Scene 1: In the domain of the Grail
A forest, shady and solemn, yet not gloomy. Rocky soil. A clearing in the center. On the left a path rises towards the castle. In the back, the ground slopes down to a deep-set forest lake. Daybreak. Gurnemanz (elderly but vigorous) and two youthful squires are lying asleep under a tree. From the left, as if from the castle, sounds a solemn reveille on trombones.
GURNEMANZ:
(waking and rousing the squires)
Ho there! You guardians of the woods—or rather guardians of sleep—at least wake with the morning!
(The two squires leap up)
Do you hear the call? Thank God that you are called to hear it!
(He sinks to his knees with the squires and joins them in silent morning prayer; as the trombones cease, they slowly rise)
Now up, my children! See to the bath. It is time to await the king there. I see the heralds approaching in advance of the litter that bears him.
(Two knights enter)
Greetings to you! How fares Amfortas today? Right early does he seek the bath: no doubt the healing herb that Gawain won for him by guile and daring has brought him some relief?
SECOND KNIGHT:
You who know all assume so? His pain quickly returned, searing him even more: sleepless from his grievous infirmity, he eagerly bade us prepare the bath.
GURNEMANZ:
(sadly bowing his head)
We are fools to hope for comfort when only the cure can relieve him! Search and hunt throughout the world for every herb, every potion, yet there is but one thing can help him, one man alone!
SECOND KNIGHT:
Tell us who he is!
GURNEMANZ:
(evasively)
See to the bath!
The two squires, who have returned to the background, look off right.
SECOND SQUIRE:
Look there, it is her, the wild rider!
FIRST SQUIRE:
Hey! How the mane of her devil’s mare is streaming!
SECOND KNIGHT:
Aha! Is that Kundry?
FIRST KNIGHT:
She must be bringing important news!
SECOND SQUIRE:
The mare is stumbling.
FIRST SQUIRE:
Has she flown through the air?
SECOND SQUIRE:
Now she crouches on the ground.
FIRST SQUIRE:
And her mane is sweeping the moss.
(They all eagerly look off right)
SECOND SQUIRE:
The wild woman has flung herself off!
Kundry hastens in, almost staggering. She is in wild garb, her skirts tucked up by a snakeskin girdle with long hanging cords; her black hair is loose and disheveled, her complexion deep ruddy-brown, her eyes dark and piercing, sometimes flashing wildly, more often lifeless and staring. She hurries to Gurnemanz and presses on him a small crystal vessel.
KUNDRY:
Here! Take this! Balsam...
GURNEMANZ:
From where have you brought this?
KUNDRY:
From farther away than you can imagine. If balsam does not help, then Arabia hides nothing more to heal him. Ask nothing else. I am weary.
(She throws herself on the ground)
A train of squires and knights appears from the left, bearing and escorting the litter on which lies Amfortas. Gurnemanz has at once turned from Kundry to the approaching company.
GURNEMANZ:
(as the train appears)
He is coming; they are bringing him along. Alas! How it grieves my heart to see the lord of a conquering race in the pride and flower of his manhood fall a slave to his malady!
(to the squires)
Carefully! Listen! The king groans.
The squires halt and set down the litter.
AMFORTAS:
(raising himself a little)
That will do! I thank you. A brief rest. After a stormy night of pain, now the woodland splendor of morning! In the sacred lake may the waters refresh me, ease my anguish, and lighten my night of pain. Gawain!
SECOND KNIGHT:
My lord, Gawain did not stay. When the power of his healing herb, won as it was with such difficulty, disappointed your hopes, he left at once upon a new search.
AMFORTAS:
Without leave! He will have to atone for flaunting the Grail’s command! Ah, woe to him, that defiant bold spirit, should he fall into Klingsor’s snares! Let none thus disturb my peace! I await the one appointed to me: “enlightened through compassion,” was that not it?
GURNEMANZ:
So you told us.
AMFORTAS:
“The pure fool!” It seems to me that I know him:
I would name him Death!
GURNEMANZ:
(handing Kundry’s vial to Amfortas)
But first try once more with this!
AMFORTAS:
(examining it)
From where came this strange vessel?
