as your brother-of-arms," he informs their consternation;
"You behold me in the character of complainant. And, firstly..."
he solemnly draws the pall from the dead face of Telramund, "I
make my charge aloud before you all, and ask for judgment according
to law and custom: This man having surprised and assailed me by
night, tell me, was I justified in slaying him?"--"As your hand
smote him upon earth," the horrified spectators cry in a voice,
"may God's punishment smite him yonder!"--"Another accusation must
you hear," the Knight continues; "I speak my complaint before you
all. The woman whom God had given to my keeping has been so far
misguided as to forget her loyalty to me!" There is an outcry of
sorrowful incredulity. "You all heard," he proceeds, steeled to
severity, "how she promised me never to ask who I am? She has broken
that sacred oath. To pernicious counsel she yielded her heart. No
longer may I spare to answer the mad questioning of her doubt.
I could deny the urgency of enemies, but must make known, since
she has willed it, my name,--must reveal who I am! Now judge if
I have reason to shun the light! Before the whole world, before
the King and kingdom, I will in all truth declare my secret. Hear,
then, if I be not equal in nobility to any here!" There runs a
murmur through all the impressed multitude, not of curiosity, but
regret that he should be forced to speak; the uneasy wish is felt
that he might not.

His face has cleared wonderfully. As his inward eye fixes itself
upon images of the home, the _Glanz und Wonne_, he is about to
describe, memory lights his countenance as if with the reflection
of some place of unearthly splendour. "In a far land," his words
fall measured and sweet, "unapproachable to footsteps of yours,
a fastness there stands called Monsalvat. In the centre of it,
a bright temple, more precious than anything known upon earth.
Within this is preserved as the most sacred of relics a vessel of
blessed and miraculous power. It was brought to earth by a legion
of angels, and given into the guardianship of men, to be the object
of their purest care. Yearly there descends from Heaven a Dove, to
strengthen anew its miraculous power. It is called the Grail, and
there is shed from it into the hearts of the knights that guard
it serene and perfect faith. One chosen to serve the Grail is armed
by it with over-earthly power; against it no evil art can prevail,
before the vision of it the shades o