ming to this place."

[Sidenote: _Sir Percival declareth himself._]

To this Sir Percival said: "Messire, your civility of words is equal to
your address at arms. Gladly will I declare my name and degree, and
happy will I be if it hath aught of significance to you, for I do not
think that even Sir Launcelot of the Lake himself was ever a better
knight than you have shown yourself to be. Know you that I am Sir
Percival of Gales and that I am son to King Pellinore and brother unto
Sir Lamorack of Gales. And now I beseech you upon your part to declare
your name and title to me."

But to this speech the champion of the castle made no reply. Otherwise,
when he heard what Sir Percival said, and when he heard the name and
degree of Sir Percival, he gave forth a great cry, either of joy or of
something different from joy. Therewith, and thus crying out, he flung
away his sword and he flung away his shield, and he ran to Sir Percival
and threw himself down upon his knees before Sir Percival and embraced
him about the thighs. And he cried out: "What have I done! What have I
done to do battle with thee in this wise!"

At this Sir Percival was very greatly astonished and he said: "Sir, what
is this thou doest to kneel to me? Who art thou who sayst such words as
these I hear? Now I pray thee that thou wilt immediately declare thyself
to me who thou art!"

[Sidenote: _Sir Launcelot declareth himself._]

Then that knight, still kneeling, said: "Sir Percival, I am he whom men
one time called Sir Launcelot of the Lake." Therewith saying, that
knight of the castle lifted up the umbril of his helmet and Sir Percival
beheld that it was indeed Sir Launcelot.

Then Sir Percival cried out even as Sir Launcelot had done, and thus
crying out he said: "At last, at last I have found thee!" Therewith he
lifted up Sir Launcelot into his arms, and he embraced Sir Launcelot and
kissed him upon the cheek and they wept over one another with a great
joy of meeting, and all those in the balcony who beheld that sight
wondered what was its occasion.

[Sidenote: _Sir Percival beholdeth Elaine the Fair._]

Then Sir Launcelot said to Sir Percival: "Sir, let me bring you to my
lady." And therewith he took Sir Percival by the hand and led him up
into the gallery and to where the Lady Elaine sat in the midst of her
court. And Sir Percival looked with a very earnest regard upon that
lady, and it appeared to him that he had never before beheld so sweet