Fourteenth Book
Chapter I
How Sir Percivale Came To A Recluse And Asked Counsel, And How She Told Him
That She Was His Aunt
Now saith the tale, that when Sir Launcelot was ridden after Sir
Galahad, the which had all these adventures above said, Sir Percivale turned
again unto the recluse, where he deemed to have tidings of that knight that
Launcelot followed. And so he kneeled at her window, and the recluse opened
it and asked Sir Percivale what he would. Madam, he said, I am a knight of
King Arthur's court, and my name is Sir Percivale de Galis. When the recluse
heard his name she had great joy of him, for mickle she had loved him tofore
any other knight, for she ought to do so, for she was his aunt. And then she
commanded the gates to be opened, and there he had all the cheer that she
might make him, and all that was in her power was at his commandment. So on
the morn Sir Percivale went to the recluse and asked her if she knew that
knight with the white shield. Sir, said she, why would ye wit? Truly, madam,
said Sir Percivale, I shall never be well at ease till that I know of that
knight's fellowship, and that I may fight with him, for I may not leave him
so lightly, for I have the shame yet. Ah, Percivale, said she, would ye fight
with him? I see well ye have great will to be slain as your father was through
outrageousness. Madam, said Sir Percivale, it seemeth by your words that ye
know me. Yea, said she, I well ought to know you, for I am your aunt, although
I be in a priory place. For some called me sometime the queen of the Waste
Lands, and I was called the queen of most riches in the world; and it pleased
me never my riches so much as doth my poverty. Then Sir Percivale wept for
very pity when that he knew it was his aunt. Ah, fair nephew, said she, when
heard ye tidings of your mother? Truly, said he, I heard none of her, but I
dream of her much in my sleep; and therefore I wot not whether she be dead or
on live. Certes, fair nephew, said she, your mother is dead, for after your
departing from her she took such a sorrow that anon, after she was confessed,
she died. Now, God have mercy on her soul, said Sir Percivale, it sore
forthinketh me; but all we must change the life. Now, fair aunt, tell me what
is the knight? I deem it be he that bare the red arms on Whitsunday. Wit you
well, said she, that this is he, for otherwise ought he not to do, but to go
in red arms; and that same knight hath no peer, for he worketh all by miracle,
and he shall never be overcome of none earthly man's hand.
Chapter II
How Merlin Likened The Round Table To The World, And How The Knights That
Should Achieve The Sangreal Should Be Known
Also Merlin made the Round Table in tokening of roundness of the world,
for by the Round Table is the world signified by right, for all the world,
Christian and heathen, repair unto the Round Table; and when they are chosen
to be of the fellowship of the Round Table they think them more blessed and
more in worship than if they had gotten half the world; and ye have seen that
they have lost their fathers and their mothers, and all their kin, and their
wives and their children, for to be of your fellowship. It is well seen by
you; for since ye have departed from your mother ye would never see her, ye
found such fellowship at the Round Table. When Merlin had ordained the Round
Table he said, by them which should be fellows of the Round Table the truth of
the Sangreal should be well known. And men asked him how men might know them
that should best do and to achieve the Sangreal? Then he said there should be
three white bulls that should achieve it, and the two should be maidens, and
the third should be chaste. And that one of the three should pass his father
as much as the lion passeth the leopard, both of strength and hardiness. They
that heard Merlin say so said thus unto Merlin: Sithen there shall be such a
knight, thou shouldest ordain by thy crafts a siege, that no man should sit in
it but he all only that shall pass all other knights. Then Merlin answered
that he would do so. And then he made the Siege Perilous, in the which Galahad
sat in at his meat on Whitsunday last past. Now, madam, said Sir Percivale, so
much have I heard of you that by my good will I will never have ado with Sir
Galahad but by way of kindness; and for God's love, fair aunt, can ye teach me
some way where I may find him? for much would I love the fellowship of him.
Fair nephew, said she, ye must ride unto a castle the which is called Goothe,
where he hath a cousin-germain, and there may ye be lodged this night. And as
he teacheth you, pursue after as fast as ye can; and if he can tell you no
tidings of him, ride straight unto the Castle of Carbonek, where the maimed
king is there lying, for there shall ye hear true tidings of him.
