that was nigh enough before them, and saw that there
was a great clashing of arms at the brink of the sea. A single knight
was doing battle with all them that would fain have entered into a
ship, and held stour so stiffly against them that he toppled the more
part into the sea. They went thither as fast as they might, and when
they drew nigh to the ship they knew that it was Perceval by his arms
and his shield. Or ever they reached it, the ship was put off into the
midst of the sea, wherein he was launched of his own great hardiment,
and they went on fighting against him within the ship.

"Meliot," saith Messire Gawain, "See you, there is Perceval the Good
Knight, and now may we say of a truth that he is in sore peril of
death; for that ship, save God bethink Him thereof, shall arrive in
such manner and in such a place as that never more shall we have no
witting of him, and, so he perish for ever, no knight on live may have
power to set forward the Law of our Lord."

VII.

Messire Gawain seeth the ship going further away, and Perceval that
defendeth himself therein against them that set upon him. Right heavy
is he that he came not sooner, or ever the ship had put off from the
land. He turneth back, he and Meliot together, and right sorrowful was
Messire Gawain of Perceval, for they knew not in what land he might
arrive, and, might he have followed, right gladly would he have gone
after him to aid him. They have ridden until they meet a knight.
Messire Gawain asketh him whence he cometh, and he saith from King
Arthur's court.

"What tidings can you tell us thereof?" saith Messire Gawain.

"Sir, bad enough!" saith he. "King Arthur hath neglected all his
knights for Briant of the Isles, and hath put one of his best knights
in prison."

"What is his name?" saith Messire Gawain.

"Sir, he is called Lancelot of the Lake. He had reconquered all the
islands that had been reft of King Arthur, and slain King Madeglant,
and conquered the land of Oriande that he turned to the belief of the
Saviour of the World, and, so soon as he had conquered his enemies,
King Arthur sent for him forthwith and straightway put him in his
prison by the counsel of Briant of the Isles. But King Arthur will
have a surfeit of friends betimes; for King Claudas hath assembled his
folk in great plenty to reconquer the kingdom of Oriande and come back
upon King Arthur by the counsel of Briant of the Isles that betrayeth
the King, for he ha