THE STRANGE ADVENTURES OF SIR BORS.
When Sir Bors parted from his companions, on the quest of the Sangreal, not far had he gone when he met a religious man riding on an ass, whom he courteously saluted.
"Who are you?" asked the good man.
"I am one of those knights who have set out in quest of the Sangreal," said Bors. "I would fain have your counsel in this high duty, for great honor shall come to him who succeeds therein."
"That is true," said the good man. "He that wins the Sangreal will be counted the best knight and the purest soul among men. None can hope to attain it except through cleanness of spirit."
Then they rode together till they came to a hermitage. Here Bors went into the chapel with his companion, and confessed to him, and ate bread and drank water with him.
"Now," said the good man, "I charge you that you take no other food than bread and water till you sit at the table where the Sangreal shall be."
"To that I agree. But how know you that I shall ever sit there?"
"I know it, let that suffice; but few of your comrades shall have that honor."
"All that God sends me will be welcome," said Bors.