,,parsifal3 ,a ,,drama ,,by ,,wagner ,,retold ,,by ,,oliver ,,huckel ,,books ,,by ,,dr4 ,,huckel ,,mental ,,medicine ,some practical suggestions from a spiritual standpoint 7,cloth1 #a4jj net7 ,,the ,,melody ,,of ,,god',s ,,love ,an interpretation of the ,twenty-,third ,psalm 7,cloth1 #ge cts4 net7 ,,wagner',s ,,music ,,dramas ,retold in ,english ,verse ,,parsifal ,,tannh,,user ,,lohengrin ,,rheingold ,,walk,,re 7,each1 cloth1 #ge cents net7 ,,thomas ,y4 ,,crowell ,,co4 ,illustration ,parsifal ,a ,,mystical ,,drama ,,by ,,richard ,,wagner ,,retold ,,in ,,the ,,spirit ,,of ,,the ,,bayreuth ,,interpretation ,,by ,oliver ,huckel ,,mdccccx #aijc ,t4,y4 ,crowell ,co4 ,composition and plates by ,d4,b4 ,updike ,to my ,wife ,,in ,,loving ,,memory ,,of ,,bayreuth ,,days ,o4,h4 ,,contents ,,foreword ,,part ,i ,the ,coming of ,parsifal ,,part ,,ii ,the ,tempting of ,parsifal ,,part ,,iii ,the ,crowning of ,parsifal ,,list ,,of ,,illustrations ,parsifal in ,quest of the ,holy ,grail ,monsalvat1 the ,castle of the ,grail ,the ,communion of the ,holy ,grail ,parsifal healing ,king ,amfortas ,parsifal revealing the ,holy ,grail ,,illustrated ,,by ,,franz ,,stassen ,,foreword ,the ,parsifal of ,richard ,wagner was not only the last and loftiest work of his genius1 but it is also one of the few great dramas of modern times1--a drama which unfolds striking and impressive spiritual teachings4 ,indeed1 ,parsifal may be called ,richard ,wagner's great confession of faith4 ,he takes the legend of the ,holy ,grail1 and uses it to portray wonderfully and thrillingly the ,christian truths of the beauty1 the glory1 and the inspiring power of the ,lord's ,supper1 and the infinite meaning of the redeeming love of the ,cross4 ,he reveals in this drama by poetry and music1 and with a marvellous breadth and depth of spiritual conception1 this theme 7in his own words73 ,the founder of the ,christian religion was not wise3 ,he was divine4 ,to believe in ,him is to imitate ,him and to seek union with ,him4444 ,in consequence of ,his atoning death1 everything which lives and breathes may know itself redeemed4444 ,only love rooted in sympathy and expressed in action to the point of a complete destruction of self-will1 is ,christian love4 7,wagner's ,letters1 #ahhj1 pages #bgj1 #cfe1 #cci47 ,the criticism has sometimes been made that the basic religious idea of ,parsifal is ,buddhistic rather than ,christian2 that it is taken directly from the philosophy of ,schopenhauer1 who was perhaps as nearly a ,buddhist as was possible for an ,occidental mind to be2 that the dominating idea in ,parsifal is compassion as the essence of sanctity1 and that ,wagner has merely clothed this fundamental ,buddhistic idea with the externals of ,christian form and symbolism4 ,this criticism is ingenious4 ,it may also suggest that all great religions in their essence have much which is akin4 ,but no one who reads carefully ,wagner's own letters during the time that he was brooding over his ,parsifal can doubt that he was trying in this drama to express in broadest and deepest way the essentials of ,christian truth4 ,christianity has no need to go to ,buddhism to find such a fundamental conception as that of an infinite compassion as a revelation of ,god4 ,the legend of the ,grail1 as ,wagner uses it1 has in it the usual accompaniments of mediaeval tradition1--something of paganism and magic4 ,but these pagan elements are only contrasts to the purity and splendor of the simple ,christian truth portrayed4 ,the drama suggests the early miracle and mystery plays of the ,christian ,church2 but more nearly1 perhaps1 it reminds one of those great religious dramas1 scenic and musical1 which were given at night at ,eleusis1 near ,athens1 in the temple of the ,mysteries1 before the initiated ones among the ,greeks in the days of ,pericles and ,plato4 ,here at ,bayreuth the mystic drama is given before its thousands of devout pilgrims and music-lovers who gather to the little town as to a sacred spot from all parts of the world1--from ,russia1 ,italy1 ,france1 ,england1 and ,america1--and who enter into the spirit of this noble drama and feast of music as if it were a religious festival in a temple of divine mysteries4 ,the sources of ,wagner's story deserve a few words4 ,the legend of the ,holy ,grail took many forms during the ,middle ,ages4 ,it was told in slightly varying way in the twelfth century by the ,french writers ,robert de ,borron and ,chrestien de ,troyes1 and in the early thirteenth century by ,wolfram von ,eschenbach in the strong ,german speech of ,thuringia4 ,the substance of these legends was that the precious cup1 used for the wine at the ,last ,supper1 and also used to receive the ,saviour's blood at the ,cross1 was forever after cherished as the ,holy ,grail4 ,it was carried from the ,holy ,land by ,joseph of ,arimathea and taken first to ,gaul and later to ,spain to a special sanctuary among the mountains1 which was named ,monsalvat4 ,here it was to be cherished and guarded by a holy band of ,knights of the ,grail4 ,the same legend appears in the chronicles of ,sir ,thomas ,malory1 but instead of ,gaul1 early ,britain is the place to which the ,grail is brought4 ,tennyson's ,the ,holy ,grail in his ,idylls of the ,king largely follows ,sir ,thomas ,malory's chronicles4 ,the ,american artist ,edwin ,a4 ,abbey in his masterly paintings of the ,grail legend as portrayed on the walls of the ,boston ,public ,library1 also follows ,malory4 ,wagner1 however1 uses the version of ,wolfram von ,eschenbach1 modifying it and spiritualizing it to suit his purposes4 ,the ,german artist ,franz ,stassen1 from whom our illustrations are taken1 has entered with perfect appreciation into ,wagner's version of the noble legend4 ,the following rendering of the ,parsifal is not a close translation of the text1 but rather a transfusion of the spirit4 ,it is possibly as nearly a translation as ,fitzgerald's rendition of ,omar ,khayyam1 or ,macpherson's version of the poems of ,ossian4 ,it is what may be called a free rendering1 aiming to give the spirit rather than the language of the original4 ,the mere translations of the words of ,parsifal1 as given in the ,english texts of ,h4 and ,f4 ,corder and ,m4,h4 ,glyn1 do not adequately represent the full value of the drama4 ,those versions were under the necessity of a strictly literal translation1 which was further hampered in order to make the ,english words fit the music1 and the result was far from satisfactory4 ,the literal translation also unfortunately over-emphasizes certain parts and phrases in the drama which are somewhat harsh1 but which at ,bayreuth become much modified and refined1 and are1 therefore1 so represented in this version4 ,the present telling of the story will be found to use all that ,wagner has given in the words1 but with the addition here and thereof interpretative phrases1 suggested by the drama itself at ,bayreuth4 ,its purpose is to give an interpretation1 a cumulative impression1 the spirit of the words1 music1 and mystic meaning1 blended together into one story and picture4 ,it is made after a very careful study of the ,german text of ,wagner for essential meanings1 and after an appreciative hearing of the great drama itself1 on two occasions1 at ,bayreuth4 ,we present it in the form in which such sacred legends seem to find their most natural ,english setting1--in the form made classic in ,tennyson's ,idylls of the ,king4 ,it may also be interesting to note that the present version was planned ten years ago on a first visit to ,bayreuth4 ,critical work on the ,german text and in the literature of the ,parsifal legends was done later during two years at the universities of ,berlin and ,oxford4 ,but the actual work of this translation and interpretation was done in the summer of #aijb at ,bayreuth1 and in part at ,nuremberg and ,munich4 ,it may also be stated that this version is issued with the kind permission of ,messrs4 ,schott and ,company of ,london1 the owners of the copyright of ,wagner's words and music4 ,the music of ,parsifal has been so often described and analyzed in critical papers that it is not necessary here to speak of it in detail4 ,this word1 however1 may be in place4 ,the marvellous music at ,bayreuth helped in every way in the interpretation of the drama4 ,every part and phase of the thought and movement were brought forth in the various musical motives1 adding emphasis and beauty and intensity of feeling4 ,now the music would whisper of the wondrous grace of the holy sacrament1 or of the sweet beauty of ,god's world1 clothed in the radiance of ,good ,friday2 now it would reveal the sorrows of the gentle ,herzeleide1 or the awful anguish of ,amfortas1 or the deep rumblings of ,klingsor's black art1 or the fascinating music of the flower-maidens4 ,often came the pure tones that told of the guileless ,one1 or the strong chords of mighty faith1 or the ebb and swell of mystic bells1 or the glory of the sacred ,spear4 ,now came the regal blasts for ,parsifal1 and often and through it all1 the splendid music of the ,grail itself4 ,the music was like a fragrant atmosphere to the drama1 softening and refining what was harsh1 giving a needed stress here and there1 and investing the whole story with a subtle and uplifting charm4 ,the drama of ,parsifal teaches its own great lessons of life4 ,yet one or two suggestions of interpretation may not be amiss1 for it is confessedly one of the most mystical of modern dramas4 ,it may perchance be considered as representing the strife between paganism and ,christianity in the early centuries of the ,church1--the powers of magic and the hot passions of the human heart contending against the advancing power of ,christian truth and the victorious might of ,purity as portrayed in the guileless hero4 ,or it may be considered as representing in a mystic legend the spiritual history of ,christ coming in later presence among the sons of men and imaged in the mystic ,parsifal4 ,wagner mentions that this ,scripture was often in his mind when writing ,parsifal--,hath not ,god made foolish the wisdom of this world8 ,the foolishness of ,god is wiser than men2 and the weakness of ,god is stronger than men4 ,or this1 further1 it may represent1 in striking and inspiring way1--that the pure in heart shall win the victories in life2 that the guileless are the valiant sons of ,god2 that the heart that resists evil passion and is touched by pity for the world's woe is the heart that reincarnates the passionate purity of the ,christ and can reveal again the healing power1 the ,holy ,grail of ,god4 ,those who desire to study further the mystical and spiritual meanings will find much helpful suggestion in such books as ,the ,argument and ,mystery of ,parsifal1 by ,charles ,t4 ,gatty1 ,f4,s4,a4 7,london72 ,a ,study of ,parsifal1 by ,alfred ,gurney1 ,m4,a4 7,london72 ,parsifal1--the ,finding of ,christ through ,art1 by ,a4,r4 ,parsons 7,new ,york72 or ,my ,musical ,memories1 by ,rev4 ,h4,r4 ,haweis 7chapter on ,parsifal74 ,it may be some time before the real ,parsifal as given at ,bayreuth is fully appreciated by the ,english-speaking public1 although shortly the special conditions which have