XI.

Perceval lay the night in the castle he had reconquered for his mother,

and the morrow, when he was armed, he departed. These promised that

they would keep the castle loyally and would deliver it up to his

mother at her will. He rode until he came to the tents where the

damsels were, and drew rein and listened. But there was not so great

joy as when the damsel that rode like a knight and led the Car came

thither with Clamados. Great dole heard he that was made, and beating

of palms. Wherefore he bethought him what folk they might be.

Natheless he was not minded to draw back without entering. He alighted

in the midst of the tents and set down his shield and his spear, and

seeth the damsels wringing their hands and tearing their hair, and much

marvelleth he wherefore it may be. A damsel cometh forward that had

set forth from the castle where he had slain the knight: "Sir, to your

shame and ill adventure may you have come hither!"

Perceval looketh at her and marvelleth much of that she saith, and she

crieth out: "Lady, behold here him that hath slain the best knight of

your lineage! And you, Clamados, that are within there, he hath slain

your father and your uncle! Now shall it be seen what you will do!"

The Damsel of the Car cometh thitherward and knoweth Perceval by the

shield that he bare of sinople with a white hart.

"Sir," saith she, "welcome may you be! Let who will make dole, I will

make joy of your coming!"

The High History of the Holy Graal · 第 124 / 489 题