The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1871-04-04
Search for the HOLY Grail.
BY MRS. II. n. C. GUNN.

all unheeded. For he had been reading
the quaint, yet beautiful story, which ha'
come down to us thro' the centuries, and
though many hundred years old has never
lost its interest or significance. 1t was the
"Legend Of the Sangreal," or Holy Graf
the cup out of which the Savior dranl
at the last supper with His disciples, ant
which, after His death, was said to have
been carried into England by Joseph o.
Arimathea, and preserved at Glastonbury
as precious relic. 1t was incumbent up.
on its keepers to be noble and pure in eve.
ry respect, but one of them having broken
his vow, the Holy Cup disappeared from
the earth, no more to be seen by corrupt
mortals. Years afterward, during the
reign of the famous King Arthur his bold
Knights of the Round Table made it one
Of their favorite pastimes to 60 in search
of the lost cup, but they were all unsuc-
cessful except Sir Galahad, who was called
the "Maiden Knight When King Ar
thur made him knight, he said:
"God make thee good as thou art beau.
tiful !" For in all the land there was none
fairer than he, nor one set apart more
plainly for some high and noble mission
This was his story:
One day, as the knights of Arthur's
court sat together in their hall, storm
burst over their heads, mingled with a
cracking of the roof, and loud peal of
thunder. In the thunder was cry, and
light brighter than day, in the middle of
which was seen the Holy Grail, passing
down the hall. 1t was enveloped in a
cloud of luminous splendor, which pre-
vented the knights from seeing who car
ried it,and soon it had vanished. A glory
seemed reflected on every face, and filled
with wonder they all arose and gazed at
one another in mute surprise. But at
length, Sir Galahad spoke and said that he
had seen the Holy Cup, through the mysti-
cal cloud that covered it, and heard the
cry that was in the thunder, and which
had said to him, 80, Galahad, and o,
Galahad, follow me-"
And, therefore, clad in silver armor, the
fair knight rode forth on his quest, and at
last found the object oftheir eager search.
To him alone was it revealed uncovered,
and ever after, as long as he tarried upon
earth, it went beside him, ncrving his arms
for deeds of Christian valor, until he be-
came mighty champion for the truth.
and rode everywhere, overthrowing evil
customs, and conquering Pagan realms !;
victorious over everything through the
strength of the Holy Grail.
And when his noble mission was accom-
plished, it is said he came to high NIL,
whose storm-wrealhed summit he quickly
gained, and found at its base dismal
swamp, stretching as far as the eye could
reach, and spanned by bridges built by an
ancient king. AS fast as he crossed these
they sprang into fire and vanished, while
three times above him the heavens seemed
to open and blaze with lightning. Sounds
Of sweet music followed, and shoutings, as
if all the Heavenly hosts were rejoicing.
Soon he reached great sea, where a
boat received him, and bore him swiftly
onward his silver armor shining with a
starry radiance, while over his head the
holy vessel was suspended, luminous, and
clothed in white samite.
Onward he passed, till he looked like
star in the distance, and paused not un-
til he reached city "with all its spires
and gateways in glory like one pearl"
The Holy Grail, from which the veil of
white samite had been withdrawn, now
CLEANED brightly, redder than any rose,
and, ascending to the city, was taken
within the gates never more to be seen
by mortal men. Thither, also, Sir Gala
had entered, and was hailed with a JOY
GUS welcome, and shouts of "Well done" ="
blended with bursts of hallelujahs, and
thanksgivings.
Such was the mystical story over which
the boy beneath the tree lay pondering.
While it excited his interest, it also
strongly aroused his curiosity, and long
ing arose within him to discover why the
knights of old had been so eager to un-
dertake the search for the Sangreal and
of what it was symbolical. Memory
brought before him "The vision of Sir
Launfal," which he had also read and
it seemed to come up vividly before his
sight, as, closing his eyes, he unconscious.
ly fell asleep
1t was a lovely morning in Summer
when, from the gateway Of an old, feudal
castle, knight rode forth on his noble
steed, clothed in goodly coat of mail
and bearing sword and lance. His head
was erect, and his eye determined and
fearless, for he was to commence search
for the Holy Grail, and had sworn never
to return or seek repose until his task wa.
accomplished. AS he rode onward, 4
leper stood before him and begged fol
aims. Turning away in disgust from
the wretched suppliant, Sir Launfal flung
him scornfully gold piece, which the
leper refused to take, since it had moi
been bestowed in better spirit. Bu
the knight unheeding, or thinking only
of his search, hastened forward, and roam
ed over land and sea, after the sacred
relic. The cup was, however nowhere to
be found, and old age overlook him while
still unsuccessful. A sorrowlul and brok
ed down man, he retraced his steps tt
the castle, to find another in possession
of his earldom, and himself an outcast ant
beggar. But he had learned to com.
passionate the needy and suffering onei
on earth, and so, as he stood shiverine
by the castle walls, one wintry night, ,anc
again met the leper he had once scorn
fully repulsed, he no longer turned proud
ly away, but fed him out of his owl
scanty store, and gave him to drink at q
little brook that babbled near, and Will,
thus gently minstered to the necessities
of the poor leper, 10 4! the couLtenanc,
of the latter changed and became most
glorious while light of radiant bright
ness filled the whole place, voice o
thrilling sweetness also addressed Sil
Launfal, and said.
> "Thou hast not helped the leper, bu
the Savior, for, in supplying the necessi