Chapter III
How Sir Percivale Came Into A Monastery, Where He Found King Evelake, Which
Was An Old Man
Then departed Sir Percivale from his aunt, either making great sorrow.
And so he rode till evensong time. And then he heard a clock smite; and then
he was ware of an house closed well with walls and deep ditches, and there he
knocked at the gate and was let in, and he alit and was led unto a chamber,
and soon he was unarmed. And there he had right good cheer all that night; and
on the morn he heard his mass, and in the monastery he found a priest ready at
the altar. And on the right side he saw a pew closed with iron, and behind the
altar he saw a rich bed and a fair, as of cloth of silk and gold. Then Sir
Percivale espied that therein was a man or a woman, for the visage was
covered; then he left off his looking and heard his service. And when it came
to the sacring, he that lay within that percloos dressed him up, and uncovered
his head; and then him beseemed a passing old man, and he had a crown of gold
upon his head, and his shoulders were naked and unhilled unto his navel. And
then Sir Percivale espied his body was full of great wounds, both on the
shoulders, arms, and visage. And ever he held up his hands against our Lord's
body, and cried: Fair, sweet Father, Jesu Christ, forget not me. And so he lay
down, but always he was in his prayers and orisons; and him seemed to be of
the age of three hundred winter. And when the mass was done the priest took
Our Lord's body and bare it to the sick king. And when he had used it he did
off his crown, and commanded the crown to be set on the altar. Then Sir
Percivale asked one of the brethren what he was. Sir, said the good man, ye
have heard much of Joseph of Aramathie, how he was sent by Jesu Christ into
this land for to teach and preach the holy Christian faith; and therefore he
suffered many persecutions the which the enemies of Christ did unto him, and
in the city of Sarras he converted a king whose name was Evelake. And so this
king came with Joseph into this land, and ever he was busy to be thereas the
Sangreal was; and on a time be nighed it so nigh that Our Lord was displeased
with him, but ever he followed it more and more, till God struck him almost
blind. Then this king cried mercy, and said: Fair Lord, let me never die till
the good knight of my blood of the ninth degree be come, that I may see him
openly that he shall achieve the Sangreal, that I may kiss him.
Chapter IV
How Sir Percivale Saw Many Men Of Arms Bearing A Dead Knight, And How He
Fought Against Them
When the king thus had made his prayers he heard a voice that said:
Heard be thy prayers, for thou shalt not die till he have kissed thee. And
when that knight shall come the clearness of your eyes shall come again, and
thou shalt see openly, and thy wounds shall be healed, and erst shall they
never close. And this befel of King Evelake, and this same king hath lived
this three hundred winters this holy life, and men say the knight is in the
court that shall heal him. Sir, said the good man, I pray you tell me what
knight that ye be, and if ye be of King Arthur's court and of the Table
Round. Yea, forsooth, said he, and my name is Sir Percivale de Galis. And
when the good man understood his name he made great joy of him. And then Sir
Percivale departed and rode till the hour of noon. And he met in a valley
about a twenty men of arms, which bare in a bier a knight deadly slain. And
when they saw Sir Percivale they asked him of whence he was. And he answered:
Of the court of King Arthur. Then they cried all at once: Slay him. Then Sir
Percivale smote the first to the earth and his horse upon him. And then seven
of the knights smote upon his shield all at once, and the remnant slew his
horse so that he fell to the earth. So had they slain him or taken him had
not the good knight, Sir Galahad, with the red arms come there by adventure
into those parts. And when he saw all those knights upon one knight he cried:
Save me that knight's life. And then he dressed him toward the twenty men of
arms as fast as his horse might drive, with his spear in the rest, and smote
the foremost horse and man to the earth. And when his spear was broken he set
his hand to his sword, and smote on the right hand and on the left hand that
it was marvel to see, and at every stroke he smote one down or put him to a
rebuke, so that they would fight no more but fled to a thick forest, and Sir
Galahad followed them. And when Sir Percivale saw him chase them so, he made
great sorrow that his horse was away. And then he wist well it was Sir
Galahad. And then he cried aloud: Ah, fair knight, abide and suffer me to do
thankings unto thee, for much have ye done for me. But ever Sir Galahad rode
so fast that at the last he passed out of his sight. And as fast as Sir
Percivale might he went after him on foot, crying. And then he met with a
yeoman riding upon an hackney the which led in his hand a great steed blacker
than any bear. Ah, fair friend, said Sir Percivale, as ever I may do for you,
and to be your true knight in the first place ye will require me, that ye
will lend me that black steed, that I might overtake a knight the which
rideth afore me. Sir knight, said the yeoman, I pray you hold me excused of
that, for that I may not do. For wit ye well, the horse is such a man's
horse, that an I lent it you or any man, that he would slay me. Alas, said
Sir Percivale, I had never so great sorrow as I have had for losing of yonder
knight. Sir, said the yeoman, I am right heavy for you, for a good horse
would beseem you well; but I dare not deliver you this horse but if ye would
take him from me. That will I not do, said Sir Percivale. And so they
departed; and Sir Percivale set him down under a tree, and made sorrow out
of measure. And as he was there, there came a knight riding on the horse that
the yeoman led, and he was clene armed.
