第 四百一十七 章 · How Sir Percivale’s sister bled a dish full of blood for to

. How Sir Percivale’s sister bled a dish full of blood for to

heal a lady, wherefore she died; and how that the body was put in a

ship.

There is in this castle a gentlewoman which we and this castle is hers,

and many other. So it befell many years agone there fell upon her a

malady; and when she had lain a great while she fell unto a measle, and

of no leech she could have no remedy. But at the last an old man said

an she might have a dish full of blood of a maid and a clean virgin in

will and in work, and a king’s daughter, that blood should be her

health, and for to anoint her withal; and for this thing was this

custom made. Now, said Percivale’s sister, fair knights, I see well

that this gentlewoman is but dead. Certes, said Galahad, an ye bleed so

much ye may die. Truly, said she, an I die for to heal her I shall get

me great worship and soul’s health, and worship to my lineage, and

better is one harm than twain. And therefore there shall be no more

battle, but to-morn I shall yield you your custom of this castle. And

then there was great joy more than there was to-fore, for else had

there been mortal war upon the morn; notwithstanding she would none

other, whether they wold or nold.

That night were the three fellows eased with the best; and on the morn

they heard mass, and Sir Percivale’s sister bade bring forth the sick

lady. So she was, the which was evil at ease. Then said she: Who shall

let me blood? So one came forth and let her blood, and she bled so much

that the dish was full. Then she lift up her hand and blessed her; and

then she said to the lady: Madam, I am come to the death for to make

you whole, for God’s love pray for me. With that she fell in a swoon.

Then Galahad and his two fellows start up to her, and lift her up and

staunched her, but she had bled so much that she might not live. Then

she said when she was awaked: Fair brother Percivale, I die for the

healing of this lady, so I require you that ye bury me not in this

country, but as soon as I am dead put me in a boat at the next haven,

and let me go as adventure will lead me; and as soon as ye three come

to the City of Sarras, there to enchieve the Holy Grail, ye shall find

me under a tower arrived, and there bury me in the spiritual place; for

I say you so much, there Galahad shall be buried, and ye also, in the

same place.

Then Percivale understood these words, and granted it her, weeping. And

then said a voice: Lords and fellows, to-morrow at the hour of prime ye

three shall depart everych from other, till the adventure bring you to

the Maimed King. Then asked she her Saviour; and as soon as she had

received it the soul departed from the body. So the same day was the

lady healed, when she was anointed withal. Then Sir Percivale made a

letter of all that she had holpen them as in strange adventures, and

put it in her right hand, and so laid her in a barge, and covered it

with black silk; and so the wind arose, and drove the barge from the

land, and all knights beheld it till it was out of their sight. Then

they drew all to the castle, and so forthwith there fell a sudden

tempest and a thunder, lightning, and rain, as all the earth would have

broken. So half the castle turned up-so-down. So it passed evensong or

the tempest was ceased.

Then they saw afore them a knight armed and wounded hard in the body

and in the head, that said: O God, succour me for now it is need. After

this knight came another knight and a dwarf, which cried to them afar:

Stand, ye may not escape. Then the wounded knight held up his hands to

God that he should not die in such tribulation. Truly, said Galahad, I

shall succour him for His sake that he calleth upon. Sir, said Bors, I

shall do it, for it is not for you, for he is but one knight. Sir, said

he, I grant. So Sir Bors took his horse, and commended him to God, and

rode after, to rescue the wounded knight. Now turn we to the two

fellows.