hitherto reserved its production to ,bayreuth alone will be released1 and the great drama will be heard in other musical centres4 ,this version is intended to be a vivid reminder of the drama to those who have seen it at ,bayreuth1 and also to give to those who have not seen it a fuller glimpse of the majestic story than has hitherto been possible to find in ,english4 ,the genius of ,wagner as a musician has so far overshadowed all else1 that his genius as a poet and as an exquisite reteller of the old legends has not been fully appreciated4 ,galahad1 as ,tennyson portrays him1 will always hold the first place with ,english readers as the ideal knight of the ,holy ,grail4 ,the matchless diction of ,tennyson has given the less perfect form of the legend a supreme charm and beauty4 ,but ,wolfram von ,eschenbach's ,parsifal1 as spiritualized and humanized in ,wagner's lyric drama1 will be seen to be in fuller accord with the whole cycle and development of the ,grail legends1 and at the same time gives the nobler story4 ,it is a consummate parable of the contending passions and the heavenly aspiration1 the ineffable pity and the mystic glory1 of the human heart4 ,it portrays an intensely human and heroic life1 imaginatively identified with that of the very ,christ4 ,however mediaeval the language and symbolism of ,parsifal may be1 says a modern critic1 one cannot but acknowledge the simplicity and power of the story4 ,its spiritual significance is universal4 ,whatever more it may mean1 we see clearly that the guileless knight is ,purity1 ,kundry is the ,wickedness of the world expressed in its most enticing form1 and ,king ,amfortas suffering with his open wound is ,humanity4 ,one cannot read the drama without a thrill1 without a clutching at the heart1 at its marvellous meaning1 its uplifting and ennobling lessons4 ,o4,h4 ,baltimore1 ,maryland1 ,january #gth1 #aijc4 ,,parsifal4 ,,part ,i ,,the ,,coming ,,of ,,parsifal ,within a noble stretch of mountain woods1 ,primeval forest1 deep and dark and grand1 ,there rose a glorious castle towering high1-- ,and at its foot a smiling1 shimmering lake ,lay in the still lap of a verdant glade4 ',t was daybreak1 and the arrows of the dawn ,were shot in golden glory through the trees1 ,and from the castle came a trumpet blast ,to waken life in all the slumbering host1-- ,warriors and yeomen in the castle halls4 ,and at the trumpet ,gurnemanz rose up1-- ,ancient and faithful servant of the ,grail1-- ,who sleeping lay under a spreading oak1 ,and called aloud to two youths sleeping yet3 ,hey6 ho6 ye foresters1 loving the woods1 ,loving your sleep as well4 ,wake with the day6 ,hear ye the trumpet6 ,come1 let us thank ,god ,that we have power to hear the call of life1 ,and power to answer as the duty calls6 ,and up they started1 knelt in prayer with him1 ,and offered unto ,god their morning praise4 ,then ,gurnemanz3 ,up now1 my gallant youths1 ,prepare the royal bath1 and wait the ,king6444 ,behold1 his litter now is coming forth1 ,i see the heralds coming on before4444 ,hail1 royal heralds6 ,hail and welcome both6 ,how fares my ,lord ,amfortas' health to-day8 ,i hope his early coming to the bath ,doth presage nothing worse4 ,i fain had thought ,the healing herb that ,sir ,gawain had found ,with wisest skill and bravest deed might bring ,some quick and sure relief unto the ,king4 ,to whom the herald-knight did make reply3 ,thou knowest all of this dread secret wound1-- ,the shame1 the sorrow1 and the depth of it1 ,its evil cause and the dark curse upon it1-- ,and yet forsooth thou seemest still to hope8444 ,the healing herb no soothing brought1 nor peace4 ,all night the sleepless ,king has tossed in pain1 ,longing for morning and the cooling bath4 ,then ,gurnemanz1 downcast and saddened1 said3 ,yea1 it is useless1 hoping thus to ease ,the pain unless we use the one sure cure1-- ,naught else avails although we search the world4 ,only one healer and one healing thing ,can staunch the gaping wound and save the ,king4 ,and eagerly the herald asked3 ,what cure is this1 ,and who the healer that can save the ,king8 ,but ,gurnemanz quick answered3 ,see the bath ,is needing thee1 for here doth come the ,king6 ,but as he spake1 e'er yet the ,king appeared1 ,another herald1 looking far away1 ,beheld a woman coming1 riding wild1 ,and quick exclaimed3 ,see there1 a flying witch6 ,ha6 how the devil's mare is racing fast ,with madly flying mane6 ,nearer she comes6444 ',tis ,kundry1 wretched ,kundry1 mad old ,kundry-- ,perhaps she brings us urgent news8 ,who knows8 ,the mare is staggering with weariness1-- ,no wonder1 for its flight was through the air1-- ,but now it nears the ground1 and seems to brush ,the moss with sweeping mane4 ,and now1 look ye6 ,the wild witch flings herself from off the mare ,and rushes toward us6 ,and ,kundry came1 ,her dark eyes flashing wildly1 piercing bright2 ,her black hair loose2 her rude garb looser still1 ,yet partly bound with glittering skins of snakes2 ,and panting1 staggering ran to ,gurnemanz1 ,and thrust into his hands a crystal flask ,with the scant whisper1 ,balsam--for the ,king6 ,and on his asking1 ,whence this healing balm8 ,she answered3 ,farther than thy thought can guess4 ,for if this balsam fail1 then ,araby ,hath nothing further for the ,king's relief4 ,ask me no further4 ,i am weak and worn4 ,and now the litter of the ,king drew near1 ,attended by a retinue of knights4 ,high on the couch the ,king ,amfortas lay1 ,his pale face lined with suffering and care2 ,and looking toward the ,king1 then ,gurnemanz ,spake with his own sad heart3 ,he comes1 my ,king1-- ,a helpless burden to his servitors4 ,alas1 alas6 ,that these mine eyes should see ,the sovereign of a strong and noble race1 ,now in the very flower and prime of life1 ,brought low1 and made a bounden slave ,unto a shameful and a stubborn sickness6444 ,ye servitors1 be careful of this couch6 ,careful6 ,set down the litter tenderly6 ,i hear the ,king1 our ,master1 groan in pain4 ,then they set down the couch1 and soon the ,king1 ,raising himself a little1 spake to them3 ,my loving thanks1 sir knights4 ,rest here awhile4 ,how sweet this morning and these fragrant woods ,to one who tossed the weary night in pain4 ,and this pure lake with all its freshening waves ,will lighten pain and brighten my dark woe4 ,where is my dear ,gawain8 ,and one spake up3 ,my ,lord ,gawain has hasted quick away4 ,for when the healing herb that he had brought ,after such daring toils1 did disappoint1 ,then he set forth upon another quest4 ,then said the ,king3 ,without our word8 ,alas that he should go on useless quests ,and seem to do despite unto the ,grail6 ,for it is ordered by divine command ,that ,i should suffer for my grievous sin1 ,and naught can help me but one single thing4 ,o woe1 if in his far-off quests for me ,he is ensnared by ,klingsor's hateful arts6 ,i pray you1 sirs1 venture no more for me1-- ,it only breaks my peace1 and grieves my heart4 ,naught will avail4 ,i only wait for ,him1-- ',by pity 'lightened4' ,was not this the word8 ,and ,gurnemanz3 ,so thou hast said to us4 ,and softly yet spake on the suffering ,king3 ',the guileless ,one4' ,methinks ,i know him now6 ,his name is ,death1 for only ,death can free me6 ,then ,gurnemanz to ease the ,king's sad thoughts ,held forth the crystal flask with soothing words3 ,nay1 nay1 my ,king4 ,essay once more a cure1-- ,a balsam brought for thee from ,araby4 ,and the ,king asked3 ,whence came this balsam flask1 ,so strange in form1 and who has brought it here8 ,and ,gurnemanz3 ,there lies the woman now6 ,the wild-eyed ,kundry1 weak and weary-worn1 ,as if the journey sapped her very life4444 ,up1 ,kundry6 ,here's his majesty the ,king6 ,but ,kundry would not rise1 or could not else4 ,then spake the ,king3 ,o ,kundry1 restless1 strange1 ,am ,i again thy debtor for such help8 ,yet ,i will try thy balsam for my wound1 ,and for thy service take my grateful thanks4 ,but ,kundry muttered3 ,give no thanks to me4 ,what will it help1--or this1 or e'en the bath8 ,and yet1 away1 ,i say6 ,on to the bath6 ,then the ,king left her1 lying on the ground1 ,and off he moved upon the couch of pain1 ,longing to bathe him in the shining lake1 ,hoping against all hope to ease his soul1 ,and quiet in his body the fierce pains4 ,and one spake up3 ,why lies that woman there1-- ,a foul and snarling thing on holy ground8 ,methinks her healing balm is witching drug ,to work a further poison in the ,king4444 ,she hates us6 ,see her now6 ,how hellishly ,she looks at us with hot and spiteful eyes6 ,she is a heathen witch and sorceress6 ,but ,gurnemanz1 who knew her well1 replied3 ,what harm has ever come to you from her8 ,and oft she serves us in the kindliest ways4 ,for when we want a messenger to send ,to distant lands where warrior-knights in fight ,are serving ,god1 she quick takes up the task2 ,before you scarcely know is gone and back4 ,a marvel is her wondrous speed of flight4 ,nor does she ask your help at any time1 ,nor tire you with her presence1 nor her words4 ,but in the hour of danger1 she is near1-- ,inspiring by her brave and fiery zeal1 ,nor asking of you all one word of thanks4 ,methinks a curse may still be on her life1-- ,she is so wild and strange1 so sad her very eyes4 ,but now1 whate'er the past1 she is with us1 ,and serves us to atone for earlier guilt4 ,perchance her work may shrive her of her sins4 ,surely she does full well to serve us well1 ,and in the serving-help herself and us4 ,then spake again a knight3 ,perchance her guilt ,it was1 that brought calamity on all our land4 ,but ,gurnemanz3 ,my thought of her goes far ,in memory to days and years long past4 ,and it was always when she was away ,and we alone1 that sudden mishap fell4 ,this ,i have seen through many1 many years4 ,the agd ,king1 our ,titurel beloved1 ,he knew her well for many years beyond4 ',twas he who found her sleeping in these woods1 ,all stiff and rigid1 pale and seeming dead1 ,when he was building yonder castle-towers4 ,and so did ,i myself1 in recent days1 ,find her asleep and rigid in the woods1-- ',twas when calamity on us had come ,so evil and so shameful from our foe1-- ,that dread magician of the mountain heights4 ,say1 ,kundry1 wake and answer me this word8 ,where hadst thou been in those dark evil days1-- ,at home1 afar1 awake or fast asleep1-- ,when our good ,king did lose the holy ,spear8 ,why were you not at hand to give us help8 ,and ,kundry muttered3 ,never do ,i help6 ,then said a knight3 ,o brother ,gurnemanz1 ,if she is now so true in serving us1 ,and if she does such strange and wondrous deeds1 ,then send her for the missing holy ,spear ,for which the ,king and all the land are fain4 ,but ,gurnemanz with gloomy looks replied3 ,that were a quest beyond her1 beyond all-- ,that lies within the guarded will of ,god4 ,o how my heart leaps up in memory ,of that blest symbol of the ,saviour's power6 ,o wounding1 healing1 wonder-working ,spear1 ,companion of the ,grail in grace divine1 ,a radiant shaft for consecrated hands4 ,what saw ,i8 ,hands unholy snatched thee up1 ,and sought to wield thee in unholy ways4 ,i see it all again1--that dark and fatal day ,when our good ,king ,amfortas1 all too bold1 ,forgetful of the evil in the world1 ,went straying far out from the castle walls1 ,and loitered through the green and shady woods2 ,and there he met a woman passing fair1 ,with great eyes that bewitched him with their light1 ,and as he stayed and lost his heart to her1 ,he lost the ,spear4 ,for on a sudden came ,athwart them that foul-hearted1 fallen knight1 ,the evil-minded ,klingsor1 and he snatched ,the holy ,spear and mocking rushed away4 ,then broke an awful cry from the ,king's lips2 ,i heard and hurrying fought the evil knight1 ,as did the ,king1 parrying blow on blow1 ,and at the last the ,king fell wounded sore ,by that same ,spear that once was holy health4 ,this is the fatal wound that burns his side1-- ,this wound it is that ne'er will close again4 ,and when the knights asked further of the deed ,and what of ,klingsor1 the foul-hearted knight1 ,then ,gurnemanz sat down and told this tale1-- ,the four young knights ensconced around his feet1-- ,our holy ,titurel knew ,klingsor well4 ,for in the ancient days when savage foes ,distressed the kingdom with their heathen craft1 ,one mystic midnight came a messenger ,of ,god to ,titurel1 and gave to him ,the ,holy ,grail1 the vessel lustrous pure1 ,wherein the crimson wine blushed rosy-red ,at that ,last ,supper of the feast of love2 ,wherein the later wine of ,his own blood ,was caught and cherished from the cruel ,cross4 ,this gave the angel unto holy ,titurel ,and with it gave the radiant sacred ,spear ,that pierced the side and broke the suffering heart ,of ,him1 our heavenly ,saviour on the ,cross1 ,so that the water and the blood flowed forth ,in mingled tide1--the sacrifice of love4 ,and for these precious witnesses of ,god ,that told to men of saving-health and power1 ,the holy ,titurel did build an holy house1-- ,a sanctuary-stronghold on the heights ,of ,monsalvat1 forever given to ,god4 ,and ye1 blest servants of the ,holy ,grail1 ,ye know the sacred ways by which ye came ,into this holy service4 ,ye gave all ,and purified your lives and hearts to ,god4 ,and with the consecration came the power1 ,by vision of the ,grail1 to do high deeds ,and live the life of warriors of ,god4 ,this ,klingsor came to holy ,titurel ,and asked to come into the company4 ,long had he lived in yonder heathen vale ,alone1 and shunned by all his kind4 ,i never knew what sin had stained his heart1 ,or why he sought the castle of the ,grail2 ,but holy ,titurel discerned his heart ,and saw the festering evil of his life1 ,and knew unholy purpose filled his soul ,and steadfastly refused him at the gates4 ,whereat in wrath the evil ,klingsor swore ,that if he could not serve the ,holy ,grail1 ,the ,holy ,grail should serve him by its power2 ,and he would seize it in his own right hand1 ,and some day be the master of them all4 ,henceforth he waged a subtle1 ceaseless war ,against ,monsalvat and the holy knights4 ,he gave himself to dark and evil life ,and learned the witchery of magic arts ,to work the ruin of the ,holy ,grail4 ,fair gardens he created by his art1 ,through all the deserts1 and therein he placed ,maidens of winsome witchery and power1 ,who bloomed like flowers in beauty and in grace4 ,and in these subtle snares full many a knight ,was caught by magic wiles and lured and lost1 ,and no one knew where they had gone or why4 ,then holy ,titurel1 grown old in years1 ,gave up the kingdom to his only son1 ,the brave ,amfortas4 ,and by ceaseless quest ,amfortas learned the truth and waged fierce war ,against this ,klingsor1 evil to the heart1 ,until at last in one unguarded moment1 ,as ,i have told you1 e'en our noble ,king1 ,the good ,amfortas1 yielded to a sin1-- ,and lost the ,spear1 and had his fatal wound4 ,now with the ,spear within his evil grasp ,klingsor exults1 and mockingly does tell ,how his black fingers soon will hold the ,grail4 ,illustration ,then the young knights who listened to the tale ,upstarted with the cry3 ,god give us grace ,to wrest that sacred ,spear from impious hands6 ,but ,gurnemanz thus checked them3 ,listen yet6 ,long did our ,king ,amfortas kneel before ,the sanctuary1 praying in his pain ,and seeking for a word of hope from ,god4 ,at length a radiance glowed around the ,grail1 ,and from its glory shone a ,sacred ,face ,that spake this oracle of mystic words3 ,by pity 'lightened1 ,my guileless ,one1-- ,wait for him1 ,till ,my will is done6 ,and as the knights repeated these weird words1-- ,there came wild cries and shouting from the lake3 ,shame6 shame6 alas1 the shame to shoot the swan6 ,and as they looked1 a wild swan came in sight2 ,it floated feebly o'er the flurried lake ,and strove to fly1 but wounded fluttered down ,and sank upon the lake-shore1 and was dead4 ,and ,gurnemanz cried out3 ,who shot the swan8 ,the ,king had hailed it as a happy sign1 ,whene'er a swan came near him in its flight ,for since the earliest ages has this bird ,meant hope and health and holiness to men4-- ,who dared to do this dastard deed of shame8 ,then came a knight leading a guileless boy ,and said3 ,this is the one who shot the swan1-- ,and here more arrows like the cruel shaft ,that hides itself within the bleeding breast4 ,to whom spake ,gurnemanz3 ,what mean'st thou1 boy1 ,by such a cruel1 shameless deed as this8 ,but the boy answered3 ,yea1 it was my shot4 ,i shot the swan in flight when high in air4 ,then ,gurnemanz3 ,shame to confess such deed6 ,such sacrilege within these holy woods1 ,where seems to dwell the perfect peace of ,god4 ,were not the woodland creatures kind to thee1-- ,did not the sweet birds sing their songs to thee1 ,when first thou camest to these leafy haunts8 ,and this poor swan1 so mild and beautiful1--- ,how could thy heart determine on such deed8 ,it hovered o'er the lake in circling grace1 ,seeking the dear companion of its love1-- ,for e'en the heart of bird doth know sweet love1-- ,and seeming to make sacred all the lake4 ,didst thou not marvel at its queenly flight1 ,and feel a reverence in thine inmost soul8 ,what tempted thee to shoot the fatal shaft1 ,and slay the bird and grieve the loving ,king8444 ,see where the deadly arrow smote its breast6 ,behold the snowy plumage splashed with blood6 ,the spreading pinions drooping helpless now1 ,and in its eye the agony of death6 ,slain by thy cruel heart that knows no shame6 ,dost thou not see how wicked is thy deed8 ,then was the young boy stricken with remorse1 ,and drew his hand across his moistened eyes1 ,as if new pity dawned within his soul2 ,then quickly snatching up his strong arched bow1 ,he broke it1 and his arrows flung away4 ,and clutching at his breast as if in pain ,he stood a time in conscious agony1-- ,deep feeling surging through his stricken heart2 ,and then he turned again to ,gurnemanz ,with the brave words3 ,i did not understand ,what evil ,i was doing with my bow4 ,whence art thou8 ,gurnemanz did ask of him2 ,and dazed he answered3 ,that ,i do not know4 ,but who thy father8--,that ,i do not know4 ,who sent thee here8--,i do not know e'en that4 ,then ,gurnemanz3 ,yet tell me but thy name4 ,and in a strange and dazed way he replied3 ,once ,i had many4 ,now1 ,i do not know4 ,and ,gurnemanz spake sharply1 half in wrath1 ,thou knowest nothing4 ,such a guileless soul1-- ,so wisely foolish1 and so foolish wise1-- ,a very child in heart1 yet strangely strong1 ,ne'er have ,i found1 except in ,kundry here4444 ,come1 brother-knights1 lift up the stricken swan ,and bear it on these branches to the lake2 ,nor speak of this sad sorrow to the ,king ,to further grieve his deep-afflicted heart ,stricken the ,king and wounded to his death1 ,this omen he may dwell on to his hurt4 ,and back unto the ,king's bath went the knights1 ,while ,gurnemanz spake further to the lad3 ,speak out thy heart to me4 ,i am thy friend4 ,surely thou knowest much that thou canst say4 ,then spake the boy and told him of his life3 ,i have a mother1--,heartsrue is she called4 ,and on the barren moorland is our home4 ,my bow and arrows have ,i made myself ,to scare the eagles in the forest wilds4 ,then ,gurnemanz3 ,yea1 thou hast told me true1 ,for thou thyself art of the eagle brood4 ,i see a something kingly in thy look4 ,yet better had thy mother taught thy hands ,to spear and sword than this unmanly bow4 ,whereat the wild witch ,kundry raised herself ,from where she lay along the bosky woods1 ,and hoarsely broke in3 ,yea1 his noble sire ,was ,gamuret1 in battle slain and lost ,a month before his child had seen the light4 ,and so to save her son from such a death1 ,the lonely mother reared him in the woods1 ,and taught him nothing of the spear and sword1 ,but kept him ever as a guileless child4 ,then spake the lad3 ,and once ,i saw a host ,of men pass by the borders of the wood1 ,a-glitter in the sun1 and riding fast ,on splendid creatures1 prancing as they went4 ,oh1 ,i would fain have been like these fair men4 ,but1 laughing gaily1 on they galloped fast ,and ,i ran after them to be like them1 ,and join the glittering host and see the world4 ,but though ,i ran1 they faded from my sight ,yet have ,i followed1 over hill and dale4 ,day after day ,i follow on their track1 ,and here ,i am as now you see me here4 ,my bow has done me service on the way ,against wild beasts and savage-seeming men4 ,and ,kundry added3 ,yea1 the fiery boy ,has sent a terror into many hearts-- ,the wicked always fear the nobly good4 ,then asked the boy in sweetest innocence3 ,and who are wicked1 tell me1 and who good8 ,and ,kundry spake3 ,thy mother1 she was good4 ,she grieved for thee1 but now she grieves no more4 ,for as ,i lately rode along that way ,coming with haste from far ,arabia1 ,i saw her dying1 and she spake to me1 ,and sent her blessing to her darling boy4 ,at which the boy with sudden childish rage3 ,my mother dead6 and sent a grace by thee1-- ,thou liest1 woman6 ,take thy false words back6 ,and still impetuous and unreasoning1 ,fighting the facts of life in rebel mood 7,a child of sudden temper1 guileless heart71 ,he seized her1 struggling with a furious might ,to make her unsay what her lips had told4 ,perhaps he might have harmed her in his wrath1 ,had not the agd ,gurnemanz come near1 ,and drawn him back1 with the sharp-spoken words3 ,impetuous child1 restrain thy violence6 ,this woman harms thee not4 ,she speaks the truth6 ,kundry has seen it1 for she never lies4 ,and at the word1 the lad grew calm again1 ,and silent stood with still and stony stare1 ,until his heart broke out in woe afresh 7,a guileless child1 not knowing strong control71 ,and he was seized with trembling1 and he swooned4 ,then ,kundry1 bearing naught of hate or spite1 ,ran to a pebbly brook that flowed near by1 ,and brought cold water in an ancient horn1 ,sprinkled the lad1 and gave him some to drink4 ,and ,gurnemanz1 with kindly look at her1 ,spake out3 ,thy deed is worthy of the ,grail1-- ,a cup of water fails not of reward2 ,and sin is conquered by the deeds of good4 ,but ,kundry muttered still3 ,i do no good6 ,then in still lower tone to her own self3 ,i do no good1 ,i only long for rest4 ,o weary me6 ,would ,i might never wake6 ,yet dare ,i sleep8 ,it means calamity ,to those whom ,i in vain have tried to serve4 ,resist ,i cannot6 ,yea1 the time