"while we attend the shrine which shields the Grail." "This casket
encloses the sainted hero to whom God confided himself; we bear
Titurel."
"What has struck down him whom even God protected?"
"It was the heavy burden of age that hastened his end, as he saw the
Grail no more."
"Who prevented him from beholding the Grail and its blessings?"
"He whom you attend, the guilty guardian."
"We escort him once more to-day, because for the last time he wills to
discharge his priesthood."
"Woe, woe! for the last time be recalled to the duties of thy office!"
But Amfortas, distracted with grief, raises himself upon his couch.
"Yes, woe!" he cries, "woe to me! My father! hero thrice blessed,
toward whom the angels bent; I who coveted death; it is thy death I
have caused. Oh, thou who now beholdest, in divine light, the Redeemer
himself, implore him that he may grant me death at last! Death! death!
only grace! May the terrible wound and venom cease,--the wasted heat
grow cold! I invoke thee, my father, cry to him: Saviour, grant peace
to my son."
"Uncover the tabernacle," cry the knights, pressing in disorder about
Amfortas; "fulfil thy priestly office; thy father commands thee; thou
must, thou must!" But the wretched man, in a frenzy of despair, throws
himself into the midst of them, tearing his garments. "No, no! never
more! Ah! I already feel the shadow of death upon me, and must I return
once again to life? Which of you would force me to live since you can
give me nothing but death? Behold, the wound yawns, see the poison
and my blood! Steep your swords in my wound even to the hilt! Rise,
heroes! Destroy with one blow the sinner and his torment; and the Grail
will then shine brightly for you by its own virtue!"
All have drawn back in terror. Parsifal then advances solemnly;
stretches forth the divine lance, and with its point touches the side
of Amfortas. "One arm only is propitious," he says; "the lance that
opened the wound can alone close it. Be healed, redeemed, and saved!
May thy suffering, which gave supreme strength to compassion, and the
power of the purest wisdom to the timorous brother, be sanctified! I
restore to you the sacred lance!" And while Amfortas and Gurnemanz
kneel to do him homage, and Kundry, delivered at last, dies at his feet
with a look of gratitude, Parsifal ascends toward the altar, and raises
for the first time the Grail in all its splendor above the heads of the
enraptured knights.