g
of the nephew and the uncle. The Queen would have sent over some of
her knights with him, but Perceval would not. The King of Castle
Mortal was tall and strong and hardy. He seeth his nephew come all
armed, but knoweth him not. But Perceval knew him well, and kept his
sword drawn and his shield on his arm, and sought out his uncle with
right passing wrathfulness, and dealeth him a heavy buffet above upon
his helm that he maketh him stoop withal. Howbeit, the King spareth
him not, but smiteth him so passing stoutly that he had his helm all
dinted in thereby. But Perceval attacketh him again, thinking to
strike him above on the head, but the King swerveth aside and the blow
falleth on the shield and cleaveth it right down as far as the boss.
The King of Castle Mortal draweth him backward and hath great shame
within himself for that Perceval should thus fettle him, for he
searcheth him with his sword in every part, and dealeth him great
buffets in such sort that, and his habergeon had not been so strong and
tough, he would have wounded him in many places.

IV.

The King himself giveth him blows so heavy that the Queen and all they
that were at the windows marvelled how Perceval might abide such
buffets. The King took witting of the shield that Perceval bare, and
looketh on it of a long space.

"Knight," saith he, "who gave you this shield, and on behalf of whom do
you bear such an one?"

"I bear it on behalf of my father," saith he.

"Did your father, then, bear a red shield with a white hart?"

"Yea," saith Perceval, "Many a day."

"Was your father, then, King Alain of the Valleys of Camelot?"

"My father was he without fail. No blame ought I to have of him, for a
good knight was he and a loyal."

"Are you the son of Yglais my sister, that was his wife?"

"Yea!" saith Perceval.

"Then are you my nephew," saith the King of Castle Mortal, "For she was
my sister."

"That misliketh me," saith Perceval, "For thereof have I neither
worship nor honour, for the most disloyal are you of all my kindred,
and I knew well when I came hither that it was you, and, for the great
disloyalty that is in you, you war upon the best King that liveth and
the most worshipful man, and upon the Lady of this castle for that she
aideth him in all that she may. But, please God, henceforward she
shall have no need to guard her to the best of her power against so
evil a man as are you, nor shall her castle never be obedient