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like a veil of mourning over all whom he met.
    Solemn-faced knights came to invite him into the great hall. “The Angler is here,” they said. The hall was as large as the hall of Arthur’s court and, if anything, more splendid. Everyone—lord, lady, or servant—was dressed as though for a glorious feast day, but there was no joy of festival in the castle of Wild Mountain.
    At the far end of the great hall, propped against rich cushions of silk and velvet and robes of sable and ermine, near to the great fireplace, reclined the Angler King of Wild Mountain. Perhaps this was the reason for the sadness all around him, for the king seemed to be in great pain. In a weak voice, the king bade him come into the hall. “Come sit down by me,” he said.
    Parzival did as the king asked, marveling at the strangeness of the scene. Though the fire blazed hot, the king lay shivering in his furs. Suddenly, the door at the far end of the hall was thrown open. A page ran in, carrying in his hand a lance. The page ran to each of the four comers of the hall and as he did so, Parzival could hear the knights and ladies and servants begin to weep. As the page ran past the place where Parzival sat, he saw that blood was dripping from the point of the lance. Then the page ran out and the door was shut behind him.
    Before Parzival could wonder more about this peculiar ceremony, the doors were once again thrown open. Through them came four beautiful maidens carrying golden candlesticks. Two noble-women followed, carrying ivory stands. Next, eight young maidens, four bearing more candles and four bearing a great jewel—a garnet that had been cut to form a tabletop. The garnet was put on the ivory stands to make a table for the king to dine upon. Six maidens brought in silver knives, which they laid out on the garnet tabletop.
    And then, most wonderful of all, came four more maidens with crystal lamps, followed by a princess who carried in her hands that sacred vessel that few have ever seen, and of which Parzival had never heard. As the Grail approached, Parzival heard the king groan as though he were in mortal pain.
    The princess placed the Grail on the king’s table and then she and her ladies stepped back. Servants came and brought tables for all the guests. Gold dishes and goblets were brought for all as well.
    A page carried to the king’s table a golden basin and silken towel. The king washed his hands and bade Parzival to wash. All was prepared for a great feast, but where was the food and drink?
    Just then, the servant behind Parzival held out a goblet toward the Grail. Immediately it was filled, and the servant set before Parzival a golden vessel filled with rich, red wine. Then he held out the golden dish and set it down before Parzival. It was overflowing with meats and fruits and rich foods of every kind. One by one the servants did this, and so served the king and his guests a banquet so sumptuous that even those in Arthur’s court would have been amazed.
    What can this be? What is the meaning of these strange events? Parzival wondered, but he remembered kind Gurnemanz’s advice not to ask questions. Surely, if I am patient, everything will be revealed to me, he thought.
    As he was thinking this, a page came toward the king bearing a sword. The sword was sheathed in gold and its hilt was a single ruby. The king motioned that the page was to present the sword to Parzival. “Before God crippled me, I carried this sword in many a great battle. Since I have only been able to offer you the poorest of hospitality, take this sword. I think you will find that it will serve you well. ”
    As he took the sword into his hands, Parzival felt all the eyes in the hall on him. And all of them sorrowful, especially those of the king, but he remembered Gurnemanz’s warning and did not ask why.
    The feasting was at an end. The servants removed the dishes and goblets and then the tables. The maidens and noble ladies took out the lamps, the