Chapter V
How A Yeoman Desired Him To Get Again An Horse And How Sir Percivale's
Hackney Was Slain, And How He Gat An Horse
And anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as ever he might, and
asked Sir Percivale if he saw any knight riding on his black steed. Yea, sir
forsooth, said he; why sir, ask ye me that? Ah, sir, that steed he hath
benome me with strength; wherefor my lord will slay me in what place he
findeth me. Well, said Sir Percivale, what wouldst thou that I did? Thou seest
well that I am on foot, but an I had a good horse I should bring him soon
again. Sir, said the yeoman, take mine hackney and do the best ye can, and I
shall serve you on foot to wit how that ye shall speed. Then Sir Percivale
alit upon that hackney, and rode as fast as he might, and at the last he saw
that knight. And then he cried: Knight, turn again; and he turned and set his
spear again Sir Percivale, and he smote the hackney in the middes of the
breast that he fell down dead to the earth, and there he had a great fall, and
the other rode his way. And then Sir Percivale was wood worth, and cried:
Abide, wicked knight; coward and false-hearted knight, turn again and fight
with me on foot. But he answered not, but passed on his way. When Sir
Percivale saw he would not turn he cast away his helm and sword, and said: Now
am I a very wretch, cursed and most unhappy above all other knights. So in
this sorrow he abode all that day till it was night; and then he was faint,
and laid him down and slept till it was midnight; and then he awakened and saw
afore him a woman which said unto him right fiercely: Sir Percivale, what dost
thou here? He answered, I do neither good nor great ill. If thou wilt ensure
me, said she, that thou wilt fulfil my will when I summon thee, I shall lend
thee mine own horse which shall bear thee whither thou wilt. Sir Percivale was
glad of her proffer, and ensured her to fulfil all her desire. Then abide me
here, and I shall go and fetch you an horse. And so she came soon again and
brought an horse with her that was inly black. When Percivale beheld that
horse he marvelled that it was so great and so well apparelled; and not for
then he was so hardy, and he leapt upon him, and took none heed of himself.
And so anon as he was upon him he thrust to him with his spurs, and so he rode
by a forest, and the moon shone clear. And within an hour and less he bare him
four days' journey thence, until he came to a rough water the which roared,
and his horse would have borne him into it.