has come6 ,i feel the awful spell upon mine eyes1-- ,slumber ,i must6 ,slave of that evil one ,who wields his black art from the mountain height4 ,sleep1 sleep1 to sleep6 ,i must6 ,i must6 ,i must6 ,with this she crept away and laid her down ,within a thicket of the forest woods4 ,meanwhile the litter of the ,king came back ,with all its retinue of gallant knights4 ,and ,gurnemanz held up the tottering lad1 ,still sorrowing at the sad news come to him1 ,and slowly led him toward the castle gate1 ,while softly speaking to him graciously3 ,see how our ,king ,amfortas from the bath ,is carried by his loving servitors4 ,the sun is rising high4 ,the time has come ,when we shall celebrate our holy ,feast4 ,there will ,i lead thee4 ,if thy heart be pure1 ,the ,grail will be to thee as food and drink4 ,then asked the lad3 ,what is this thing1 the ,grail8 ,and ,gurnemanz3 ,i may not tell thee that1 ,but if to serve it thou art surely called1 ,then shalt thou know its meaning to the full4 ,somehow ,i feel and hope that thou shalt know1 ,else what has led thy footsteps to this height4 ,yet no one sees the glory of the ,grail ,save those to whom it shall reveal itself4 ,then on they moved1 and softly spake the lad3 ,i scarcely move1 and yet ,i seem to run1-- ,what is the meaning of this strange new thing8 ,and ,gurnemanz made answer3 ,here1 my child1 ,there is no space and time1 but all is one1-- ,for here we breathe the atmosphere of ,god1-- ,a boundless ,here and an eternal ,now4 ,then on they went1 and soon were lost to view ,within the gateway of a rocky cliff2 ,sometimes came glimpses of them as they climbed ,the sloping passages within the cliff-- ,a cloistered corridor of carven columns-- ,and paused a moment at some rocky window ,to see the grandeur of the mountain heights4 ,the soft notes of a trumpet called them up1 ,and silver bells were chiming melodies4 ,at length they reached the noble pillared hall ,within the castle of the ,holy ,grail1 ,for here the sacred feast was always kept1-- ,and here were gathering the blessd knights4 ,clothed were they all in tunics of gray-blue1-- ,the color of the softened light of heaven1-- ,with mantles of pale scarlet1 flowing free1-- ,the very tincture of the blood they served1-- ,and on the mantles snow-white soaring doves1 ,the symbol of the ,holy ,spirit's gift4 ,and with a solemn joy they took their place ,along the tables of communing love2 ,the while from the great vaulted dome above ,came ever-growing sound of chiming bells4 ,then spellbound stood the lad and gazed around1 ,amazed at all the glory of the hall1 ,and all the solemn splendor of the scene1 ,till ,gurnemanz stooped down and whispered low3 ,now give good heed1 and if thy heart be pure1 ,and thou art called1 then surely thou shalt know4 ,then sang the knights this chorus soft and slow2 ,o holy feast of blessing1 ,our portion day by day2 ,in thee ,god's grace possessing1 ,that passeth not away4 ,who doth the right and true1 ,here findeth strength anew2 ,this cup his hand may lift1 ,and claim ,god's holiest gift4 ,and from the mid-height of the lofty dome ,the voices of the younger knights replied3 ,as anguished and holy ,the dear ,saviour lowly1 ,for us sinners ,his own life did offer2 ,so with hearts pure and free1 ,forever do we ,our lives unto ,him gladly proffer4 ,he died--our sins atoned for thus1-- ,he died---yet liveth still in us6 ,and from the topmost of the glorious dome ,a chorus of fresh boyish voices came3 ,the faith doth live6 ,the ,lord doth give ,the ,dove1 ,his sacred token6 ,drink at this board ,the wine outpoured1 ,and eat the bread here broken6 ,illustration ,and as they sang their sweet antiphonies1 ,a long procession through the splendid hall ,wended slow way1 and bearing in the ,king1 ,the suffering ,amfortas in his pain1 ,still lying listless on his royal couch4 ,before him walked a company of boys ,clothed in pale blue1 and bearing high aloft ,a mystic shrine in cloth of deepest crimson1 ,to signify the royal blood beneath4 ,and others followed bearing silver flagons ,with wine1 and baskets of the finest bread4 ,slowly the ,king was carried to a couch ,within the midst1 high-raised and canopied1 ,and just before him1 of a pure white stone1 ,traced with faint figures of the passion-flower1 ,stood the communion table where was placed ,the sacred shrine1 still covered1 of the ,grail4 ,and when the hymns were ended1 and the knights ,had taken their set places at the board1 ,then there was silence4 ,and from far away1 ,as if from some deep cavern of a tomb1 ,behind the couch where ,king ,amfortas lay ,the muffled voice of agd ,titurel ,spake with long silences between the words3 ,my son ,amfortas1 art thou at thy post8444 ,wilt thou unveil the ,grail and bid me live8444 ,or must ,i die1 denied the saving vision8 ,and ,king ,amfortas cried in desperate pain3 ,o woe is me to bear the burning wound ,that shames me in the office of the ,grail6 ,o father1 do thou take the sacred trust ,and let thy holy hands reveal the ,grail ,once more1 and live6 ,and let me quickly die6 ,but answered him the agd ,titurel3 ,nay1 nay1 too feeble ,i to serve again4 ,i live entombed with but a breath of life1 ,saved by the remnant of the grace of ,god4 ,my strength all gone1 but my poor yearning heart ,still eager for the vision of the ,grail2 ,for this alone can bring me comfort now4 ,thine is the office4 ,o unveil the ,grail6 ,for serving faithfully thou mayst atone ,for all the grievous sin of thy sad life4 ,but quickly ,king ,amfortas stopped the knights ,who went to do his bidding at the shrine3 ,nay1 leave the ,holy ,cup still unrevealed6 ,god grant that none of you may ever know ,the torment that this vision brings to me ,which brings to you all rapture and all joy4 ,here do ,i stand in office1 yet accurst1-- ,my heart of lust to guard ,god's holiest gift1 ,and plead in prayer from lips all stained with sin1-- ,pleading for you who purer are than ,i6 ,o direst judgment from the ,god of grace6 ,my inmost soul doth long for ,his forgiveness1 ,i yearn for sign of ,his compassion1 ,yet cannot bear ,his mercy in the ,grail4444 ,but now the hour is nigh6 ,i seem to see ,a ray of glory fall upon the ,cup6 ,the veil is raised6 ,the sacred stream that flows ,within the crystal1 gloriously shines ,with radiance heaven-born4 ,but as it glows1 ,i feel the well-spring of the blood divine ,pouring in floods into my anguished heart4 ,and then the full tide of my sinful blood ,ebbs out in tumult wild through this deep wound ,here in my side4 ,it leaps in bounds of pain1 ,like torments of the lowest depths of hell1-- ,through this deep wound4 ,like ,his own wound it is1 ,thrust through with bitter stroke of that same ,spear1 ,and in the self-same place from which ,his tears ,of burning blood wept over man's disgrace ,in holiest pity and divinest love2 ,and now from me1 the highest office holding ,and charged with holiest trust of ,god's good grace1-- ,from me the hot1 impassioned blood is surging1 ,renewed again by that first awful sin4 ,alas1 no deep repentance e'er can save ,a sinner dyed in sins so scarlet red4 ,naught can avail1 but only one sure thing1 ,the healing touch of that thrice-sacred ,spear1 ,held in the pure hand of the guileless ,one4 ,have mercy1 ,o have mercy1 pitying ,god6 ,take back my birthright in the sacred trust6 ,take back my life and all ,i hold most dear6 ,but give me healing1 and ,thy tender love1-- ,and let me die1 and come to ,thee pure-hearted6 ,and as he ended in an anguished sob1 ,the boys' sweet voices chanted from the dome3 ,by pity 'lightened1 ,my guileless ,one1-- ,wait for him1 ,till ,my will is done6 ,then softly all the knights cried3 ',tis ,god's will ,that thou shouldst wait in suffering1 yet hope4444 ,fulfil thy duty3 and reveal the ,grail6 ,while deep the voice of agd ,titurel3 ,unveil the ,grail6 ,sir knights1 unveil the ,grail6 ,then they took off the cloth all purple-red1 ,and slowly brought to light the golden shrine1 ,and from it took the antique crystal ,cup1-- ,forever cherished as the ,holy ,grail1-- ,and set it on the table near the ,king1 ,who writhed in silent anguish on his couch4 ,then agd ,titurel3 ,the blessing now6 ,and ,king ,amfortas bowed in silent prayer ,before the ,cup1 while an increasing gloom ,spread through the room1 and from the lofty dome ,the voices of the boys sang soft and low3 ,take ye1 and drink ,my blood1 ,in vow no death can sever6 ,take ye1 ,my body eat1 ,in love to live forever6 ,remember ye ,my life and love1 ,and raise your hearts to ,me above6 ,and as the verse was ended1 came a ray ,of dazzling light upon the crystal ,cup1 ,and filled it with a radiant purple glory4 ,and with it came a streaming splendor down ,that flashed a lustrous beauty all around4 ,and ,king ,amfortas1 with a brightening face1 ,upraised the ,holy ,grail1 and gently waved ,its glory to all sides4 ,and all did kneel1 ,and raised their eyes in joyous reverence ,toward that bright glory in the darkened room4 ,and once again the agd ,titurel's voice3 ,o rapturous vision of the grace of ,god6 ,then ,king ,amfortas placed the ,cup again ,upon the altar-table of the shrine1 ,and it was covered with the crimson cloth4 ,and from the silver flagons of the wine ,and from the baskets of the sacred bread1 ,new consecrated by the ,grail's own light1 ,each knight received his portion gratefully1 ,and all sat down to eat the feast divine4 ,then ,gurnemanz did beckon to the lad ,to come and eat4 ,but he was all amazed1 ,and silent stood1 nor heeded the kind word4 ,while from the height1 boys' voices came again3 ,wine and bread of consecration1 ,once the ,lord for our salvation ,changed for love and pity's sake ,to the blood which ,he did shed1 ,to the body which ,he brake4 ,and answering them1 the younger knights replied ,in sweet antiphony amid the feast3 ,blood and body1 gift of blessing1 ,now ,he gives for your refreshing1 ,changes by ,his spirit true ,to the wine for you outpoured1 ,to the bread that strengthens you4 ,and still in answer did the knights respond1 ,one group in joyous answer to the other3 ,take ye the bread1 ,change it again1 ,your powers of life inspiring2 ,do as ,he said1 ,quit you like men1 ,to work out the ,lord's desiring4 ,take of the wine1 ,change it anew ,to life's impetuous torrent2 ,this be the sign1 ,faithful and true1-- ,to fight as duty shall warrant6 ,then all the knights1 with rapture in their hearts1 ,rose joyfully and clasped each other's hands ,and gave each other the blest kiss of peace1 ,and from their lips and from the dome's great height1 ,and from the younger knights the chorus broke3 ,blessd believing6 ,blessd the loving6 ,blessd the loving6 ,blessd believing6 ,but ,king ,amfortas bowed his anguished head1 ,and held his wound all broken out afresh4 ,slowly they carried him from out the hall ,and slowly marched the knights with solemn joy1 ,bearing the ,grail within the covered shrine1 ,while bells were chiming in the lofty dome4 ,and then the lad--for he was ,parsifal-- ,tight clutched his heart in sorrowful distress ,as ,king ,amfortas groaned in bitter woe4 ,he stood in utter anguish overcome1 ,breathing impulsive with deep sympathy1 ,but spake no single word1 nor