
The chevalier had quickly seen
How God's good favor on him lay.
The legend telleth what I say,
And further doth confirm the boast
That he in beauty was the first
Of men since Adam's time: this praise
Was his from womankind always.
Then asked he in his innocence,
Whereon they laughed at his expense:
"Ay, good sir knight, what mayst thou be,
That hast these many rings I see
Upon thy body closely bound
And reaching downward to the ground? "
With that he touched the rings of steel
Which clothed the knight from head to heel,
And viewed his harness curiously.
«< My mother's maids," commented he,
"Wear rings, but have them strung on cords,
And not so many as my lord's. "
Again he asked, so bold his heart:
"And what's the use of every part?
What good do all these iron things?
I cannot break these little rings. "
The prince then showed his battle blade:
"Now look ye, with this good sword's aid,
I can defend my life from danger
If overfallen by a stranger,
And for his thrust and for his blow
I wrap myself in harness, so. "
Quick spoke the boy his hidden thought:
'Tis well the forest stags bear not
## p. 7527 (#333) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
Such coats of mail, for then my spear
Would never slay so many deer. "
By this the other knights were vexed
Their lord should talk with a fool perplexed.
The prince ended: "God guard thee well,
And would that I had thy beauty's spell!
And hadst thou wit, then were thy dower
The richest one in heaven's power.
May God's grace ever with thee stay. "
Whereat they all four rode away,
Until they came to a field
In the dark forest concealed.
There found the prince some peasant-folk
Of Herzeloide with plow and yoke.
Their lot had never been so hard,
Driving the oxen yard by yard,
For they must toil to reap the fruit
Which first was seed and then was root.
The prince bade them good-day,
And asked if there had passed that way
A maiden in distressful plight.
They could not help but answer right,
And this is what the peasants said:
"Two horsemen and a maid
We saw pass by this morning;
The lady, full of scorning,
Rode near a knight who spurred her horse
With iron heel and language coarse. "
That was Meliakanz;
After him rode Karnacharnanz.
By force he wrested the maid from him;
She trembled with joy in every limb.
Her name, Imaine
Of Bellefontaine.
The peasant folk were sore afraid
Because this quest the heroes made;
They cried: "What evil day for us!
For has young master seen them thus
In iron clad from top to toe,
The fault is ours, ours too the woe!
And the queen's anger sure will fall
With perfect justice on us all,
Because the boy, while she was sleeping,
Came out this morning in our keeping. "
7527
1
## p. 7528 (#334) ###########################################
7528
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
The boy, untroubled by such fear,
Was shooting wild stags far and near;
Home to his mother he ran at length
And told his story; and all strength
Fled from her limbs, and down she sank,
And the world to her senses was a blank.
When now the queen
Opened her eyelids' screen,
Though great had been her dread,
She asked: "Son, tell me who has fed
Thy fancy with these stories
Of knighthood's empty glories? "
"Mother, I saw four men so bright
That God himself gives not more light;
Of courtly life they spoke to me,
And told how Arthur's chivalry
Doth teach all knighthood's office
To every willing novice. "
Again the queen's heart 'gan to beat.
His wayward purpose to defeat,
She thought her of a plan
To keep at home the little man.
The noble boy, in simplest course,
Begged his mother for a horse.
Her secret woe broke out anew;
She said, "Albeit I shall rue
This gift, I can deny him naught.
Yet there are men," she sudden thought,
"Whose laughter is right hard to bear;
And if fool's dress my son should wear
On his beautiful shining limbs,
Their scorn will scatter all these whims,
And he'll return without delay. "
This trick she used, alack the day!
A piece of coarse sackcloth she chose
And cut thereout doublet and hose,
From his neck to his white knees,
And all from one great piece,
With a cap to cover head and ears;
For such was a fool's dress in those years.
Then instead of stockings she bound
Two calfskin strips his legs around.
None would have said he was the same.
And all who saw him wept for shame.
