dgel and the shield." And so did
they. "Tell me, my soul," said the man, "which of the youths thinkest
thou plays best?" "I think," said Peredur, "that the yellow-haired youth
could draw blood from the other, if he chose." "Arise thou, my life, and
take the cudgel and the shield from the hand of the youth with the auburn
hair, and draw blood from the yellow-haired youth, if thou canst." So
Peredur arose, and went to play with the yellow-haired youth; and he
lifted up his arm, and struck him such a mighty blow, that his brow fell
over his eye, and the blood flowed forth. "Ah, my life," said the man,
"come now, and sit down, for thou wilt become the best fighter with the
sword of any in this island; and I am thy uncle, thy mother's brother.
And with me shalt thou remain a space, in order to learn the manners and
customs of different countries, and courtesy, and gentleness, and noble
bearing. Leave, then, the habits and the discourse of thy mother, and I
will be thy teacher; and I will raise thee to the rank of knight from
this time forward. And thus do thou. If thou seest aught to cause thee
wonder, ask not the meaning of it; if no one has the courtesy to inform
thee, the reproach will not fall upon thee, but upon me that am thy
teacher." And they had abundance of honour and service. And when it was
time, they went to sleep. At the break of day, Peredur arose, and took
his horse, and with his uncle's permission, he rode forth. And he came
to a vast desert wood, and at the further end of the wood was a meadow,
and on the other side of the meadow he saw a large castle. And
thitherward Peredur bent his way, and he found the gate open, and he
proceeded to the hall. And he beheld a stately hoary-headed man sitting
on one side of the hall, and many pages around him, who arose to receive
and to honour Peredur. And they placed him by the side of the owner of
the palace. Then they discoursed together; and when it was time to eat,
they caused Peredur to sit beside the nobleman during the repast. And
when they had eaten and drank as much as they desired, the nobleman asked
Peredur, whether he could fight with a sword? "Were I to receive
instruction," said Peredur, "I think I could." Now, there was on the
floor of the hall a huge staple, as large as a warrior could grasp. "Take
yonder sword," said the man to Peredur, "and strike the iron staple." So
Peredur arose, and struck the staple, so that he cut it in two; an