GURNEMANZ:
It was brought from Arabia for you.
AMFORTAS:
And who obtained it?
GURNEMANZ:
There she lies: the wild woman. Get up, Kundry! Come!
Kundry refuses and remains on the ground.
AMFORTAS:
You, Kundry? Have I to thank you again, you restless, timorous maid? Well then! I will try your balsam now: let this be thanks for your devotion.
KUNDRY:
(writhing uneasily on the ground)
Not thanks! Ha, ha! What will that help? Not thanks! Away to the bath!
Amfortas gives the signal to move on. The procession passes into the far background. Gurnemanz gazes sadly after it, and Kundry remains still, stretched on the ground. Squires come and go.
THIRD SQUIRE:
(a young man)
Hey, you there! Why do you lie there like a wild beast?
KUNDRY:
Are not beasts sacred here?
THIRD SQUIRE:
Yes, but as yet we do not know whether you are sacred.
FOURTH SQUIRE:
(likewise a young man)
With her magic balm, I am certain she will ruin our master.
GURNEMANZ:
Hm! Did she ever harm you? When you all stood perplexed, not knowing how, and scarcely even where, to send tidings to our brothers fighting in far-off lands, who, before you can even think, rushes away, flies there and back, bearing the message faithfully and successfully? You do not support her, she never approaches you, she has nothing in common with you; yet when in danger help is needed, her zeal speeds her through the air, and she never looks to you for thanks. I say if this be harm, it works out well for you.
THIRD SQUIRE:
But she hates us: just see how spitefully she glares at us!
FOURTH SQUIRE:
She is a heathen, a sorceress.
GURNEMANZ:
Yes, she may be under a curse. She lives here now perhaps reincarnated, to expiate some sin from an earlier life not yet forgiven. Now she makes atonement by deeds that benefit out knightly order; serving us she has done good, beyond all doubt, and thereby helped herself.
THIRD SQUIRE:
Then perhaps it is her guilt that brought upon us so much distress?
GURNEMANZ:
(recollecting)
Yes, when she remained long away from us, misfortune indeed befell us. I have known her a long time, but Titurel has known her longer yet. While he was building the castle there, he found her in the wood asleep in the undergrowth, numb, lifeless, as if dead. Thus I myself lately found her shortly after we had suffered the misfortune the evildoer beyond the mountains brought upon us, to our disgrace.
(to Kundry)
Ho, you! Listen and say: where were you roaming when our master lost the spear?
(Kundry is gloomily silent)
Why did you not help us then?
KUNDRY:
I never help.
FOURTH SQUIRE:
She says so herself.
THIRD SQUIRE:
If she is so true, so bold in daring, then send her after the missing spear!
GURNEMANZ:
(gloomily)
That is quite different: it is forbidden to all.
(with deep emotion)
O wondrous, wounding, hallowed spear! I saw thee wielded by unhallowed hand!
(absorbed in recollection)
Most bold Amfortas, armed with the spear, who could have prevented you from vanquishing the sorcerer? Close by the keep our hero was drawn away: a woman of fearsome beauty bewitched him. In her arms he lay intoxicated, letting the spear fall upon him. A deathly cry! I rushed in: Klingsor, laughing, was vanishing from there, having stolen the holy spear. Fighting, I guarded the king’s flight; but a wound was burning in his side; it is this wound that never closes.
The FIRST and SECOND Squires return from the lake.
THIRD SQUIRE:
(to Gurnemanz)
Then you knew Klingsor?
GURNEMANZ:
(to the two returning squires)
How fares the King?
FIRST SQUIRE:
The bath has refreshed him.
SECOND SQUIRE:
The balsam eased the pain.
GURNEMANZ:
(to himself)
It is this wound that never closes!
THIRD SQUIRE:
But sir, speak and tell us plainly: you knew Klingsor, how could that be?
The THIRD and FOURTH squires have already sat down at Gurnemanz’s feet; the other two join them under the great tree.
GURNEMANZ:
Titurel, the godly hero, knew him well.
When savage foes’ guile and might threatened the realm of the faith, the Savior’s blessed messengers came down to him once on a holy, solemn night.
