he made great sorrow that his
horse was away, for he wist well it was Sir Galahad. Then he cried
aloud, "Ah, fair knight, abide and suffer me to do thankings unto thee,
for much have ye done for me!"

But ever Sir Galahad rode so fast, that at the last he passed out of
his sight, and Sir Percivale went after him on foot as fast as he
might. Soon he met a yeoman riding upon a hackney, who led in his hand
a great black steed, blacker than any bear.

"Ah, fair friend," said Sir Percivale, "as ever I may do for you and be
your true knight in the first place ye will require me, I beg ye will
lend me that black steed, that I may overtake a knight, the which
rideth afore me."

"Sir knight," said the yeoman, "I pray you hold me excused of that, for
that I may not do; for wit ye well, the horse belongs to a man that, if
I lent it you or any other man, would slay me."

"Alas," said Sir Percivale, "I had never so great sorrow as I have for
losing of yonder knight."

"Sir," said the yeoman, "I am right heavy for you, for a good horse
would beseem you well, but I dare not deliver you this horse unless ye
take it from me."

"That will I not do," said Sir Percivale.

So they departed, and Sir Percivale sat him down under a tree, and made
sorrow out of measure. Anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as
ever he might, and asked Sir Percivale, "Saw ye, sir, any knight riding
on my black steed? It hath been taken from me by force, wherefore my
lord will slay me in what place he findeth me."

"Well," said Sir Percivale, "what wouldest thou that I did? Thou seest
well that I am on foot, but had I a good horse I should bring him soon
again."

"Sir," said the yeoman, "take my hackney and do the best ye can, and I
shall follow you on foot, to wit how that ye shall speed."

Then Sir Percivale mounted upon that hackney, and rode as fast as he
might. At the last he saw the knight on the black steed, and cried out
to him to turn again. And he turned, and set his spear against Sir
Percivale; and he smote the hackney in the midst of the breast, that he
fell down dead to the earth. There Sir Percivale had a great fall, and
the other rode his way.

Sir Percivale was very wroth, and cried, "Abide, wicked knight, coward
and false-hearted knight, turn again and fight with me on foot."

He answered not, but passed on his way. When Sir Percivale saw he
would not turn, he cast away his helm and sword, and thought himself
unhap