Chapter VI
Of The Great Danger That Sir Percivale Was In By His Horse, And How He Saw A
Serpent And A Lion Fight
And when Sir Percivale came nigh the brim, and saw the water so boistous,
he doubted to overpass it. And then he made a sign of the cross on his
forehead. When the fiend felt him so charged he shook off Sir Percivale, and
he went into the water crying and roaring, making great sorrow, and it seemed
unto him that the water brent. Then Sir Percivale perceived it was a fiend,
the which would have brought him unto his perdition. Then he commended himself
unto God, And prayed Our Lord to keep him from all such temptations; and so he
prayed all that night till on the morn that it was day; then he saw that he
was in a wild mountain the which was closed with the sea nigh all about, that
he might see no land about him which might relieve him, but wild beasts. And
then he went into a valley, and there he saw a young serpent bring a young
lion by the neck, and so he came by Sir Percivale. With that came a great lion
crying and roaring after the serpent. And as fast as Sir Percivale saw this he
marvelled, and hied him thither, but anon the lion had overtaken the serpent
and began battle with him. And then Sir Percivale thought to help the lion for
he was the more natural beast of the two; and therewith he drew his sword, and
set his shield afore him, and there he gave the serpent such a buffet that he
had a deadly wound. When the lion saw that, he made no resemblant to fight
with him, but made him all the cheer that a beast might make a man. Then
Percivale perceived that, and cast down his shield which was broken; and then
he did off his helm for to gather wind, for he was greatly enchafed with the
serpent: and the lion went alway about him fawning as a spaniel. And then he
stroked him on the neck and on the shoulders. And then he thanked God of the
fellowship of that beast. And about noon the lion took his little whelp and
trussed him and bare him there he came from. Then was Sir Percivale alone. And
as the tale telleth, he was one of the men of the world at that time which
most believed in our Lord Jesus Christ, for in those days there were but few
folks that believed in God perfectly. For in those days the son spared not the
father no more than a stranger. And so Sir Percivale comforted himself in our
Lord Jesus, and besought God no temptation should bring him out of God's
service, but to endure as his true champion. Thus when Sir Percivale had
prayed he saw the lion come toward him, and then he couched down at his feet.
And so all that night the lion and he slept together; and when Sir Percivale
slept he dreamed a marvellous dream, that there two ladies met with him, and
that one sat upon a lion, and that other sat upon a serpent, and that one of
them was young, and the other was old; and the youngest him thought said: Sir
Percivale, my lord saluteth thee, and sendeth thee word that thou array thee
and make thee ready, for tomorn thou must fight with the strongest champion of
the world. And if thou be overcome thou shalt not be quit for losing of any of
thy members, but thou shalt be shamed for ever to the world's end. And then he
asked her what was her lord. And she said the greatest lord of all the world:
and so she departed suddenly that he wist not where.
Chapter VII
Of The Vision That Sir Percivale Saw, And How His Vision Was Expounded, And
Of His Lion
Then came forth the other lady that rode upon the serpent, and she said:
Sir Percivale, I complain me of you that ye have done unto me, and have not
offended unto you. Certes. madam, he said, unto you nor no lady I never
offended. Yes, said she, I shall tell you why. I have nourished in this place
a great while a serpent, which served me a great while, and yesterday ye slew
him as he gat his prey. Say me for what cause ye slew him, for the lion was
not yours. Madam, said Sir Percivale, I know well the lion was not mine, but
I did it for the lion is of more gentler nature than the serpent, and
therefore I slew him; meseemeth I did not amiss against you. Madam, said he,
what would ye that I did? I would, said she, for the amends of my beast that
ye become my man. And then he answered: That will I not grant you. No, said
she, truly ye were never but my servant syn ye received the homage of Our
Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, I ensure you in what place I may find you
without keeping I shall take you as he that sometime was my man. And so she
departed from Sir Percivale and left him sleeping, the which was sore
travailed of his advision. And on the morn he arose and blessed him, and he
was passing feeble. Then was Sir Percivale ware in the sea, and saw a ship
come sailing toward him; and Sir Percivale went unto the ship and found it
covered within and without with white samite. And at the board stood an old
man clothed in a surplice, in likeness of a priest. Sir said Percivale, ye be
welcome. God keep you, said the good man. Sir, said the old man, of whence be
ye? Sir, said Sir Percivale, I am of King Arthur's court, and a knight of the
Table Round, the which am in the quest of the Sangreal; and here am I in
great duresse, and never like to escape out of this wilderness. Doubt not,
said the good man, and ye be so true a knight as the order of chivalry
requireth, and of heart as ye ought to be, ye should not doubt that none
enemy should slay you. What are ye? said Sir Percivale. Sir, said the old
man, I am of a strange country, and hither I come to comfort you. Sir, said
Sir Percivale, what signifieth my dream that I dreamed this night? And there
he told him altogether: She which rode upon the lion betokeneth the new law
of holy church, that is to understand, faith, good hope, belief, and baptism.
