"With the strongest champion of the world, and if you fail in the fight you shall not escape with the loss of a limb, but shall be shamed to the world's end. As for her that rode on the serpent, she betokens the old law. Heed her not. The serpent you slew betokens the devil that you rode hither, and whom you overcame by the sign of the cross. Yield not to her or any of her kindred, or worse will befall you." Then the ship turned and sailed away, leaving Percivale again alone. But when he went up the rocks he found there the lion, which he stroked and made joyful fellowship with. And thus time went on till midday. Then Percivale saw a ship approaching with such speed as if all the winds in the world had driven it. On it kept till it reached land at the beach below him. He hurried hopefully to meet it, and saw that it was covered with black silk, while on the deck stood a lady of great beauty, who was dressed in the richest apparel. "What brought you into this wilderness?" she cried to the knight. "Here you are likely to die of hunger, for no man may cross yonder rocks and escape." "I serve the best master in the world," said Percivale. "He will not suffer harm to come to me." "Sir Percivale," said she, "know you who I am?" "Who taught you my name?" he answered. "I know you better than you deem," she replied, laughing. "This much I may tell you, that not long since I was in the waste forest, where I saw the red knight with the white shield." "Ah! is that so? Fain would I meet with him." "I shall bring you to him; but only on covenant that you will come to my aid when I summon you." "If it be in reason and uprightness, you may trust me," he replied. "I saw him," she continued, "chase two knights into the stream that is called Mortaise, and follow them into the water. But they passed over, and his horse was drowned, and only by his great strength he got safe to land again." "That I am very glad to hear. It would have been a sad day had that good knight been drowned." "You look pale and thin," she remarked. "Have you eaten lately?" "Not these three days," he answered. "Yet I spoke of late with a good man, whose words refreshed me as if I had partaken of rich viands." "Ah, sir knight," she said, "beware of that old man. I know him better than you. He is a false enchanter, who seeks your harm. If you heed his words shame will be your lot, and you will die on this rock and be devoured by wild beasts. I am here to help you in your need, for I am not content to see so good a knight come to harm and disgrace." "Who are you," asked Percivale, "that proffer me so great a kindness?" "Once I was the richest woman in the world," she answered. "Now I am disinherited and in want." "Then I pity you greatly. Who is it that has disinherited you?"