The sacred vessel, the precious holy cup from which He [the Savior] drank at the last supper, into which His divine blood flowed from the cross, and with it the spear that shed it, the supremely wondrous wealth of these treasured witnesses they gave to our king’s care. He built this sanctuary for these holy relics.
You who were called to its service by paths unknown to sinners, you know that only the pure are allowed to join the brothers, to whom the Grail’s mighty power grants the strength to work divine salvation. Therefore, it was forbidden to Klingsor, of whom you ask, though he expended much effort on it.
Yonder in the valley he lived secluded; beyond lies a rich, heathen land. I never knew of what sin he was guilty there, but he wished to atone, and indeed, become sanctified. Unable to stifle the sin within, he laid violent hands upon himself, which he then raised towards the Grail. The guardian drove him out in scorn.
At this, Klingsor’s wrath taught him how his deed of shameful sacrifice could give him knowledge of evil magic; this he soon found. He transformed the desert into a magic garden in which bloomed women of infernal beauty. There he awaits the knights of the Grail to lure them to sinful joys and hell’s damnation: he gains control of those he entices; many of us has he already ruined.
When Titurel, much burdened with age, had conferred sovereignty on his son, Amfortas could not wait to subdue this plague of sorcery.
You know what happened there; the spear is now in Klingsor’s hands: if he can wound even a holy man with it, he fancies the Grail already firmly his!
Kundry has been turning violently back and forth in furious agitation.
FOURTH SQUIRE:
Then first of all, the spear must be ours again!
GURNEMANZ:
Before the looted sanctuary Amfortas lay in fervent prayer, anxiously imploring some sign of salvation: a blessed radiance emanated from the Grail; a holy vision clearly spoke to him this message in words of fire:
“Enlightened through compassion, the pure fool; wait for him whom I have chosen.”
THE FOUR SQUIRES:
(deeply moved)
“Enlightened through compassion, the pure fool...”
From the lake are heard shouts and cries from the knights and squires.
KNIGHTS and SQUIRES:
Alas! Alas! Hoho! Up! Who caused this outrage?
Gurnemanz and the four squires start up and turn in alarm. A wild swan flutters unsteadily from over the lake.
GURNEMANZ:
What is it?
FOURTH SQUIRE:
There!
THIRD SQUIRE:
Here!
SECOND SQUIRE:
A swan!
FOURTH SQUIRE:
A wild swan!
THIRD SQUIRE:
It’s wounded!
ALL KNIGHTS and SQUIRES:
Alas! Alas!
GURNEMANZ:
Who shot the swan?
The swan, after a labored flight, falls to the ground exhausted; the SECOND knight draws an arrow from its breast.
FIRST KNIGHT:
When the swan circled over the lake, the king hailed it as a happy omen... then an arrow flew...
KNIGHTS and SQUIRES lead PARSIFAL in.
SQUIRES and KNIGHTS:
It was he! He shot it! Here is his bow! Here is the arrow, like his.
GURNEMANZ:
(to Parsifal)
Are you the one who killed this swan?
PARSIFAL:
Indeed! Whatever flies I can hit in flight!
GURNEMANZ:
You did this? And you’re not worried by the deed?
SQUIRES and KNIGHTS:
Punish the offender!
GURNEMANZ:
An unheard of act! Could you murder, here in the holy forest, where tranquil peace surrounded you? Did not the woodland beasts tamely come near and innocently greet you as friends? What did the birds sing to you from the branches? What harm did that faithful swan do you? Seeking his mate, he flew up to circle with her over the lake to consecrate the bath. This did not impress you? It but tempted you to a wild, childish shot from your bow? He was our friend: what is he now to you? Here, look! Here you struck him, the blood still congealing, the wings drooping lifeless, the snowy plumage stained dark, the eyes glazed: do you see his look?
Parsifal has followed Gurnemanz with growing emotion; now he breaks his bow and hurls his arrows away.
Now are you conscious of your sinful deed?
Parsifal passes his hand over his eyes.
Speak, boy, do you realize your great guilt? How could you commit this crime?
PARSIFAL:
I did not know.
