279. Desolate horror: The adjective suggests the outcast, isolated condition of lepers. They were permitted no contact with other people. The ten lepers who met Jesus in Samaria "stood afar off and lifted up their voices." 281. On the tree: On the cross. "Whom they slew and hanged on a tree, Him God raised up the third day." (_Acts_ x, 39.) This use of the word is common in early literature, especially in the ballads. 285. See _John_ xx, 25-27. 287. Through him: The leper. Note that the address is changed in these two lines. Compare _Matthew_ xxv, 34-40. This gift to the leper differs how from the gift in Part First? 291. Leprosie: The antiquated spelling is used for the perfect rhyme and to secure the antique flavor. 292. Girt: The original word here was "caged." 294. Ashes and dust: Explain the metaphor. Compare with "sackcloth and ashes." See _Esther_ iv, 3; _Jonah_ iii, 6; _Job_ ii, 8. 300, 301. The figurative character of the lines is emphasized by the word "soul" at the end. The miracle of Cana seems to have been in the poet's mind. 304, 305. The leper is transfigured and Christ himself appears in the vision of the sleeping Sir Launfal. 307. The Beautiful Gate: "The gate of the temple which is called Beautiful," where Peter healed the lame man. (_Acts_ iii, 2.) 308. Himself the Gate: See _John_ x, 7, 9: "I am the door." 310. Temple of God: "Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you?" (_I Corinthians_ iii, 16, 17; vi, 19.) 312. This line at first began with "which." 313. Shaggy: Is this term applicable to Sir Launfal's present condition, or is the whole simile carried a little beyond the point of true likeness? 314. Softer: Lowell originally wrote "calmer" here. The change increased the effect of the alliteration. Was it otherwise an improvement? 315. Lo, it is I: _John_ vi, 20. 316. Without avail: Was Sir Launfal's long quest entirely without avail? Compare the last lines of Tennyson's _Holy Grail_, where Arthur complains that his knights who went upon the Holy Quest have followed "wandering fires, lost in the quagmire," and "leaving human wrongs to right themselves." 320, 321. _Matthew_ xxvi, 26-28; _Mark_ xiv, 22-24. 322. Holy Supper: The Last Supper of Christ and his disciples, upon which is instituted the communion service of the churches. The spirit of the Holy Supper, the communion of true brotherhood, is realized when the Christ-like spirit triumphs in the man. "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (_Matthew_ xxv, 40.) 326. The original has "bestows" for "gives." 328. Swound: The antiquated form of _swoon_. 332, 333. Interpret the lines. Did the poet have in mind the spiritual armor described in _Ephesians_ vi, 11-17?