might make a man.  Then Percivale perceived that, and cast down his shield which was broken; and then he did off his helm for to gather wind, for he was greatly enchafed with the serpent:  and the lion went alway about him fawning as a spaniel.  And then he stroked him on the neck and on the shoulders.  And then he thanked God of the fellowship of that beast.  And about noon the lion took his little whelp and trussed him and bare him there he came from.  Then was Sir Percivale alone.  And as the tale telleth, he was one of the men of the world at that time which most believed in our Lord Jesu Christ, for in those days there were but few folks that believed in God perfectly.  For in those days the son spared not the father no more than a stranger.  And so Sir Percivale comforted himself in our Lord Jesu, and besought God no temptation should bring him out of God’s service, but to endure as his true champion.  Thus when Sir Percivale had prayed he saw the lion come toward him, and then he couched down at his feet.  And so all that night the lion and he slept together; and when Sir Percivale slept he dreamed a marvellous dream, that there two ladies met with him, and that one sat upon a lion, and that other sat upon a serpent, and that one of them was young, and the other was old; and the youngest him thought said:  Sir Percivale, my lord saluteth thee, and sendeth thee word that thou array thee and make thee ready, for tomorn thou must fight with the strongest champion of the world.  And if thou be overcome thou shalt not be quit for losing of any of thy members, but thou shalt be shamed for ever to the world’s end.  And then he asked her what was her lord.  And she said the greatest lord of all the world:  and so she departed suddenly that he wist not where.

CHAPTER VII

Of the vision that sir Percivale saw, and how his vision was expounded, and of his lion

Then came forth the other lady that rode upon the serpent, and she said:  Sir Percivale, I complain me of you that ye have done unto me, and have not offended unto you.  Certes, madam, he said, unto you nor no lady I never offended.  Yes, said she, I shall tell you why.  I have nourished in this place a great while a serpent, which served me a great while, and yesterday ye slew him as he gat his prey.  Say me for what cause ye slew him, for the lion was not yours.  Madam, said Sir Percivale, I know well the lion was not mine, but I did it for the lion is of more gentler nature than the serpent, and therefore I slew him; meseemeth I did not amiss against you.  Madam, said he, what would ye that I did?  I would, said she, for the amends of my beast that ye become my man.  And then he answered:  That will I not grant you.  No, said she, truly ye were never but my servant syn ye received the homage of Our Lord