Then the white knight returned from his course and came up to where Sir Percival was.  And he inquired of him very courteously:  “Sir, art thou hurt?” Thereunto Sir Percival replied:  “Nay, sir!  I am not hurt, only somewhat shaken by my fall.’”

Then the white knight dismounted from his horse and came to where Sir Percival was.  And he lifted up the umbril of his helmet, and Sir Percival perceived that that white knight was Sir Launcelot of the Lake.

And Sir Launcelot said:  “Percival, I well knew who you were from the first, but I thought I would see of what mettle you are, and I have found that you are of very good mettle indeed.  But you are to know that it is impossible for a young knight such as you, who knoweth naught of the use of knightly weapons, to have to do with a knight well-seasoned in arms as I am, and to have any hope of success in such an encounter.  Wherefore you need to be taught the craft of using your weapons perfectly.”

To this Sir Percival said:  “Messire, tell me, how may I hope to acquire craft at arms such as may serve me in such a stead as this?”

Sir Launcelot said:  “I myself will teach thee, imparting to thee such skill as I have at my command.  Less than half a day’s journey to the southward of this is my castle of Joyous Gard.  Thither I was upon my way when I met thee here.  Now thou shalt go with me unto Joyous Gard, and there thou shalt abide until thou art in all ways taught the use of arms so that thou mayst uphold that knighthood which I believe God hath endowed thee withal.”

So after that Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival went to the dwelling-place of the hermit, and the hermit fed them with the best of that simple fare which he had at his command.

[Sidenote:  How Sir Percival dwelt at Joyous Gard] After that, they mounted horse again and rode away to Joyous Gard, and there Sir Percival abided for a year, training himself in all wise so as to prepare himself to uphold that knighthood which in him became so famous.  For, during that year Sir Launcelot was his teacher in the art of arms.  Likewise he instructed him in all the civilities and the customs of chivalry, so it befell that ere Sir Percival came forth from Joyous Gard again he was well acquainted with all the ways in which he should comport himself at any time, whether in field or in court.

So when Sir Percival came forth again from Joyous Gard, there was no knight, unless it was Sir Launcelot himself, who could surpass him in skill at arms; nay, not even his own brother, Sir Lamorack; nor was there anybody, even if one were Sir Gawaine or Sir Geraint, who surpassed him in civility of courtliness or nobility of demeanor.

And now I shall tell you of the great adventure that befell Sir Percival after Sir Launcelot had thus taught him at Joyous Gard.

[Illustration:  Sir Percival overcometh ye Enchantress Vivien]

Chapter Third