the music
which embodies his emotion.

At the close of it angel voices seem floating in midair, sighing the
mystic words:

"Durch Mitleid wissend
Der reine Thor,
Harre sein
Den ich erkor."

[Wait for my chosen one,
Guileless and innocent,
Pity-enlightened.]

And immediately afterward the voice of Titurel, like one turning
restlessly in his sleep, comes up from his living tomb beneath the
altar: "_Uncover the Grail!_"

With trembling hands the sick king raises himself, and with a great
effort staggers toward the shrine--the covering is removed--he takes
the crystal cup--he raises it on high--the blood is dark--the light
begins to fade in the hall--a mist and dimness come over the scene--we
seem to be assisting at a shadowy ceremony in a dream--the big bells are
tolling--the heavenly choirs from above the dome, which is now bathed in
twilight, are heard: "_Drink ye all of this!_" Amfortas raises on high
the crystal vase--the knights fall on their knees in prayer. Suddenly a
faint tremor of light quivers in the crystal cup--then the blood grows
ruby red for a moment. Amfortas waves it to and fro--the knights gaze in
ecstatic adoration. Titurel's voice gathers strength in his tomb:

"Celestial rapture:
How streams the light upon the face of God!"

The light fades slowly out of the crystal cup--the miracle is
accomplished. The blood again grows dark--the light of common day
returns to the halls of Montsalvat, and the knights resume their seats,
to find each one his golden goblet filled with wine.

During the sacred repast which follows, the brotherhood join hands and
embrace, singing:

"Blessed are they that believe;
Blessed are they that love!"

and the refrain is heard again far up in the heights, reechoed by the
angelic hosts.

* * * * *

[Illustration: Copyright, 1903, by Pach Bros., N. Y.

THE GREAT HALL OF THE HOLY GRAIL]

I looked round upon the silent audience while these astonishing scenes
were passing before me; the whole assembly was motionless--all seemed
to be awed by the august spectacle--seemed almost to share in the devout
contemplation and trancelike worship of the holy knights. Every thought
of the stage had vanished--nothing was further from my own thoughts than
play-acting. I was sitting as I should sit at an oratorio, in devout and
rapt contemplation. Before my eyes had passed a symbolic