The castle gate stands open now,
And the wanderer is welcome to the hall
As the hangbird is to the elm-tree bough;
No longer scowl the turrets tall,
The Summer's long siege at last is o'er;
When the first poor outcast went in at the door,
She entered with him in disguise,
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;
The meanest serf on Sir Launfal's land
Has hall and bower at his command;
And there's no poor man in the North Countree
But is lord of the earldom as much as he.
HELPS TO STUDY.
Notes and Questions.
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 refusal 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.