255. Surcoat: A long flowing garment worn over the armor, on which
was "emblazoned" the coat of arms. If the knight were a crusader, a
red cross was embroidered thus on the surcoat.
256. The sign: The sign of the cross, the symbol of humility and
love. This is the first real intimation, the keynote, of the
transformation that has taken place in Sir Launfal's soul.
259. Idle mail: Useless, ineffectual protection. This figure carries
us back to the "gilded mail," line 131, in which Sir Launfal "flashed
forth" at the beginning of his quest. The poem is full of these minor
antitheses, which should be traced by the student.
264-272. He sees, etc.: This description is not only beautiful in
itself, but it serves an important purpose in the plan of the poem. It
is a kind of condensation or symbolic expression of Sir Launfal's many
years of wandering in oriental lands. The hint or brief outline is
given, which must be expanded by the imagination of the reader.
Otherwise the story would be inconsistent and incomplete. Notice how
deftly the picture is introduced.
272. Signal of palms: A group of palm trees seen afar off over the
desert is a welcome signal of an oasis with water for the relief of
the suffering traveler. Some critics have objected that so small a
spring could not have "waved" so large a signal!
273. Notice the abruptness with which the leper is here introduced,
just as before at the beginning of the story. The vision of "a sunnier
clime" is quickly swept away. The shock of surprise now has a very
different effect upon Sir Launfal.
275. This line at first read: "But Sir Launfal sees naught save the
grewsome thing."
278. White: "And, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow."
(_Numbers_ xii, 10.)
279. Desolate horror: The adjective suggests the outcast, isolated
condition of lepers. They were permitted no contact with other people.
The ten lepers who met Jesus in Samaria "stood afar off and lifted up
their voices."
281. On the tree: On the cross. "Whom they slew and hanged on a
tree, Him God raised up the third day." (_Acts_ x, 39.) This use of
the word is common in early literature, especially in the ballads.