For she seemed younger than the other it is great reason, for she was born
in the resurrection and the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ. And for great
love she came to thee to warn thee of thy great battle that shall befall
thee. With whom, said Sir Percivale, shall I fight? With the most champion of
the world, said the old man; for as the lady said, but if thou quit thee well
thou shalt not be quit by losing of one member, but thou shalt be shamed to
the world's end. And she that rode on the serpent signifieth the old law, and
that serpent betokeneth a fiend. And why she blamed thee that thou slewest
her servant, it betokeneth nothing; the serpent that thou slewest betokeneth
the devil that thou rodest upon to the rock. And when thou madest a sign of
the cross, there thou slewest him, and put away his power. And when she asked
thee amends and to become her man, and thou saidst thou wouldst not, that was
to make thee to believe on her and leave thy baptism. So he commanded Sir
Percivale to depart, and so he leapt over the board and the ship, and all
went away he wist not whither. Then he went up unto the rock and found the
lion which always kept him fellowship, and he stroked him upon the back and
had great joy of him.
Chapter VIII
How Sir Percivale Saw A Ship Coming To Him-Ward, And How The Lady Of The Ship
Told Him Of Her Disheritance
By that Sir Percivale had abiden there till mid-day he saw a ship came
rowing in the sea as all the wind of the world had driven it. And so it
drove under that rock. And when Sir Percivale saw this he hied him thither,
and found the ship covered with silk more blacker than any bear, and therein
was a gentlewoman of great beauty and she was clothed richly that none might
be better. And when she saw Sir Percivale she said: Who brought you in this
wilderness where ye be never like to pass hence, for ye shall die here for
hunger and mischief? Damosel, said Sir Percivale, I serve the best man of the
world, and in his service he will not suffer me to die, for who that knocketh
shall enter, and who that asketh shall have, and who that seeketh him he
hideth him not. But then she said: Sir Percivale, wot ye what I am? Yea, said
he. Now who taught you my name? said she. Now, said Sir Percivale, I know you
better than ye ween. And I came out of the waste forest where I found the red
knight with the white shield, said the damosel. Ah, damosel, said he, with
that knight would I meet passing fain. Sir knight, said she, an ye will ensure
me by the faith that ye owe unto knighthood that ye shall do my will what time
I summon you, and I shall bring you unto that knight. Yea, said he, I shall
promise you to fulfil your desire. Well, said she, now shall I tell you. I
saw him in the forest chasing two knights unto a water, the which is called
Mortaise; and they drove him into that water for dread of death, and the two
knights passed over, and the red knight passed after, and there his horse
was drenched, and he, through great strength, escaped unto the land: thus she
told him, and Sir Percivale was passing glad thereof. Then she asked him if
he had ate any meat late. Nay, madam, truly I ate no meat nigh this three
days, but late here I spake with a good man that fed me with his good words
and holy, and refreshed me greatly.oAh, sir knight, said she, that same man
is an enchanter and a multiplier of words. For an ye believe him ye shall
plainly be shamed, and die in this rock for pure hunger, and be eaten with
wild beasts; and ye be a young man and a goodly knight, and I shall help you
an ye will. What are ye, said Sir Percivale, that proffered me thus great
kindness? I am, said she, a gentlewoman that am disherited, which was
sometime the richest woman of the world. Damosel, said Sir Percivale, who hath
disherited you? for I have great pity of you. Sir, said she, I dwelled with
the greatest man of the world, and he made me so fair and clear that there was
none like me; and of that great beauty I had a little pride more than I ought
to have had. Also I said a word that pleased him not. And then he would not
suffer me to be any longer in his company, and so drove me from mine heritage,
and so disherited me, and he had never pity of me nor of none of my council,
nor of my court. And sithen, sir knight, it hath befallen me so, and through
me and mine I have benome him many of his men, and made them to become my men.
For they ask never nothing of me but I give it them, that and much more. Thus
I and all my servants were against him night and day. Therefore I know now no
good knight, nor no good man, but I get them on my side an I may. And for that
I know that thou art a good knight, I beseech you to help me; and for ye be a
fellow of the Round Table, wherefore ye ought not to fail no gentlewoman which
is disherited, an she besought you of help.
