The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1859-10-13
For the Potter Journal.
THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL.

IHE SlfG LAUNF AL.
| Mr.. EDIToR-Some ten years since Messrs.
| Ticknor L Fields, of Boston, presented to the
public most charming little poem, entitled
The Vision of Sir Lannfal," by James Rus
sell Lowell Though not in the gay dress of
+" blue and gold with which they clothe their
publications of day, there Ia within It's plain
and beauty. 1t should be sought for and
read by all, especially those of Us who are
ever longing and striving for the unattained
and. too often, unattainable, le,-unattanab SO
long as we look for real happiness only in the
life beyond, when, with the fetters of mortal
ity unclasped, we shall have been made,
through Ged's goodness, Lartakers of His wis
dom and love. This searching for heart
treasures yet nnattained may not be fruitless /;
! this longing desire for 8 better, a fuller life
here, may have its fruition. We need not
go to a far-awsy country for fountains at
which to Slake our thirst for the pure waters
of truth, kinGness and love these we'll
springs are beside our own doors, where we
may daily drink and be soul-refreshcd. To
US who are prone to look afar-of for happi-
ness ever near if rightly sought, this gem
poem Of which We speak will not be without
its lesson of encouragement amid the practi-
cal duties of life. That your readers may
have some idea of its beauty and power for
good, an admirer asks the privilege of a niche
in your columns for few extracts.
In an explanatory note we find that, "ac-
cording to the mythology of the Romancers tie
San Greal, or Holy Grail, was the cup out of
which Jesus rartook Of the last supper with
his disciples. 1t was brought into England
by Joseph of Arimathea, and remained there
many years, an object Of pilgrimage and adora-
tion, in the keeping of his descendants. 1t
was incumbent upon those who had charge of
it to be chaste in thought, word, and deed !;
but one of the keepers having broken this
condition, the Holy Grail disappeared. From
that time it was a favorite enterprise of the
knights Of Arthur's court to go in search Of
it." Sir Launfal, young and valiant knight
of the time, sallies forth exclaiming thus
"sM My golden spurs now bring to me,
/ And bring to me my richest mail,
For tomorrow go, over land and sea,
| In search of the Holy Grail;
Shalt never bed for me be spread,
Nor shall pillow be under my head,
| Till begin my vows to keep;
Here on the rushes will | sleep,
And perchance there may come vision true
Ere day create the world anew.
! Slowly Sir LaunfePs eyes grew dim,
! Slumber ieil like a cloud on him.
And into his soul the vision few"
Then he dreamed that in gilded mail he SET
out upon his pilgrimage in search of the sn.
cred Cup. On bright, lovely morning while
the turrets of his own proud castle (whose
gates were never open "saye to lord or lady
of high degree " were still dimy seen in the
distance as he, upon nis noble charger, emerg-
| ed from the dark arch of draw bridge, there
sat by the waysidA lcper, asking aims:
"And loathing over Sir Launfal came.
| For this man so foul and bent of stature
Rasped harshly against his dainty nature,
And he seemed the one blot on the summer
So he tossed him piece of gold in scorn.
The leper raised not the gold from the dust
Better to me the poor mans crust,
Better the blessing of the poor,
| Though turn me empty from his door;
That is no true aims which the hand can hold
He gives nothing but ruthless gold
Who gives from sense Of duty;
But he who gives a slender mite
And gives to that which is out of sight,
That thread of all-sustaining Beauty
Which runs through all, and doth all unite, =
The hand cannot clasp the whole of his aims
The neart outstretches its eager palms,
For god goes with it and makes it store
To the soul that was starving in darkness:
before"
After beautiful prelude to tho second par
Of this Vision
3" Again it was morning, but shrunk and cold,
|, As if her veins were sapless and old,
And she rose up deorepitly
4 Lac fool