Then when that damosel beheld what he did she laughed in great measure and clapped her hands together in sport.  And she said:  “If my father and brothers should return and find thee at this, they would assuredly punish thee very sorely, and thou couldst not make thyself right with them.”  Percival said, “Why would they do that, lady?” And she said:  “Because that is their food and drink, and because my father is a king and my brethren are his sons.”  Then Percival said, “Certes, they would be uncourteous to begrudge food to a hungry man”; and thereat the damsel laughed again.

Now when Percival had eaten and drunk his fill, he arose from where he sat.  And he beheld that the damsel wore a very beautiful ring of carved gold set with a pearl of great price.  So he said to her:  “Lady, my mother told me that if I beheld a jewel or treasure and desired it for my own, I was to take it if I could do so without offence to anyone.  Now I prithee give me that ring upon thy finger, for I desire it a very great deal.”  At this the maiden regarded Percival very strangely, and she beheld that he was comely beyond any man whom she had ever seen and that his countenance was very noble and exalted and yet exceedingly mild and gentle.  So she said to him, speaking very gently, “Why should I give thee my ring?” Whereunto he made reply:  “Because thou art the most beautiful lady whom mine eyes ever beheld and I find that I love thee more than I had thought possible to love anyone.”

At that the damosel smiled upon him and said, “What is thy name?” And he said, “It is Percival.”  She said, “That is a good name; who is thy father?” Whereunto he said:  “That I cannot tell thee for my mother hath bidden me tell his name to no one yet whiles.”  She said, “I think he must be some very noble and worthy knight,” and Percival said, “He is all that, for he too was a king.”

[Sidenote:  The damsel giveth Percival her ring] Then the damsel said, “Thou mayst have my ring,” and she gave it to him.  And when Percival had placed it upon his finger he said:  “My mother also told me that I should give freely of what is mine own, wherefore I do give thee this ring of mine in exchange for thine, and I do beseech thee to wear it until I have proved myself worthy of thy kindness.  For I hope to win a very famous knighthood and great praise and renown, all of which, if I so accomplish my desires, shall be to thy great glory.  I would fain come to thee another time in that wise instead of as I am at this present.”

At that the damsel said:  “I know not what thou art or whence thou comest who should present thyself in such an extraordinary guise as thou art pleased to do, but, certes, thou must be of some very noble strain.  Wherefore I do accept thee for my knight, and I believe that I shall some time have great glory through thee.”