## p. 7529 (#335) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
The queen, with pity, bade him stay
Until the dawn of a new day;
"Thou must not leave me yet," beseeching,
"Till I have given thee all my teaching:
On unknown roads thou must not try
To ford a stream if it be high.
But if it's shallow and clear,
Pass over without fear.
Be careful every one to greet
Whom on thy travels thou mayst meet;
And if any gray-bearded man
Will teach thee manners, as such men can,
Be sure to follow him, word and deed;
Despise him not, as I thee reed.
One special counsel, son, is mine:
Wherever thou, for favor's sign,
Canst win a good woman's ring or smile,
Take them, thy sorrows to beguile.
Canst kiss her too, by any art,
And hold her beauty to thy heart,
'Twill bring thee luck and lofty mood,
If she chaste is, and good.
Lachelein, the proud and bold,
Won from thy princes of old-
I'd have thee know, O son of mine -
Two lands that should be fiefs of thine,
Waleis and Norgals.
One of thy princes, Turkentals,
Received his death from this foe's hands;
And on thy people he threw bands. "
"Mother, for that I'll vengeance wreak:
My javelin his heart shall seek. »
Next morning at first break of day
The proud young warrior rode away.
The thought of Arthur filled his mind.
Herzeloide kissed him and ran behind.
The world's worst woe did then befall.
When no more she saw young Parzival
(He rode away. Whom bettered be? )
The queen from every falseness free
Fell to the earth, where anguish soon
Gave her Death's bitter boon.
Her loyal death
Saves her from hell's hot breath.
7529
## p. 7530 (#336) ###########################################
7530
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
'Twas well she had known motherhood!
Thus sailed this root of every good,
Whose flower was humility,
Across that rich-rewarding sea.
Alas for us, that of her race
Till the twelfth age she left no trace!
Hence see we so much falsehood thrive.
Yet every loyal woman alive
For this boy's life and peace should pray,
As he leaves his mother and rides away.
THE MYSTIC DAMSEL ANNOUNCES THE VISIT OF THE GRAIL
TO ARTHUR'S HALL: AND THE VOW IS MADE
From Malory's 'Morte d'Arthur›
TH
HEREWITH the king and all espied where came riding down
the river a lady on a white palfrey toward them. Then
she saluted the king and the queen, and asked if that Sir
Launcelot was there? And then he answered himself, I am
here, fair lady. Then she said, all with weeping, How your
great doing is changed sith this day in the morn. Damsel, why
say ye so? said Launcelot. I say you sooth, said the damsel,
for ye were this day the best knight of the world; but who
should say so now should be a liar, for there is now one better
than ye.
And well it is proved by the adventures of the sword
whereto ye durst not set your hand, and that is the change and
leaving of your name; wherefore I make unto you a remem-
brance, that ye shall not ween from henceforth that ye be the
best knight of the world. As touching unto that, said Launcelot,
I know well I was never the best. Yes, said the damsel, that
were ye, and are yet of any sinful man of the world. And sir
king, Nacien the hermet sendeth thee word that thee shall befall
the greatest worship that ever befell king in Britain; and I say
you wherefore, for this day the Sancgreal shall appear in thy
house, and feed thee and all thy fellowship of the Round Table.
So she departed and went that same way that she came.
