knoweth well that he spake truth. The robber-knight smiteth him all to save my honour and your own life and the honour of these two that it went nigh to stun him altogether. Howbeit the Coward Knight "By my head," said Perceval, "Right dearly love I this present! Now have been. For it is too sore shame to a knight!" moveth not. Perceval looketh at him in wonderment and thinketh him And the robber-knight dealeth him a great buffet of his sword so as over his body and giveth him so many buffets that the knight seeth his He draweth his sword, that was sharp and strong, and smiteth his horse Coward looketh on the one side and the other, and would fain have fled could become hardy so speedily, or otherwise long ago would I have "Sir," saith he, "I will not, but never should I have believed that one presenteth it to Perceval. take heed that you never again fall back into the cowardize wherein you "Sir," saith he, "Here give I you of my first joust." right sore hard of his spurs, and catcheth the knight with his sword right in the midst of his breast with a sweep so strong that he beareth his ventail and smiteth down his coif, then striketh off his head and and he durst. But Perceval crieth to him: "Knight, do your endeavour damsels!" become so, and so should I have had worship and honour thereof, for that he hath set too craven a knight in his place, and now at last "By my head," saith he, "You have wounded me, but you shall pay own blood. him to the ground beside his horse. He alighteth over him, unlaceth therefor, for I supposed not that you were minded to slay me!" many a knight hath held me in contempt herein, that elsewise would have