Arthurian Miscellany: The San-Grail, by Ella Young [1920]

Sacred Texts Legends/Sagas England Index Previous Next An Arthurian Miscellany THE SAN-GRAIL by ELLA YOUNG Sir Lancelot rode between the trees, The evening sun was red: He thought upon Queen Guinevere With hair outspread. He thought upon the Holy Grail That he had come to win, And knew his love of Guinevere Was deadly sin. Then from his horse he lighted down Beneath the treen And prayed that God would sain his soul Of Arthur's queen. A sudden glory filled the wood, And there his eyes Beheld a wonder that had come From Paradise. He saw the Grail-Maid with the Grail Between her hands, The sight that is most beautiful In the world's lands. Full humbly Lancelot bowed himself Shamed and afraid But the Grail-Maiden said to him "Be not dismayed." "Look up," she said, "and see the Grail If thine eyes endure And if thy heart hath flame of love Through Love made pure." He lifted up his eyes if so The San-Grail might be found: The splendour smote him to the earth Deep in a swound. But through the swound Sir Lancelot knew The Grail-Maid stood Like a bright-coloured bird of Heaven In a dark wood. And he besought of Christ the Lord To lend him grace, Although he might not see the Grail, To see her face. "Look up," she said, "and see my face, The grace is won: Quenched in me now the moon-fire is And the fire of the sun." He looked upon the Grail-Maid's face Enshadowed by her hair: He knew her, wan, and white, and still, Queen Guinevere! Next: A Song that Trostan Made, by Ella Young [1922]