and time shall come,
and you shall see the ship apparelled."

"Sir," saith Perceval, "Most willingly shall I return, nor never would
I have sought to depart but for my lady my mother, and for my sister,
for never have I seen no place that so much hath pleased me."

He was right well harboured the night within, and in the morning, or
ever he departed, heard a holy mass in a holy chapel the fairest that
he had seen ever. The Master cometh to him after the mass and bringeth
him a shield as white as snow. Afterwards, he saith, "You will leave
me your shield within for token of your coming and will bear this."

"Sir," saith Perceval, "I will do your pleasure."

He hath taken leave, and so departeth from the rich mansion, and
findeth the ship all apparelled, and heareth sound the bells at his
forth-going the same as at his coming. He entereth into the ship and
the sail is set. He leaveth the land far behind, and the pilot
steereth the ship and Our Lord God guideth and leadeth him. The ship
runneth a great speed, for far enough had she to run, but God made her
speed as He would, for He knew the passing great goodness and worth of
the knight that was within.

VIII.

God hath guided and led the ship by day and by night until that she
arrived at an island where was a castle right ancient, but it seemed
not to be over-rich, rather it showed as had it been of great lordship
in days of yore. They cast anchor, and Perceval is come toward the
castle and entereth in all armed. He seeth the castle large, and the
dwelling chambers fallen down and the house-place roofless, and he
seeth a lady sitting before the steps of an old hall. She rose up as
soon as she saw him, but she was right poorly clad. It seemed well by
her body and her cheer and her bearing that she was a gentlewoman, and
he seeth that two damsels come with her that are young of age and are
as poorly clad as is the lady.

"Sir," saith she to Perceval, "Welcome may you be. No knight have I
seen enter this castle of a long time."

"Lady," saith Perceval, "God grant you joy and honour!"

"Sir," saith she, "Need have we thereof, for none scarce have I had
this long while past."

She leadeth him into a great ancient hall that was right poorly
garnished.

"Sir," saith she, "Here will you harbour you the night, and you would
take in good part that we may do and you knew the plight of this
castle."

She maketh him be unarmed of a servant that was there w