teth him again, sore wrath that he may not put him to the worse.
He smiteth him with his sword a blow so heavy that he cleaveth the
habergeon and his right shoulder so that he cutteth and burneth the
flesh to the bone. As he draweth back his blow, Perceval catcheth him
and striketh him with such passing strength that he smiteth off his
hand, sword and all. The Knight gave a great roar, and the Queen was
right joyous thereof. The Knight natheless made no semblant that he
was yet conquered, but turneth back toward Perceval at a right great
gallop and launched his flame against his shield, but it availeth him
nought, for he might not harm it. Perceval seeth the dragon's head,
that was broad and long and horrible, and aimeth with his sword and
thrusteth it up to the hilt into his gullet as straight as ever he may,
and the head of the dragon hurleth forth a cry so huge that forest and
fell resound thereof as far as two leagues Welsh.

VII.

The dragon's head turneth it toward his lord in great wrath, and
scorcheth him and burneth him to dust, and thereafter departed up into
the sky like lightning. The Queen cometh to Perceval, and all the
knights, and see that he is sore hurt in his right shoulder. And the
damsel telleth him that never will he be healed thereof save he setteth
thereon of the dust of the knight that is dead. And they lead him up
to the castle with right great joy. Then they make him be disarmed,
and have his wound washed and tended and some of the knight's dust that
was dead set thereon that it might have healing. She maketh send to
all the knights of her land: "Lords," saith she, "See here the knight
that hath saved my land for me and protected your lives. You know well
how it hath been prophesied that the knight with head of gold should
come, and through him should you be saved. And now, behold, hath he
come hither. The prophecy may not be belied. I will that you do his
commandment."

And they said that so would they do right willingly. She bringeth him
there where the Circlet of Gold is, and she herself setteth it on his
head. After that, she bringeth his sword and delivereth it unto him,
wherewith he had slain the giant devil, both the knight that bare the
devil, and the devil that the knight bare in his shield.

VIII.

"Sir," saith she, "May all they that will not go to be baptized, nor
accept your New Law, be slain of this your sword, and hereof I make you
the gift."

She herse