he relief of
the suffering traveler. Some critics have objected that so small a
spring could not have "waved" so large a signal!

273. Notice the abruptness with which the leper is here introduced,
just as before at the beginning of the story. The vision of "a sunnier
clime" is quickly swept away. The shock of surprise now has a very
different effect upon Sir Launfal.

275. This line at first read: "But Sir Launfal sees naught save the
grewsome thing."

278. White: "And, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow."
(_Numbers_ xii, 10.)

279. Desolate horror: The adjective suggests the outcast, isolated
condition of lepers. They were permitted no contact with other people.
The ten lepers who met Jesus in Samaria "stood afar off and lifted up
their voices."

281. On the tree: On the cross. "Whom they slew and hanged on a
tree, Him God raised up the third day." (_Acts_ x, 39.) This use of
the word is common in early literature, especially in the ballads.

285. See _John_ xx, 25-27.

287. Through him: The leper. Note that the address is changed in
these two lines. Compare _Matthew_ xxv, 34-40. This gift to the leper
differs how from the gift in Part First?

291. Leprosie: The antiquated spelling is used for the perfect rhyme
and to secure the antique flavor.

292. Girt: The original word here was "caged."

294. Ashes and dust: Explain the metaphor. Compare with "sackcloth
and ashes." See _Esther_ iv, 3; _Jonah_ iii, 6; _Job_ ii, 8.

300, 301. The figurative character of the lines is emphasized by the
word "soul" at the end. The miracle of Cana seems to have been in the
poet's mind.

304, 305. The leper is transfigured and Christ himself appears in the
vision of the sleeping Sir Launfal.

307. The Beautiful Gate: "The gate of the temple which is called
Beautiful," where Peter healed the lame man. (_Acts_ iii, 2.)

308. Himself the Gate: See _John_ x, 7, 9: "I am the door."

310. Temple of God: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and
that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (_I Corinthians_ iii, 16, 17;
vi, 19.)

312. This line at first began with "which."

313. Shaggy: Is this term applicable to Sir Launfal's present
condition, or is the whole simile carried a little beyond the point of
true likeness?

314. Softer: Lowell originally wrote "calmer" here. The change
increased the effect of the alliteration. Was it otherwise an
improvement?

315. Lo, it is I: _John_ vi, 20.

316. Without a