Perceval was armed upon his horse. The hermits make the sign of the
cross over him, and bless him and commend him to God. And he holdeth
his spear in rest and cometh toward the three knights that guard the
first bridge. They all set upon him at once and break their spears
upon his shield. One of them he smiteth with such force that he maketh
him topple over into the river that runneth under the bridge, both him
and his horse. Of him was he quit, for the river was wide and deep and
swift. The others held out against him a much longer bout with sharp
sword-play, but he vanquished them and smote them to pieces, and flung
their bodies into the water. They of the second bridge came forward,
that were right good knights, and many a tough bout had he of them and
many a felon onslaught. Joseus that was his uncle's son was there, and
said to the other hermits that right fainly would he go help him, but
that he deemed it might be sin, and they bade him take no heed of that,
for that great work of mercy would it be to destroy the enemies of Our
Lord. He doeth off his grey cape and fettleth him in his frock, and
taketh one of them that were doing battle with Perceval and trusseth
him on his neck and so flingeth him into the river all armed, and
Perceval slayeth the other twain and hurleth them into the river in
like manner as the other.