off his helm for to gather wind, for he was greatly enchafed with
the serpent: and the lion went alway about him fawning as a spaniel.
And then he stroked him on the neck and on the shoulders. And then he
thanked God of the fellowship of that beast. And about noon the lion
took his little whelp and trussed him and bare him there he came from.

Then was Sir Percivale alone. And as the tale telleth, he was one of
the men of the world at that time which most believed in Our Lord Jesu
Christ, for in those days there were but few folks that believed in God
perfectly. For in those days the son spared not the father no more than
a stranger. And so Sir Percivale comforted himself in our Lord Jesu, and
besought God no temptation should bring him out of God's service, but to
endure as his true champion. Thus when Sir Percivale had prayed he saw
the lion come toward him, and then he couched down at his feet. And so
all that night the lion and he slept together; and when Sir Percivale
slept he dreamed a marvellous dream, that there two ladies met with him,
and that one sat upon a lion, and that other sat upon a serpent, and
that one of them was young, and the other was old; and the youngest him
thought said: Sir Percivale, my lord saluteth thee, and sendeth thee
word that thou array thee and make thee ready, for to-morn thou must
fight with the strongest champion of the world. And if thou be overcome
thou shall not be quit for losing of any of thy members, but thou shalt
be shamed for ever to the world's end. And then he asked her what was
her lord. And she said the greatest lord of all the world: and so she
departed suddenly that he wist not where.

CHAPTER VII. Of the vision that Sir Percivale saw, and how his vision
was expounded, and of his lion.

THEN came forth the other lady that rode upon the serpent, and she said:
Sir Percivale, I complain me of you that ye have done unto me, and have
not offended unto you. Certes, madam, he said, unto you nor no lady I
never offended. Yes, said she, I shall tell you why. I have nourished in
this place a great while a serpent, which served me a great while, and
yesterday ye slew him as he gat his prey. Say me for what cause ye slew
him, for the lion was not yours. Madam, said Sir Percivale, I know well
the lion was not mine, but I did it for the lion is of more gentler
nature than the serpent, and therefore I slew him; meseemeth I did not
amiss against you. Madam, said he, what woul