thrust him with his spurs, and within an hour and less he bare him four days’ journey thence, until he came to a rough water, which roared, and his horse would have borne him into it.  And when Sir Perceval came nigh the brim and saw the water so boisterous he doubted to overpass it.  And then he made the sign of the cross on his forehead.  When the fiend felt him so charged, he shook off Sir Perceval, and went into the water crying and roaring; and it seemed unto him that the water burned.  Then Sir Perceval perceived it was a fiend that would have brought him unto his perdition.  Then he commended himself unto God, and prayed our Lord to keep him from all such temptations; and so he prayed all that night till it was day.  Then he saw that he was in a wild place, that was closed with the sea nigh all about.  And Sir Perceval looked forth over the sea, and saw a ship come sailing towards him; and it came and stood still under the rock.  And when Sir Perceval saw this, he hied him thither, and found the ship covered with silk; and therein was a lady of great beauty, and clothed so richly that none might be better.

And when she saw Sir Perceval, she saluted him, and Sir Perceval returned her salutation.  Then he asked her of her country and her lineage.  And she said, “I am a gentlewoman that am disinherited, and was once the richest woman of the world.”  “Damsel,” said Sir Perceval, “who hath disinherited you? for I have great pity of you.”  “Sir,” said she, “my enemy is a great and powerful lord, and aforetime he made much of me, so that of his favor and of my beauty I had a little pride more than I ought to have had.  Also I said a word that pleased him not.  So he drove me from his company and from mine heritage.  Therefore I know no good knight nor good man, but I get him on my side if I may.  And for that I know that thou art a good knight, I beseech thee to help me.”

Then Sir Perceval promised her all the help that he might, and she thanked him.

And at that time the weather was hot, and she called to her a gentlewoman, and bade her bring forth a pavilion.  And she did so, and pitched it upon the gravel.  “Sir,” said she, “now may ye rest you in this heat of the day.”  Then he thanked her, and she put off his helm and his shield, and there he slept a great while.  Then he awoke, and asked her if she had any meat, and she said yea, and so there was set upon the table all manner of meats that he could think on.  Also he drank there the strongest wine that ever he drank, and therewith he was a little chafed more than he ought to be.  With that he beheld the lady, and he thought she was the fairest creature that ever he saw.  And then Sir Perceval proffered her love, and prayed her that she would be his.  Then she refused him in a manner, for the cause he should be the more ardent on her, and ever he ceased not to pray her of love.  And when she saw him well enchafed, then she said, “Sir Perceval, wit you well I shall not give ye my love,