be paid to the maiden, and the
government to be placed in her hands. "With thy leave," said Peredur, "I
will go hence." "Verily, my brother, desirest thou this?" "Yes, by my
faith; and had it not been for love of thee, I should not have been here
thus long." "My soul," said she, "who art thou?" "I am Peredur the son
of Evrawc from the North; and if ever thou art in trouble or in danger,
acquaint me therewith, and if I can, I will protect thee."

So Peredur rode forth. And far thence there met him a lady, mounted on a
horse that was lean, and covered with sweat; and she saluted the youth.
"Whence comest thou, my sister?" Then she told him the cause of her
journey. Now she was the wife of the Lord of the Glade. "Behold," said
he, "I am the knight through whom thou art in trouble, and he shall
repent it, who has treated thee thus." Thereupon, behold a knight rode
up, and he enquired of Peredur, if he had seen a knight such as he was
seeking. "Hold thy peace," said Peredur, "I am he whom thou seekest; and
by my faith, thou deservest ill of thy household for thy treatment of the
maiden, for she is innocent concerning me." So they encountered, and
they were not long in combat ere Peredur overthrew the knight, and he
besought his mercy. "Mercy thou shalt have," said Peredur, "so thou wilt
return by the way thou camest, and declare that thou holdest the maiden
innocent, and so that thou wilt acknowledge unto her the reverse thou
hast sustained at my hands." And the knight plighted him his faith
thereto.

Then Peredur rode forward. And above him he beheld a castle, and
thitherward he went. And he struck upon the gate with his lance, and
then, behold a comely auburn-haired youth opened the gate, and he had the
stature of a warrior, and the years of a boy. And when Peredur came into
the hall, there was a tall and stately lady sitting in a chair, and many
handmaidens around her; and the lady rejoiced at his coming. And when it
was time, they went to meat. And after their repast was finished, "It
were well for thee, chieftain," said she, "to go elsewhere to sleep."
"Wherefore can I not sleep here?" said Peredur. "Nine sorceresses are
here, my soul, of the sorceresses of Gloucester, and their father and
their mother are with them; and unless we can make our escape before
daybreak, we shall be slain; and already they have conquered and laid
waste all the country, except this one dwelling." "Behold," said
Peredur