“THE VOYAGE TO SARRAS,” OR “SOLOMON’S SHIP”
According to the legend it was in the time of the wise King Solomon that a ship of mysterious and wonderful workmanship had been built. Just as King Solomon was about to go on board strange letters of fire, written in the air by an angel, warned him not to enter. As he stepped back, the ship suddenly started off by itself and disappeared out to sea. In some miraculous way it had been kept all these years to fulfill its destiny and bring Sir Galahad to Sarras, where he should achieve the Grail. And so, coming to the shore of the sea, he finds there the ship waiting for him. Little is known of the city of Sarras, except that it is supposed to have been in the Holy Land, and that this was the place where the Holy Grail was to be found.
In the picture is represented the voyage to Sarras on King Solomon’s ship. It is a frail-looking ship, guided by the Angel of the Grail, guarding her treasure. Two knights, Percival and Bors, have been permitted to go with Sir Galahad on this journey. They cannot see the Grail itself, having sinned once, yet their faith and persistent search have made it possible for them to go with him.