This high history witnesseth us and recordeth that Joseph, who maketh
remembrance thereof, was the first priest that sacrificed the body of
Our Lord, and forsomuch ought one to believe the words that come of
him. You have heard tell how Perceval was of the lineage of Joseph of
Abarimacie, whom God so greatly loved for that he took down His body
hanging on the cross, which he would not should lie in the prison there
where Pilate had set it. For the highness of the lineage whereof the
Good Knight was descended ought one willingly to hear brought to mind
and recorded the words that are of him. The story telleth us that he
was departed of the hermitage all sound and whole, albeit he hath left
Lancelot, for that his wound was not yet healed, but he hath promised
him that he will come back to him so soon as he may. He rideth amidst
a forest, all armed, and cometh toward evensong to the issue of the
forest and seeth a castle before him right fair and well seated, and
goeth thitherward for lodging, for the sun was set. He entereth into
the castle and alighteth. The lord cometh to meet him that was a tall
knight and a red, and had a felon look, and his face scarred in many
places; and knight was there none therewithin save only himself and his
household.