New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-20

The lad disappoints his guide. He understands
nothing OF the solemn happenings which he has
witnessed and is driven out of the sanctuary with
contumely Subsequently he has entered the mag-
cal garden surrounding the castle Of the sorcerer
A number Of knights sent against him he puts to
rout Now the magician summons lovely women
dressed flowers TO seduce him with their charms
They sing and play about him with wheedlings and
catoleries, with insnuating Establishments and
dainty batteries. with pretty petuancies and de-
ectable quarrellings; but they fail in their object
does also unwilling siren whom the magician
inyokes by powerful COMPUTATIONS. She is half Mag
da1en, half wicked sorceress-a messenger in the
service OF the pious knights, and such hdeous
OF aspect; tool in the hands OF the magician and
as such supernaturally beautiful 1t was to her
charms that the suffering king had yielded To
win the youth. she tells him the story mother
and brings him her last message Of love and a
kiss. At the touch OF her impure lips a food Of
passion hitherto unfet pours through the veins of
the youth, and in its surge comes understanding
OF the suffering and woe which he had witnessed in
the castle and his own remissness Compassionate
pity brings enlightenment. and he thrusts back
the woman who is seeking to destroy him. Finding
the wiIes OF his tool unavailing the wicked ma
gican himself appears to give battle. for he, too
knows the oracle, and fears the coming OF the
kings deliverer and the loss Of the weapon which
he hopes will yet enable him to achieve the mysti-
cal talisman He hurIs the lance at the youth but
IT remains suspended in midair. The lad seizes IT.
makes the sign Of the cross. speaks some words OF
exorcsm. and garden, castle, damsels-au the
works OF enchantment disappear. Now, the young
hero IS conscious Of mission: he must find again
the abode OF the knights and their ailing king and
bring TO them surcease OF suffering After long and
grievous wanderings he is again directed to the
castle. Grief and despair have overwhelmed the
knights. whose king unable longer to endure the
torture in which he has lived long, has refused
cehnitvely to perform his priestly Office In con-
sequence. his father, longer the recipient Of
supernatural sustenance. has died, and the king
longs TO follow him The hero touches the wound
Of the king with the sacred spear ends his ooors
and is hailed as king in his place. The tenptress
who has followed a penitent freed from a
curse which had rested upon her for ages. goes 70
bIisstul and eternal rest.
This is the story Of WaEner's ''Parsifal'' IN mt.
line. There will be ample occasion 10 study ~.
symbolism. its philosophy. its ethics and fits artistic
worth this week. The tale is version OF the quest
Of the Holy Grail. The hero is that
Sir Percvals
Whom Arthur and his knghthood called THE Pure
The king IS Amfortas and is a symbol OF bu
mainly suffering from the wounds Of slavery TO de-
sire The act of herosm which brings release 10
the king and the knights Of the Grail is renuncia-
ton Of desire. knowledge of the need and of the
means Of deliverance had been inspired by com,