Aristor, that was full hardy, set himself again betwixt the bows of the
saddle in great wrath when he seeth Perceval, and cometh towards him
like as if he were wood mad, sword in hand, and dealeth him such a
buffet on the helm as that it is all dinted in thereby. The Knight
Hardy draweth back when he seeth Perceval, for he is wounded to the
death through the body. He had held the stout so long time that he
could abide no more. But or ever he departed, he had wounded Aristor
in two places right grievously. Perceval felt the blow that was heavy,
and that his helmet was dinted in. He cometh back to Aristor and
smiteth him so passing strongly that he thrusteth the spear right
through his body and overthroweth him and his horse all of a heap.
Then he alighteth over him and taketh off the coif of his habergeon and
unlaceth his ventail.
"What have you in mind to do?" said Aristor.
"I will cut off your head," said Perceval, "and present it to my sister
whom you have failed."
"Do not so!" saith Aristor, "But let me live, and I will forgo my
hatred."
"Your hatred might I well abide henceforward, meseemeth," saith
Perceval, "But one may not abide you any longer, for well have you
deserved this, and God willeth not to bear with you."
He smiteth off his head incontinent and hangeth it at his saddle-bow,
and cometh to the Knight Hardy, and asketh him how it is with him.
"Sir," saith he, "I am very nigh my death, but I comfort me much of
this that I see you tofore I die."
Perceval is remounted on his horse, then taketh his spear and leaveth
the body of the knight in the midst of the launde, and so departeth
forthwith and leadeth the Knight Hardy to a hermitage that was hard by
there, and lifteth him down of his horse as speedily as he may. After
that, he disarmed him and made him confess to the hermit, and when he
was shriven of his sins and repentant, and his soul had departed, he
made him be enshrouded of the damsel that followed him, and bestowed
his arms and his horse on the hermit for his soul, and the horse of
Aristor likewise.