The King himself giveth him blows so heavy that the Queen and all they
that were at the windows marvelled how Perceval might abide such
buffets. The King took witting of the shield that Perceval bare, and
looketh on it of a long space.
"Knight," saith he, "who gave you this shield, and on behalf of whom do
you bear such an one?"
"I bear it on behalf of my father," saith he.
"Did your father, then, bear a red shield with a white hart?"
"Yea," saith Perceval, "Many a day."
"Was your father, then, King Alain of the Valleys of Camelot?"
"My father was he without fail. No blame ought I to have of him, for a
good knight was he and a loyal."
"Are you the son of Yglais my sister, that was his wife?"
"Yea!" saith Perceval.
"Then are you my nephew," saith the King of Castle Mortal, "For she was
my sister."
"That misliketh me," saith Perceval, "For thereof have I neither
worship nor honour, for the most disloyal are you of all my kindred,
and I knew well when I came hither that it was you, and, for the great
disloyalty that is in you, you war upon the best King that liveth and
the most worshipful man, and upon the Lady of this castle for that she
aideth him in all that she may. But, please God, henceforward she
shall have no need to guard her to the best of her power against so
evil a man as are you, nor shall her castle never be obedient to you,
nor the sacred hallows that the good King hath in his keeping. For God
loveth not you so much as He doth him, and so long as you war upon him,
you do I defy and hold you as mine enemy."
The King wotteth well that his nephew holdeth him not over dear, and
that he is eager to do him a hurt, and that he holdeth his sword in his
fist and that he is well roofed-in of his helmet, and that he is raging
like a lion. He misdoubteth him sore of his strength and his great
hardiment. He hath well proven and essayed that he is the Best Knight
of the world. He durst no longer abide his blows, but rather he
turneth him full speed toward his galley, and leapeth thereinto
forthwith. He pusheth out from the shore incontinent, and Perceval
followeth him right to the beach, full heavy that he hath gotten him
away. Then he crieth after him: "Evil King, tell me not that I am of
your kindred! Never yet did knight of my mother's lineage flee from
other knight, save you alone! Now have I conquered this island, and
never on no day hereafter be you so over-hardy as be seen therein
again!"
The King goeth his way as he that hath no mind to return, and Perceval
cometh back again in his galley to the Queen's castle, and all they of
the palace come forth to meet him with great joy. The Queen asketh him
how it is with him and whether he is wounded?
"Lady," saith he, "Not at all, thank God."
She maketh disarm him, and honoureth him at her pleasure, and
commandeth that all be obedient to him, and do his commandment so long
as he shall please to be there. Now feel they safer in the castle for
that the king hath so meanly departed thence, and it well seemeth them
that never will he dare come back for dread of his nephew more than of
any other, whereof make they much joy in common.