GURNEMANZ:
Where are you from?
PARSIFAL:
I do not know.
GURNEMANZ:
Who is your father?
PARSIFAL:
I do not know.
GURNEMANZ:
Who sent you this way?
PARSIFAL:
I do not know.
GURNEMANZ:
Your name, then?
PARSIFAL:
I had many, but I know none of them any more.
GURNEMANZ:
You know nothing of anything?
(aside)
Such a dullard I never found before, save Kundry!
(to the squires, who have assembled in increasing numbers)
Now go! Do not neglect the king in the bath! Help here!
The squires reverently lift the dead swan onto a bier of fresh branches and move away with it towards the lake. Finally only Gurnemanz and Parsifal remain, with Kundry to one side.
GURNEMANZ:
(turns back to Parsifal)
Now speak! You know nothing of what I ask you: tell me what you do know, for you must surely know something.
PARSIFAL:
I have a mother, whose name is Herzeleide [Heart’s Sorrow]. Our home was in the woods and wild grasslands.
GURNEMANZ:
Who gave you the bow?
PARSIFAL:
I made it myself to chase the savage eagles from the forest.
GURNEMANZ:
But you yourself seem eagle-like and nobly born. Why did your mother not have you taught better weapons?
KUNDRY:
(who, during Gurnemanz’s recital of the fate of Amfortas, has been violently writhing in furious agitation, now, still lying in the undergrowth, eyes Parsifal keenly and, as he is silent, hoarsely calls)
His mother bore him fatherless, for Gamuret was slain in battle! To preserve her son from a similar untimely hero’s death, she reared him up in the wilderness, ignorant of arms; as a fool, like her!
(she laughs)
PARSIFAL:
(who has listened to her with sudden attention)
Yes, and once, along the forest’s edge, came a glittering array of men mounted on fine creatures: I wanted to be like them; they laughed and galloped off. I ran after them but could not overtake them; through deserts I wandered, up hill and down dale; often night fell, and again came day; my bow had to defend me against wild beasts and giants...
Kundry has risen and moved towards the men.
KUNDRY:
Yes! Robbers and giants engaged his strength: they learned to fear the fierce boy.
PARSIFAL:
(in surprise)
Who fears me? Tell me!
KUNDRY:
The wicked!
PARSIFAL:
They who threatened me, were they wicked?
(Gurnemanz laughs)
Who is good?
GURNEMANZ:
Your mother, whom you deserted, and who now frets and grieves for you.
KUNDRY:
She grieves no more: his mother is dead.
PARSIFAL:
(in fearful alarm)
Dead? My mother? Who says so?
KUNDRY:
As I rode by I saw her dying: she bade me greet you, fool.
Parsifal springs furiously at Kundry and seizes her by the throat.
GURNEMANZ:
(restrains him)
Are you mad, boy! More violence?
After Gurnemanz has freed Kundry, Parsifal stands as if dazed, seized with violent trembling.
GURNEMANZ
What harm has she done you? She spoke the truth; for Kundry never lies, though she has seen much.
PARSIFAL:
(seized with violent trembling)
I am fainting!
Seeing Parsifal’s condition, Kundry at once hastens to a spring in the wood and brings water in a horn, sprinkles Parsifal with it, and then gives it to him to drink.
GURNEMANZ:
Well done! That accords to the Grail’s mercy: they vanquish evil who requite it with good.
KUNDRY:
I never do good.
(while Gurnemanz tends Parsifal in a fatherly way, she creeps unobserved by them towards a thicket in the wood)
I long only for rest, only rest in my weariness. To sleep! Oh, that no one would wake me!
(starting in fear)
No! Not sleep! Terror seizes me!
(She falls into a violent trembling, then lets her arms and head drop wearily and totters away)
Powerless to resist! The time has come.
(By the lake a movement is seen, and at length in the background the train of knights and squires returning home with litter)
Sleep, sleep, I must.
(She sinks down behind the bushes and is not seen further.)
GURNEMANZ:
The king is returning from the bath; the sun stands high; now let me lead you to our hallowed feast; for if you are pure, the Grail will be food and drink to you.
