d even as the devil withal that was figured on his shield slew
and burnt up his master, even so doth one devil torment and molest
other in the world to come; and greater evil might not the Knight of
the Devil do you than burn the body of your uncle's son that he had
killed, as I have heard tell. Power had he over his body, but, please
God, not over his soul to burn it."

"Fair uncle," saith Perceval, "I went thither by a Turning Castle,
where were archers of copper that shot bolts, and bears and lions
chained at the entrance of the gateway. So soon as I drew nigh and
smote thereon with my sword the castle stopped still."

"Fair nephew," said King Hermit, "Nought had the Devil outwardly
besides this castle. It was the entrance to his fortress, nor would
they within ever have been converted save you had been there."

"Sir," saith he, "Right sorrowful am I of Messire Gawain and Lancelot,
for well I loved their fellowship, and great aid would they have been
in my need."

"Fair nephew, had they been chaste as are you, well might they have
entered on account of their good knighthood. For were they not wanton,
the two best knights in the world are they.

XIX.

"Fair nephew, in the time of your knighthood have you much advanced the
Law of the Saviour, for you have destroyed the falsest believe in the
world, and this was of them that believed on the bull of copper and the
devil that was therein. If this folk had remained, and had failed of
you, never would it have been destroyed until the end of the world.
Wherefore marvel not that you have travail in serving God, but endure
it willingly, for never had worshipful man honour without pains. But
now behoveth you achieve another matter. All they of the land of King
Fisherman your uncle have abandoned the New Law, and returned to that
which God hath forbidden. But the most part do so rather perforce and
for fear of the King that hath seized the land, who is my brother and
your uncle, than on account of aught else. Wherefore behoveth you set
counsel therein, for this thing may not be achieved by any earthly man
save by you only. For the castle and land should be yours of right,
and sore mischief is it when one that cometh of lineage so high and so
holy is traitor to God, and disloyal to the world.

XX.

"Fair nephew," saith the good man, "The castle hath been much
strengthened, for there are now nine bridges newly made, and at each
bridge are there three knight