gave one sign ,that he had understood the solemn feast1 ,or seen the glory of the ,holy ,grail4 ,and when the last knight left the festal hall ,and all the doors were closed1 then ,gurnemanz ,came to the lad and shook him from the spell ,and asked3 ,what sawest thou1 what does it mean8 ,and when he answered not1 but shook his head1 ,clutching his heart as if in agony1 ,the patient ,gurnemanz had patience then no more1 ,but thrust him out and quick made fast the door1 ,with the scant words3 ,begone1 thou guileless lad6 ,guileless thou mayst be2 utter fool thou art6 ,so ,parsifal went forth into the world1 ,naught knowing of the meaning of it all ,except the new-stirred pity in his heart4 ,and as the angry ,gurnemanz returned1 ,and made his way along the pillared hall1 ,he stopped1 amazed1 and listened1 for he heard ,from far above a gentle voice that sang3 ,by pity 'lightened1 ,my guileless ,one6 ,and from the loftiest dome another voice3 ,blessd believing6 ,,parsifal4 ,,part ,,ii ,,the ,,tempting ,,of ,,parsifal ,klingsor the dread magician plied his arts ,and worked in shame his dastardly black deeds1 ,within the inner keep of a great tower1-- ,the watch-tower of the grim and frowning castle4 ,here in a dark and dismal rocky room1 ,where ,heaven's light could scarcely find a way1 ,and where around him lay his books and tools ,of hateful magic1 littering the floor1 ,steadfast he looked upon a metal mirror ,that told the fates to him1--then muttered low3 ,the time has come6 ,lo1 how my tower entices ,the guileless lad1 who cometh like a child ,with happy heart1 and laughter on his lips4 ,come1 ,i must work my work by her who sleeps ,in heavy slumber underneath my spell2 ,for in the past she did my deadliest deeds4 ,and in the gloom he kindled incense rare1 ,that filled the keep with blue unearthly smoke2 ,and sitting at the mirror once again1 ,he called with mystic gestures to the depths ,that yawned beneath an opening in the floor3 ,uprise6 ,come forth6 ,draw near me at my will6 ,thy master calls thee1 nameless wanderer1 ,rose-bloom of ,hell1 and ancient devil-queen6 ,a thousand times the earth has known thy face ,in many forms of woman's wiles and sins1-- ,herodias wert thou in ancient time1 ,and once again ,gundryggia wert called ,in old ,norse days2 but thou art ,kundry now1 ,symbol of woman's wile and cruel craft4 ,come hither1 ,kundry1 for thy master calls6 ,then in the blue light ,kundry slow appeared4 ,asleep she seemed1 and dreaming in her sleep1 ,but sudden wakened with a dreadful cry1 ,a shuddering cry1 half laughter1 half in pain4 ,and ,klingsor spake again3 ,awakest thou8 ,again my spell is potent on thy life2 ,my will again shall use thee for my deeds4 ,but ,kundry cried in bitter agony1 ,and wailed in fear and anguish at his feet2 ,while ,klingsor asked her in deep thunder tones3 ,where hast thou wandered since ,i used thee last8 ,i know4 ,among the brethren of the ,grail1 ,who thought thee but a witch and serving-wench4 ,do ,i not treat thee with a better grace1 ,and use thee for the mightiest of deeds8 ,since thou didst lure for me the brave ,amfortas-- ,chaste guardian 7they thought him7 of the ,grail-- ,thou hast deserted my high name and service4 ,what better hast thou found than me and mine8 ,then ,kundry cried in hoarse and broken speech3 ,o dismal night and shame and wickedness6 ,would ,i could sleep the deepest sleep of death6 ,and ,klingsor asked3 ,what has there come to thee8 ,has some one else awaked thee from thy sleep8 ,and trembling ,kundry answered3 ,even so4 ,and1 oh1 the longing to redeem my life6 ,then ,klingsor3 ,yea1 with knights so pure in heart1 ,the evil ,kundry would be ,heaven-pure4 ,but ,kundry answered all his mockery3 ,yea1 ,i did serve them well and faithfully4 ,and ,klingsor spake with a great voice of scorn3 ,thou wouldst amend the mischief thou hast done8444 ,they are not worth it6 ,they are fools and weak4 ,i buy them all for price of one sweet sin4 ,the strongest was the weakest in thine arms4 ,and so ,i ruined him1 and won the ,spear1 ,and left him with the ever-burning wound4 ,but now to-day another must be met1-- ,most dangerous because so godlike pure1 ,for he is shielded by a guileless heart4 ,and ,kundry cried3 ,him will ,i never tempt6 ,thou canst not force me to the hateful deed4 ,but ,klingsor answered3 ,yea1 thou shalt1 thou must4 ,i am thy master and ,i have the power4 ,thy charms and woes are nothing unto me4 ,laugh at me1 if you will4 ,i have the power6 ,yea1 ,i remember all the days of yore1-- ,that once ,i sought the holier1 happier life1 ,within the service of the ,holy ,grail2 ,but it was mad ambition1 desperate wish1 ,and thou didst quench it for me1 devil's-queen1 ,and drown it in thy hellish arts of love4 ,but that is past4 ,now thou art but my slave4 ,and ,titurel1 who scorned me at the gates1 ,and all his knights with their proud ,king ,amfortas1 ,through thy dark wiles ,i ruined utterly4 ,and in my hand ,i hold their sacred ,spear ,and soon shall have their shining ,holy ,grail4 ,remember now to use thy wiles again ,as thou didst love ,amfortas to his shame4 ,but ,kundry cried3 ,o misery and shame6 ,that e'en their ,king should be so weak with me1 ,and all men weak4 ,o hateful1 hateful curse ,that ruins them and me in sin together6 ,o for the sleep of death to end all this6 ,and ,klingsor then3 ,perhaps thy wish is near1 ,for he who can defy thee1 sets thee free4 ,go tempt the guileless boy1 and win thy wish4 ,but ,kundry answered still3 ,i will not tempt him6 ,then ,klingsor3 ,yea1 thou must6 ,it is my will4 ,for this ,i wakened thee4 ,and fair is he4 ,see1 from my window ,i can watch him come4 ,he scales the ramparts like a hero born4 ,this trumpet ,i will blow and wake the guards4 ,ho6 warders of the gates and walls6 to arms6 ,a foe is near6444 ,list to the clash of swords6 ,how my deluded vassals swarm the walls ,to guard my castle and the maidens here-- ,bewitching creatures fashioned by my art6 ,behold6 the guileless lad is not afraid6 ,he fights with bold ,sir ,ferris1 wrests a sword1 ,and flashes it with fury in their midst4 ,and as he fought1 ,kundry laughed loud and long1 ,and now she groaned in awful agony1 ,then with a sudden shriek was lost to sight4 ,still ,klingsor spake3 ,how ill his fiery zeal ,agrees with the weak spirit of these knights4 ,wounded in arm and limb1 they yield1 they fly1 ,and carry off a multitude of scars4 ,but what care ,i1 you puny1 craven race8 ,would that the weak knights of the ,holy ,grail ,might rise in wrath and slay each other thus6 ,how proudly stands the youth upon the walls6 ,how red the roses in his cheeks are laughing6 ,and how amazed he is1 like some sweet child1 ,to see this wondrous garden at his feet6 ,ho6 ,kundry6 ,hast thou gone8 ,i thought ,i heard ,thy laughter1 or a sudden cry of pain4 ,doubtless already she is hard at work ,to do my bidding1 for she is my slave1 ,and what ,i tell her1 she must surely do4 ,there1 there1 my gallant lad1 so sweet and brave1 ,thou art too young to understand these things4 ,but thou shalt learn1--my arts will teach thee well1 ,and when thy guileless heart shall be ensnared1 ,then thou art weak1 and lost1--and mine the ,grail6 ,then1 wondrous sight6 the castle disappeared1 ,save here and there a distant battlement1 ,and through the foliage the palace walls1 ,and windows of ,arabian tracery4 ,but everywhere were flowers--wondrous flowers-- ,rising in terraces of tropic growth3 ,a splendid garden of luxuriant flowers ,created by dread ,klingsor's magic art4 ,and ,parsifal1 astounded at the scene1 ,stood silently upon the castle walls1 ,as to his eye the great flowers seemed to wake1 ,and rush in airy garments here and there4 ,they seemed like maidens and they seemed like flowers1 ,so graceful and so beautiful were they4 ,and as they moved they spoke in rhythmic tones3 ,here was the tumult and shoutings6 ,here was the clashing of weapons6 ,horror6 our lovers are wounded6 ,here in the palace is carnage6 ,who is the foe that assails us8 ,accurst shall he be by us all6 ,but ,parsifal leaped gaily to their midst1 ,and smiled upon them with unfeigned delight2 ,and cried3 ,thus do ,i win my way to you1-- ,the loveliest maidens that mine eyes have seen4 ,and pacified they ask3 ,thou comest here ,and wilt not harm us1 but be kind to us8 ,and ,parsifal3 ,nowhere such maidens live1-- ,fair flowers of the garden of delight4 ,i could not treat you ill1 you are so fair6 ,again you bring sweet childhood's days to me1 ,for you are all so lovely and so bright4 ,and then the maidens welcomed the gay youth ,and spake to him3 ,if thou wilt be our friend1 ,then art thou welcome in our happy garden4 ,we do not play for gold1 but only love1-- ,the rosebud garlands of the joy of life4 ,then other maidens came in flowers clad1 ,and danced around him with their laughing grace1 ,and sang in tones of winsome witchery3 ,we are thy fragrant flowers1 ,blooming alone for thee1 ,and full of love's own bliss ,and life's deep mystery6 ,come1 kiss our rosy lips1 ,for thou our lover art1 ,and taste the nectar sweet ,of nature's secret heart4 ,and ,parsifal1 still with the guileless heart1 ,and seeing all with only childlike eyes1 ,untouched of evil1 nor discerning sin1 ,asked laughingly3 ,and are you really flowers8 ,i do not know4 ,you are so beautiful4 ,then crowded they around him with their charms1 ,and pleaded with him1 ,love us ere we die6 ,crowded each other1 jealous of his smile1 ,and struggling eagerly to win his love4 ,but ,parsifal repulsed their too fond hearts1 ,and shunned their circle of entwining arms ,with gentle gesture3 ,sweetest sister-flowers1 ,i like ye better in the flowery dance1 ,and when ye give me space to see your charms4 ,away1 sweet sisters1 leave me here alone6 ,then did they chide him3 ,art afraid of us1 ,or art thou also cold1 as well as coward8 ,here butterfly is wooed by loving flowers1 ,and does not know enough to sip the sweet4 ,and ,parsifal discerned them then1 and cried3 ,begone1 false flowers1 ye cannot snare my heart6 ,but as he turned to leave the flowery throng1 ,he heard a sweet voice from a leafy bower ,say3 ,parsifal6 ,a moment6 ,parsifal6 ,and quick he stopped and murmured1 ,parsifal6 ,who calls me by that gentle mystic name1 ,that once my mother named me in her dreams8 ,and the voice spake3 ,o tarry1 ,parsifal6 ,for ,i have joyous things to tell to thee4 ,ye flowery children1 leave him here in peace2 ,he came not here to waste his time in play4 ,go to the wounded lovers waiting you4 ,and so they left him1 singing as they went3 ,must we leave thee1 must we sever1 ,oh1 the parting pain6 ,gladly would we love thee ever ,and with thee remain6 ,fair one1 proud one1 now farewell4 ,guileless1 foolish heart1 farewell6 ,and gaily laughing at the guileless youth1 ,they rushed into the palace and were gone4 ,and ,parsifal spake slowly to himself3 ,was all this nothing but a passing dream8 ,but looking whence the other voice had come1 ,he saw the leafy bower had opened wide1 ,and on a flowery couch a maiden lay1 ,more beautiful than heart could ever dream1 ,clad in some light gown of ,arabian stuff4 ,and ,parsifal1 still standing high aloof1 ,spake courteously3 ,didst thou call