Here the story is silent of Lancelot, and talketh of Messire Gawain
that goeth to seek Perceval, and is right heavy for that twice hath he
found him when he knew him not. He cometh back again to the cross
whereas he told Lancelot he would await him so he should come thither
before him. He went and came to and fro by the forest more than eight
days to wait for him, but could hear no tidings. He would not return
to King Arthur's court, for had he gone thither in such case, he would
have had blame thereof. He goeth back upon the quest and saith that he
will never stint therein until he shall have found both Lancelot and
Perceval. He cometh to the hermitage of Joseus, and alighted of his
horse and found the young hermit Joseus, that received him well and
made full great joy of him. He harboured the night therewithin.
Messire Gawain asked him tidings of Perceval, and the hermit telleth
him he hath not seen him since before the assembly of the Red Launde.
"And can you tell me where I may find him?" saith Messire Gawain.
"Not I," saith the hermit, "I cannot tell you whereabout he is."
While they were talking on this wise, straightway behold you a knight
coming that hath arms of azure, and alighteth at the hermitage to lodge
there. The hermit receiveth him right gladly. Messire Gawain asketh
him if he saw a knight with white arms ride amidst the forest.
"By my faith," saith the knight, "I have seen him this day and spoken
with him, and he asked me and I could tell him tidings of a knight that
beareth a shield of sinople with a golden eagle, and I told him, no.
Afterward, I enquired wherefore he asked it, and he made answer that he
had jousted at him in the Red Launde, nor never before had he found so
sturdy assault of any knight, wherefore he was right sorrowful for that
he was not acquainted with him, for the sake of his good knighthood."
"By my faith," saith Gawain, "The knight is more sorrowful than he, for
nought is there in the world he would gladlier see than him."
The knight espieth Messire Gawain's shield and saith, "Ha, Sir,
methinketh you are he."
"Certes," saith Messire Gawain, "you say true. I am he against whom he
jousted, and right glad am I that so good a knight smote upon my
shield, and right sorrowful for that I knew him not; but tell me where
I may find him?"