“THE LOATHLY DAMSEL”
The next morning after his failure the castle seems deserted, but when Galahad starts out he finds his horse saddled and waiting for him. The drawbridge is down, so thinking perhaps the king and knights are in the forest, he rides across the bridge in search of them. Instantly the drawbridge closes with a crash, and there is a great sound of groaning and of voices reproaching him for having failed in his quest. The castle disappears from sight, and Galahad roams disconsolately in the woods. Finally he sits down to rest and think. He is aroused by the passing of three enchanted maidens, the Loathly Damsel and her two followers.
In the picture we see her riding a white mule richly caparisoned. Her form suggests beauty, yet the face is ugly and distorted, her head bald so that she must wear a hood. In her hands she carries the ghastly head of a king wearing a crown, and she seems depressed by her burden. Forced by the spell to go about harming mankind against her will, she is angry with Sir Galahad for having failed to release her. In her anger she reproaches him for not having asked the question while within the castle, and so here for the first time Sir Galahad learns why he failed.
Once a beautiful woman, the Loathly Damsel must ride about thus unhappily. The head and shoulders are all that is visible of the second damsel, apparently riding. The third, dressed as a boy, carries a scourge with which she forces the two mules onward.
Sir Galahad bows his head in silence at their reproaches, humbly feeling that he deserves them.
Many years of sorrow and suffering must pass before he can again find the Castle of the Grail.