oyous Isle and yonder is the castle
of Joyous Isle, and the lord of the castle is a very noble knight hight,
le Chevalier Malfait. We of this castle are exceedingly proud of that
knight, holding him to be the most noble champion in all of the world.
For there have been several tournaments and jousts held in these
marches, and in none of them hath any one been able to stand against our
knight. And many knights have come hither at different times to try an
adventure against our knight, but all these hath he overthrown with
wonderful skill and strength."

Thus spake that lady; and to her Sir Percival said: "Certes, lady, this
must be a very noble knight according to your accounting. Now I pray you
tell me how came so puissant a knight as that into this remote place?"

Quoth she: "I cannot rightly tell you that, only I know that he came
hither as a madman and that he was healed of his madness, and that he
was wedded to the daughter of the king of this country, who is one of
the most beautiful ladies in the world, and that since then he hath been
living here at Joyous Isle."

Then Sir Percival said: "Lady, we came not hither upon any such
adventure as that of trying the skill of your champion, but what you
inform us concerning him giveth me a great appetite to try of what
mettle he is. Now I pray you tell me, how may I come at this knight so
as to adventure myself against him."

At this the lady laughed, and she said: "Messire, if such be your wish,
you will find yourself very welcome at this place. If you would come at
this adventure, you must travel by the margin of the lake a little
farther upon the way you are going and until you have come to that part
of the lake that is back of the castle. There you will find a ferryman
and his two sons. Make your want known to this ferryman and he will take
you into his boat and will ferry both you and your two horses across the
water of the lake so that you may come to the other side."

So spake the lady; and after that Sir Percival gave her gramercy and
therewith he and Sir Ector took their departure. And so they travelled
some little while by the margin of the lake as the lady with the
sparrow-hawk had directed, and by and by they came to that part of the
lake that was back of the castle. Here they beheld a vessel such as the
lady had described, and they beheld a hut beside the margin of the lake;
and when they called there came forth out of the hut the ferryman and
two others