And so after upon that to supper, and every knight sat in
his own place as they were toforehand. Then anon they heard
cracking and crying of thunder, that them thought the place
should all to-drive. In the midst of this blast entered a sunbeam
## p. 7531 (#337) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7531
more clearer by seven times than ever they saw day, and all
they were alighted of the grace of the Holy Ghost. Then began
every knight to behold other, and either saw other by their
seeming fairer than ever they saw afore. Not for then there
was no knight might speak one word a great while, and so they
looked every man on other as they had been dumb. Then there
entered into the hall the holy Graile covered with white samite,
but there was none might see it, nor who bare it. And there
was all the hall full filled with good odors, and every knight
had such meats and drinks as he best loved in this world; and
when the holy Graile had been borne through the hall, then the
holy vessel departed suddenly, that they wist not where it be-
came. Then had they all breath to speak. And then the king
yielded thankings unto God of his good grace that he had sent
them. Certes, said the king, we ought to thank our Lord Jesu
greatly, for that he hath shewed us this day at the reverence of
this high feast of Pentecost. Now, said Sir Gawaine, we have
been served this day of what meats and drinks we thought on,
but one thing beguiled us, we might not see the holy Graile, it
was so preciously covered: wherefore I will make here avow,
that to-morn, without longer abiding, I shall labor in the quest
of the Sancgreal, that I shall hold me out a twelvemonth and a
day, or more if need be, and never shall I return again unto
the court till I have seen it more openly than it hath been seen
here; and if I may not speed, I shall return again as he that
may not be against the will of our Lord Jesu Christ. When
they of the Table Round heard Sir Gawaine say so, they arose
up the most party, and made such avows as Sir Gawaine had
made.
Anon as King Arthur heard this he was greatly displeased, for
he wist well that they might not againsay their avows. Alas!
said King Arthur unto Sir Gawaine, ye have nigh slain me with
the avow and promise that ye have made. For through you ye
have bereft me of the fairest fellowship and the truest of knight-
hood that ever were seen together in any realm of the world.
For when they depart from hence, I am sure they all shall never
meet more in this world, for they shall die many in the quest.
And so it forethinketh me a little, for I have loved them as well
as my life, wherefore it shall grieve me right sore the departition.
of this fellowship.
## p. 7532 (#338) ###########################################
7532
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
SIR LAUNCELOT FAILS OF THE QUEST
From Malory's 'Morte d'Arthur›
THE
HEN Sir Launcelot enforced him mickle to undo the door.
Then he listened, and heard a voice which sang so sweetly
that it seemed none earthly thing; and him thought the
voice said, Joy and honor be to the Father of Heaven! Then
Launcelot kneeled down tofore the chamber, for well wist he
that there was the Sancgreal within that chamber. Then said
he, Fair sweet Father Jesu Christ, if ever I did thing that
pleased the Lord, for thy pity have me not in despite for my
sins done aforetime, and that thou shew me something of that I
seek! And with that he saw the chamber door open, and there
came out a great clearness, that the house was as bright as all
the torches of the world had been there. So came he to the
chamber door, and would have entered. And anon a voice said
to him, Flee, Launcelot, and enter not, for thou oughtest not to
do it and if thou enter thou shalt forthink it. Then he with-
drew him aback right heavy. Then looked he up in the midst
of the chamber and saw a table of silver, and the holy vessel
covered with red samite, and many angels about it, whereof one
held a candle of wax burning, and the other held a cross, and
the ornaments of an altar. And before the holy vessel he saw a
good man clothed as a priest, and it seemed that he was at the
sacring of the mass. And it seemed to Launcelot that above
the priest's hands there were three men, whereof the two put
the youngest by likeness between the priest's hands, and so he
lift it up right high, and it seemed to shew so to the people.
And then Launcelot marveled not a little, for him thought that
the priest was so greatly charged of the figure, that him seemed
that he should fall to the earth. And when he saw none about
him that would help him, then came he to the door a great pace,
and said, Fair Father Jesu Christ, ne take it for no sin though
I help the good man, which hath great need of help. Right so
entered he into the chamber, and came toward the table of sil-
ver; and when he came nigh he felt a breath that him thought
it intermeddled with fire, which smote him so sore in the visage
that him thought it burnt his visage; and therewith he fell to
the earth, and had no power to arise, as he that was so araged
that had lost the power of his body, and his hearing, and his
saying. Then felt he many hands about him, which took him
## p. 7533 (#339) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7533
up and bare him out of the chamber door, without any amend-
ing of his swoon, and left him there seeming dead to all people.
