come an errant knight to
joust with him."

Sir Percivale now rode within the castle, and anon Sir Launcelot had
warning, he was soon ready. And there Sir Percivale and Sir Launcelot
encountered with such a might that both the horses and the knights fell
to the earth. Then they left their horses, swung out noble swords, and
hewed away pieces of their shields, and dashed together like two boars,
and either wounded other passing sore.

At the last Sir Percivale spake, when they had fought there more than
two hours: "Fair knight," saith he, "I pray thee tell me thy name, for
I met never with such a knight."

"Sir," said Sir Launcelot, "my name is 'The knight that hath
trespassed.' Now tell me your name, I pray you, gentle knight."

"Truly," said Sir Percivale, "my name is Sir Percivale of Galis; King
Pellinore was my father and Sir Aglovale is my brother."

"Alas," said Sir Launcelot, "what have I done to fight with you that
art a knight of the Table Round, that sometime was your fellow."

Therewithal Sir Launcelot kneeled down upon his knees, and threw away
his shield and his sword from him. When Sir Percivale saw him do so,
he marvelled what he meant. Then he begged him upon the high order of
knighthood to tell his true name, and Sir Launcelot told him all.

"Alas," said Sir Percivale, "what have I done! I was sent by the Queen
for to seek you, and so I have sought you nigh these two years. I pray
you forgive me mine offence that I have here done."

"It is soon forgiven," said Sir Launcelot.

Then Sir Percivale told him how King Arthur and all his knights, and in
especial Queen Guenever, made great dole and sorrow that ever he
departed from them, and that never knight was better welcome back to
the court than he would be. So Sir Launcelot agreed to do after Sir
Percivale's counsel, and ride with him to the King.

So then they took their horses and departed from the Joyous Isle, and
within five days' journey they came to Camelot, that is called in
English Winchester. And when Sir Launcelot was come among them, the
King and all the knights made great joy of him. Then Sir Percivale of
Galis began and told the whole adventures, and all the tales of Sir
Launcelot. And the Queen made great cheer, and there were great feasts
made, and many great lords and ladies, when they heard that Sir
Launcelot was come to the court again, made great joy.

CHAPTER XXIV

OF THE COMING OF SIR GALAHAD

At the vi