figure, but the essential centre of the whole cult, a being semi-divine, semi-human, standing between his people and land, and the unseen forces which control their destiny.  If the Grail story be based upon a Life ritual the character of the Fisher King is of the very essence of the tale, and his title, so far from being meaningless, expresses, for those who are at pains to seek, the intention and object of the perplexing whole.  The Fisher King is, as I suggested above, the very heart and centre of the whole mystery, and I contend that with an adequate interpretation of this enigmatic character the soundness of the theory providing such an interpretation may be held to be definitely proved.

CHAPTER X

The Secret of the Grail (1)

The Mysteries

Students of the Grail literature cannot fail to have been impressed by a certain atmosphere of awe and mystery which surrounds that enigmatic Vessel.  There is a secret connected with it, the revelation of which will entail dire misfortune on the betrayer.  If spoken of at all it must be with scrupulous accuracy.  It is so secret a thing that no woman, be she wife or maid, may venture to speak of it.  A priest, or a man of holy life might indeed tell the marvel of the Grail, but none can hearken to the recital without shuddering, trembling, and changing colour for very fear.

“C’est del Graal dont nus ne doit Le secret dire ne conter; Car tel chose poroit monter Li contes ains qu’il fust tos dis Que teus hom en seroit maris Qui ne l’aroit mie fourfait. ..............................  Car, se Maistre Blihis ne ment Nus ne doit dire le secré."[1]

   “Mais la mervelle qu’il trova
   Dont maintes fois s’espoenta
   Ne doit nus hom conter ne dire
   Cil ki le dist en a grant ire
   Car c’est li signes del Graal (other texts secrés)
   S’en puet avoir et paine et mal (Li fet grant pechié et grant mal)
   Cil qui s’entremet del conter
   Fors ensi com it doit aler."[2]

The above refers to Gawain’s adventure at the Black Chapel, en route for the Grail Castle.

The following is the answer given to Perceval by the maiden of the White Mule, after he has been overtaken by a storm in the forest.  She tells him the mysterious light he beheld proceeded from the Grail, but on his enquiry as to what the Grail may be, refuses to give him any information.

      “Li dist ’Sire, ce ne puet estre
      Que je plus vos en doie dire
      Si vous .c. fois esties me sire
      N’en oseroie plus conter,
      Ne de mon labor plus parler (other texts, ma bouche)
      Car ce est chose trop secrée
      Si ne doit estre racontée
      Par dame ne par damoisele,
      Par mescine ne par puciele,
      Ne par nul home qui soit nés
      Si prouvoires n’est ordenés,
      U home qui maine sainte vie,