The King of Castle Mortal was on the battlements of the wall, and seeth
how his knights are dead, and how the lion helpeth to slay the last.
He setteth himself on the highest place of the walls, then lifteth the
skirt of his habergeon and holdeth his sword all naked, that was right
keen and well-tempered, and so smiteth himself right through the body,
and falleth all adown the walls into the water, that was swift and
deep, in such sort that Perceval saw him, and all the good hermits
likewise, that marvelled much of a King that should slay himself in
such manner; but they say according to the judgment of the scripture,
that by right of evil man should the end be evil. On such wise was the
end of this King of whom I tell you. Josephus relateth us how none
ought to marvel that of three brothers, even though they be sons of the
same father and mother, one brother should be evil; and the real
marvel, saith he, is when one evil corrupteth not the two that are
good, for that wickedness is so hard and keen and beguiling, and
goodness so kindly and simple and humble. Cain and Abel were
brothers-german, yet Cain slew his brother Abel, the one flesh betrayed
the other. But great sorrow is it, saith Josephus, when the flesh that
ought to be one becometh twain, and the one flesh goeth about by
wickedness to deceive and destroy the other. Josephus recordeth us by
this evil king that was so traitorous and false and yet was of the
lineage of the Good Soldier Joseph of Abarimacie. This Joseph, as the
scripture witnesseth, was his uncle, and this evil king was
brother-german of King Fisherman, and brother of the good King Pelles
that had abandoned his land, in order that he might serve God, and
brother of the Widow Lady that was Perceval's mother, the most loyal
that was ever in Great Britain. All these lineages were in the service
of Our Lord from the beginning of their lives unto the end, save only
this evil King that perished so evilly as you have heard.