r, Sir Gawdelin. As
for thy brother, said Sir Aglovale, I avow it I slew him, for he was a
false knight and a betrayer of ladies and of good knights; and for the
death of my squire thou shalt die. I defy thee, said Sir Goodewin.
Then they lashed together as eagerly as it had been two lions, and Sir
Percivale he fought with all the remnant that would fight. And within
a while Sir Percivale had slain all that would withstand him; for Sir
Percivale dealt so his strokes that were so rude that there durst no
man abide him. And within a while Sir Aglovale had Sir Goodewin at the
earth, and there he unlaced his helm, and struck off his head. And then
they departed and took their horses; and then they let carry the dead
squire unto a priory, and there they interred him.

CHAPTER XII. How Sir Pervivale departed secretly from his brother, and
how he loosed a knight bound with a chain, and of other doings.

AND when this was done they rode into many countries, ever inquiring
after Sir Launcelot, but never they could hear of him; and at the last
they came to a castle that hight Cardican, and there Sir Percivale
and Sir Aglovale were lodged together. And privily about midnight Sir
Percivale came to Aglovale's squire and said: Arise and make thee ready,
for ye and I will ride away secretly. Sir, said the squire, I would full
fain ride with you where ye would have me, but an my lord, your brother,
take me he will slay me. As for that care thou not, for I shall be thy
warrant.

And so Sir Percivale rode till it was after noon, and then he came upon
a bridge of stone, and there he found a knight that was bound with a
chain fast about the waist unto a pillar of stone. O fair knight, said
that bound knight, I require thee loose me of my bonds. What knight are
ye, said Sir Percivale, and for what cause are ye so bound? Sir, I shall
tell you, said that knight: I am a knight of the Table Round, and my
name is Sir Persides; and thus by adventure I came this way, and here
I lodged in this castle at the bridge foot, and therein dwelleth an
uncourteous lady; and because she proffered me to be her paramour, and I
refused her, she set her men upon me suddenly or ever I might come to my
weapon; and thus they bound me, and here I wot well I shall die but
if some man of worship break my bands. Be ye of good cheer, said Sir
Percivale, and because ye are a knight of the Round Table as well as I,
I trust to God to break your bands. And therewith