ed upon him,
and struck him over his horse's crupper to the ground. And after this,
four and twenty youths came to him, and he did not answer one more than
another, but gave the same reception to all, bringing them with one
single thrust to the ground. And then came Kai, and spoke to Peredur
rudely and angrily; and Peredur took him with his lance under the jaw,
and cast him from him with a thrust, so that he broke his arm and his
shoulder blade, and he rode over him one and twenty times. And while he
lay thus, stunned with the violence of the pain that he had suffered, his
horse returned back at a wild and prancing pace. And when the household
saw the horse come back without his rider, they rode forth in haste to
the place where the encounter had been. And when they first came there,
they thought that Kai was slain; but they found that if he had a skilful
physician, he yet might live. And Peredur moved not from his meditation,
on seeing the concourse that was around Kai. And Kai was brought to
Arthur's tent, and Arthur caused skilful physicians to come to him. And
Arthur was grieved that Kai had met with this reverse, for he loved him
greatly.

"Then," said Gwalchmai, "it is not fitting that any should disturb an
honourable knight from his thought unadvisedly; for either he is
pondering some damage that he has sustained, or he is thinking of the
lady whom best he loves. And through such ill-advised proceeding,
perchance this misadventure has befallen him who last met with him. And
if it seem well to thee, lord, I will go and see if this knight has
changed from his thought; and if he has, I will ask him courteously to
come and visit thee." Then Kai was wrath, and he spoke angry and
spiteful words. "Gwalchmai," said he, "I know that thou wilt bring him
because he is fatigued. Little praise and honour, nevertheless, wilt
thou have from vanquishing a weary knight, who is tired with fighting.
Yet, thus hast thou gained the advantage over many. And while thy speech
and thy soft words last, a coat of thin linen were armour sufficient for
thee, and thou wilt not need to break either lance or sword in fighting
with the knight in the state he is in." Then said Gwalchmai to Kai,
"Thou mightest use more pleasant words, wert thou so minded; and it
behoves thee not upon me to wreak thy wrath and thy displeasure. Methinks
I shall bring the knight hither with me without breaking either my arm or
my shoulder." Then said