of the lily in whom virginity is signified, and
thou art the rose the which is the flower of all good virtues, and in
colour of fire. For the fire of the Holy Ghost is taken so in thee
that my flesh which was all dead of oldness is become young again. Then
Galahad heard his words, then he embraced him and all his body. Then
said he: Fair Lord Jesu Christ, now I have my will. Now I require thee,
in this point that I am in, thou come and visit me. And anon Our Lord
heard his prayer: therewith the soul departed from the body.

And then Galahad put him in the earth as a king ought to be, and so
departed and so came into a perilous forest where he found the well the
which boileth with great waves, as the tale telleth to-fore. And as soon
as Galahad set his hand thereto it ceased, so that it brent no more, and
the heat departed. For that it brent it was a sign of lechery, the
which was that time much used. But that heat might not abide his pure
virginity. And this was taken in the country for a miracle. And so ever
after was it called Galahad's well.

Then by adventure he came into the country of Gore, and into the
abbey where Launcelot had been to-forehand, and found the tomb of King
Bagdemagus, but he was founder thereof, Joseph of Aramathie's son; and
the tomb of Simeon where Launcelot had failed. Then he looked into
a croft under the minster, and there he saw a tomb which brent full
marvellously. Then asked he the brethren what it was. Sir, said they,
a marvellous adventure that may not be brought unto none end but by him
that passeth of bounty and of knighthood all them of the Round Table. I
would, said Galahad, that ye would lead me thereto. Gladly, said they,
and so led him till a cave. And he went down upon greses, and came nigh
the tomb. And then the flaming failed, and the fire staunched, the which
many a day had been great. Then came there a voice that said: Much are
ye beholden to thank Our Lord, the which hath given you a good hour,
that ye may draw out the souls of earthly pain, and to put them into the
joys of paradise. I am of your kindred, the which hath dwelled in this
heat this three hundred winter and four-and-fifty to be purged of the
sin that I did against Joseph of Aramathie. Then Galahad took the body
in his arms and bare it into the minster. And that night lay Galahad in
the abbey; and on the morn he gave him service, and put him in the earth
afore the high altar.

CHAPTER XIX. How Sir Percivale