245 For the weaver Winter its shroud had spun; From his shining feathers shed off the cold sun; As if her veins were sapless and old, And she rose up decrepitly For a last dim look at earth and sea. 250 255 II. Sir Launfal turned from his own hard gate, An old, bent man, worn out and frail, No more on his surcoat was blazoned the cross, 260 265 270 III. Sir Launfal's raiment thin and spare O'er the edge of the desert, black and small, As over the red-hot sands they pass To where, in its slender necklace of grass, The little spring laughed and leapt in the shade, 275 280 285 IV. "For Christ's sweet sake, I beg an alms;"— V. And Sir Launfal said, "I behold in thee Thou also hast had the world's buffets and scorns, The wounds in the hands and feet and side: Behold, through him, I give to Thee!" 290 295 300 VI. Then the soul of the leper stood up in his eyes He had flung an alms to leprosie, When he caged his young life up in gilded mail 'Twas water out of a wooden bowl,— Yet with fine wheaten bread was the leper fed, And 'twas red wine he drank with his thirsty soul. 305 310 315 320 325 330 VII. As Sir Launfal mused with a downcast face, The leper no longer crouched at his side, Shining and tall and fair and straight As the pillar that stood by the Beautiful Gate,— Enter the temple of God in Man. VIII. His words were shed softer than leaves from the pine, In many climes, without avail, Thou hast spent thy life for the Holy Grail; In whatso we share with another's need: IX. Sir Launfal awoke as from a swound :— 335 340 345 X. The castle gate stands open now, And the wanderer is welcome to the hall The Summer's long siege at last is o'er; And mastered the fortress by surprise; There is no spot she loves so well on ground, She lingers and smiles there the whole year round; Has hall and bower at his command; And there's no poor man in the North Countree HELPS TO STUDY Into what two parts does the poem divide? What purpose does the prelude to each part serve? What were the conditions under which Sir Launfal set out in search of the Holy Grail? How did the sight of the leper affect the young knight when he "flashed forth" from his castle? How did the leper explain his re fusal of the alms tossed him? What picture does the prelude to Part Second give you? Contrast it with that of the prelude to Part First. Describe Sir Launfal's appearance on his return from his quest. What had he lost while on his search? What had he gained? Words and Phrases for Discussion "We Sinais climb and know it not", "Behold it is here-the Grail in my castle here is found" "With our faint hearts the moun tain strives" "Then Heaven tries earth if it be in tune'' "For a god goes with it' "She entered with him in disguise" 5 10 15 20 YUSSOUF JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL A STRANGER came one night to Yussouf's tent, I come to thee for shelter and for food, To Yussouf, called through all our tribes "The Good." "This tent is mine," said Yussouf, "but no more Freely shalt thou partake of all my store. Our tents His glorious roof of night and day, So Yussouf entertained his guest that night, That inward light the stranger's face made grand, |