to me ,and name me who am nameless unto all8 ,and she replied3 ,i named thee1 guileless lad1-- ,i named thee by thine own name1 ,parsifal4 ,for so thy father ,gamuret named thee1 ,before he died in that ,arabian land1-- ,named thee before thine eyes had seen the light1 ,named thee with greeting in his dying breath4 ,here have ,i waited thee to tell thee all4 ,what drew thee here but the desire to know8 ,and ,parsifal3 ,i never saw1 nor dreamed1 ,such wondrous evil things as here to-day4 ,and art thou but another wanton flower ,that bloomest in this evil garden here8 ,but she3 ,o ,parsifal1 thou foolish heart6 ,surely thou seest ,i am not as these4 ,my home lies far away in distant lands4 ,i did but tarry here to wait for thee ,and tell thee many things about thyself4 ,i knew thee when thou wert a little babe1 ,smiling upon thy loving mother's breast4 ,thy earliest lisp still laugheth in my ear4 ,and thy dear widowed mother1 sweet ,heartsrue1 ,although she mourned1 smiled also in her joy ,when thou wert come1 a laughing new-born love4 ,thy cradle was a nest of softest moss1 ,and her caresses lulled thee to thy sleep4 ,she watched thee lovingly through all thy sleep ,and waked thee in the morning with her tears ,of mingled love and pain for him who died4 ,and that thy life should know no strife of men1 ,nor care nor perils as thy sire had known1 ,became her only care4 ,so in the woods ,she went with thee to hide in quiet there4 ,and there she hoped no evil of the world1 ,nor ways of sinful men would come to thee4 ,didst thou not hear her sorrowful lament ,when thou didst roam too far or late from home8 ,didst thou not hear her laughter in her joy ,when she would give thee welcome home again1-- ,when her dear arms were close around thy neck ,and her sweet kisses on thy loving lips8 ,but thou hast never known what ,i have known ,of those last days of thy dear mother's love4 ,thou didst not hear the secret sighs and moans1 ,and at the last the tempest of her grief1 ,when after many days thou didst not come1 ,and not a trace of thee could e'er be found4 ,she waited through the weary days and nights1 ,and then her open tears and cries were stilled1 ,and secret grief was eating at her life1 ,until at last her anguished heart did break1 ,and thy dear mother1 gentle ,heartsrue1 died4 ,and ,parsifal in tenderest grief drew near1 ,and sank in sorrow at the maiden's feet1 ,and cried3 ,o woe is me6 ,what have ,i done1 ,o sweetest1 dearest1 gentlest mother mine1 ,that ,i thy son shouldst bring thee to thy death8 ,o blind ,i was1 and wretched1 and accurst ,to wander off and leave thy tender love4 ,o faithful1 fondest1 fairest of all mothers6 ,and ,parsifal was weak with pain and grief1 ,and gently did the maiden bend to him ,and wreathe her arms confiding round his neck4 ,and whisper to him3 ,since thou knowest grief1 ,let me be comfort to thy sorrowing heart4 ,and let thy bitter woe find sweet relief ,in consolations of the tenderest love4 ,but ,parsifal3 ,yea1 yea1 ,i did forget ,the mother that hath borne me in her love4 ,and how much else have ,i forgotten now6 ,what have ,i yet remembered to my good8 ,a blindness seems to hold me in its thrall4 ,then said the maiden3 ,thou hast spoken true1 ,but full confession endeth sorrow's pain1 ,and sadness brings its fuller gift of wisdom4 ,thy heart has learned its lesson of deep grief2 ,now it should learn its lesson of sweet love1 ,such love as burned in thine own father's heart ,whene'er he held dear ,heartsrue to his breast4 ,thy mother with her flaming heart of love ,gave thee her life1--it throbs within thee now1-- ,and thus she sends her blessing from above1 ,and gives to thee this sweetest kiss of love4 ,and at the words she held him in her arms1 ,and pressed upon his lips a fervent kiss4 ,then there was silence1 deep and terrible1 ,as if the destiny of all the world ,hung in the balance of that fervent kiss4 ,but still she held him in her clinging arms4444 ,then ,parsifal1 as if the kiss had stung ,his being into horror of new pain1 ,sprang up with anguish in his pallid face1-- ,his hands held tight against his throbbing heart1 ,as if to stifle some great agony1-- ,and at the last he cried with voice of pain3 ,amfortas6 ,o ,amfortas6 ,o ,amfortas6 ,i know it now6 ,the ,spear-wound in thy side6 ,it burns my heart6 ,it sears my very soul6 ,o grief and horror in my being's depth6 ,o misery6 ,o anguish beyond words6 ,the wound is bleeding here in mine own side6 ,and as the maiden watched him in her fear1 ,he spake again in fierce and awful strain3 ,nay1 this is not the ,spear-wound in my side6 ,there let the life-blood flow itself to death6 ,for this is fire and flame within my heart ,that sways my senses in delirium1-- ,the awful madness of tormenting love6 ,now do ,i see how all the world is stirred1 ,tossed and convulsed1 and often lost in shame ,by the terrific passions of the heart6 ,then growing calmer1 ,parsifal spake on1 ,as if an echo of the wail of ,god ,over the world's sad suffering and sin3 ,i seem to see the blessd ,holy ,cup ,and in its depths the ,saviour's blood doth glow4 ,the rapture of redemption sweet and mild ,trembleth afar through all the universe1 ,except within a sin-polluted heart4 ,such is ,amfortas whom ,i must redeem4 ,i heard the suffering ,saviour's sad lament ,over ,his sanctuary shamed in sin2 ,i heard ,his words--',deliver me from hands ,that have profaned the holiest with guilt6 ,so rang the words within my very soul4 ,yet ,i1 forgetting what my ,lord had said1 ,have wandered off in boyish foolishness4444 ,o ,lord1 behold my sorrow at ,thy feet6 ,have mercy on me1 blest ,redeemer mine1 ,and show me how my sin can be atoned6 ,then came the maiden near in trembling way1 ,as if her wonder was to pity turned1 ,and spake3 ,my noble knight1 fling off this spell6 ,look up1 and this heart's love shall comfort thee6 ,but ,parsifal with fixed look answered her3 ,ah1 woman1 now ,i know thee who thou art4 ,thy voice it was that pleaded with ,amfortas2 ,thine eye that smiled away his peace of heart2 ,thy lips that tempted him to taste of sin2 ,this same white throat was bending over him2 ,this proudly tossing head2 these laughing curls2 ,so these fair arms were winding round his neck2 ,and every feature soft in flattery2 ,when thou didst bring him agony untold1 ,and stole his soul's salvation with thy kiss6 ,out and away1 destroyer of men's souls6 ,take thy pernicious wiles and get thee gone6 ,but ,kundry--for 't was she--cried out in grief3 ,o heart1 that feelest for ,amfortas' woe1 ,hast thou no feeling for my dire distress8 ,thou camest here to save the ,king from sin1 ,why not save me and bring me my redemption8 ,through endless ages ,i have waited thee1-- ,for thou dost seem to me a very savior1 ,like ,him whom long ago ,i did revile4 ,o that thou knewest my story and the curse ,which waking1 sleeping1 joyous1 or in woe1 ,brings me forth sorrow and a deep despair4 ,this is my story4 ,once ,i saw the ,lord ,in those sad days of ,his sad earthly life1 ,for in a previous existence ,i ,was also living in fair ,galilee2 ,these eyes did see ,him on the dolorous way ,that led ,his sorrowing feet to ,calvary4 ,and in light scorn1 ,i laughed at ,him4444 ,i laughed4 ,and when she spake these words--,i laughed-- ,she stopped in pain and for an awful moment ,her deed spake in the silence1 horror-stricken4 ,and ,parsifal deep shuddered at the word1 ,but she spake on3 ,i laughed at ,him4 ,whereat ,he looked at me4 ,ah6 ne'er shall ,i forget6444 ,and now forever am ,i seeking ,him1 ,from age to age and e'en from world to world1 ,to stand once more before ,him in contrition4 ,sometimes ,his eye doth seem to glance on me1 ,and then accursd laughter seizes me1 ,and ,i am ready for the deeds of ,hell4 ,i laugh and laugh1 but never can ,i weep4 ,i wander storming1 raving1 but no tears4 ,the night of madness holds me1 but no tears4 ,o could ,i weep1 ,i know ,i would be saved4 ,be pitiful1 and be a savior to me6 ,for thee1 like ,him1 ,i have derided oft4 ,now do ,i come to thee with heart of love2 ,let me but rest upon thy breast and weep1 ,take me but to thyself for one short hour1 ,and thou shalt save eternity for me1 ,and in my tears my sin shall be atoned6 ,but ,parsifal3 ,eternity were lost ,for both of us1 if even for an hour ,i yielded to the sin of loving thee1 ,and in that hour forgot my holy mission4 ,for ,i am also sent to save thy soul ,and to deliver thee from curse of lust4 ,the love that burns in thee is only lust4 ,between that and the pure love of true hearts ,there yawns abyss like that 'twixt ,heaven and ,hell2 ,nor can the foul fount e'er be closed in thee1 ,until the pure fount shall be opened wide2 ,nor can thy sinful heart be ever saved ,by heavy sorrow and much agony2 ,nor e'en by service rendered unto others2 ,only one way can save thy guilty soul-- ,only by giving all to ,christ's dear love4 ,the curse that rests upon the brotherhood ,is something different by another's sin4 ,they pine and languish for the ,holy ,grail1 ,and yet they know the wondrous fount of life4 ,but thou6 what wouldst thou do to save thy soul8 ,o misery6 ,o false and daring deed6 ,thou wouldst see rest and ,heaven's holy peace1 ,by way of ,hell1 and death's eternal night6 ,then ,kundry cried in wildest ecstasy3 ,and hath a single kiss from me conveyed ,such boundless knowledge to thine eager soul1 ,and given unto thee a world-wide vision8 ,o let my perfect love embrace thy heart1 ,and it shall quicken thee to godlike power6 ,deliver sin-lost souls6 ,it is thy work6 ,stand as a god revealed6 ,it is thy right6 ,take thou my love1 and take this godlike power1 ,and let me perish6 ,thou art all to me6 ,then ,parsifal3 ,i offer thee deliverance1 ,but not in this way1 impious one4 ,but ,kundry3 ,let me love thee1 my divine one6 ,this the deliverance ,i ask of thee4 ,and ,parsifal3 ,love and deliverance ,shall come to thee in truest1 noblest way1 ,if thou wilt guide me to ,amfortas now4 ,then ,kundry into maddened fury broke1 ,and cried3 ,no1 never shalt thou find the ,king4 ,let the doomed ,king go to his desperate shame4 ,ah6 hapless wretch whom ,i derided laughing1 ,he fell at last by his own sacred ,spear4 ,then ,parsifal3 ,the ,king was brave and good4 ,who dared to wound him with the sacred ,spear8 ,and ,kundry answered3 ,he has wounded him6 ,he who can put my laughter into flight6 ,he who enslaves me to his utter will6 ,his spell is on me and doth give me might4 ,yea1 and the ,spear shall also thrust thee through1 ,if thou wilt pity that poor craven's fate6 ,o ,parsifal1 pray give to me thy pity6 ,let but one single hour be mine and thine1 ,and then thou shalt be guided as thou wilt6 ,and as she spake1 she sought to hold him fast1 ,but off he thrust her with the last fierce words3 ,unhand me1 wretched woman6 ,be ye gone6 ,and ,kundry beat her breast and cried in rage3 ,hither1 ye powers of darkness6 ,hither1 help6 ,seize on the caitiff who defies my will6 ,guard ye the ways1 and ward the passage there6 ,ah1 ,parsifal1 if thou shouldst fly from hence ,and learn the ways through all the weary world1 ,the one ,way that thou seekest to the ,king-- ,that thou shalt never find6 ,so have ,i sworn6 ,so do ,i curse all pathways and all courses ,that lead thee from me4 ,wander1 then1 ,i say6 ,wander forever1 but the ,king find never6 ,i give thee up to ,klingsor as thy guide1-- ,klingsor my royal ,lord and magic ,master4 ,and scarce the words had left her cursing lips1 ,than ,klingsor's ugly form was on the wall4 ,in his black hands he swung the sacred ,spear ,and cried3 ,halt there1 thou cursd guileless ,one6 ,feel thou the keenness of thy ,master's ,spear6 ,with that1 he hurled it full at ,parsifal2 ,but miracle of miracles6 it stopped ,above the head of ,parsifal1 and there ,it floated in the radiant air1 a glory4 ,and ,parsifal1 with upward look and prayer1 ,grasped it and wielded with supremest joy1 ,and with it marked upon the air1 the cross2 ,and cried3 ,this sign of holy cross ,i make1 ,and ban thy cursd magic evermore ,and as it soon shall heal the burning wound1 ,so may it wound thy power to utter wreck6 ,and as the words of ,parsifal were said1 ,an earthquake shook the castle to the ground1 ,the garden withered into desert waste ,strewn with the flowers1 faded1 desolate1-- ,and ,kundry1 crying loud1 fell to the earth4 ,so ,parsifal held high the holy ,spear ,and left the garden-waste and broken tower1 ,and all the ruin of the haunts of sin1 ,but stood a moment on the shattered walls ,and looked at ,kundry lying on the ground1 ,and spake3 ,thou knowest where we meet again6 ,and as he went1 sad ,kundry raised herself ,a little1 and looked after him4 ,o ,kundry6 ,sinful and yet desiring to be helped1 ,enthralled of sin1 yet seeking after ,god6 ,thou art our human nature1 after all1-- ,strange contradiction1 mingled love and hate1 ,half demon and half angel in thy moods6 ,,parsifal4 ,,part ,,iii4 ,,the ,,crowning ,,of ,,parsifal ,morning was breaking in the pleasant land1 ,where rising meadows full of fragrant flowers ,skirt with their beauty the deep forest wilds1 ,that lead to rocky cliffs among whose peaks ,lies ,monsalvat1 the castle of the ,grail4 ,forth from a hut that leans against the rock1 ,close to a woodland spring1 came ,gurnemanz1 ,the faithful knight and noble counsellor1 ,but now a lonely hermit of the woods1 ,clad in the sacred tunic of the ,grail1 ,grown very old and bent1 and hair snow-white4 ,he listened for awhile1 then spake3 ,what moans ,from yonder thicket come8 ,no forest beast ,doth utter cry so piteous and sad4 ,this holy morn1 the holiest of the year1 ,doth bring to ,nature a deep-thrilling joy4 ',t is only humankind that can be sad4 ,ah6 there again the grieving and the moans1-- ,methinks ,i know that sad despairing cry4 ,these brambles ,i will tear apart and see ,what their thick undergrowth so well conceals4 ,ah6 ,here she is again6 ,the winter's thorn ,has been her grave these many weary years4 ,wake1 ,kundry1 wake6 ,the winter long is past2 ,the spring has come6 ,awaken with the flowers6 ,how cold she is1 and rigid as the dead6 ,i could believe her dead1--and yet ,i heard ,her groaning and her piteous moan erstwhile4 ,and kneeling down1 he chafed her hands and face1 ,breathed on them to awaken life again2 ,and at the last a tremor thrilled her through4 ,in deep amaze she wakened from her sleep1 ,and opened her sad eyes1 with startled cries4 ,long did she gaze on agd ,gurnemanz2 ,then she arose1 but her whole mien was changed1-- ,the wildness of her former life was gone2 ,a tender softness shone forth from her eyes2 ,a gentle bearing lent an added grace2 ,and without word of question1 or of thanks1 ,away she moved as if a serving-maid4 ,then ,gurnemanz3 ,hast thou no word for me8 ,are these my thanks1 that from the sleep of death ,i waked thee8 ,kundry slowly bent her head1 ,and murmured brokenly the words3 ,to serve1-- ,o let me serve thee and the ,holy ,grail4 ,then ,gurnemanz again3 ,this were light toil1-- ,for days of saddest peace have come to us1 ,and deeds of valiant arms no more are done4 ,a dark despair is over ,monsalvat2 ,no messengers are sent to distant parts ,to stir the hearts of fighting warriors2 ,like every creature of the leafy woods1 ,each man doth serve himself in daily needs4 ,but ,kundry had perceived the hermit-hut1 ,and knew that she could serve in little things2 ,and unto it she went to find some task4 ,and ,gurnemanz deep wondered1 and he spoke3 ,how unlike days of yore her step and way1-- ,grace in her step and grace in countenance4 ,perchance ,god giveth grace to her sad heart4 ,perchance this holy morn hath wrought the change4 ,o day of boundless mercy1 'twas for this-- ,her soul's salvation and another life-- ,that ,i have wakened her from sleep of death6 ,see1 with a pitcher comes she from the hut1 ,and fills it at the spring6444 ,but who is this ,that now ,i see approaching through the woods ,and drawing slowly near the holy spring8 ,yon knight is not a brother of the ,grail1 ,with all that war accoutrement of gloom4 ,and one drew near1 a splendid armored knight1 ,his armor shining black as darkest night1 ,his helmet closed1 and lowered was his spear4 ,forward he walked as if he moved in dream1 ,as if a servant of some high emprise1 ,neither to right nor left he turned his face1 ,but seated him beyond the holy spring4 ,and ,gurnemanz close watched him and his ways ,and wondered who the splendid knight might be2 ,then ventured near with courteous salute3 ,all hail to thee1 sir knight1 and welcome here6 ,art thou astray1 and may ,i give thee aid8444 ,no word for me1 but bowing of thy head8 ,perchance my lord is under knightly vow ,to perfect silence1 as my vows bind me ,to courtesy and service4 ,therefore hear ,where now thou art and what is due this place4 ,this is a holy woods and this a holy spring1 ,within the domain of the ,holy ,grail1 ,where in his armor none hath right to come ,with helmet closed1 and shield and shining spear4 ,besides1 dost thou not know what day this is8 ,not know the day8 ,from whence then hast thou come8 ,what heathen darkness hath been thine abode ,that thou rememberest not this holy day1-- ,the ever-hallowd ,good-,friday morn8 ,put off thy heavy armor1 for the ,lord1 ,bare of defence1 on this most holy day1 ,did freely shed ,his blood to save the world1 ,and bring the time of kindness and of peace4 ,and silently1 without an answering word1 ,the stranger knight fixed in the ground his spear1 ,and at its foot lay down his shield and sword1 ,opened his helmet1 placed it on the ground1 ,and knelt in silent prayer before the spear4 ,illustration ,with wonder and deep feeling1 ,gurnemanz ,had watched the knight1 and as he saw him pray ,and saw the face upturnd to the light1 ,he knew him1 and to ,kundry softly spake1 ,who now drew near3 ,thou knowest him4 ',t is he ,who long ago laid low the snow-white swan1-- ,he whom in anger ,i thrust out-of-doors4 ,where has he wandered since that luckless day8 ,but look6 ,behold the spear6 ,it is the ,spear ,for which my eager heart has longed and prayed6 ,o holy day1 on which the ,spear comes home6 ,o happy day to which my soul awakes6 ,and when the knight had ended all his prayer1 ,he slowly rose1 and looked about and saw ,the agd hermit1 snowy-crowned with age2 ,and suddenly he knew that kindly form1 ,and rushed to ,gurnemanz with eager face1 ,and crying3 ,good my friend1 all hail to thee6 ,thank ,heaven that ,i find thee once again6 ,and ,gurnemanz3 ,dost thou remember me1 ,after so many long and weary years1 ,and bent with grief and care as now ,i am1 ,and covered with the clustering snow of age8 ,but tell me1 what has passed since last we met8 ,and how didst thou come here1 and whence1 and why8 ,and ,parsifal--for it was he--replied3 ,through error and through sufferings ,i come1 ,through many failures and through countless woes4 ,thus was the guileless ,one at last enlightened1 ,and taught the depths of pity and of love4 ,and can it be that now the trials are ended ,and peace has come1 and holiness at last8 ,yet here ,i am within this holy wood1 ,and here art thou1 dear servant of the ,grail4 ,but1 do ,i err1 this place seems somehow changed ,from what it was in days of yore8 ,the life1 ,the joy seem to have vanished1 and ,i feel ,as if a cloud hung over ,monsalvat4 ,then ,gurnemanz3 ,too true thine every word1 ,but tell me1 pray1 for whom thou here dost seek8 ,and with a wondrous light within his eyes1 ,did ,parsifal with earnest words reply3 ,i come to him whose piteous moans of pain ,i heard long years ago1 nor understood4-- ,the guileless ,one went forth from thee a boy1 ,impetuous1 fierce1 who did not know himself2 ,he comes again a man with tenderest pity1 ,and deep experience and heart enlightened1 ,to be the healer of the stricken ,king4 ,but long the course by which ,i learned the way1 ,and bitter all the wanderings1 where sin ,had laid its snares1 and sought to curse my soul4 ,many the perils and right fierce the strife1 ,yet clung ,i to the pathway of the right4 ,and at the last ,i won the sacred ,spear ,by ,god's good mercy and ,his boundless love4 ,but even with the ,spear within my hands ,oft came a fearful dread upon my heart1 ,lest ,i might lose this treasure that ,he gave ,into my keeping1 for never durst ,i use ,this sacred ,spear in battle-blows or strife1-- ,it was for healing wounds1 not making them1-- ,and so in many a fight ,i took the wounds ,from other weapons1 but profaned this never4 ,i bring it home virgin and undefiled1 ,and consecrate it to its healing work4 ,thus does it gleam before thee1 even now1-- ,the wonder-working power1 the sacred ,spear6 ,and ,gurnemanz1 with joyous heart1 replied3 ,o grace and glory1 blessd gift of ,god6 ,o miracle of holy healing power ,that thou hast brought us in the sacred ,spear6 ,sir knight1 if it were once a cruel thing ,that drove thee wandering in the evil world1 ,and if it ever were a curse to strive ,in subtle snares and temptings manifold1 ,believe me1 now the spell is surely broken4 ,here thou art now within the ,grail's dominion4 ,here wait for thee an eager band of knights4 ,ah6 how they need the blessing that thou bringest4 ,for since that morning when thou first wert here1 ,the sorrow and the anguish that thou heard'st ,have grown until the woe has covered all4 ,and ,king ,amfortas1 soul and body wracked1 ,did crave in desperation only death1 ,and so refused to show the ,holy ,grail4 ,no prayer1 no sorrow of his brother-knights ,could move him to fulfil his sacred trust4 ,close in its shrouded shrine the ,cup remained4 ,for ,king ,amfortas hopes that if his eyes ,shall see the ,grail no more1 that he may die1 ,and with his life thus end his bitter pain4 ,the holy ,supper also is denied us1-- ,our daily portion only common food4 ,thereby exhausted is our former strength4 ,no more the cry for succor comes to us1 ,nor call to holy war from distant lands2 ,but pale and wretched wander forth the knights1 ,hopeless and leaderless in these dark days4 ,here in the forest ,i myself have hid1 ,in quiet waiting for the hour of death1 ,already come unto my warrior-lord1 ,the agd ,titurel4 ,for when no more ,he could behold the vision of the ,grail1 ,then did his sad heart fail him1 and he died4 ,and ,parsifal in sudden sorrow cried3 ,what have ,i done to let this curse go on8 ,why have ,i wasted all these precious years ,in