_How Sir Galahad met with Sir Launcelot and with Sir Percivale, and
smote them down, and departed from them._
So when Sir Galahad was departed from the Castle of Maidens, he rode
till he came to a waste forest, and there he met with Sir Launcelot and
Sir Percivale, but they knew him not, for he was new disguised. Right
so, Sir Launcelot his father dressed his spear, and brake it upon Sir
Galahad, and Sir Galahad smote him so again, that he smote down horse
and man. And then he drew his sword, and dressed him unto Sir
Percivale, and smote him so on the helm that it rove to the coif of
steel, and had not the sword swerved Sir Percivale had been slain, and
with the stroke he fell out of his saddle. This justs was done tofore
the hermitage where a recluse dwelled. And when she saw Sir Galahad
ride, she said, God be with thee, best knight of the world. Ah certes,
said she all aloud, that Launcelot and Percivale might hear it, and
yonder two knights had known thee as well as I do, they would not have
encountered with thee. When Sir Galahad heard her say so he was sore
adread to be known: therewith he smote his horse with his spurs, and
rode a great pace froward them. Then perceived they both that he was
Galahad, and up they gat on their horses, and rode fast after him, but
in a while he was out of their sight. And then they turned again with
heavy cheer. Let us spere some tidings, said Percivale, at yonder
recluse. Do as ye list, said Sir Launcelot. When Sir Percivale came to
the recluse, she knew him well enough, and Sir Launcelot both. But Sir
Launcelot rode overthwart and endlong in a wild forest, and held no
path, but as wild adventure led him. And at the last he came to a stony
cross, which departed two ways in waste land, and by the cross was a
stone that was of marble, but it was so dark that Sir Launcelot might
not wit what it was. Then Sir Launcelot looked by him, and saw an old
chapel, and there he wend to have found people. And Sir Launcelot tied
his horse till a tree, and there he did off his shield, and hung it
upon a tree. And then he went to the chapel door, and found it waste
and broken. And within he found a fair altar full richly arrayed with
cloth of clean silk, and there stood a fair clean candlestick which
bare six great candles, and the candlestick was of silver. And when Sir
Launcelot saw this light, he had great will for to enter into the
chapel, but he could find no place where he might enter: then was he
passing heavy and dismayed. Then he returned and came to his horse, and
did off his saddle and bridle, and let him pasture; and unlaced his
helm, and ungirded his sword, and laid him down to sleep upon his
shield tofore the cross.