Chapter Chapter 416 · How they were desired of a strange custom, the which they

. How they were desired of a strange custom, the which they

would not obey; wherefore they fought and slew many knights.

This gentlewoman that ye lead with you is a maid? Sir, said she, a maid

I am. Then he took her by the bridle and said: By the Holy Cross, ye

shall not escape me to-fore ye have yolden the custom of this castle.

Let her go, said Percivale, ye be not wise, for a maid in what place

she cometh is free. So in the meanwhile there came out a ten or twelve

knights armed, out of the castle, and with them came gentlewomen which

held a dish of silver. And then they said: This gentlewoman must yield

us the custom of this castle. Sir, said a knight, what maid passeth

hereby shall give this dish full of blood of her right arm. Blame have

ye, said Galahad, that brought up such customs, and so God me save, I

ensure you of this gentlewoman ye shall fail while that I live. So God

me help, said Percivale, I had liefer be slain. And I also, said Sir

Bors. By my troth, said the knight, then shall ye die, for ye may not

endure against us though ye were the best knights of the world.

Then let they run each to other, and the three fellows beat the ten

knights, and then set their hands to their swords and beat them down

and slew them. Then there came out of the castle a three score knights

armed. Fair lords, said the three fellows, have mercy on yourself and

have not ado with us. Nay, fair lords, said the knights of the castle,

we counsel you to withdraw you, for ye be the best knights of the

world, and therefore do no more, for ye have done enough. We will let

you go with this harm, but we must needs have the custom. Certes, said

Galahad, for nought speak ye. Well, said they, will ye die? We be not

yet come thereto, said Galahad. Then began they to meddle together, and

Galahad, with the strange girdles, drew his sword, and smote on the

right hand and on the left hand, and slew what that ever abode him, and

did such marvels that there was none that saw him but weened he had

been none earthly man, but a monster. And his two fellows halp him

passing well, and so they held the journey everych in like hard till it

was night: then must they needs depart.

So came in a good knight, and said to the three fellows: If ye will

come in to-night and take such harbour as here is ye shall be right

welcome, and we shall ensure you by the faith of our bodies, and as we

be true knights, to leave you in such estate to-morrow as we find you,

without any falsehood. And as soon as ye know of the custom we dare say

ye will accord therefore. For God’s love, said the gentlewoman, go

thither and spare not for me. Go we, said Galahad; and so they entered

into the chapel. And when they were alighted they made great joy of

them. So within a while the three knights asked the custom of the

castle and wherefore it was. What it is, said they, we will say you

sooth.