ut
it away, and it was like a spear-wound in his side that nothing could
heal. It was the greatest suffering; it even touched the joy of the
knights, for they began to think only of what would heal the king. Many
went far and wide, seeking a cure, while others dropped back to the
world again; for the pattern of purity was not perfect any longer, and
they seemed to forget what it had been. All the miracles stopped, and
the sick king and the knights waited and waited for one who was pure
enough to show them the perfect pattern again.

And one day a youth passed by who was so innocent that he did not know
what wrong was. When the knights beheld him they looked in wonder, and
said: "Is it not he, the innocent one, who will save us?" and they led
him up to the temple. And behold, it was the time of the holy feast,
when long ago the light had passed above them. And the youth stood there
with great wonder and trouble in his heart, for he saw the suffering of
the king, and how the knights longed and waited; he heard their voices
in solemn tones, and the mourning voice of the king. And lo, while he
looked, a wonderful glowing light passed above them. The knights all
rose up with great joy in their hearts and looked at the boy, for the
blessed miracle had come again, and it was a sign.

But Parsifal stood still with wonder and trouble in his heart; and when
they asked if he knew what his eyes had seen, he only shook his head.

So the hope and joy went from the knights, and they led him out and sent
him on his way.

And the boy Parsifal traveled down into the world. And as he went he met
many wrongs, and he began to know what evils there were.

Now whenever one crossed his way, he went to it and handled it. But
behold his mind was so pure and godlike that whenever he touched evil to
learn what it was, it grew into some gentle thing in his hand. He went
throughout the whole world seeking to know what evil was, but he was so
mild and beautiful that wrongs fell away before him, or were healed as
he passed. And he went on and on to the very kingdom of Evil, at last,
and when its king saw him, he cried out with a great cry, and hurled his
spear; but it only floated above the head of Parsifal, and when he
seized it in his hand the whole kingdom melted away. And Parsifal found
he was standing in a sunny meadow not far from the holy mountain; and he
went up to the knights and stood with them in the temple, and his face
was like the f