ded by a
little town and the town was surrounded by many fair fields and
plantations and orchards of fruit-trees. And at that time evening was
coming on apace, and all the golden sky was fading into a pale silver,
wonderfully clear and fine, with a single star, like a jewel, shining in
the midst of the bright yet fading firmament.

Then Sir Ewaine said: "Sir, let us go down to yonder place and seek
lodging at that fair castle, for meseems that must be a very pleasant
place to abide for the coming night." To the which Sir Percival replied,
"Let it be so, brother," and therewith they rode down into that valley
and to that castle. And when they had reached the castle, Sir Percival
blew his bugle horn very loud and clear, and straightway there came
several of the attendants of the castle who bade them welcome and led
them within the gateway thereof. There, when they had arrived, came the
major of the castle, and requested them that they would tell what was
their name and their degree, and when the two knights had announced
these there was great rejoicing that two such famous champions had come
thitherward. So several ran and took their horses in charge and others
came and assisted them to dismount and others again led them into the
castle and thence brought them each to a fair chamber, well bedight and
with a very cheerful outlook. Then came other attendants and assisted
each knight to disarm and to disrobe, and after that they brought each
to a bath of tepid water. Thereafter, when they had bathed and dried
themselves with fair linen towels, very soft and fragrant with lavender,
these same attendants brought them rich robes of silk and garments of
silk, and they dressed them and were at great ease and comfort.

For thus it was that good knights of old were received in such castles
and halls wheresoever they chose to abide in that adventurous wise.

[Sidenote: _Sir Percival and Sir Ewaine refresh themselves at the
castle._]

Now after Sir Ewaine and Sir Percival had refreshed themselves and
bathed themselves and had clad themselves as aforetold, there came to
them a certain dignitary of the castle, who brought them word that the
lord of the castle desired to have speech with them. So they two went
down with that attendant, and he brought them to the great hall of the
castle where was the lord thereof, standing to give them welcome. He was
a haughty and noble worthy with a long gray beard and he was clad in a
dark purple