第 三百七十八 章 · How a yeoman desired him to get again an horse, and how Sir

. How a yeoman desired him to get again an horse, and how Sir

Percivale’s hackney was slain, and how he gat an horse.

And anon the yeoman came pricking after as fast as ever he might, and

asked Sir Percivale if he saw any knight riding on his black steed.

Yea, sir, forsooth, said he; why, sir, ask ye me that? Ah, sir, that

steed he hath benome me with strength; wherefore my lord will slay me

in what place he findeth me. Well, said Sir Percivale, what wouldst

thou that I did? Thou seest well that I am on foot, but an I had a good

horse I should bring him soon again. Sir, said the yeoman, take mine

hackney and do the best ye can, and I shall sewe you on foot to wit how

that ye shall speed. Then Sir Percivale alighted upon that hackney, and

rode as fast as he might, and at the last he saw that knight. And then

he cried: Knight, turn again; and he turned and set his spear against

Sir Percivale, and he smote the hackney in the midst of the breast that

he fell down dead to the earth, and there he had a great fall, and the

other rode his way. And then Sir Percivale was wood wroth, and cried:

Abide, wicked knight; coward and false-hearted knight, turn again and

fight with me on foot. But he answered not, but passed on his way.

When Sir Percivale saw he would not turn he cast away his helm and

sword, and said: Now am I a very wretch, cursed and most unhappy above

all other knights. So in this sorrow he abode all that day till it was

night; and then he was faint, and laid him down and slept till it was

midnight; and then he awaked and saw afore him a woman which said unto

him right fiercely: Sir Percivale, what dost thou here? He answered, I

do neither good nor great ill. If thou wilt ensure me, said she, that

thou wilt fulfil my will when I summon thee, I shall lend thee mine own

horse which shall bear thee whither thou wilt. Sir Percivale was glad

of her proffer, and ensured her to fulfil all her desire. Then abide me

here, and I shall go and fetch you an horse. And so she came soon again

and brought an horse with her that was inly black. When Percivale

beheld that horse he marvelled that it was so great and so well

apparelled; and not for then he was so hardy, and he leapt upon him,

and took none heed of himself. And so anon as he was upon him he thrust

to him with his spurs, and so he rode by a forest, and the moon shone

clear. And within an hour and less he bare him four days’ journey

thence, until he came to a rough water the which roared, and his horse

would have borne him into it.