"[17]
The punishment falls on the hero who has failed to put the question,
rather than on the land, which, indeed, appears to be in no way
affected, either by the wound of the King, or the silence of the
hero. The divergence from Chretien's version is here very marked,
and, so far, seems to have been neglected by critics. The point is
also of importance in view of the curious parallels which are
otherwise to be found between this version and Perlesvaus; here the
two are in marked contradiction with one another.
The question finally asked, the result is, as indicated in the prose
version, the restoration of the King not merely to health, but also to
youth--
"Swaz der Franzoys heizet flo'ri'
Der glast kom sinem velle bi,
Parzival's schoen' was nu ein wint;
Und Absalon Davides kint,
Von Askalun Vergulaht
Und al den schoene was geslaht,
Und des man Gahmurete jach
Do man'n in zogen sach
Ze Kanvoleis so wunneclich,
Ir decheines schoen' was der gelich,
Die Anfortas uz siecheit truoc.
Got noch kunste kan genuoc."[18]
GALAHAD. In the final form assumed by the story, that preserved in
the Queste, the achievement of the task is not preceded by any failure
on the part of the hero, and the advantages derived therefrom are
personal and spiritual, though we are incidentally told that he heals
the Fisher King's father, and also the old King, Mordrains, whose life
has been preternaturally prolonged.
Pages:
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58