Parsifal | Page 5

in the blue and red robes of the Grail, enter in solemn procession, and take their seats at two semicircular tables which start like arms to the right and left of the holy shrine. Beneath it lies Titurel entranced, and upon it is presently deposited the sacred treasure of the Grail itself.
As the wounded King Amfortas is borne in, the assembled knights, each standing in his place, a golden cup before him, intone the Grail motive, which is taken up by the entering choruses of servitors and esquires bearing the holy relics.
Gurnemanz is seated among knights; Parsifal stands aside and looks on in mute astonishment, "a guileless one."
As the Holy Grail is set down on the altar before the wounded king, a burst of heavenly music streams from the high dome--voices of angels intone the celestial phrases, "Take, eat" and "This is my blood!" and blend them with the "faith and love" motives. As the choruses die away, the voice of the entranced Titurel is heard from beneath the altar calling upon Amfortas, his son, to uncover the Grail, that he may find refreshment and life in the blessed vision.
Then follows a terrible struggle in the breast of Amfortas. He, sore stricken in sin, yet Guardian of the Grail, guilty among the guiltless, oppressed with pain, bowed down with shame, craving for restoration, overwhelmed with unworthiness, yet chosen to stand and minister before the Lord on behalf of His saints! Pathetic situation, which must in all times repeat itself in the history of the Church. The unworthiness of the minister affects not the validity of his consecrated acts. Yet what agony of mind must many a priest have suffered, himself oppressed with sin and doubt, while dispensing the means of grace, and acting as a minister and steward of the mysteries!
The marvelous piece of self-analysis in which the conscience-stricken king bewails his lot as little admits of description here as the music which embodies his emotion.
At the close of it angel voices seem floating in midair, sighing the mystic words:
"Durch Mitleid wissend Der reine Thor, Harre sein Den ich erkor."
[Wait for my chosen one, Guileless and innocent, Pity-enlightened.]
And immediately afterward the voice of Titurel, like one turning restlessly in his sleep, comes up from his living tomb beneath the altar: "Uncover the Grail!"
With trembling hands the sick king raises himself, and with a great effort staggers toward the shrine--the covering is removed--he takes the crystal cup--he raises it on high--the blood is dark--the light begins to fade in the hall--a mist and dimness come over the scene--we seem to be assisting at a shadowy ceremony in a dream--the big bells are tolling--the heavenly choirs from above the dome, which is now bathed in twilight, are heard: "Drink ye all of this!" Amfortas raises on high the crystal vase--the knights fall on their knees in prayer. Suddenly a faint tremor of light quivers in the crystal cup--then the blood grows ruby red for a moment. Amfortas waves it to and fro--the knights gaze in ecstatic adoration. Titurel's voice gathers strength in his tomb:
"Celestial rapture: How streams the light upon the face of God!"
The light fades slowly out of the crystal cup--the miracle is accomplished. The blood again grows dark--the light of common day returns to the halls of Montsalvat, and the knights resume their seats, to find each one his golden goblet filled with wine.
During the sacred repast which follows, the brotherhood join hands and embrace, singing:
"Blessed are they that believe; Blessed are they that love!"
and the refrain is heard again far up in the heights, reechoed by the angelic hosts.
* * * * *
[Illustration: Copyright, 1903, by Pach Bros., N. Y.
THE GREAT HALL OF THE HOLY GRAIL]
I looked round upon the silent audience while these astonishing scenes were passing before me; the whole assembly was motionless--all seemed to be awed by the august spectacle--seemed almost to share in the devout contemplation and trancelike worship of the holy knights. Every thought of the stage had vanished--nothing was further from my own thoughts than play-acting. I was sitting as I should sit at an oratorio, in devout and rapt contemplation. Before my eyes had passed a symbolic vision of prayer and ecstasy, flooding the soul with overpowering thoughts of the divine sacrifice and the mystery of unfathomable love.
* * * * *
The hall of Montsalvat empties. Gurnemanz strides excitedly up to Parsifal, who stands stupefied with what he has seen--
"Why standest thou silent? Knowest thou what thine eyes have seen?"
The "guileless one" shakes his head. "Nothing but a fool!" exclaims Gurnemanz, angrily; and, seizing Parsifal by the shoulder, he pushes him roughly out of the hall, with:
"Be off! look after thy geese, And henceforth leave our swans in peace."
The Grail vision had, then, taught the "guileless one" nothing. He could not see