squire unto a priory, and there they interred him. When this was done
they rode their way into many countries, ever inquiring after Sir
Launcelot, but never they could hear of him.

At last, at a castle that was called Cardican, Sir Percivale parted
from Sir Aglovale, and with his squire rode alone. In the afternoon he
came upon a bridge of stone, where he found a knight that was bound
with a chain fast about unto a pillar of stone. This was Sir Persides,
a knight of the Table Round, who by adventure came this way and lodged
in the castle at the bridge foot. There by an evil custom of the
castle men set upon him suddenly or ever he might come to his weapon,
and bound him, and chained him at the bridge. There he knew he should
die unless some man of honour brake his bands.

"Be ye of good cheer," said Sir Percivale, "and because ye are a knight
of the Round Table as well as I, I trust to God to make you free."

Therewith Sir Percivale drew out his sword, and struck at the chain
with such a might that he cut a-two the chain, and through Sir
Persides' hauberk, and hurt him a little.

"Truly," said Sir Persides, "that was a mighty stroke if ever I felt
one, for had it not been for the chain, ye had slain me."

Therewithal Sir Persides saw a knight coming out of the castle, flying
all that ever he might. "Beware, sir," said he; "yonder cometh a man
that will have ado with you."

"Let him come," said Sir Percivale.

So he met with that knight in the midst of the bridge, and gave him
such a buffet that he smote him quite from his horse and over a part of
the bridge so that, had there not been a little vessel under the
bridge, that knight had been drowned. Then Sir Percivale took the
knight's horse, and made Sir Persides to mount upon him. So they rode
to the castle, and made the lady deliver Sir Persides' servants.

Had he not had a great matter in hand, he would have remained to do
away with the evil customs there. But Sir Percivale might not long
abide, for he rode to seek Sir Launcelot.

Sir Persides brought him unto his own castle, and there made him great
cheer for that night. Then on the morn, when Sir Percivale had heard
mass and broken his fast, he said to Sir Persides: "Ride unto King
Arthur, and tell the King how that ye met with me, and tell my brother
Sir Aglovale how I rescued you, and bid him seek not after me, for I am
in the quest to seek Sir Launcelot of the Lake, and will not see him or
t