f the legend a
supreme charm and beauty. But Wolfram von Eschenbach's Parsifal, as
spiritualized and humanized in Wagner's lyric drama, will be seen to be
in fuller accord with the whole cycle and development of the Grail
legends, and at the same time gives the nobler story. It is a consummate
parable of the contending passions and the heavenly aspiration, the
ineffable pity and the mystic glory, of the human heart. It portrays an
intensely human and heroic life, imaginatively identified with that of
the very Christ.

"However mediaeval the language and symbolism of Parsifal may be," says
a modern critic, "one cannot but acknowledge the simplicity and power of
the story. Its spiritual significance is universal. Whatever more it may
mean, we see clearly that the guileless knight is Purity, Kundry is the
Wickedness of the world expressed in its most enticing form, and King
Amfortas suffering with his open wound is Humanity. One cannot read the
drama without a thrill, without a clutching at the heart, at its
marvellous meaning, its uplifting and ennobling lessons."

O.H.

Baltimore, Maryland, January 7th, 1903.

PARSIFAL. PART I

THE COMING OF PARSIFAL

Within a noble stretch of mountain woods,
Primeval forest, deep and dark and grand,
There rose a glorious castle towering high,--
And at its foot a smiling, shimmering lake
Lay in the still lap of a verdant glade.
'T was daybreak, and the arrows of the dawn
Were shot in golden glory through the trees,
And from the castle came a trumpet blast
To waken life in all the slumbering host,--
Warriors and yeomen in the castle halls.

And at the trumpet Gurnemanz rose up,--
Ancient and faithful servant of the Grail,--
Who sleeping lay under a spreading oak,
And called aloud to two youths sleeping yet:
"Hey! ho! ye foresters, loving the woods,
Loving your sleep as well. Wake with the day!
Hear ye the trumpet! Come, let us thank God
That we have power to hear the call of life,
And power to answer as the duty calls!"
And up they started, knelt in prayer with him,
And offered unto God their morning praise.

Then Gurnemanz: "Up now, my gallant youths,
Prepare the royal bath, and wait the King!...
Behold, his litter now is coming forth,
I see the heralds coming on before....
Hail, royal heralds! Hail and welcome both!
How fares my Lord Amfortas' health to-day?
I hope his early coming to the bath
Doth presage nothing worse. I fain had thought
The healing he