Now it chanced at that time that King Arthur and several of his court had come into that forest ahawking; but, the day being warm, the Queen had grown weary of the sport, so she had commanded her attendants to set up a pavilion for her whilst the King continued his hawking.  And the pavilion was pitched in an open glade of the forest whereunto Percival came riding.

Then Percival perceived that pavilion set up among the trees, and likewise he saw that the pavilion was of rose colored silk.  Also he perceived that not far from him was a young page very gayly and richly clad.

[Sidenote:  Percival bespeaketh the Lady Guinevere’s page] Now when the page beheld Percival and what a singular appearance he presented, he laughed beyond all measure, and Percival, not knowing that he laughed in mockery, laughed also and gave him a very cheerful greeting in return.  Then Percival said to the page:  “I prithee tell me, fair youth, whose is that pavilion yonder?” And the page said:  “It belongeth to Queen Guinevere; for King Arthur is coming hither into the forest with his court.”

At this Percival was very glad, for he deemed that he should now find Sir Lamorack.  So he said:  “I pray thee tell me, is Sir Lamorack of Gales with the court of the King, for I come hither seeking that good worthy knight?”

Then the page laughed a very great deal, and said:  “Who art thou to seek Sir Lamorack?  Art thou then a jester?” And Percival said, “What sort of a thing is a jester?” And the page said, “Certes, thou art a silly fool.”  And Percival said, “What is a fool?”

Upon this the page fell alaughing as though he would never stint his mirth so that Percival began to wax angry for he said to himself:  “These people laugh too much and their mirth maketh me weary.”  So, without more ado, he descended from his horse with intent to enter the Queen’s pavilion and to make inquiry there for Sir Lamorack.

Now when that page saw what Percival had a mind to do, he thrust in to prevent him, saying, “Thou shalt not go in!” Upon that Percival said, “Ha! shall I not so?” And thereupon he smote the page such a buffet that the youth fell down without any motion, as though he had gone dead.

Then Percival straightway entered the Queen’s pavilion.

[Sidenote:  Percival beholdeth Queen Guinevere] And the first thing he saw was a very beautiful lady surrounded by a court of ladies.  And the Queen was eating a mid-day repast whilst a page waited upon her for to serve her, bearing for her refreshment pure wine in a cup of entire gold.  And he saw that a noble lord (and the lord was Sir Kay the Seneschal), stood in the midst of that beautiful rosy pavilion directing the Queen’s repast; for Sir Kay of all the court had been left in charge of the Queen and her ladies.

Now when Percival entered the tent Sir Kay looked up, and when he perceived what sort of a figure was there, he frowned with great displeasure.  “Ha!” he said, “what mad fool is this who cometh hitherward?”