Polynesian., 1856-09-13
The Legend of Sir Galahad.

The Legend of Sir Galahad.
Tennyson's noble poem Of Sir Galahad is famil-
lar to most of our readers. The original legend
from which it was derived may not be so familiar.
We copy the following outline of it from Sharpe's
London Magazine:
1t said that at the crucifxion, the blood which
flowed from our Lords body was received by Jo-
seph of Arimathea, in golden vessel; henceforth
called above all others, g lie Sane Graal, ,''-' the
Holy Cup" 1t was entrusted to Josephs care,
and he carried it with him in his many wander
ings, until at length he found rest on the shores
of England. When he died, the precious charge
was taken out of human custody; it was borne
hither and thither by angel-hands, resting in un-
known shrines, and yet sometimes mysteriOusly
coming into sight, clothed with unearthly bright
ness, and guarded with unearthly solemnity.
But it was not always to be thus: prophet after
prophet told the world that some one was to be
born in the coming time, far holer and brayer
than ony one who had gone before him, who should
win his way to the repossessiOn of the Holy Cup;
who should drink of it, and be thencefOrth sinless
who should take it away from earth forever, and
rise by its power to the heaven Of heavens.
The bravest knights in ChristendOm met at King
Arthur's court and bound themselves into com
pany for the quest of the Graal; they assembled,
day by day, at the Round Table, but they were
warned to leave seat vacant-the g Siege Peri
lous (which was reserved for the mighty one
who was hereafter to join them. Once when Il
knight in the fulness of selfconfdence, ventured
to sit in it. the earth yawned beneath him and he
was seen no more; so that all waited patiently un-
til the destined conqueror sent TO them. At
last they had tidings of him: One Whit-Sunday,
when they returned from church, letters of fash
ing light were seen on the mystic seat telling them
that the invincible knight would take his place
among them four hundred and fifty years after
Christ's Passion. - This is the day." they Cried
in exultation, % let US await his coming" They
were not long in suspense, for the chamber where
thew sat at MONDAY, suddenly and strangely dark
ened and when it was black night, glow of
marvellous brightness began to arise, until at
length a venerable white-rObed old man was seen
standing in their midst, with beautiful youth by
his side. Peace be with you, fair lords"
the sautation but the knights were too awestrick-
en- to reply Then the old man told them that the
how before them was Gods anointed-that he
should battle down every foe, and win the Holy
Graal He babe Sir Galahad-fOr that was the
Young knights name-strip off his coat of mail,
and throw robe of ermine over his tunic of rich
red silk: when this was done he led him to the
g siege Perilous,' and taking off the coverlet,
showed new inscription of flashing light This
is the Siege of Galahad!'' "Sir," said ne to his
companion, % This siege is yours" The miracu-
lous brightness melted into the natural sunlight
the old man vanished from sight. Sir Galahad,
the bov-knight, was chief of the heroes of the
Round Table.
But even now he had no sword, and as no Crdi-
nary weapon could avail in the conflict which was
befre him, he received one by miracles that same
dav slab of red marble foated on the river past
Artbur's castle, with jewelled sword thrust
throuob it. inscribed 90 To the bravest knight in
Cbristendom. None could extricate 1t but Sir
Galahad. who grasped it without an effort. and
girded it on his thigh. Nor did the marves OF the
day stop here: the Round Table was assembled In
the evening. when on sudden loud blast swept
through the air. and the castle walls seemed to tot
ter as in an earthquake, and rumbling peels OF
thunder terrified them all This soon ceased, and
n sunbeam succeeded it-'' A sunbeam more bright
by seven times says the chronicle, I" than ever
thew saw by day' then there entered into the hall
the HOLY GRAIL borne by the unseen hands OF an
gels. and seeming miracuOusly poised IN hght.
Tbe KNIGHTS tbereupon vowed simultaneously that
thew would forthwith fulfil their mission, and seek
m recover this priceless treasure. King Arthur
hade them meet on the morrow in the meadow OF
Camelot for he knew well that if they all depart
ed thew would not all meet again. tournament
was held, at which Sir Galahad, though ne rooe
into the lists without shield, broke the lances OF
ali who encountered him, and showed himself su-
narhumapIy brave. Some of the knights wished
70 save the pang of parting with their lady-ioyes
by taking them as companions in the quest; put
an old hermit came forward to warn them, and TO
tell them moreover: 'i He who is not clean OF MS
sins shall not see the soughtfor mysteries
On Whit-Tuesday, the company set forth, dehi-
inc through the streets Of CamelOt III solemn pro-
Ieession amid the fearful mournings OF the Wnoie
people; when the city gates were reached eaen Oh
the hundred and fifty knights took different course
with the wide world before him, and with only
God for his guide. Sir Galahad was shiediess still