_How they were desired of a strange custom, the which they would not
obey; and how they fought and slew many knights._
This gentlewoman that ye lead with you is a maid? Sir, said she, a maid
I am. Then he took her by the bridle and said, By the holy cross ye
shall not escape me tofore ye have yielden the custom of this castle.
Let her go, said Percivale; ye be not wise, for a maid in what place
she cometh is free. So in the meanwhile there came out a ten or twelve
knights armed, out of the castle, and with them came gentlewomen which
held a dish of silver, and then they said, This gentlewoman must yield
us the custom of this castle. Sir, said a knight, what maid passeth
hereby shall give this dish full of blood of her right arm. Blame have
ye, said Galahad, that brought up such customs, and I ensure you of
this gentlewoman ye shall fail while that I live. Truly, said Sir
Percivale, I had lever be slain. And I also, said Sir Bors. By my
truth, said the knight, then shall ye die, for ye may not endure
against us, though ye were the best knights of the world. Then let them
run each to other, and the three fellows beat the ten knights, and then
set their hands to their swords, and beat them down and slew them. Then
there came out of the castle well a threescore knights armed. Fair
lords, said the three fellows, have mercy upon yourselves, and have not
ado with us. Nay, fair lords, said the knights of the castle, we
counsel you to withdraw you, for ye are the best knights of the world,
and therefore do no more, for ye have done enough. We will let you go
with this harm, but we must needs have the custom. Certes, said
Galahad, for nought speak ye. Well, said they, will ye die? We be not
yet come thereto, said Galahad. Then began they to meddle together, and
Galahad drew his sword with the strange girdles, and smote on the right
hand and on the left hand, and slew what that ever abode him, and did
such marvels that there was none that saw him but they wend he had been
none earthly man but a monster. And his two fellows halp him passing
well, and so they held the journey every each in like hard, till it was
night. Then must they needs part. So came a good knight and said to the
three fellows, If ye will come in to night, and take such harbour as
here is, ye shall be right welcome, and we shall ensure you by the
faith of our bodies, as we are true knights, to leave you in such
estate to-morrow as we find you, without any falsehood. And as soon as
ye know of the custom we dare say ye will accord. Therefore, for God’s
love, said the gentlewoman, go thither, and spare not for me. Go we,
said Galahad, and so they entered into the castle. And when they were
alight, they made great joy of them. So within a while the three
knights asked the custom of the castle, and wherefore it was. What it
is, said they, we will say you sooth.