The Gracile Knight

It is said that three knights obtained the Holy Grail, Sir Galahad, Sir Percival, and Sir Bors, all being perfect in virtue (Sir Lancelot having almost achieved it but failed because he could never let go of his desire for Guinevere the King’s wife). But then there is also the tale of the Gracile Knight who, as he quested for the Holy Grail, became lost forever in an enchanted forest of no return. When asked of his fate, people would say, “It pleaseth God,” meaning that they did not know what became of him and that his loss had been the will of God. So no one ever knew what became of the Gracile Knight until I dreamed of him. And this was my dream:

The Gracile Knight was sitting in his armor with sweat dripping from his curls. He had cuts and bruises on his cheek and brows from his many adventures. He was not alone as he sat before the fire in that modest hall. The lady of that castle sat near him and listened patiently to his tale of failure as he spoke of his adventures and misfortunes. She was passing fair, but he did not notice this, being absorbed in his woes. She listened for the longest time. At last he finished by asking the air, what was the meaning of it all, as if he no longer wished to live, having failed to either find the Holy Grail or his way home.
She looked him a long time and finally said, “Wait and I will return in but a moment’s time.”

When she returned she had a purple violet in her hands. He saw it, but such was his foul frame of mind that he only thought it a shame that she had plucked it because now it would die all the sooner.

“What is the meaning of this flower?” She asked.

“It pleaseth God, my lady.” He shrugged because he didn’t know and was in a dejected state of mind.

“Aye, in truth it pleaseth God. And so do I; and so do you. It grows, it blossoms, it is beautiful, and then it is gone. And so shall I, and so shall you.

She said no more for the Holy Grail had found him.