Then, at first, Sir Percival thought that that which he beheld was a vision conjured up by the deep sorrow that filled his heart, and he was afeard.  But the youth who bare the chalice spake in a voice extraordinarily high and clear.  And he said:  “Percival!  Percival! be not afraid!  This which thou here beholdest is the Sangreal, and that is the Spear of Sorrow.  What then may thy sorrow be in the presence of these holy things that brought with them such great sorrow and affliction of soul that they have become entirely sanctified thereby!  Thus, Percival, should thy sorrow so sanctify thy life and not make it bitter to thy taste.  For so did this bitter cup become sanctified by the great sorrow that tasted of it.”

Percival said:  “Are these things real or are they a vision that I behold?”

He who bare the chalice said, “They are real.”  And he who bare the spear said, “They are real.”

Then a great peace and comfort came to Sir Percival’s heart and they never left him to the day of his death.

Then they who bare the Sangreal and the Spear went out of the hall, and Sir Percival kneeled there for a while after they had gone and prayed with great devotion and with much comfort and satisfaction.

And this was the first time that any of those knights that were of King Arthur’s Round Table ever beheld that holy chalice, the which Sir Percival was one of three to achieve in after-years.

So when Sir Percival came forth from that hall, all those who beheld him were astonished at the great peace and calmness that appeared to emanate from him.  But he told no one of that miraculous vision which he had just beheld, and, though it appeareth in the history of these things, yet it was not then made manifest.

Then Sir Percival said to King Pecheur, his uncle and to his aunt and to their sons:  “Now, dear friends, the time hath come when I must leave you.  For I must now presently go to the court of King Arthur in obedience to his commands and to acknowledge myself unto my brother, Sir Lamorack.”

[Sidenote:  Sir Percival departs for court] So that day Sir Percival set forth with intent to go to Camelot, where King Arthur was then holding court in great estate of pomp.  And Sir Percival reached Camelot upon the fourth day from that time and that was during the feasts of Christmas-tide.

Now King Arthur sat at those feasts and there were six score of very noble company seated with him.  And the King’s heart was greatly uplifted and expanded with mirth and good cheer.  Then, while all were feasting with great concord, there suddenly came into that hall an herald-messenger; the whom, when King Arthur beheld him, he asked:  “What message hast thou brought?” Upon this the messenger said:  “Lord, there hath come one asking permission to enter here whom you will be very well pleased to see.”  The King said, “Who is it?” And the herald-messenger said, “He saith his name is Percival.”