fellows saw come from the heaven an hand, but they saw not the body; and then it came right to the vessel, and took it and the spear, and so bare it up to heaven.

So after the quest of the Sangreal was fulfilled, and all knights that were left on live were come again to the Table Round, then there was great joy, and in especial King Arthur and Queen Guenever made great joy of the remnant that were come home. Sithen1 was there never man

so hardy to say that he had seen the Sangreal.

King Arthur, the true King Arthur was | San greal' (grāl), the holy cup which

a British chieftain, who lived in the sixth century. A mass of romance and numerous charming myths have clustered about his name. The delightful stories of the exploits of Arthur and his knights have appeared again and again in literature, though their connection with the existence and the deeds of the actual sixth-century Arthur is very remote.

the Lord was supposed to have used at the Last Supper. This cup, according to the legend, would vanish if approached by any but a pure and holy person. The quest of the Holy Grail was to be undertaken only by a knight who was pure in thought, word, and deed. Many knights entered upon the quest and failed. sen'dal, a light, thin silk stuff.

U'ther Pen drag'on, king of Britain and Sher-Thursday, the Thursday of the

father of Arthur.

Mer'lin, in the Arthurian legend, an en-
chanter, and Arthur's counsellor and
companion.

es tates', persons of high rank.
just, to engage in mock combat on
horseback.

tour'ney, to engage in mock combat in

parties of two or three, or more. com'mons, the common people. sam'ite, a kind of silk stuff, usually interwoven with gold.

week before Easter.

lin'e age, descent in direct line.
Joseph of Ari ma the'a, a member of

the Jewish Sanhedrin, who received
and buried the body of the Lord.
There is a legend that he was
imprisoned forty-two years, which
seemed to him but three, on account
of the Holy Grail, which he kept with
him in prison; and he later carried
the Grail to Britain.
pay'nims, heathen; unbelievers.

SIR THOMAS MALORY (born 1430) was a Welsh or English knight, and was probably a priest. He is chiefly noted as the compiler and translator (from the French) of the English "Morte Darthur" (death of Arthur).

1 Sithen, since then.

SIR GALAHAD

ALFRED TENNYSON

My good blade carves the casques of men,
My tough lance thrusteth sure,
My strength is as the strength of ten,
Because my heart is pure.

The shattering trumpet shrilleth high,
The hard brands shiver on the steel,
The splinter'd spear-shafts crack and fly,
The horse and rider reel :

They reel, they roll in clanging lists,
And when the tide of combat stands,
Perfume and flowers fall in showers,
That lightly rain from ladies' hands.
How sweet are looks that ladies bend
On whom their favors fall!

For them I battle till the end,

To save from shame and thrall: But all my heart is drawn above,

My knees are bow'd in crypt and shrine :

I never felt the kiss of love,

Nor maiden's hand in mine.

More bounteous aspects on me beam,
Me mightier transports move and thrill;
So keep I fair thro' faith and prayer
A virgin heart in work and will.

When down the stormy crescent goes,
A light before me swims,

Between dark stems the forest glows,
I hear a noise of hymns:

Then by some secret shrine I ride;

I hear a voice but none are there ;
The stalls are void, the doors are wide,
The tapers burning fair.

Fair gleams the snowy altar-cloth,
The silver vessels sparkle clean,
The shrill bell rings, the censer swings,
And solemn chants resound between.

Sometimes on lonely mountain-meres
I find a magic bark;

I leap on board: no helmsman steers:
I float till all is dark.

A gentle sound, an awful light!

Three angels bear the Holy Grail:
With folded feet, in stoles of white,
On sleeping wings they sail.
Ah, blessed vision! blood of God!
My spirit beats her mortal bars,
As down dark tides the glory slides,
And star-like mingles with the stars.

When on my goodly charger borne
Thro' dreaming towns I go,

The cock crows ere the Christmas morn,

The streets are dumb with snow.

The tempest crackles on the leads,

And, ringing, spins from brand and mail;
But o'er the dark a glory spreads,
And gilds the driving hail.

I leave the plain, I climb the height;
No branchy thicket shelter yields;
But blessed forms in whistling storms

Fly o'er waste fens and windy fields.

A maiden knight-to me is given
Such hope, I know not fear;

I yearn to breathe the airs of heaven
That often meet me here.

I muse on joy that will not cease,
Pure spaces clothed in living beams,
Pure lilies of eternal peace,

Whose odors haunt my dreams;
And, stricken by an angel's hand,
This mortal armor that I wear,

This weight and size, this heart and eyes,
Are touch'd, are turn'd to finest air.

The clouds are broken in the sky,
And thro' the mountain-walls
A rolling organ-harmony

Swells up, and shakes and falls.
Then move the trees, the copses nod,
Wings flutter, voices hover clear:
"O just and faithful knight of God!
Ride on the prize is near."
So pass I hostel, hall, and grange;
By bridge and ford, by park and pale,
All-arm'd I ride, whate'er betide,

Until I find the Holy Grail.

The first stanza refers to the tournaments
of the knights, in which the victor re-
ceived his reward from ladies' hands.
casque, a helmet.
brand, a sword.
crypt, a part of a cathedral below the
chief floor, sometimes used as a
chapel or shrine.

stormy crescent, the new moon.

burned before an altar; it usually hangs from chains.

mere, a sea, or lake.

stole, a long robe or vestment.

leads, the sheets of lead with which the roofs were covered.

hos'tel, an inn.

grange, a farm, including all the farmbuildings and granary.

cen'ser, a vessel in which incense is pale, an enclosure.

THE PASSING OF ARTHUR

SIR THOMAS MALORY

How by Misadventure of an Adder the Battle began, where Mordred was slain and ARTHUR hurt to the Death.

THEN were they condescended1 that King Arthur and Sir Mordred should meet between both their hosts, and each of them should bring fourteen persons. And they came with this word unto King Arthur. Then said he, "I am glad that this is done." And so he went into the field. And when King Arthur should depart, he warned all his host, that an they saw any sword drawn, "Look that ye come on fiercely, and slay that traitor, Sir Mordred, for I in nowise trust him."

In likewise Sir Mordred did warn his host, that " An ye see any manner of sword drawn, look that ye come on fiercely, and so slay all that ever before you standeth; for in nowise I will not trust for this treaty, for I know well that my father will be avenged on me."

And so they were agreed, and accorded thoroughly.

Right soon came an adder out of a little heath bush, and it stung a knight on the foot. And when the knight felt him stung, he looked down and saw the adder, and then he drew his sword to slay the adder, and thought of none. other harm.

And when the hosts on both parties saw that sword drawn, they blew trumpets and horns, and shouted grimly. And so both hosts dressed them together, and King Arthur took his horse, and said, "Alas! this unhappy day!" and so he rode to his party, and so Sir Mordred did likewise.

1 condescend, here, to consent or agree.