u shall see him, that he come
to see me or ever I die, and that he be fain to succour and help his
mother, whose men have been slain, and whose land hath been reaved in
such sort that never may she have it again save by him alone. And his
sister hath gone in quest of him throughout all kingdoms."

"Sir," saith Lancelot, "This will I tell him gladly, if ever I may find
him in any place, but it is great adventure of finding him, for
oft-times will he change his cognizance in divers fashion and conceal
his name in many places."

XII.

King Fisherman is right joyous of the tidings he hath heard of his
nephew, wherefore he maketh Lancelot be honoured greatly. The knights
seat them in the hall at a table of ivory at meat, and the King
remaineth in his chamber. When they had washen, the table was dight of
rich sets of vessels of gold and silver, and they were served of rich
meats of venison of hart and wild boar. But the story witnesseth that
the Graal appeared not at this feast. It held not aloof for that
Lancelot was not one of the three knights of the world of the most
renown and mightiest valour, but for his great sin as touching the
Queen, whom he loved without repenting him thereof, for of nought did
he think so much as of her, nor never might he remove his heart
therefrom. When they had eaten they rose from the tables. Two damsels
waited on Lancelot at his going to bed, and he lay on a right rich
couch, nor were they willing to depart until such time as he was
asleep. He rose on the morrow as soon as he saw the day, and went to
hear mass. Then he took leave of King Fisherman and the knights and
damsels, and issued forth of the castle between the two lions, and
prayeth God that He allow him to see the Queen again betimes, for this
is his most desire. He rideth until he hath left the castle far behind
and entereth the forest, and is in right great desire to see Perceval,
but the tidings of him were right far away. He looketh before him in
the forest and seeth come right amidst the launde a knight, and a
damsel clad in the richest robe of gold and silk that ever he had seen
tofore.

XIII.

The damsel came weeping by the side of the knight and prayed him
oftentimes that he would have mercy upon her. The knight is still and
holdeth his peace, and saith never a word.

"Ha, Sir," saith the damsel to Lancelot, "Be pleased to beseech this
knight on my behalf."

"In what manner?" saith Lancelot.

"Sir," s