Sir Launcelot, his father, at once put his spear in rest and rode at his son, Sir Galahad, who struck so hard in his own defense that he threw both horse and man. Then he drew his sword to defend himself against Sir Percival who now attacked him. He dealt him such a blow that it broke his cap of steel; and, if the sword had not swerved, Sir Percival might have been slain. As it was, he fell out of his saddle.
These encounters took place near the hermitage of a lady who was a recluse. When she saw Sir Galahad ride she said, “God be with you, the best knight of the world.”
Then she cried aloud, so that Sir Launcelot and Sir Percival might hear, “Ah! certainly, if those two knights had known thee as well as I do, they would not have dared the encounter.”
When Sir Galahad heard her say this, he was much afraid of being known; so he put spurs to his horse and rode away at a great pace. Then both knights knew that it was Sir Galahad, and quickly mounted their horses and rode after him, but he was soon out of their sight, and they turned back with heavy hearts.
“Let us make inquiry of yonder recluse,” said Sir Percival.
“Do as you please,” said Sir Launcelot; and then rode headlong, keeping no path, but as wild adventure led him, and was soon lost in the depths of the forest.
But Sir Percival went to the door of the recluse, who asked what he wished.
“Madam,” he replied, “I am a knight of King Arthur’s court, Sir Percival de Galis. Do you know the knight with the white shield?”
When the recluse heard his name she was exceeding glad, for she greatly loved him, as she had a right to do, for she was an aunt of his whom he had never seen.
“Sir,” said she, “why would you know?”