tures above said, Sir Percivale
turned again unto the recluse, where he deemed to have tidings of that
knight that Launcelot followed. And so he kneeled at her window, and the
recluse opened it and asked Sir Percivale what he would. Madam, he said,
I am a knight of King Arthur's court, and my name is Sir Percivale de
Galis. When the recluse heard his name she had great joy of him, for
mickle she had loved him to-fore any other knight, for she ought to do
so, for she was his aunt. And then she commanded the gates to be opened,
and there he had all the cheer that she might make him, and all that was
in her power was at his commandment.

So on the morn Sir Percivale went to the recluse and asked her if she
knew that knight with the white shield. Sir, said she, why would ye wit?
Truly, madam, said Sir Percivale, I shall never be well at ease till
that I know of that knight's fellowship, and that I may fight with
him, for I may not leave him so lightly, for I have the shame yet. Ah,
Percivale, said she, would ye fight with him? I see well ye have great
will to be slain as your father was, through outrageousness. Madam, said
Sir Percivale, it seemeth by your words that ye know me. Yea, said she,
I well ought to know you, for I am your aunt, although I be in a priory
place. For some called me sometime the Queen of the Waste Lands, and
I was called the queen of most riches in the world; and it pleased me
never my riches so much as doth my poverty. Then Sir Percivale wept for
very pity when that he knew it was his aunt. Ah, fair nephew, said she,
when heard ye tidings of your mother? Truly, said he, I heard none
of her, but I dream of her much in my sleep; and therefore I wot not
whether she be dead or alive. Certes, fair nephew, said she, your mother
is dead, for after your departing from her she took such a sorrow that
anon, after she was confessed, she died. Now, God have mercy on her
soul, said Sir Percivale, it sore forthinketh me; but all we must change
the life. Now, fair aunt, tell me what is the knight? I deem it be he
that bare the red arms on Whitsunday. Wit you well, said she, that this
is he, for otherwise ought he not to do, but to go in red arms; and that
same knight hath no peer, for he worketh all by miracle, and he shall
never be overcome of none earthly man's hand.

CHAPTER II. How Merlin likened the Round Table to the world, and how the
knights that should achieve the Sangreal should be known.

ALSO M