vision that Sir Perceval's
sister had seen.

As they spoke, suddenly the torches in the hall were
extinguished; there was a loud sound like thunder and a sudden
cracking of the roof. Then a beam of light, seven times stronger
than day, streamed into the room. Across the beam stole the Holy
Grail. But it was covered by a luminous cloud, so that its shape
could not be seen. Slowly it vanished away.

There was silence in the hall for a long time; the knights were
awe-struck and could not speak. At last Sir Perceval rose in his
seat and said in a low tone:

"My sister saw the vision of the Holy Grail, but I, because I am
more sinful, have seen it covered with a cloud. Yet because I
wish to see it, I vow to spend twelve months and a day in search
of it. I will pray, and live as holy a life as I can, and
perhaps this vision will be mine."

Then good Sir Bors, the cousin of Sir Lancelot, made the same
vow, as did also Sir Galahad and Sir Lancelot and Sir Gawain and
many others. After the vows had been taken, King Arthur entered.
When all had been explained to him, his face grew sorrowful.

"If I had been here," he said, "I should not have allowed you to
swear the vow. None of you really saw the Grail; you say it was
covered with a cloud."

Then Sir Galahad cried out:

"My king, I saw the Grail, all crimson like a ruby, and I heard a
voice which said, 'O Galahad, O Galahad, follow me!'"

"Ah, Galahad," said the king, tenderly, "you are fit for this
quest, this search, but the others are not. Sir Lancelot is our
strongest warrior, but he is not like Sir Galahad. Most of you,
my knights, are men with strength and will to right wrongs; that
is the work you are fitted for. You have fought in twelve great
battles with the heathen, but only one of you is fit for this
holiest of visions. Yet go, and fulfill your vow."

The faces of the knights were downcast. The king continued:

"While you are gone, I shall need your strength here at home, but
you will be following a wandering fire. Many of you will never
return."

All the company felt sad. The next day when the knights departed
upon their quest, the king could hardly speak for grief, and many
of the knights and ladies wept. Those who had sworn the vow went
together to the great gate of the city of Camelot, and there they
separated.

During the next twelvemonth many a poor laborer who had been
wronged came to Arthur's Court to find a knight who would fight
for him,