"Sir Knight, and you have not force and help and valour in you more
than is in four knights, come not nigh this devil! Howbeit, and you
feel that you may so do battle as to overcome and vanquish him, I will
give you the Golden Circlet that is within, and will hold with the New
Law that hath been of late established. For I see well by your shield
that you are a Christian, and, so you may conquer him, then ought I at
last to be assured that your law availeth more than doth ours, and that
God was born of the Virgin."
III.
Right joyous is Perceval of this that he heareth her say. He crosseth
and blesseth him, and commendeth him to God and His sweet Mother; and
is pricked of wrath and hardiment like a lion. He seeth the Knight of
the Dragon mounted, and looketh at him in wonderment, for that he was
so big that never had he seen any man so big of his body. He seeth the
shield at his neck, that was right black and huge and hideous. He
seeth the Dragon's head in the midst thereof, that casteth out fire and
flame in great plenty, so foul and hideous and horrible that all the
field stank thereof. The damsel draweth her toward the castle and
leaveth the knight on the horsesaith.
IV.
"Sir," saith she to Perceval, "On this level plot was slain your
uncle's son whom here I leave, for I have brought him far enough. Now
avenge him as best you may, I render and give him over to you, for so
much have I done herein as that none have right to blame me."
With that she departeth. The Knight of the Dragon removeth and seeth
Perceval coming all alone, wherefore hath he great scorn of him and
deigneth not to take his spear, but rather cometh at him with his drawn
sword, that was right long and red as a burning brand. Perceval seeth
him coming and goeth against him, spear in rest, as hard as his horse
may carry him, thinking to smite him through the breast. But the
Knight setteth his shield between, and the flame that issued from the
Dragon burnt the shaft thereof even to his hand. And the Knight
smiteth him on the top of his helmet, but Perceval covereth him of his
shield, whereof had he great affiance that the sword of the foeman
knight might not harm it. Josephus witnesseth us that Joseph of
Abarimacie had made be sealed in the boss of the shield some of the
blood of Our Lord and a piece of His garment.
V.
When the Knight seeth that he hath not hurt Perceval's shield, great
marvel hath he thereof, for never aforetime had he smitten knight but
he had dealt him his death-blow. He turneth the head of the Dragon
towards Perceval's shield, but the flame that issued from the Dragon's
head turned back again as it had been blown of the wind, so that it
might not come nigh him. The Knight is right wroth thereof, and
passeth beyond and cometh to the bier of the dead knight and turneth
his shield with the dragon's head against him. He scorcheth and
burneth all to ashes the bodies of the knight and the horses.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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