was dead, whereof
she was right sorrowful and sore afflicted.

XXXII.

One day the Widow Lady sate at meat, and there was great plenty of
knights in the hall. Perceval sate him beside his sister. Thereupon,
behold you the Damsel of the Car that came with the other two damsels
before the Widow Lady and her son, and saluted them right nobly.

"Damsel," saith Perceval, "Good adventure may you have!"

"Sir," saith she, "You have speeded right well of your business here,
now go speed it elsewhere, for thereof is the need right sore. King
Hermit, that is your mother's brother, sendeth you word that, and you
come not with haste into the land that was King Fisherman's your uncle,
the New Law that God hath stablished will be sore brought low. For the
King of Castle Mortal, that hath seized the land and castle, hath made
be cried throughout all the country how all they that would fain
maintain the Old Law and abandon the New shall have protection of him
and counsel and aid, and they that will not shall be destroyed and
outlawed."

"Ha, fair son," saith the Widow Lady, "Now have you heard the great
disloyalty of the evil man that is my brother, whereof am I right
sorrowful, for that he is of my kindred."

"Lady," saith Perceval, "Your brother nor my uncle is he no longer,
sith that he denieth God! Rather is he our mortal enemy that we ought
of right to hate more than any stranger!"

XXXIII.

"Fair son," saith the Widow Lady, "I pray and beseech you that the Law
of the Saviour be not set aside in forgetfulness and neglect there
where you may exalt it, for better Lord in no wise may you serve, nor
one that better knoweth how to bestow fair guerdon. Fair son, none may
be good knight that serveth Him not and loveth Him. Take heed that you
be swift in His service nor delay not for no intent, but be ever at His
commandment alike at eventide as in the morning, so shall you not bely
your lineage. And the Lord God grant you good intent therein and good
will to go on even as you have begun."

The Widow Lady, that much loved her son, riseth up from the tables, and
all the other knights, and seemeth it that she is Lady of her land in
such sort as that never was she better. But full often doth she give
thanks to the Saviour of the World with her whole heart, and prayeth
Him of His pleasure grant her son length of life for the amendment both
of soul and body. Perceval was with his mother of a long space, and
with his si