end, so do I, the best I may."

"Sir, for God's sake, enter not this castle!"

"Wherefore, fair friend?" saith Perceval.

"Sir," saith he, "I will tell you. I am Christian, even as are you,
and I am thrall within there and guard this gate, as you see. But it
is the most cruel castle that I know, and it is called the Raving
Castle. There be three knights within there, full young and comely,
but so soon as they see a knight of the New Law, forthwith are they out
of their senses, and all raving mad, so that nought may endure between
them. Moreover, there is within one of the fairest damsels that saw I
ever. She guardeth the knights so soon as they begin to rave, and so
much they dread her that they durst not disobey her commandment in
aught that she willeth, for many folk would they evilly entreat were it
not for her. And for that I am their thrall they put up with me, and I
have no fear of them, but many is the Christian knight that hath come
in hither that never hath issued hence."

"Fair sweet friend," saith Perceval, "I will enter in thither and I
may, for I should not know this day how to go elsewhither, and true it
is that greater power hath God than the devil."

He entereth into the castle and alighteth in the midst of the courtyard.

XIX.

The damsel was at the windows of the hall, that was of passing great
beauty. She cometh down as soon as she may, and seeth Perceval come in
and the cross on his shield, and knoweth well thereby that he is
Christian.

"Ha, Sir, for God's sake," saith she, "Come not up above, for there be
three of the comeliest knights that ever were seen that are playing at
tables and at dice in a chamber, and they are brothers-german. They
will all go out of their senses so soon as they shall see you!"

XX.

"Damsel," saith Perceval, "Please God, so shall they not, and such a
miracle is good to see, for it is only right that all they who will not
believe in God should be raving mad when they see the things that come
of Him."

Perceval goeth up into the hall, all armed, for all that the damsel
saith. She followeth him as fast as she may. The three knights espied
Perceval all armed and the cross on his shield, and forthwith leapt up
and were beside themselves. They rolled their eyes and tore themselves
and roared like devils. There were axes and swords in the hall that
they go to lay hold on, and they are fain to leap upon Perceval, but no
power have they to do so, for