Chapter IX
How Sir Percivale Promised Her Help, And How He Required Her Of Love, And How
He Was Saved From The Fiend
Then Sir Percivale promised her all the help that he might; and then she
thanked him. And at that time the weather was hot. Then she called unto her a
gentlewoman and bad her bring forth a pavilion; and so she did, and pyght it
upon the gravel. Sir, said she, now may ye rest you in this heat of the day.
Then he thanked her, and she put off his helm and his shield, and there he
slept a great while. And then he awoke and asked her if she had any meat, and
she said: Yea, also ye shall have enough. And so there was set enough upon
the table, and thereon so much that he had marvel, for there was all manner of
meats that he could think on. Also he drank there the strongest wine that ever
he drank, him thought, and therewith he was a little chafed more than he ought
to be; with that he beheld the gentlewoman, and him thought she was the
fairest creature that ever he saw. And then Sir Percivale proffered her love,
and prayed her that she would be his. Then she refused him, in a manner, when
he required her, for the cause he should be the more ardent on her, and ever
he ceased not to pray her of love. And when she saw him well enchafed, then
she said: Sir Percivale, wit you well I shall not fulfil your will but if ye
swear from henceforth ye shall be my true servant, and to do nothing but that
I shall command you. Will ye ensure me this as ye be a true knight? Yea, said
he, fair lady, by the faith of my body. Well, said she, now shall ye do with
me what so it please you; and now wit ye well ye are the knight in the world
that I have most desire for. And then two squires were commanded to make a bed
in middes of the pavilion. And anon she was unclothed and laid therein. And
then Sir Percivale laid him down by her naked; and by adventure and grace he
saw his sword lie on the ground naked, in whose pommel was a red cross and the
sign of the crucifix therein, and bethought him on his knighthood and his
promise made toforehand unto the good man; then he made a sign of the cross in
his fore head, and therewith the pavilion turned up so down, and then it
changed unto a smoke, and a black cloud, and then he was adread and cried
aloud:
Chapter X
How Sir Percivale For Penance Rove Himself Through The Thigh; And How She Was
Known For The Devil
Fair sweet father, Jesus Christ, ne let me not be shamed, the which was
nigh lost had not thy good grace been. And then he looked into a ship, and
saw her enter therein, which said: Sir Percivale, ye have betrayed me. And so
she went with the wind roaring and yelling, that it seemed all the water
brent after her. Then Sir Percivale made great sorrow, and drew his sword
unto him, saying: Sithen my flesh will be my master I shall punish it; and
therewith he rove himself through the thigh that the blood start about him,
and said: O good Lord, take this in recompensation of that I have done
against thee, my Lord. So then he clothed him and armed him, and called
himself a wretch, saying: How nigh was I lost, and to have lost that I should
never have gotten again, that was my virginity, for that may never be
recovered after it is once lost. And then he stopped his bleeding wound with
a piece of his shirt. Thus as he made his moan he saw the same ship come from
Orient that the good man was in the day afore, and the noble knight was
ashamed with himself, and therewith he fell in a swoon. And when he awoke he
went unto him weakly, and there he saluted this good man. And then he asked
Sir Percivale: How hast thou done sith I departed? Sir, said he, here was a
gentlewoman and led me into deadly sin. And there he told him altogether.
Knew ye not the maid? said the good man. Sir, said he, nay, but well I wot
the fiend sent her hither to shame me. O good knight, said he, thou art a
fool, for that gentlewoman was the master fiend of hell, the which hath power
above all devils, and that was the old lady that thou sawest in thine
advision riding on the serpent. Then he told Sir Percivale how our Lord Jesus
Christ beat him out of heaven for his sin, the which was the most brightest
angel of heaven, and therefore he lost his heritage: And that was the
champion that thou foughtest withal, the which had overcome thee had not the
grace of God been. Now beware Sir Percivale, and taken this for an ensample.
And then the good man vanished away. Then Sir Percivale took his arms, and
entered into the ship, and so departed from thence.
Here endeth the fourteenth booke, which is of Syr Percyval.
And here followeth of Syre Launcelot, which
is the fifteenth book.