Perceval cometh again back and alighteth of the white mule and
delivereth the banner to Joseus, and then mounteth again on his
destrier and cometh back to them of the fifth bridge, and these defend
themselves right stoutly, for that hardy knights are they, and do
battle against Perceval full sturdily. Joseus the hermit cometh
thither and assaulteth them with passing great lustihood, that had the
Lord God not saved him they would have overthrown and slain him.
Howbeit, he holdeth the banner and grappleth them when he may lay hold,
and grippeth them so straight that they may not help themselves.
Perceval slayeth them and crusheth them and maketh them topple over
into the water that ran swiftly beneath the bridge. When they of the
sixth bridge saw that these were conquered, they cried mercy of
Perceval and yielded themselves to him and delivered up their swords to
him, and they of the seventh bridge likewise. When the red lion saw
that the seventh bridge was Won, and that the knights of the two
bridges had yielded themselves up to Perceval, he leapt up with such
fury that he burst his chain as had he been wood mad. He came to one
of the knights and bit him and slew him, whereof the white lion was
full wroth, and runneth upon the other lion and teareth him to pieces
with his claws and teeth.