re I pray and beseech you
that you bid him do so much herein as that he be not blamed, for
Messire Gawain well knoweth that I have spoken true. But the knight
departed so soon from the assembly, that I knew not what had become of
him, and Messire Gawain was right heavy for that he had departed, for
he was in quest of him, but knew him not."

X.

"Damsel," saith Messire Gawain, "Truth it is that he it was that did
best at the assembly in the Red Launde, and moreover, please God, well
will he fulfil his covenant towards you."

"Messire Gawain," saith Perceval, "Meseemeth you did best above all
other."

"By my faith," saith Messire Gawain, "You speak of your courtesy, but
howsoever I or other may have done, you had the prize therein by the
judgment of the knights. Of so much may I well call upon the damsel to
bear witness."

"Sir," saith she, "Gramercy! He ought not to deny me that I require of
him. For the knight that I have so long followed about and borne on a
bier was son of his uncle Elinant of Escavalon."

XI.

"Damsel," saith Perceval, "Take heed that you speak truth. I know well
that Elinant of Escavalon was mine uncle on my father's side, but of
his son know I nought."

"Sir," saith she, "Of his deeds well deserved he to be known, for by
his great valour and hardiment came he by his death, and he had to name
Alein of Escavalon. The Damsel of the Circlet of Gold loved him of
passing great love with all her might. The comeliest knight that was
ever seen of his age was he, and had he lived longer would have been
one of the best knights known, and of the great love she had in him
made she his body be embalmed when the Knight of the Dragon had slain
him, he that is so cruel and maketh desolate all the lands and all the
islands. The Damsel of the Circlet of Gold hath he defied in such sort
that already hath he slain great part of her knights, and she is held
fast in her castle, so that she durst not issue forth, insomuch that
all the knights that are there say, and the Lady of the castle also,
that he that shall avenge this knight shall have the Circlet of Gold,
that never before was she willing to part withal, and the fairest
guerdon will that be that any knight may have."

XII.

"Sir," saith she, "Well behoveth you therefore, to do your best
endeavour to avenge your uncle's son, and to win the Circlet of Gold,
for, and you slay the knight, you will have saved the land of King
Arthur that h