Straightway thereafter he raiseth himself up on his two hinder feet and
looketh at Perceval, and Perceval at him. Perceval understandeth well
the lion's intent, to wit, that they of the last bridge are worse to
conquer than the others, and that they may not be conquered at all save
by the will of God and by him that is the lion. And the lion warned
him that he go not against them with the banner, holy though it were,
nor receive them into mercy what surety soever they might make, for
that they are traitors, but that he must fain mount upon the white
mule, for that she is a beast on God's side, and that Joseus should
bring the banner and all the hermits go before, that are worshipful men
and of good life, so as to dismay the traitor King, and so shall the
end and the conquest of the castle be brought nigh. Of all this the
lion made signs to Perceval, for speak he could not. Great affiance
hath Perceval in the lion's warning. He alighteth of his destrier and
remounteth on the mule, and Joseus holdeth the banner. The company of
twelve hermits was there, right seemly and holy. They draw nigh the
castle. The knights on the last bridge see Perceval coming towards
them and Joseus the hermit holding the banner, by whom they had seen
their other fellows wrestled withal and put to the worse.