I The Coming of Parsifal PART II The Tempting of Parsifal PART III The Crowning of Parsifal LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Parsifal in Quest of the Holy Grail Monsalvat, the Castle of the Grail The Communion of the Holy Grail Parsifal healing King Amfortas Parsifal revealing the Holy Grail ILLUSTRATED BY FRANZ STASSEN FOREWORD

Now the music would whisper of the wondrous grace of the holy sacrament, or of the sweet beauty of God's world, clothed in the radiance of Good Friday; now it would reveal the sorrows of the gentle Herzeleide, or the awful anguish of Amfortas, or the deep rumblings of Klingsor's black art, or the fascinating music of the flower-maidens.

How fares my Lord Amfortas' health to-day?

Then holy Titurel, grown old in years, Gave up the kingdom to his only son, The brave Amfortas.

And by ceaseless quest Amfortas learned the truth and waged fierce war Against this Klingsor, evil to the heart, Until at last in one unguarded moment, As I have told you, e'en our noble King, The good Amfortas, yielded to a sin, And lost the Spear, and had his fatal wound.

And Gurnemanz held up the tottering lad, Still sorrowing at the sad news come to him, And slowly led him toward the castle gate, While softly speaking to him graciously: "See how our King Amfortas from the bath Is carried by his loving servitors.

And as they sang their sweet antiphonies, A long procession through the splendid hall Wended slow way, and bearing in the King, The suffering Amfortas in his pain, Still lying listless on his royal couch.

And from far away, As if from some deep cavern of a tomb, Behind the couch where King Amfortas lay The muffled voice of agèd Titurel Spake with long silences between the words: "My son Amfortas, art thou at thy post?...

And King Amfortas cried in desperate pain: "O woe is me to bear the burning wound That shames me in the office of the Grail!

But quickly King Amfortas stopped the knights Who went to do his bidding at the shrine: "Nay, leave the Holy Cup still unrevealed!

And King Amfortas bowed in silent prayer Before the Cup, while an increasing gloom Spread through the room, and from the lofty dome

And King Amfortas, with a brightening face, Upraised the Holy Grail, and gently waved Its glory to all sides.

And then the ladfor he was Parsifal Tight clutched his heart in sorrowful distress As King Amfortas groaned in bitter woe.

Since thou didst lure for me the brave Amfortas Chaste guardian (they thought him) of the Grail Thou hast deserted my high name and service.

Such is Amfortas whom I must redeem.

But Kundryfor 't was shecried out in grief: "O heart, that feelest for Amfortas' woe, Hast thou no feeling for my dire distress?

And King Amfortas, soul and body wracked, Did crave in desperation only death, And so refused to show the Holy Grail.

For King Amfortas hopes that if his eyes Shall see the Grail no more, that he may die, And with his life thus end his bitter pain.

For King Amfortas hath by solemn vow Promised once more to open up the shrine, Sworn to fulfil the long-neglected office, To sanctify the saintly father's end, And expiate the deep unfilial crime, The added sin, that broke his father's heart.

Slowly the servitors marched sadly in, Bearing the pale Amfortas on his couch.

"And here Amfortas now we bear God shrive him from the past; For he has sworn to do his trust And show the Grail at last!"

And suffering Amfortas turned and groaned, And raised himself a little on his couch, And cried: "O woe is me!

And sadly did Amfortas speak the words: "My father, blest among God's heroes ever!

But in a mad despair Amfortas rose, And wildly rushed among the startled knights, And cried: "No, no, I cannot do it now!

And the Holy Grail, 182-203; Von Eschenbach's poem of, 182; birth of, 185; vision of, 185; sees Holy Grail, 186; builds temple, 186; guardian of Holy Grail, 187; children of, 188; intercedes for Amfortas, 189; crowns Parzival, 200; disappearance of, 200.