He has gently taken Parsifal’s arm round his neck and put his own arm round the boy’s body: in this way he leads him with very slow steps. The scene begins imperceptibly to change.
PARSIFAL:
Who is the Grail?
GURNEMANZ:
That cannot be said; but if you yourself are called to its service that knowledge will not remain withheld. And see! I think I know you aright; no earthly path leads to it, and none could find it save whom the Grail itself led here.
PARSIFAL:
I scarcely tread, yet seem already to have come far.
GURNEMANZ:
You see, my son, time here becomes space.
Scene 2
Gradually, while Gurnemanz and Parsifal appear to walk, the scene has changed more perceptibly: the woods have disappeared, and in the rocky walls a gateway has opened, which closes behind them. Trumpets. A peal of bells, swelling and dying. The way leading upwards through walls of rock, the scene has entirely changed. Gurnemanz and Parsifal now enter the mighty hall of the castle of the Grail.
GURNEMANZ:
(turning to Parsifal, who stands as if bewitched)
Now observe well, and let me observe, if you are a fool and pure, what knowledge may be divulged to you.
A hall of columns, with a cupola spanning the refectory. On both sides at the far end the doors are opened: the knights of the Grail enter from the right and line up around the feast-tables.)
KNIGHTS OF THE GRAIL:
At this latest love-feast, prepared day after day,
(A procession of squires passes rapidly across the scene into the background)
As at the Last Supper, may it comfort us today.
(A second procession of squires crosses the hall)
The meal will renew him who delights in doing good: may he derive comfort, and receive the supreme gift.
The assembled knights station themselves at the tables.
VOICES OF YOUTHS:
(from halfway up the dome)
As once His blood flowed with countless pains for the sinful world, now with joyful heart let my blood be shed for the great Redeemer. His body, that He gave to purge our sin, lives in us through His death.
From the left door, Amfortas is carried in on a litter by squires and serving brothers: before him walk the four squires bearing the covered shrine of the Grail. This procession moves to the center background, where stands a raised couch on which Amfortas is set down from the litter; before it is an oblong stone altar on which the squires place the covered shine of the Grail.
VOICES OF BOYS:
(from the apex of the dome)
The faith endures. The dove, the Savior’s loving messenger, soars. Drink the wine poured out for you, and take the bread of life!
When all have taken their places, and after a complete silence, the voice of Titurel is heard in the extreme background from a vaulted niche behind Amfortas’s couch, as if from a tomb.
TITUREL:
Amfortas, my son, are you in your place?
(long silence)
Shall I again look upon the Grail and live?
(long silence)
Must I die without my Savior’s guidance?
AMFORTAS:
Alas! Woe is me for my pain! My father, oh once more serve the Office! Live, live, and let me die!
TITUREL:
Within the grave I still live by the Savior’s grace, but I am too feeble to serve him. In His service you may expiate your sin! Uncover the Grail!
AMFORTAS:
No! Leave it covered! Oh! May no one undergo the torture roused in me by the sight that delights you! What is the wound, its raging pain, against the distress, the torments of hell, to be accursed by this office! Woeful inheritance to which I am called, that I, the only sinner of all my people, must tend what is supremely sacred, invoking its blessing on the righteous! Oh punishment, unparalleled punishment of—alas!—the wronged Lord of mercy!
For Him, for His holy greeting, must I ardently yearn; by the repentance of my inmost soul must I reach out to Him. The hour draws near: a ray of light descends upon the holy vessel: the covering falls. The divine contents of the sacred chalice glow with radiant glory. Thrilled by the agony of blissful joy, I feel the fount of divine blood pour into my heart: the ebb of my own sinful blood in mad tumult must surge back into me, to gush in wild terror into the world of sinful passion. It breaks open the door anew and now rushes out here, through the wound, like His, struck by a blow from that same spear which pierced the Savior, from whose wound the Holy One wept tears of blood over man’s disgrace in the heavenly longing of compassion. Now from my wound, in holiest office, the custodian of the most divine treasure and guardian of its redeeming balm, wells forth fevered, sinful blood, ever replenished from the fount of longing that alas, no repentance of mine can ever still! Mercy! Mercy! All-merciful one, have mercy on me! Take back my inheritance, heal my wound, that I may die holy, pure and whole for Thee!
