Perceval beholdeth him with right great wonderment, and saith unto him,
"Sir, herein seem you to be no priest! wherefore do you so great
shame?"
"Sir," saith the priest, "It nought concerneth you of whatsoever we may
do, nor nought shall you know thereof for us!"
Had he not been a priest, Perceval would have been right wroth with
him, but he had no will to do him any hurt. Therewithal he departeth
and mounteth his horse and entereth the forest again, all armed, but
scarce had he ridden away in such sort or ever he met the Knight
Coward, that cried out to him as far as he could see him, "Sir, for
God's sake, take heed to yourself!"
"What manner man are you?" saith Perceval.
"Sir," saith he, "My name is the Knight Coward, and I am man of the
Damsel of the Car. Wherefore I pray you for God's sake and for your
own valour that you touch me not."
Perceval looketh on him and seeth him tall and comely and well-shapen
and adroit and all armed upon his horse, so he saith to him, "Sith that
you are so coward, wherefore are you armed thus?"
"Sir," saith he, "Against the evil intent of any knight of whom I am
adread, for such an one might haply meet me as would slay me forthwith."