hat they slew
and crucified Him that had created and made them and deigned to be born
as a man in their Law. But two priests came after, whereof the one
kissed the cross and worshipped it right heartily and made great joy
thereof, and the other did violence thereunto and bear it with a great
rod, and wept right sore and made the greatest dole in the world. With
this last was I right sore wrath, and willingly would I have run upon
him had he not been a priest."

"Fair nephew," saith the Hermit, "He that beat it believed in God
equally as well as he that adored, for that the holy flesh of the
Saviour of the World was set thereon, that abhorred not the pains of
death. One smiled and made great joy for that He redeemed His souls
from the pains of hell that would otherwise have been therein for
evermore; and for this made he yet greater joy, that he knew He was God
and Man everlastingly in His nature, for he that hath not this in
remembrance shall never believe aright. Fair nephew, the other priest
bear the cross and wept for the passing great anguish and torment and
dolour that our Lord God suffered thereon, for so sore was the anguish
as might have melted the rock, nor no tongue of man may tell the sorrow
He felt upon the cross. And therefore did he bear it and revile it for
that He was crucified thereon, even as I might hate a spear or sword
wherewith you had been slain. For nought else did he thus, and ever,
so often as he remembereth the pain that God suffered thereon, cometh
he to the cross in such manner as you saw. Both twain are hermits and
dwell in the forest, and he is named Jonas that kissed and adored the
cross, and he that beat and reviled it is named Alexis."

XVIII.

Willingly heareth Perceval this that his uncle telleth and recordeth
him. He relateth how he did battle with the devil-knight that bare in
his shield the head of a dragon that cast forth fire and flame, and how
the dragon burnt up his lord at the last.

"Fair nephew," saith the hermit, "Right glad am I of these tidings that
you tell me, for I have been borne on hand that the Knight of the
Golden Circlet had slain him."

"Sir," saith Perceval, "It may well be, but never at any time saw I
knight so big and horrible."

"Fair nephew," saith the Hermit, "None might overcome him save the Good
Knight only, for all true worshipful men behoveth do battle with the
Devil, nor never may he be worshipful man that fighteth not against
him. An