lappeth his hands thrice, and
three and thirty men come into the hall all in a company. They were
clad in white garments, and not one of them but had a red cross in the
midst of his breast, and they seemed to be all of an age. As soon as
they enter into the hall they do worship to God Our Lord and set out
their cups. Then went they to wash at a great laver of gold, and then
went to sit at the tables. The Masters made Perceval sit at the most
master-table with themselves. They were served thereat right
gloriously, and Perceval looked about him more gladlier than he ate.

V.

And while he was thus looking, he seeth a chain of gold come down above
him loaded with precious stones, and in the midst thereof was a crown
of gold. The chain descended a great length and held on to nought save
to the will of Our Lord only. As soon as the Masters saw it descending
they opened a great wide pit that was in the midst of the hall, so that
one could see the hole all openly. As soon as the entrance of this pit
was discovered, there issued thence the greatest cry and most dolorous
that any heard ever, and when the worshipful men hear it, they
stretched out their hands towards Our Lord and all began to weep.
Perceval heareth this dolour, and marvelleth much what it may be. He
seeth that the chain of gold descendeth thither and is there stayed
until they have well-nigh eaten, and then draweth itself again into the
air and so goeth again aloft. But Perceval knoweth not what became
thereof, and the Master covereth the pit again, that was right grisly
to see, and pitiful to hear were the voices that issued therefrom.

VI.

The Good Men rose from the tables when they had eaten, and gave thanks
right sweetly to Our Lord; and then returned thither whence they had
come.

"Sir," saith the Master to Perceval, "The chain of gold that you have
seen is right precious and the crown of gold likewise. But never may
you issue forth from hence save you promise to return so soon as you
shall see the ship and the sail crossed of a red cross; otherwise may
you not depart hence."

"Tell me," saith he, "of the chain of gold and the crown, what it may
be?"

"We will tell you not," saith one of the Masters, "Save you promise
that which I tell you."

"Certes, Sir," saith Perceval, "I promise you faithfully, that so soon
as I shall have done that I have to do for my lady my mother and one
other, that I will return hither, so I be on live an