a serpent that lay upon a
gold ring, and suffered none to inhabit the country for seven miles
around. And Peredur came to the place where he heard the serpent was.
And angrily, furiously, and desperately, fought he with the serpent; and
at the last he killed it, and took away the ring. And thus he was for a
long time without speaking a word to any Christian. And therefrom he
lost his colour and his aspect, through extreme longing after the Court
of Arthur, and the society of the lady whom best he loved, and of his
companions. Then he proceeded forward to Arthur's Court, and on the road
there met him Arthur's household, going on a particular errand, with Kai
at their head. And Peredur knew them all, but none of the household
recognised him. "Whence comest thou, chieftain?" said Kai. And this he
asked him twice, and three times, and he answered him not. And Kai
thrust him through the thigh with his lance. And lest he should be
compelled to speak, and to break his vow, he went on without stopping.
"Then," said Gwalchmai, "I declare to Heaven, Kai, that thou hast acted
ill in committing such an outrage on a youth like this, who cannot
speak." And Gwalchmai returned back to Arthur's Court. "Lady," said he
to Gwenhwyvar, "seest thou how wicked an outrage Kai has committed upon
this youth who cannot speak; for Heaven's sake, and for mine, cause him
to have medical care before I come back, and I will repay thee the
charge."

And before the men returned from their errand, a knight came to the
meadow beside Arthur's Palace, to dare some one to the encounter. And
his challenge was accepted; and Peredur fought with him, and overthrew
him. And for a week he overthrew one knight every day.

And one day, Arthur and his household were going to Church, and they
beheld a knight who had raised the signal for combat. "Verily," said
Arthur, "by the valour of men, I will not go hence until I have my horse
and my arms to overthrow yonder boor." Then went the attendants to fetch
Arthur's horse and arms. And Peredur met the attendants as they were
going back, and he took the horse and arms from them, and proceeded to
the meadow; and all those who saw him arise and go to do battle with the
knight, went upon the tops of the houses, and the mounds, and the high
places, to behold the combat. And Peredur beckoned with his hand to the
knight to commence the fight. And the knight thrust at him, but he was
not thereby moved from wher