[Sidenote:  Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack ride together] Thus it befell that Sir Lamorack and Sir Percival rode forth together very lovingly and cheerfully.  And as they rode upon their way Sir Lamorack told Sir Percival many things concerning the circumstances of knighthood, and to all that he said Sir Percival gave great heed.  But Sir Lamorack knew not that he was riding with his own brother or that it was his own brother to whom he was teaching the mysteries of chivalry, and Sir Percival told him nothing thereof.  But ever in his heart Sir Percival said to himself:  “If God will give me enough of His grace, I will some day do full credit unto thy teaching, O my brother!”

Now, after Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack had travelled a great way, they came at last out of that forest and to an open country where was a well-tilled land and a wide, smooth river flowing down a level plain.

And in the centre of that plain was a town of considerable size, and a very large castle with several tall towers and many roofs and chimneys that stood overlooking the town.

That time they came thitherward the day was declining toward its close, so that all the sky toward the westward shone, like, as it were, to a flame of gold—­exceedingly beautiful.  And the highway upon which they entered was very broad and smooth, like to a floor for smoothness.  And there were all sorts of folk passing along that highway; some afoot and some ahorseback.  Also there was a river path beside the river where the horses dragged deep-laden barges down to the town and thence again; and these barges were all painted in bright colors, and the horses were bedight with gay harness and hung with tinkling bells.

All these things Sir Percival beheld with wonder for he had never seen their like before; wherefore he cried out with amazement, saying:  “Saints of Glory!  How great and wonderful is the world!”

Then Sir Lamorack looked upon him and smiled with great loving-kindness; and he said:  “Ha, Percival!  This is so small a part of the world that it is but a patch upon it.”

Unto this Sir Percival made reply:  “Dear Messire, I am so glad that I have come forth into the world that I am hardly able to know whether I am in a vision or am awake.”

So, after a considerable while, they came to that town with its castle, and these stood close beside the river—­and the town and the castle were hight Cardennan.  And the town was of great consideration, being very well famed for its dyed woollen fabrics.

[Sidenote:  Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack come to Cardennan] So Sir Percival and Sir Lamorack entered the town.  And when Sir Percival beheld all the people in the streets, coming and going upon their businesses; and when he beheld all the gay colors and apparels of fine fabrics that the people wore; and when he beheld the many booths filled with rich wares of divers sorts, he wist not what to think for the wonder that possessed him; wherefore he cried out aloud, as with great passion:  “What marvel do I behold!  I knew not that a city could be so great as this.”