So upon the morrow, when it was fair day, they within were
arisen, and found Launcelot lying afore the chamber door. All
they marveled how that he came in. And so they looked upon
him, and felt his pulse, to wit whether there were any life in
him; and so they found life in him, but he might neither stand,
nor stir no member that he had; and so they took him by every
part of the body, and bare him into a chamber, and laid him in
a rich bed, far from all folk; and so he lay four days. Then
the one said he was on live, and the other said nay. In the
name of God, said an old man, for I do you verily to wit he is
not dead, but he is so full of life as the mightiest of you all,
and therefore I counsel you that he be well kept till God send
him life again.
THE GRAIL IS ACHIEVED BY SIR GALAHAD
From Malory's Morte d'Arthur'
THE
HEN rode they a great while till that they came to the castle
of Carbonek. And when they were entered within the
castle, King Pelles knew them. Then there was great joy,
for they wist well by their coming that they had fulfilled the
quest of the Sancgreal. Then Eliazar, King Pelles's son, brought
afore them the broken sword wherewith Joseph was stricken
through the thigh. Then Bors set his hand thereto, if he might
have soldered it again, but it would not be. Then he took it to
Percivale, but he had no more power thereto than he. Now
have ye it again, said Percivale to Galahad, for and it be ever
achieved by one bodily man, ye must do it. And then took he
the pieces and set them together, and they seemed that they had
never been broken, and as well as it had been first forged. And
when they within espied that the adventure of the sword was
achieved, then they gave the sword to Bors; for it might not be
better set, for he was a good knight and a worthy man.
And a
little afore even the sword arose great and marvelous, and was
full of great heat, that many men fell for dread.
And anon
alight a voice among them, and said, They that ought not to sit
at the table of Jesu Christ arise, for now shall very knights be
fed. So they went thence all save King Pelles and Eliazar his
son, the which were holy men, and a maid which was his niece.
## p. 7534 (#340) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7534
And so these three fellows and they three were there; no more.
Anon they saw knights all armed come in at the hall door, and
did off their helms and their arms, and said unto Galahad, Sir,
we have hied right much for to be with you at this table, where
the holy meat shall be parted. Then said he, Ye be welcome:
but of whence be ye? So three of them said they were of Gaul,
and other three said they were of Ireland, and the other three
said they were of Denmark. So as they sat thus, there came
out of a bed of tree of a chamber, the which four gentlewomen
brought, and in the bed lay a good man sick, and a crown of
gold upon his head; and there in the midst of the place they
set him down, and went again their way. Then he lift up his
head and said, Galahad, knight, ye be welcome, for much have
I desired your coming, for in such pain and in such anguish I
have been long. But now I trust to God the term is come that
my pain shall be allayed, that I shall pass out of this world, so
as it was promised me long ago. Therewith a voice said, There
be two among you that be not in the quest of the Sancgreal,
and therefore depart ye.
THEN King Pelles and his son departed. And therewithal
beseemed them that there came man and four angels from
heaven, clothed in likeness of a bishop, and had a cross in his
hand, and these four angels bare him up in a chair, and set him
down before the table of silver whereupon the Sancgreal was,
and it seemed that he had in midst of his forehead letters that
said, See ye here Joseph the first bishop of Christendom, the
same which our Lord succored in the City of Sarras, in the
Spiritual Place. Then the knights marveled, for that bishop was
dead more than three hundred year tofore. O knights, said he,
marvel not, for I was sometime an earthly man.
With that they
heard the chamber door open, and there they saw angels, and two
bare candles of wax, and the third a towel, and the fourth a
spear which bled marvelously, that three drops fell within a box
which he held with his other hand. And they set the candles.
upon the table, and the third the towel upon the vessel, and the
fourth the holy spear even upright upon the vessel. And then
the bishop made semblant as though he would have gone to the
sacring of the mass. And then he took an ubbly,* which was
made in likeness of bread; and at the lifting up there came a
* Oblate
――――――
unconsecrated loaf.
