At this word Perceval rode forward, and the damsel heareth him. She
riseth up, and looketh backward and seeth the knight come, the shield
at his neck banded argent and azure, with a red cross. She clasped her
two hands toward heaven, and saith, "Ha, sweet Lady that didst bear the
Saviour of the World, you have not forgotten me, nor never may be
discounselled he nor she that calleth upon you with the heart. Here
see I the knight come of whom we shall have aid and succour, and our
Lord God grant him will to do His pleasure, and lend him courage and
strength to protect us!"
She goeth to meet him, and holdeth his stirrup and would have kissed
his foot, but he avoideth it and crieth to her: "Ill do you herein,
damsel!" And therewith she melteth in tears of weeping and prayeth him
right sweetly.
"Sir," saith she, "Of such pity as God had of His most sweet Mother on
that day He took His death, when He beheld Her at the foot of the
cross, have pity and mercy of my lady mother and of me. For, and your
aid fail us, we know not to whom to fly for rescue, for I have been
told that you are the Best Knight of the world. And for obtaining of
your help went I to King Arthur's court. Wherefore succour us for
pity's sake and God's and for nought beside, for, so please you, it is
your duty so to do, albeit, had you been my brother that is also such a
knight as you, whom I cannot find, I might have called upon you of a
greater right. Sir," saith she, "Do you remember you of the brachet
you had at the court waiting for you until such time as you should come
for the shield, and that went away with you, how he would never make
joy nor know any save me alone? By this know I well that if you knew
the soreness of our need you would succour us. But King Arthur, that
should have prayed you thereof, forgat it."
"Damsel," saith he, "so much hath he done that he hath not failed of
his covenant with you, for he sent for me by the two best knights of
his court, and, so I may speed, so much will I do herein as that God
and he shall be well pleased thereof."