etteth the first priest aside by
force, and beateth the cross with the rod in every part, and weepeth
right passing sore.

IV.

Perceval beholdeth him with right great wonderment, and saith unto him,
"Sir, herein seem you to be no priest! wherefore do you so great
shame?"

"Sir," saith the priest, "It nought concerneth you of whatsoever we may
do, nor nought shall you know thereof for us!"

Had he not been a priest, Perceval would have been right wroth with
him, but he had no will to do him any hurt. Therewithal he departeth
and mounteth his horse and entereth the forest again, all armed, but
scarce had he ridden away in such sort or ever he met the Knight
Coward, that cried out to him as far as he could see him, "Sir, for
God's sake, take heed to yourself!"

"What manner man are you?" saith Perceval.

"Sir," saith he, "My name is the Knight Coward, and I am man of the
Damsel of the Car. Wherefore I pray you for God's sake and for your
own valour that you touch me not."

Perceval looketh on him and seeth him tall and comely and well-shapen
and adroit and all armed upon his horse, so he saith to him, "Sith that
you are so coward, wherefore are you armed thus?"

"Sir," saith he, "Against the evil intent of any knight of whom I am
adread, for such an one might haply meet me as would slay me forthwith."

V.

"Are you so coward as you say?" saith Perceval.

"Yea," saith he, "And much more."

"By my head," saith he, "I will make you hardy. Come now along with
me, for sore pity is it that cowardize should harbour in so comely a
knight. I am fain that your name be changed speedily, for such name
beseemeth no knight."

"Ha, Sir, for God's sake, mercy! Now know I well that you desire to
slay me! No will have I to change neither my courage nor my name!"

"By my head," saith Perceval, "Then will you die therefor, betimes!"

He maketh him go before him, will he or nill he; and the knight goeth
accordingly with right sore grudging. They had scarce ridden away,
when he heard in the forest off the way, two damsels that bewailed them
right sore, and prayed our Lord God send them succour betimes.

VI.

Perceval cometh towards them, he and the knight he driveth before him
perforce, and seeth a tall knight all armed that leadeth the damsels
all dishevelled, and smiteth them from time to time with a great rod,
so that the blood ran down their faces.

"Ha, Sir Knight," saith Perceval, "What ask you of th