This High History witnesseth whereof this account cometh, and saith
that Perceval is in the kingdom of Logres, and came great pace toward
the land of the Queen of the Tents to release the Damsel of the Car,
that he had left in hostage on account of Clamados, that had put upon
him the treason whereof behoved him to defend himself. But, or ever he
entered into the land of the Queen of the Tents, he met the Damsel of
the Car that was coming thence. She made right great joy of him, and
told him that Clamados was dead of the wound that Meliot of Logres had
dealt him, and that Meliot of Logres was heal.
"Sir," saith she, "The tents and the awnings are taken down, and the
Queen hath withdrawn herself to the castle with her maidens, and by my
coming back from thence may you well know that you are altogether quit.
Wherefore I tell you that your sister goeth in quest of you, and that
never had your mother so sore need of help as now she hath, nor never
again shall your sister have joy at heart until such time as she shall
have found you. She goeth seeking for you by all the kingdoms and
strange countries in sore mis-ease, nor may she find any to tell her
tidings of you."
Therewith Perceval departeth from the Damsel, without saying more, and
rideth until he cometh into the kingdom of Wales to a castle that is
seated above the sea upon a high rock, and it was called the Castle of
Tallages. He seeth a knight issue from the castle and asketh whose
hold it is, and he telleth him that it belonged to the Queen of the
Maidens. He entereth into the first baby of the castle, and alighteth
at the mounting-stage and setteth down his shield and his spear, and
looketh toward the steps whereby one goeth up to the higher hall, and
seeth upon them row upon row of knights and damsels. He cometh
thitherward, but never a knight nor dame was there that gave him
greeting of any kind. So he saluted them at large. He went his way
right amidst them toward the door of the great hall, which he findeth
shut, and rattled the ring so loud that it made the whole hall resound
thereof. A knight cometh to open it and he entereth in.
"Sir Knight, welcome may you be!"
"Good adventure may you have!" saith Perceval.
He lowereth his ventail and taketh off his helm. The knight leadeth
him to the Queen's chamber, and she riseth to meet him, and maketh
great joy of him, and maketh him sit beside her all armed.