_How by miracle they were both made whole, by the coming of the holy
vessel of Sangreal._
Then they made both great dole out of measure. This will not avail,
said Percivale. And then he kneeled down and made his prayer devoutly
unto Almighty Jesu; for he was one of the best knights of the world
that at that time was, in whom the very faith stood most in. Right so
there came by, the holy vessel of the Sancgreal with all manner of
sweetness and savour, but they could not readily see who that bare that
vessel, but Sir Percivale had a glimmering of the vessel, and of the
maiden that bare it, for he was a perfect clean maiden. And forthwithal
they both were as whole of hide and limb as ever they were in their
life days; then they gave thankings to God with great mildness. O Jesu!
said Sir Percivale, what may this mean that we be thus healed, and
right now we were at the point of dying? I wot full well, said Sir
Ector, what it is. It is an holy vessel that is borne by a maiden, and
therein is a part of the holy blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, blessed
might He be! but it may not be seen, said Sir Ector, but if it be by a
perfect man. Truly, said Sir Percivale, I saw a damsel, as me thought,
all in white, with a vessel in both her hands, and forthwithal I was
whole. So then they took their horses and their harness, and amended
their harness as well as they might that was broken, and so they
mounted upon their horses and rode talking together. And there Sir
Ector de Maris told Sir Percivale how he had sought his brother Sir
Launcelot long, and never could hear witting of him:—In many strange
adventures have I been in this quest. And so either told other of their
adventures.
Here endeth the enleuenth booke. And here foloweth the twelfth book.
The Twelfth Book.