all surrounded of rich pillars, and the gravel thereof
seemed to be gold and precious stones. Above this fountain were two
men sitting, their beards and hair whiter than driven snow, albeit they
seemed young of visage. So soon as they saw Perceval they dressed them
to meet him, and bowed down and worshipped the shield that he bare at
his neck, and kissed the cross and then the boss wherein were the
hallows.

"Sir," say they, "Marvel not of this that we do, for well knew we the
knight that bare this shield tofore you. Many a time we saw him or
ever God were crucified."

Perceval marvelleth much of this that they say, for they talk of a time
that is long agone.

III.

"Lords, know ye then how he was named?"

Say they, "Joseph of Abarimacie, but no cross was there on the shield
before the death of Jesus Christ. But he had it set thereon after the
crucifixion of Jesus Christ for the sake of the Saviour that he loved
so well."

Perceval took off the shield from his neck, and one of the worshipful
men setteth upon it as it were a posy of herbs that was blooming with
the fairest flowers in the world. Perceval looketh beyond the fountain
and seeth in a right fair place a round vessel like as it were ivory,
and it was so large that there was a knight within, all armed. He
looketh thereinto and seeth the knight, and speaketh unto him many
times, but never the more willeth the knight to answer him. Perceval
looketh at him in wonderment, and cometh back to the good men and
asketh them who is this knight, and they tell him that he may know not
as yet. They lead him to a great hall and bear his shield before him,
whereof they make right great joy, and show thereunto great worship.
He seeth the hall right rich, for hall so rich and so fair had he seen
never. It was hung about with right rich cloths of silk, and in the
midst of the hall was imaged the Saviour of the World so as He is in
His majesty, with the apostles about Him, and within were great
galleries that were full of folk and seemed to be of great holiness,
and so were they, for had they not been good men they might not there
have remained.

IV.

"Sir," say the two Masters to Perceval, "This house that you see here
so rich, is the hall royal."

"By my faith," saith Perceval, "So ought it well to be, for never saw I
none so much of worth."

He Looketh all around, and seeth the richest tables of gold and ivory
that he saw ever. One of the Masters c