The damsel heareth Perceval her brother that was armed, and thereby she
knoweth him again. She leapeth up and maketh him the greatest joy that
ever damsel made to knight. She knoweth not what to do. So joyful is
she, that all have pity on her that see her of her weeping for the joy
that she maketh of her brother. The story saith that they sojourned
therewithin and that the vavasour showed them much honour. The damsel
made cast the knight's head into a river that ran round about the hold.
The vavasour was right glad of his death for the great felony that he
had in him, and for that needs must the damsel die in less than a year
and she had espoused him.
XI.
When Perceval had been therein as long as it pleased him, he thanked
the vavasour much of the honour he had done him and his sister, and
departed, he and his sister along with him on the mule whereon she had
been brought thither. Perceval rode so long on his journeys that he is
come to Camelot and findeth his mother in great dole for her daughter
that should be Queen, for she thought surely that never should she see
her more. Full sorrowful was she moreover of her brother, the King
Hermit that had been killed in such-wise. Perceval cometh to the
chamber where his mother was lying and might not stint of making dole.
He taketh his sister by the hand and cometh before her. So soon as she
knoweth him she beginneth to weep for joy, and kisseth them one after
the other.
"Fair son," saith she, "Blessed be the hour that you were born for by
you all my great joy cometh back to me! Now well may I depart, for I
have lived long enow."
"Lady," saith he, "Your life ought to be an offence to none, for to
none hath it ever done ill, but, please God, you shall not end in this
place, but rather you shall end in the castle that was your cousin's
german, King Fisherman, there where is the most Holy Graal and the
sacred hallows are."
"Fair son," saith she, "You say well, and there would I fain be."
"Lady," saith he, "God will provide counsel and means whereby you shall
be there; and my sister, and she be minded to marry, will we set in
good place, where she may live worshipfully."
"Certes, fair brother," saith she, "None shall I never marry, save God
alone."
"Fair son," saith the Widow Lady, "The Damsel of the Car goeth to seek
you, and I shall end not until such time as she hath round you."
"Lady," saith he, "In some place will she have tidings of me and I of
her."
"Fair son," saith the Lady, "The damsel is here within that the
felonous knight wounded through the arm, that carried of your sister,
but she is healed."
"Lady," saith he, "I am well avenged."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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