Before they start on their long and perilous journey they gather in the church for a final benediction. So here again we see the interior of a church. The bishop’s hands are raised in a parting benediction over the group of kneeling knights clad in shining armor and holding their lances erect. Many strange banners float above them. Sir Galahad alone has bared his head. His helmet is on the floor beside him. Other kneeling priests may be seen just behind the bishop. The scene is one of solemnity and dignity.
“THE CASTLE OF THE GRAIL AND THE FAILURE OF GALAHAD”
King Amfortas, keeper of the Grail, who yielded to temptation and so was denied the sight of the Grail, and his knights, upon whom was cast a fearful spell which was neither sleeping nor waking, anxiously await the arrival of Galahad. But, it is not enough that he should come; he must ask a certain question which alone can free them from their living death.
Here we see Sir Galahad in the enchanted castle, a puzzled onlooker. He looks silently about him at the feeble old king and his wretched company. He sees, too, the procession of the Grail, which, although the king and his court cannot see it, is constantly passing before them. This procession includes the Angel, bearer of the Grail, a damsel carrying a golden dish, two knights who carry seven-branched candlesticks, and a knight holding a bleeding spear.
Sir Galahad must ask the meaning of what he sees and by his question remove the enchantment. But, over-confident in his own knowledge, he tries to solve the mystery by himself, and fails. The procession of the Grail is shown to the right of the throne upon which King Amfortas half sits, half reclines, while the rest of the weird company look solemnly on as Sir Galahad stands transfixed with amazement and perplexity because the spell is not removed as he expected. Because of his failure to ask the necessary question, these people must continue to suffer. Several years later he returns, a wiser man, and releases them. Personal purity alone was not enough; wisdom was necessary, and to secure this he must ask a certain question. He could not attain knowledge through himself alone, but must seek it from the experience and understanding of others.
“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.