## p. 7535 (#341) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7535
figure in likeness of a child, and the visage was as red and as
bright as any fire, and smote himself into the bread, so that
they all saw it, that the bread was formed of a fleshly man, and
then he put it into the holy vessel again. And then he did that
longed to a priest to do to a mass. And then he went to Gala
had and kissed him, and bad him go and kiss his fellows, and so
he did anon. Now, said he, servants of Jesu Christ, ye shall be
fed afore this table with sweet meats, that never knights tasted.
And when he had said, he vanished away; and they set them at
the table in great dread, and made their prayers.
Then looked they, and saw a man come out of the holy ves-
sel that had all the signs of the passion of Jesu Christ, bleeding
all openly, and said, My knights and my servants and my true
children, which be come out of deadly life into spiritual life, I
will now no longer hide me from you, but ye shall see now a
part of my secrets and of my hid things: now hold and receive
the high meat which ye have so much desired. Then took he
himself the holy vessel and came to Galahad, and he kneeled
down and there he received his Savior, and after him so received
all his fellows; and they thought it so sweet that it was mar-
velous to tell. Then said he to Galahad, Son, wotest thou what
I hold betwixt my hands? Nay, said he, but if ye will tell me.
This is, said he, the holy dish wherein I ate the lamb on Sher-
thursday. And now hast thou seen that thou most desiredst to
see, but yet hast thou not seen it so openly as thou shalt see
it in the City of Sarras, in the Spiritual Place. Therefore thou
must go hence, and bear with thee this holy vessel, for this
night it shall depart from the realm of Logris, that it shall never
be seen
more here; and wotest thou wherefore? for he is not
served nor worshiped to his right by them of this land, for
they be turned to evil living; therefore I shall disherit them of
the honor which I have done them. And therefore go ye three
to-morrow unto the sea, where ye shall find your ship ready, and
with you take the sword with the strange girdles, and no more
with you but Sir Percivale and Sir Bors. Also I will that ye
take with you of the blood of this spear, for to anoint the
maimed king, both his legs and all his body, and he shall have
his health. Sir, said Galahad, why shall not these other fellows
go with us? For this cause, for right as I departed mine apos-
tles, one here and another there, so I will that ye depart. And
two of you shall die in my service, but one of you shall come
―――
## p. 7536 (#342) ###########################################
7536
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
again, and tell tidings.
vanished away.
Then gave he them his blessing and
AND Galahad went anon to the spear which lay upon the
table, and touched the blood with his fingers, and came after to
the maimed king, and anointed his legs. And therewith he
clothed him anon, and start upon his feet out of his bed as a
whole man, and thanked our Lord that he had healed him. And
that was not the world-ward, for anon he yield him to a place of
religion of white monks, and was a full holy man. That same
night about midnight came a voice among them, which said,
My sons and not my chieftains, my friends and not my warriors,
go ye hence, where ye hope best to do, and as I bade you. —
Ah! thanked be thou, Lord, that thou wilt vouchsafe to call us
thy sinners. Now may we well prove that we have not lost our
pains.
And anon in all haste they took their harness and departed.
But the three knights of Gaul, one of them hight Claudine, King
Claudas's son, and the other two were great gentlemen. Then
prayed Galahad to every each of them, that if they come to
King Arthur's court, that they should salute my lord Sir Launce-
lot my father, and of them of the Round Table, and prayed them
if that they came on that part that they should not forget it.
