Until noon he comforted himself with the fellowship of the lion. Then it took up its whelp and bore it away, leaving Percivale alone. But he was not unhappy, for he believed fervently in God, and prayed with all earnestness that he might be saved from unholy things, and chosen as a champion of right and truth. When night came, Percivale, to his joy, saw the lion coming towards him. It crouched at his feet like a spaniel, and all that night the lion and the knight slept in company, his head being pillowed on the shoulder of the beast. But during the night a strange dream came to him. He seemed to see two women, one of whom was young, and rode upon a lion, and the other was old, and sat upon a gliding serpent. And the younger spoke to him as follows,-- "Sir Percivale," she said, "my lord salutes you, and sends a warning to you to make ready, for to-morrow you will have to fight with the strongest champion in the world. And if overcome you will be shamed to the world's end." "Who is your lord?" he asked. "The greatest lord in all the world," she said; and then suddenly vanished. Then came the lady upon the serpent, and said,-- "Sir Percivale, I have done you no harm, and yet you have worked me injury." "What have I done? I have been always heedful to offend no lady." "I have long nourished here a great serpent, and yesterday you killed it for seeking its prey. Why did you this? The lion was not in your care." "I aided the lion because it was a nobler beast than the serpent. In that I did nothing against you." "You did me a great wrong, and in return for this injury I demand that you become my man." "That shall I never be," he answered. "Beware, then, proud knight, who pride yourself on your piety. You have robbed me of that which I loved; take heed that I catch you not unawares, or mine you shall be, body and soul." With these words she departed, and Percivale finished his sleep without further vision. In the morning, when he awoke, he felt feeble. And as he rose and blessed himself he saw not far off in the sea a ship that sailed towards him. As it came near he perceived it to be covered within and without with white samite, while on the deck stood an old man dressed in a surplice like a priest. "Sir," said Percivale, "you are welcome." "God keep you," said the old man; "whence come you?" "I am of King Arthur's court, and a Knight of the Round Table, and am in quest of the Sangreal. But here I find myself in a wilderness, with no hope of escape." "Doubt not, if you be a true knight." "Who are you?" asked Percivale. "I have come hither from a strange country to comfort you," said the old man. "Then, sir, can you tell me what my dream signifies?" and Percivale related what had befallen him. "That can I," said the old man. "She that rode on the lion betokens the new law of holy church, and she came through love, to warn you of the great battle that is before you." "With whom shall I fight?" asked Percivale.