and Sir Galahad followed them.  And when Sir Percivale saw him chase them so, he made great sorrow that his horse was away.  And then he wist well it was Sir Galahad.  And then he cried aloud:  Ah, fair knight, abide and suffer me to do thankings unto thee, for much have ye done for me.  But ever Sir Galahad rode so fast that at the last he passed out of his sight.  And as fast as Sir Percivale might he went after him on foot, crying.  And then he met with a yeoman riding upon an hackney, the which led in his hand a great steed blacker than any bear.  Ah, fair friend, said Sir Percivale, as ever I may do for you, and to be your true knight in the first place ye will require me, that ye will lend me that black steed, that I might overtake a knight the which rideth afore me.  Sir knight, said the yeoman, I pray you hold me excused of that, for that I may not do.  For wit ye well, the horse is such a man’s horse, that an I lent it you or any man, that he would slay me.  Alas, said Sir Percivale, I had never so great sorrow as I have had for losing of yonder knight.  Sir, said the yeoman, I am right heavy for you, for a good horse would beseem you well; but I dare not deliver you this horse but if ye would take him from me.  That will I not do, said Sir Percivale.  And so they departed; and Sir Percivale set him down under a tree, and made sorrow out of measure.  And as he was there, there came a knight riding on the horse that the yeoman led, and he was clene armed.

CHAPTER V

How A yeoman desired him to get again an horse and how sir Percivale’s hackney was slain, and how he gat an horse

And anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as ever he might, and asked Sir Percivale if he saw any knight riding on his black steed.  Yea, sir forsooth, said he; why, sir, ask ye me that?  Ah, sir, that steed he hath benome me with strength; wherefor my lord will slay me in what place he findeth me.  Well, said Sir Percivale, what wouldst thou that I did?  Thou seest well that I am on foot, but an I had a good horse I should bring him soon again.  Sir, said the yeoman, take mine hackney and do the best ye can, and I shall serve you on foot to wit how that ye shall speed.  Then Sir Percivale alit upon that hackney, and rode as fast as he might, and at the last he saw that knight And then he cried:  Knight, turn again; and he turned and set his spear again Sir Percivale, and he smote the hackney in the middes of the breast that he fell down dead to the earth, and there he had a great fall, and the other rode his way.  And then Sir Percivale was wood worth, and cried:  Abide, wicked knight; coward and false-hearted knight, turn again and fight with me on foot.  But he answered not, but passed on his way.  When Sir Percivale saw he would not turn