win back that which of right is his own. He is come forth of the
forest and the hermits with him. He draweth nigh to the castle of King
Fisherman, and strong was the defence at the entrance thereof. Some of
the knights well knew that Perceval would conquer him, for long since
had it been prophesied that he who bare such shield should win the
Graal of him that sold God for money.

XXV.

The knights saw Perceval coming and the company of hermits with him
right seemly to behold, and much marvel had they thereof. About a
couple of bowshots above the bridge was a chapel fashioned like the one
at Camelot, wherein was a sepulchre, and none knew who lay therein.
Perceval abideth thereby and his company. He leaneth his shield and
spear against the chapel, and maketh fast his horse and mule by the
reins. He beholdeth the sepulchre, that was right fair, and forthwith
the sepulchre openeth and the joinings fall apart and the stone lifteth
up in such wise that a man might see the knight that lay within, of
whom came forth a smell of so sweet savour that it seemed to the good
men that were looking on that it had been all embalmed. They found a
letter which testified that this knight was named Josephus. So soon as
the hermits beheld the sepulchre open, they said to Perceval: "Sir, now
at last know we well that you are the Good Knight, the chaste, the
holy."

The knights that warded the bridge heard the tidings that the sepulchre
had opened at the coming of the knight, whereof were they in the
greater dismay, and well understood that it was he that was first at
the Graal. The tidings came to the King that held the castle, and he
bade his knights not be dismayed for dread of a single knight, for that
he would have no force nor power against them, nor might it never
befall but that one only of his own knights should be enough to conquer
him.

XXVI.

Perceval was armed upon his horse. The hermits make the sign of the
cross over him, and bless him and commend him to God. And he holdeth
his spear in rest and cometh toward the three knights that guard the
first bridge. They all set upon him at once and break their spears
upon his shield. One of them he smiteth with such force that he maketh
him topple over into the river that runneth under the bridge, both him
and his horse. Of him was he quit, for the river was wide and deep and
swift. The others held out against him a much longer bout with sharp
sword-play, but he