Source!

I have it. I have the source. I have the source of the quotation I included in my most recent post. Actually, Gerald found it for me. I'm not sure how he did it, but he did it. And the poem the quotation comes from is so lovely, I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy!

THE VISION OF SIR LAUNFAL
by
JAMES RUSSELL LOWELL

A man fails in his search for the Holy Grail, has a mighty change of heart, begins to identify with the poor and gives of his bread and water to a leper in need. Then this is what happens:


As Sir Launfal mused with a downcast face,
A light shone round about the place;
The leper no longer crouched at his side,
But stood before him glorified,
Shining and tall and fair and straight
As the pillar that stood by the Beautiful Gate,--
Himself the Gate whereby men can
Enter the temple of God in Man.


His words were shed softer than leaves from the pine,
And they fell on Sir Launfal as snows on the brine,
Which mingle their softness and quiet in one
With the shaggy unrest they float down upon;
And the voice that was calmer than silence said,
"Lo, it is I, be not afraid!
In many climes, without avail,
Thou had spent thy life for the Holy Grail;
Behold, it is here,--this cup which thou
Didst fill at the streamlet for me but now;
This crust is my body broken for thee,
This water His blood that died on the tree;
The Holy Supper is kept, indeed,
In whatso we share with another's need,--
Not that which we give, but what we share,--
For the gift without the giver is bare;
Who bestows himself with his alms feeds three,-
Himself, his hungering neighbor, and me."