(He sinks back as if unconscious)
On hearing Amfortas’ loud cry of agony, Parsifal clutches at his heart, without letting go:
BOYS and YOUTHS:
(from halfway up the dome)
“Enlightened through compassion, the pure fool: wait for him, whom I have chosen!”
KNIGHTS:
Thus ran the promise made to you: wait confidently; perform your office today!
TITUREL’S VOICE:
Uncover the Grail...
Amfortas raises himself slowly and with difficulty. The acolytes remove the cover from the golden shrine and take from it the “Grail,” an antique crystal chalice, from which they also remove a covering, and place it before Amfortas.
VOICES:
(from high up)
“Take this My body, take My blood, in token of our love!”
While Amfortas bows devoutly in silent prayer before the chalice, an increasingly dark twilight extends over the hall.
BOYS:
(from high up)
“Take this My blood, take My body, in remembrance of Me!”
Here a dazzling ray of light falls from above on the crystal cup, which now glows in a brilliant crimson, shedding a soft light on everything. Amfortas, transfigured, raises the Grail aloft and waves it gently round to every side, blessing the bread and wine with it. All are on their knees.
TITUREL’S VOICE:
O heavenly rapture! How brightly Our Lord greets us today!
Amfortas sets down the Grail again, and its glow gradually fades as the darkness lifts: at this the acolytes replace the vessel in the shrine and cover it as before.
Daylight returns. The four squires, after closing the shrine, now take from the altar-table two wine-flagons and two baskets of bread, previously blessed by Amfortas with the chalice of the Grail. They distribute the bread among the knights, and fill with wine the cups standing before them. The knights seat themselves at the feast, as does Gurnemanz, who has kept a place empty beside him and signs to Parsifal to come and partake of the meal. Parsifal however remains standing apart, motionless and silent, as if completely entranced.
VOICES OF BOYS:
(from high up)
Wine and bread from the Last Supper the Lord of the Grail once turned, through the power of compassion and love, into the blood He shed, into the body He gave.
VOICES OF YOUTHS:
(from halfway up the dome)
Blood and body of that holy gift, the loving spirit of blessed consolation, now turn for your refreshment into the wine poured out for you, into the bread given for you to eat.
KNIGHTS:
(first half)
Take of the bread, change it confidently into the body’s strength and power, true until death, steadfast in effort, to work the Savior’s will!
(second half)
Take of the wine, change it anew into the fiery blood of life.
(both halves)
Rejoicing in the unity of brotherly faith, let us fight with holy courage!
(The knights rise and pace from either side to the center, where they solemnly embrace during the ensuing)
ALL THE KNIGHTS:
Blessed in faith! Blessed in love!
YOUTHS:
(from halfway up the dome)
Blessed in love!
KNIGHTS:
(from the summit of the dome)
Blessed in faith!
During the meal, Amfortas, who has taken no part in it, has gradually relapsed from his inspired exultation: he bows his head and holds his hand on the wound. The acolytes approach him; their movements reveal that his wound is bleeding anew. They tend to Amfortas, assisting him back on to his litter. They bear out Amfortas and the holy shrine in the order in which they entered. The knights likewise form a solemn procession and slowly leave the hall. The doors are closed. The daylight fades. Squires again quickly pass through the hall.
Parsifal still holds his heart, standing motionless, as if petrified. Gurnemanz ill-humoredly approaches Parsifal and shakes him by the arm.
GURNEMANZ:
Why are you still standing there?
Do you know what you have seen?
(Parsifal presses his heart convulsively and slightly shakes his head)
GURNEMANZ:
(very annoyed)
You are nothing but a fool!
(He opens a narrow side-door)
Off with you, and be on your way! But take my advice: in the future, leave the swans in peace. A gander needs a goose!
(He pushes Parsifal out and slams the door angrily behind him)
A VOICE:
(from high up)
“Enlightened through compassion, the pure fool.”
VOICES:
(from the mid-height and the summit)
Blessed in faith!
