And while he was thus looking, he seeth a chain of gold come down above
him loaded with precious stones, and in the midst thereof was a crown
of gold. The chain descended a great length and held on to nought save
to the will of Our Lord only. As soon as the Masters saw it descending
they opened a great wide pit that was in the midst of the hall, so that
one could see the hole all openly. As soon as the entrance of this pit
was discovered, there issued thence the greatest cry and most dolorous
that any heard ever, and when the worshipful men hear it, they
stretched out their hands towards Our Lord and all began to weep.
Perceval heareth this dolour, and marvelleth much what it may be. He
seeth that the chain of gold descendeth thither and is there stayed
until they have well-nigh eaten, and then draweth itself again into the
air and so goeth again aloft. But Perceval knoweth not what became
thereof, and the Master covereth the pit again, that was right grisly
to see, and pitiful to hear were the voices that issued therefrom.