knight made him be carried back into the dwelling, for that he had
been in the air as long as pleased him, and commanded his wife that she
do much honour to the knight that is come to lodge within.

"But take heed," saith he, "that you be not seen at the table, but eat,
as you are wont, at the squire's table, for, until such time as I have
the golden cup I desire, I will not forego my despite against you."

XVIII.

Perceval unarmed him. The lady had brought him a surcoat of scarlet
for him to do on, and he asked her wherefore her lord reviled her and
rebuked her in such sort, and she told him all the story how Lancelot
had married her to him, and how her lord ever sithence had dishonoured
her.

"Sir," saith she, "Now hath he fallen into misease, sithence then, and
he hath a brother as sick as he is, and therefore hath Gohaz of the
Castle of the Whale reft him of his land, whereof is he right sorry,
and my lord hath never been heal since that he heard thereof. And well
you know that such folk wax wroth of a little, and are overjoyed when
they have a little thing that pleaseth them, for they live always in
desire of somewhat. My lord hath heard tell of a cup of gold that a
damsel beareth, that is right rich and of greater worth than aught he
hath seen this long time, and a knight goeth with the damsel that
beareth the cup, and saith that none may have it save he be the Best
Knight in the World. My lord hath told me many times, sithence he
heard tidings thereof, that never shall the despite he hath toward me
be forgone, until that he shall have the cup. But he is so angry
withal with his brother that hath lost his land, that I aby it right
dear, for I do all his will and yet may I have no fair treatment of
him. Howbeit, for no ill that he may do, nor no churlishness that he
may say, will I be against him in nought that he hath set his mind on.
For I would have him, and I had him, blessed be Lancelot through whom
it was so. As much as I loved him in health, so much love I him in his
sickness, and more yet, for I desire to deserve that God shall bring
him to a better mind."

XIX.

"Lady," saith Perceval, "Great praise ought you to have of this that
you say; but you may well tell him of a truth that the sick King his
brother hath all his land freely and his daughter, for I was at the
reconquering thereof, and know the knight well that gave it back unto
him. But of the golden cup can I give you no witting."