wandering1 while here was deepest woe8 ,why did ,i never see the needed truth ,that no repentance can assuage the grief1 ,no expiation can atone the wrong1 ,until another feels the bitter pain1 ,and takes it willingly to his own heart8 ,here ,i was chosen to redeem the wrong1 ,and save the anguish of the stricken ,king1 ,and yet how blind has been my foolish heart6 ,can blindness mean impurity and sin1 ,and may it be that ,i am all deceived1-- ,my way all lost1 my hopes forever gone8 ,and in the bitter struggle of his soul1 ,and in the self-abasement of his heart1 ,and in the strong reaction that oft comes ,to spiritual natures1 deep and fine1 ,he would have fallen helpless to the ground2 ,but ,gurnemanz quick caught him in his arms1 ,and led him sinking to a grassy mound1 ,and ,kundry ran with water for his brow4 ,but ,gurnemanz3 ,not so4 ,the holy spring ,shall now revive our pilgrim's waning strength4 ,my heart sees noble work for him to-day4 ,a sacred mystic duty doth await him4 ,he shall be pure as light1 and all the dust ,of travel and of error washed away6 ,then from his limbs they took the mighty greaves1 ,and loosed the woven corselet from his side1 ,and bathed his feet and brought him to himself4 ,and straight he asked3 ,and shall ,i see the ,king8 ,and ,gurnemanz3 ,thou shalt behold the ,king ,this very day and speak thy word to him4 ,the death-rites of mine agd warrior-lord1 ,the noble ,titurel1 doth call me to the court2 ,and there again the ,grail shall be revealed4 ,for ,king ,amfortas hath by solemn vow ,promised once more to open up the shrine1 ,sworn to fulfil the long-neglected office1 ,to sanctify the saintly father's end1 ,and expiate the deep unfilial crime1 ,the added sin1 that broke his father's heart4 ,and as he spoke1 the kindly ,kundry bathed ,the feet of ,parsifal1 who looked at her ,with gentle wonder and a pitying love1 ,and said3 ,so humbly hast thou washed my feet1 ,perchance the good and faithful ,gurnemanz ,may sprinkle my poor head with holy water1 ,and give my soul his gracious benediction4 ,and ,gurnemanz took water from the spring1 ,and sprinkled ,parsifal in holy rite1 ,and uttered over him the benediction3 ,o guileless ,one1 thrice blessd be and pure1 ,and free forever from all care and sin6 ,then ,kundry from her bosom drew a vial1 ,a golden vial1 full of perfumed oil1 ,and poured its soothing fragrance on his feet ,and dried them with her flowing unbound hair4 ,and ,parsifal reached out and took the vial1 ,and gave it unto ,gurnemanz and said3 ,this woman hath anointed these my feet2 ,let now the faithful servant of the ,grail1 ,and minister of sainted ,titurel1 ,anoint my chosen head with holy oil1 ,that ,i may take the office1 as ,god will1 ,and you to-day may greet me as your ,king4 ,so ,gurnemanz performed the kingly rite1 ,anointing ,parsifal with holy oil1 ,and laid the hands of blessing on his head1 ,and said3 ,so came the ancient word to us2 ,so with my blessing do ,i greet thee now1 ,and hail thee as the ,god-elected ,king6 ,thou art ,his guileless ,one1 by pity 'lightened1 ,patient in suffering1 and taught by woe4 ,much hast thou suffered to redeem another2 ,god give thee now the grace for crowning all4 ,then ,parsifal took water from the spring1 ,and came to ,kundry kneeling at his feet1 ,and sprinkled her with solemn mystic rite1 ,and said3 ,this be the first work of my trust4 ,kundry1 in ,christ's dear name ,i sprinkle thee4 ,be thou redeemed and holy evermore6 ,and in a passion of rejoicing tears ,she kneeled there and her voice gave praise to ,god4 ,and ,parsifal looked on the fields and woods1 ,so fair and radiant in the morning light1 ,and uttered forth the rapture of his heart3 ,how beautiful these morning meadows are6 ,so fresh1 so sweet1 so radiantly pure6 ,full many a flower in other days ,i saw1 ,but full of subtle poison was their breath ,and they were snares of baneful witchery4 ,but these are ,god's own blossoms full of grace4 ,these twining vines that burst with purple bloom1 ,these fragrant flowers1 so innocent and fair1-- ,they speak to me of loving childhood's days1 ,and tell me of the boundless love of ,god4 ,then ,gurnemanz3 ,on fair ,good-,friday morn1 ,all nature seems a-thrill with new delight4 ,and ,parsifal3 ,yet strange that it is so4 ,that darkest day of agony divine ,might well have cast a pall of gloom o'er all1 ,and plunged all ,nature into deepest woe4 ,no1 no1 the gentle ,gurnemanz replied1 ,the ,saviour's work hath wrought a miracle1 ,and now the grateful tears of penitence ,are holy dew that falls upon the world1 ,and makes it bloom in fair and lustrous beauty2 ,and all creation knows ,god's saving work1 ,and praises ,him for ,his redeeming grace4 ,no more the agony of that grim ,cross1 ,but now the joy of man redeemed and saved1 ,freed from the load of sin by conquering faith1 ,and purified by ,love's great sacrifice4 ,each sprouting blade and meadow-flower doth see ,something of ,god's grace in the heart of man2 ,for as the ,lord was tender unto man1 ,so man in turn will love ,god's flowering earth4 ,the whole creation therefore doth rejoice1 ,and every bird and flower is full of praise1 ,and ,nature everywhere is full of ,god1 ,and sweet has dawned this day of innocence4 ,then ,kundry1 with the tears still in her eyes1 ,looked up at ,parsifal1 and soft he spake3 ,i saw the hearts that mocked us fade away1 ,but love shall bloom eternal in ,god's grace4 ,blest tears that speak the blessing in thy heart4 ,but weep no more4 ,god's grace is full of joy1-- ,smile with all ,nature1 joyously redeemed6 ,illustration ,and down he bent1 and on her pure white brow ,printed the kiss of ,god's redeeming love4 ,then chimed the distant bells1 and louder yet ,the gradual growing music of sweet sounds4 ,and ,gurnemanz3 ,the hour has come1 midday4 ,permit me now to lead thee to the ,grail6 ,and ,parsifal was clothed in holy garb1-- ,the dove-embroidered mantle of the ,grail1-- ,which ,gurnemanz had brought him from the hut1 ,and grasped the sacred ,spear and followed on4 ,again they climbed the rocky passages1 ,and reached at last the castle's pillared hall1 ,crowned with the mighty dome of blazing light4 ,slowly the knights in mourning garb marched in1 ,bearing the corpse of saintly ,titurel4 ,slowly the servitors marched sadly in1 ,bearing the pale ,amfortas on his couch4 ,and going on in front the acolytes ,bore in the ,grail in heavy covered shrine4 ,and as they marched1 they sang this solemn hymn3 ,here do we bear the ,holy ,grail1 ,long hidden in this shrine2 ,no more its wondrous grace is seen1 ,no more its glories shine6 ,here saintly ,titurel we bear1 ,the faithful knight and king2 ,when he no more the ,grail could see1 ,he died in sorrowing6 ,and here ,amfortas now we bear-- ,god shrive him from the past2 ,for he has sworn to do his trust ,and show the ,grail at last6 ,and suffering ,amfortas turned and groaned1 ,and raised himself a little on his couch1 ,and cried3 ,o woe is me6 ,o woe is me6 ,my tears are flowing from my very heart4 ,would ,i had died before ,i saw this hour4 ,yet death is mercy that ,i cannot hope4 ,then solemnly the knights1 with sacred awe1 ,uncovered saintly ,titurel1 and looked ,once more upon that well-belovd face1 ,and there was sound of weeping everywhere4 ,and sadly did ,amfortas speak the words3 ,my father1 blest among ,god's heroes ever6 ,thou before whom the angels loved to bow1 ,forgive me for my most unfilial sin1-- ,i sought for death1 yet struck thee to the heart1 ,by holding back the vision of the ,grail4 ,o thou who now in radiance divine ,dost see the blest ,redeemer face to face1 ,beseech for me that when ,i show the ,grail ,it may give life anew to these dear knights-- ,but death to me--sweet death for which ,i long4 ,o death1 kind mercy of the living ,god1 ,stifle this heart and rid me of my pain6 ,father1 ,i plead with thee to cry to ,him3 ',redeemer1 give my son release and peace6' ,thereat the knights came pressing up and cried3 ,unveil the ,grail and do thine office now6 ,the death-rite of thy father doth demand it6 ,but in a mad despair ,amfortas rose1 ,and wildly rushed among the startled knights1 ,and cried3 ,no1 no1 ,i cannot do it now6 ,death is so near me1 only let me die6 ,why should ,i turn again to dreadful life8 ,rather ,i plead with you to slay me here6 ,see1 here ,i stand1 the open wound is here6 ,thus am ,i poisoned1 here flows forth the blood6 ,draw ye your swords and plunge them to the hilt6 ,kill both the sinner and his awful pain6 ,then will the ,grail forever shine for you1 ,and blessing come to you for evermore6 ,but all shrank back in terror from the ,king1 ,who stood in frenzied madness there alone4 ,then ,parsifal drew near1 and slowly spake3 ,only one weapon serves to kill that pain4 ,the one that struck can staunch thy wound again6 ,and with the sacred ,spear he touched the ,king4 ,and lo6 a miracle of healing power6-- ,the wound was staunched and a deep thrill of love ,changed agony to rapture all divine4 ,and ,parsifal spake on3 ,thou art forgiven4 ,body and soul are cleansed by ,god's free grace ,thy life for evermore shall happy be ,within the service of the ,holy ,grail4 ,but never more as ,king1 for ,i have come ,to take thy place as ,god hath so decreed4 ,thy sorrows shall be blessings unto thee1 ,for thus by pity was the guileless 'lightened1 ,and ,god's own ,son was perfect made by pain4 ,knights of the ,grail1 behold the sacred ,spear6 ,god gave it me but to restore to you6 ,and all with reverent joy beheld the ,spear1 ,and thanked the ,lord that it had come again ,to bring the golden days of health and power4 ,and as they looked in rapture and in awe1 ,the ,spear-point seemed to glow with holy fire ,and sparkled1 turning red like flowing blood4 ,and ,parsifal spoke on3 ,o miracle ,and marvel of the holy power of ,god4 ,this sacred ,spear is flowing with the blood1 ,the very blood of that same wondrous ,saviour1 ,that floweth in the crystal of the ,grail4 ,the double blessing shall its glory give4 ,open the shrine6 ,reveal the ,holy ,grail6 ,and quick the sacred shrine was opened wide ,and ,parsifal long knelt in silent prayer1 ,absorbed in holy rapture at the sight4 ,then suddenly the heavenly splendor fell ,and flamed and glowed within the sacred ,cup1 ,while wondrous glory flooded all the hall ,and filled each heart with deep and holy joy4 ,and from the lofty dome a dove descended1 ,and hovered lovingly o'er ,parsifal4 ,thus ,parsifal was crowned of ,god and man1 ,and slowly did he lift the ,holy ,grail1 ,the red blood glowing with its wondrous light1 ,and waved it in the air before the knights1 ,who knelt around him1 praising ,god on high4 ,and there had ,kundry come with new-found faith ,and crept within the splendor of the ,grail ,and1 with its light upon her1 died1--redeemed6 ,and still did ,parsifal hold up the ,grail1 ,seeming a vision of the very ,christ1 ,his crimson mantle changed to lustrous whiteness4 ,his lips seemed speaking loving benediction2 ,and marvellous the red glow of the ,grail2 ,and beautiful the white dove soaring there4 ,while from the heights the softest voices sang3 ,highest wonder6 blest salvation6 ,praise the ,lord for our redemption6 ,,the ,,end