ight that slew this knight, for that he hath
forced me thus to lead him in this wise by fell and forest. So also
ought I to mislike me much of the knight that it standeth upon to
avenge him, whom I may not find."

"Damsel," saith Lancelot, "Who slew this knight?"

"Sir," saith she, "The Lord of the Burning Dragon."

"And who ought of right to avenge him?"

"Sir," saith she, "The knight that was in the Red Launde at the
assembly, that jousted with Messire Gawain, and had the prize of the
tournament."

"Did he better than Messire Gawain?" saith Lancelot.

"Sir, so did they adjudge him; for that he was a longer time in the
assembly."

"A good knight was he, then," saith Lancelot, "sith that he did better
than Messire Gawain!"

"By my head," saith the damsel, "You say true, for he is the Best
Knight of the World."

"And what shield beareth he?" saith Lancelot.

"Sir," saith the damsel, "At the assembly he bore white arms, but
before that, he had arms of another semblance, and one shield that he
had was green, and one gold with a green cross."

"Damsel," saith he, "Did Messire Gawain know him?"

"Sir, not at all, whereof is he right sorrowful."

"Is he, then," saith he, "Perceval, the son of the Widow Lady?"

"By my head, you say true!"

"Ha, God!" saith Lancelot, "the more am I mazed how Messire Gawain knew
him not. Damsel," saith he, "And know you whitherward they are gone?"

"Sir," saith she, "I know not whither, nor have I any tidings, neither
or the one nor the other."

He departeth from the damsel and rideth until the sun was set. He found
the rocks darkling and the forest right deep and perilous of seeming.
He rode on, troubled in thought, and weary and full of vexation. Many
a time Looketh he to right and to left, and he may see any place where
he may lodge. A dwarf espied him, but Lancelot saw him not. The dwarf
goeth right along a by-way that is in the forest, and goeth to a little
hold of robber-knights that lay out of the way, where was a damsel that
kept watch over the hold. The robbers had another hold where was the
damsel where the passing knights are deceived and entrapped. The dwarf
cometh forthright to the damsel, and saith: "Now shall we see what you
will do, for see, here cometh the knight that hanged your uncle grid
your three cousins german."

"Now shall I have the best of him," saith she, "as for mine own share
in this matter, but take heed that you be garnished ready to b