, wherewith is he pleased full
well, for great affiance hath he in his words.

"Fair nephew," saith the Hermit, "Two lions are there at the entry of
the gateway, whereof the one is red and the other white. Put your trust
in the white, for he is on God's side, and look at him whensoever your
force shall fail you, and he will look at you likewise in such sort as
that straightway you shall know his intent, by the will and pleasure of
Our Saviour. Wherefore do according as you shall see that he would,
for no intent will he have save good only, and to help you; nor may you
not otherwise succeed in winning past the nine bridges that are warded
of the twenty-seven knights. And God grant you may win past in such
wise that you may save your body and set forward withal the Law of Our
Lord that your uncle hath hindered all that he might."

XXIII.

Perceval departeth from the hermitage, and carrieth away the banner,
according to his uncle's counsel, and the white mule followeth after.
He goeth his way toward the land that was the land of King Fisherman,
and findeth a hermit that was issued forth of his hermitage and was
going at a great pace through the forest. He abideth so soon as he
beholdeth the cross on Perceval's shield.

"Sir," saith he, "I well perceive that you are a Christian, of whom not
a single one have I seen this long time past. For the King of Castle
Mortal is driving us forth of this forest, for he hath renounced God
and His sweet Mother, so that we durst not remain in His defence."

"By my faith," saith Perceval, "But you shall! for God shall lead you
forward, and I after. Are there more hermits in this forest?" saith
Perceval.

"Yea, Sir, there be twelve here that are waiting for me at a cross
yonder before us, and we are minded to go to the kingdom of Logres and
put our bodies to penance for God's sake, and to abandon our cells and
chapels in this forest for dread of this felon King that hath seized
the land, for he willeth that none who believeth in God should here
abide."

XXIV.

Perceval is come with the hermit to the cross where the good men had
assembled them together, and findeth Joseus, the young man that was
King Pelles' son, of whom he maketh right great joy, and he maketh the
hermits turn back again with him, saying that he will defend them and
make them safe, by God's help, in the kingdom, and prayeth them right
sweetly that they make prayer for him to our Lord that He grant him to