Volume Ii Part 9 (1/2)

Ere the sun had cast his light On the water's face, Firm in saddle rode the knight From the holy place,

Merry songs began to sing, Let his matins bide; Rode a good hour pondering, And was turned aside,

Saying, ”I will henceforth then Yield this hopeless quest; Tis a dream of holy men This ideal Best!”

”Every good for miracle Heart devout may hold; Grail indeed was that fair well Full of water cold!

”Not my thirst alone it stilled But my soul it stayed; And my heart, with gladness filled, Wept and laughed and prayed!

”Spectral church with cryptic niche I will seek no more; That the holiest Grail is, which Helps the need most sore!”

And he spake with speech more true Than his thought indeed, For not yet the good knight knew His own sorest need.

IV.

_How sir Galahad sought yet again for the Grail._

On he rode, to succour bound, But his faith grew dim; Wells for thirst he many found, Water none for him.

Never more from drinking deep Rose he up and laughed; Never more did prayerful sleep Follow on the draught.

Good the water which they bore, Plenteously it flowed, Quenched his thirst, but, ah, no more Eased his bosom's load!

For the _Best_ no more he sighed; Rode as in a trance; Life grew poor, undignified, And he spake of chance.

Then he dreamed through Jesus' hand That he drove a nail-- Woke and cried, ”Through every land, Lord, I seek thy Grail!”

V.

_That sir Galahad found the Grail._

Up the quest again he took, Rode through wood and wave; Sought in many a mossy nook, Many a hermit-cave;

Sought until the evening red Sunk in shadow deep; Sought until the moonlight fled; Slept, and sought in sleep.

Where he wandered, seeking, sad, Story doth not say, But at length sir Galahad Found it on a day;

Took the Grail with holy hand, Had the cup of joy; Carried it about the land, Gleesome as a boy;

Laid his sword where he had found Boot for every bale, Stuck his spear into the ground, Kept alone the Grail.

VI.

_How sir Galahad carried about the Grail._

Horse and crested helmet gone, Greaves and s.h.i.+eld and mail, Caroling loud the knight walked on, For he had the Grail;

Caroling loud walked south and north, East and west, for years; Where he went, the smiles came forth, Where he left, the tears.

Glave nor dagger mourned he, Axe nor iron flail: Evil might not brook to see Once the Holy Grail.