THE PAGEANT OF THE HOLY GRAIL

HE united efforts of the students and cast of ‘“The Pageant ©
of the Holy Grail’’ succeeded in producing a miracle play |
distinctly different from the medieval ruggedness of the

presentation given on the previous Christmas. The curtain rose on
the Hall of Arthur at Camelot, and the flickering tapers on the altar
of his private chapel aided greatly in lending an atmosphere of holi-
ness and reverence to the whole scene, partially preparing the audi- ©
ence for the advent of the white monk. With reverend and ponder- |
ing step the monk came forth, book in hand; paused awhile in
prayer; and then in slow, clear accents read how, on a Christmas
Eve, King Arthur, having read the story of the Birth of Christ, fell
asleep and dreamed. ‘‘He beheld two angels pass before him and a
veil hid what was behind them.” 4
As the voice continued, so did the pageant, and the shepherds ands
wise men drew nigh bearing gifts. The last of these carried a
jewelled cup, which was lifted up by an angel who blessed it, and
naming it the Holy Grail, said: “Through all the world men shall
seek for it and follow on to find it. But none shall ever find it,
save those who are fit to stand in the presence of the Christ.”’ .
The history of the Knights of the Round Table and their search fot
the Holy Grail; of Launcelot, white, unstained and true; of Gala-
had, who brings to the fellowship the gift of new manhood, resist-
ing the temptations and gifts offered by the maidens, and accepting
only the cross which forevermore distinguished the Crusader from
the Knight-errant; and of King Arthur himself, gradually unfolag’

to the accompaniment of the clear syllables of the reader.

Through the vast corridors there came a sound of music, sweet an¢
far away at first, but gradually gathering volume till it rose ame
surged into tumultuous splendor, like an ocean throbbing upon af

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