Having released the imprisoned Virtues that they may go about in the world doing good, Sir Galahad returns to King Arthur’s court and marries the Lady Blanchefleur, to whom he had become betrothed while a pupil of Gurnemanz.
On his wedding morning the vision of the Grail appears to him many times, and the thought of poor old King Amfortas, awaiting the knight who is to release him, saddens Galahad. He is seized with a great desire to continue his quest, and finding his young bride in sympathy with his ambition, he decides to start out that day on his journey.
The picture represents the bride Blanchefleur seated in her wedding clothes, the wreath of roses still on her head and holding a bunch of roses in her hands. Sir Galahad waves his hand in parting, preparatory to donning his shield and sword, and goes forth to join the companion waiting for him at the gate. The bride shows no signs of grief, for she knows it is according to the prophecy that he should successfully accomplish his quest, and she feels the high purpose which calls him. And Galahad goes forth with renewed faith and inspiration to the final accomplishment of his great quest.
“AMFORTAS RELEASED BY GALAHAD”
After many days he again finds the Castle of the Grail. Upon entering, he sees the same procession passing before the unseeing eyes of the suffering King Amfortas and his unhappy knights. As before, he cannot understand it, but grown wiser by his hard-earned experience, he now knows that he must ask the question. His keen sympathy for the king brings the involuntary question to his lips, “What aileth thee, O King? And what mean these things?” At his words the spell is broken, and all is light and life again.
But King Amfortas wishes for nothing more in life than to be permitted to die in peace. So in this picture we see Sir Galahad affectionately bending over the dying Amfortas as he lifts him up that he may see the vision of the Grail, at last made visible to him again. The Angel is carrying it away from the castle, and it is not seen again until Sir Galahad finally achieves it at Sarras.
“GALAHAD THE DELIVERER”
Not only has Sir Galahad released the inmates of the enchanted Castle of the Grail, but he has removed the spell that was upon all the country round, the Loathly Damsel, and all others. But he has not yet achieved the Grail itself. So he starts out once more on his noble white charger, surrounded by the grateful people, chief among them the Loathly Damsel who so bitterly upbraided him at his first failure. Now restored to beauty and virtue, she is kneeling in the foreground of the picture.
The hero rides erect, carrying his banner, and looking straight ahead. We see the houses of the people in the background, and catch a glimpse of the sea toward which Sir Galahad rides.