Page:The mythology of ancient Britain and Ireland (IA mythologyofancie00squiiala).pdf/87

 strangely little in passing down through the centuries to become the Holy Grail which had been filled by Joseph of Arimathea with Christ's Blood. It is still kept in a mysterious castle by a mysterious king. In Malory's Morte Darthur this king is called Pelles, a name strangely like that of the Welsh Pwyll, and though in other versions of the Grail story, taken perhaps from variant British myths, the keeper of the mystic vessel bears a different name, he always seems to be one of the rulers of the Other World, whether he be called Bron (Brân), or Peleur (? Prydéri), or Goon (?Gwyn), or the Rich Fisher, in whom Professor Rhys recognises Gwyddneu Garanhir. It still retains in essence the qualities of the cauldron of the Chief of Annwn.' The savage cooking-pot which would refuse to serve a coward or perjuror with food, has been only refined, not altered, in becoming the heavenly vessel which could not be seen by sinners, while the older idea is still retained in the account of how, when it appeared, it filled the hall with sweet savours, while every knight saw before him on the table the food he loved best. Like its pagan prototype, it cured wounds and sickness, and no one could grow old while in its presence. Though, too, the