Thereupon, behold you Clamados, that had been told that this was the
knight that, as yet only squire, had slain his father and put Chaos his
uncle to death. He cometh into the tent and seeth him sitting beside
the Queen, that looked at him right sweetly.
"Lady," saith he, "Great shame do you to yourself, in that you have
seated at your side your own mortal enemy and mine. Never again
henceforth ought any to have affiance in your love nor in your help."
"Clamados," saith the Queen, "the knight hath thrown himself upon me
suddenly. Wherefore ought I do him no evil, rather behoveth me lodge
him and keep his body in safety. Nought, moreover, hath he done
whereof he might be adjudged of murder nor of treason."
"Lady," saith Clamados, "He slew my father in the Lonely Forest without
defiance, and treacherously cast a javelin at him and smote him through
the body, wherefore shall I never be at ease until I have avenged him.
Therefore do I appeal and pray you to do me my right, not as being of
your kindred, but as stranger. For right willing am I that kinship
shall avail me nought herein."
Perceval looketh at the knight and seeth that he is of right goodly
complexion of body and right comely of face. "Fair Sir," saith he, "as
of treason I would that you hold me quit, for never toward your father
nor toward other have had I never a mind to do treason, and God defend
me from such shame, and grant me strength to clear myself of any blame
thereof."
Clamados cometh forward to proffer his gage.
"By my head," saith the Queen, "not this day shall gage be received
herein. But to-morrow will come day, and counsel therewith, and then
shall fight be done to each."
Clamados is moved of right great wrath, but the Queen of the Tents
showeth Perceval the most honour she may, whereof is Clamados right
heavy, and saith that never ought any to put his trust in woman. But
wrongly he blameth her therein, for she did it of the passing great
love she hath for Perceval, inasmuch as well she knoweth that he is the
Best Knight of the world and the comeliest. But it only irketh her the
more that she may not find in him any sign of special liking toward
herself neither in deed nor word, whereof is she beyond measure
sorrowful. The knights and damsels lay the night in the tents until
the morrow, and went to hear mass in a chapel that was in the midst of
the tents.