good service, truly, is that of Arthur." "Wherefore
sayest thou so?" said Peredur. "I will tell thee," said he, "I have
always been Arthur's enemy, and all such of his men as I have ever
encountered, I have slain." And without further parlance, they fought,
and it was not long before Peredur brought him to the ground, over his
horse's crupper. Then the knight besought his mercy. "Mercy thou shalt
have," said Peredur, "if thou wilt make oath to me, that thou wilt go to
Arthur's Court, and tell him that it was I that overthrew thee, for the
honour of his service; and say that I will never come to the Court, until
I have avenged the insult offered to the dwarf and dwarfess." The knight
pledged him his faith of this, and proceeded to the Court of Arthur, and
said as he had promised, and conveyed the threat to Kai.

And Peredur rode forward. And within that week he encountered sixteen
knights, and overthrew them all shamefully. And they all went to
Arthur's Court, taking with them the same message which the first knight
had conveyed from Peredur, and the same threat which he had sent to Kai.
And thereupon Kai was reproved by Arthur; and Kai was greatly grieved
thereat.

And Peredur rode forward. And he came to a vast and desert wood, on the
confines of which was a lake. And on the other side was a fair castle.
And on the border of the lake he saw a venerable hoary-headed man sitting
upon a velvet cushion, and having a garment of velvet upon him. And his
attendants were fishing in the lake. When the hoary-headed man beheld
Peredur approaching, he arose, and went towards the castle. And the old
man was lame. Peredur rode to the palace, and the door was open, and he
entered the hall. And there was the hoary-headed man sitting on a
cushion, and a large blazing fire burning before him. And the household
and the company arose to meet Peredur, and disarrayed him. And the man
asked the youth to sit on the cushion; and they sat down, and conversed
together. When it was time, the tables were laid, and they went to meat.
And when they had finished their meal, the man enquired of Peredur, if he
knew well how to fight with the sword. "I know not," said Peredur, "but
were I to be taught, doubtless I should." "Whoever can play well with
the cudgel and shield, will also be able to fight with a sword." And the
man had two sons; the one had yellow hair, and the other auburn. "Arise,
youth," said he, "and play with the cu