Right so departed Galahad, Percivale, and Bors with him. And
so they rode three days, and then they came to a rivage, and
found the ship whereof the tale speaketh of tofore. And when
they came to the board, they found in the midst the table of
silver which they had left with the maimed king, and the Sanc-
greal, which was covered with red samite. Then were they glad
to have such things in their fellowship, and so they entered, and
made great reverence thereto, and Galahad fell in his prayer long
time to our Lord, that at what time he asked, that he should
pass out of this world: so much he prayed, till a voice said to
him, Galahad, thou shalt have thy request, and when thou askest
the death of thy body thou shalt have it, and then shalt thou
find the life of the soul. Percivale heard this, and prayed him
of fellowship that was between them, to tell him wherefore he
asked such things. That shall I tell you, said Galahad: The other
day when we saw a part of the adventures of the Sancgreal, I
was in such a joy of heart that I trow never man was that was
earthly, and therefore I wot well when my body is dead my soul
## p. 7537 (#343) ###########################################
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
7537
shall be in great joy to see the blessed Trinity every day, and
the majesty of our Lord Jesu Christ. So long were they in the
ship that they said to Galahad, Sir, in this bed ought ye to lie,
for so saith the Scripture. And so he laid him down and slept a
great while.
And when he awaked he looked afore him, and saw
the City of Sarras. And as they would have landed, they saw
the ship wherein Percivale had put his sister in. Truly, said
Percivale, in the name of God, well hath my sister holden us
covenant. Then took they out of the ship the table of silver, and
he took it to Percivale and to Bors to go tofore, and Galahad
came behind, and right so they went to the city, and at the gate
of the city they saw an old man crooked. Then Galahad called
him, and bad him help to bear this heavy thing. Truly, said the
old man, it is ten year ago that I might not go but with crutches.
Care thou not, said Galahad, and arise up and shew thy good
will. And so he assayed, and found himself as whole as ever he
was. Then ran to the table, and took one part against Galahad.
And anon arose there great noise in the city, that a cripple was
made whole by knights marvelous that entered into the city.
Then anon after, the three knights went to the water, and
brought up into the palace Percivale's sister, and buried her as
richly as a king's daughter ought to be. And when the king
of the city, which was cleped Estorause, saw the fellowship, he
asked them of whence they were, and what thing it was that
they had brought upon the table of silver. And they told him
the truth of the Sancgreal, and the power which that God had
set there. Then the king was a tyrant, and was come of the
line of paynims, and took them and put them in prison in a deep
hole.
But as soon as they were there, our Lord sent them the Sanc-
greal, through whose grace they were always fulfilled while that
they were in prison. So at the year's end it befell that this
King Estorause lay sick, and felt that he should die. Then he
sent for the three knights, and they came afore him, and he cried
them mercy of that he had done to them, and they forgave it
him goodly, and he died anon. When the king was dead, all the
city was dismayed, and wist not who might be their king. Right
so as they were in counsel, there came a voice among them, and
bad them choose the youngest knight of them three to be their
king, for he shall well maintain you and all yours.
So they
made Galahad king by all the assent of the whole city, and else
XIII-472
## p. 7538 (#344) ###########################################
7538
THE LEGEND OF THE HOLY GRAIL
hey would have slain him. And when he was come to behold
the land, he let make about the table of silver a chest of gold
and of precious stones that covered the holy vessel, and every
day early the three fellows would come afore it and make their
prayers. Now at the year's end, and the self day after Galahad
had borne the crown of gold, he arose up early, and his fellows,
and came to the palace, and saw tofore them the holy vessel,
and a man kneeling on his knees, in likeness of a bishop, that
had about him a great fellowship of angels, as it had been Jesu
Christ himself. And then he arose and began a mass of Our
Lady. And when he came to the sacrament of the mass, and
had done, anon he called Galahad, and said to him, Come forth,
the servant of Jesu Christ, and thou shalt see that thou hast
much desired to see. And then he began to tremble right hard,
when the deadly flesh began to behold the spiritual things. Then
he held up his hands toward heaven, and said, Lord, I thank
thee, for now I see that that hath been my desire many a day.
Now, blessed Lord, would I not longer live, if it might please
thee, Lord. And therewith the good man took our Lord's body
betwixt his hands, and proffered it to Galahad, and he received
it right gladly and meekly. Now, wotest thou what I am?
