vanquished them and smote them to pieces, and flung
their bodies into the water. They of the second bridge came forward,
that were right good knights, and many a tough bout had he of them and
many a felon onslaught. Joseus that was his uncle's son was there, and
said to the other hermits that right fainly would he go help him, but
that he deemed it might be sin, and they bade him take no heed of that,
for that great work of mercy would it be to destroy the enemies of Our
Lord. He doeth off his grey cape and fettleth him in his frock, and
taketh one of them that were doing battle with Perceval and trusseth
him on his neck and so flingeth him into the river all armed, and
Perceval slayeth the other twain and hurleth them into the river in
like manner as the other.

XXVII.

By the time he had won the two bridges he was full spent and weary,
wherefore he bethinketh him of the lion, the manner whereof his uncle
had told him. Then looketh he toward the entrance of the gateway and
seeth the white lion, that stood upright on his two hinder feet, for
that he was fain to see him. Perceval looketh him full between the two
eyes, and understandeth that the lion is minded by the will of God to
do him to wit that the knights of the third bridge are so hardy and of
such strength that they may not be overcome of a single knight and our
Lord God of his holy bounty open not the way, but that he must fain
take the mule and carry the banner if he would conquer them. Perceval
understandeth the white lion's intent, and giveth God thanks thereof
and draweth him back, and Joseus the young man likewise. As soon as
they look back, they see that the first bridge is already lifted up
behind them.

XXVIII.

Perceval cometh to where the white mule was, and she was starred on the
forehead with a red cross. He mounteth thereupon, and taketh the
banner and holdeth his sword drawn. So soon as the white lion seeth
him coming, he unchaineth himself and runneth incontinent to the bridge
that was lifted, right amidst the knights, and lowereth it forthwith.
The King of Castle Mortal was on the battlements of the greater
fortress of the castle, and crieth to the knights that warded the
bridge, "Lords," saith he, "You are the most chosen knights of my land
and the hardiest, but no hardiment is it to lift the bridges on account
of a single knight whom you durst not abide body to body, whereof
meseemeth it great cowardize and not hardiment. But