"Knew ye not the maid?" said the good man.
"Sir," said he, "nay; but well I wot the fiend sent her hither to shame me."
"Oh, good knight," said he, "that gentlewoman was the master fiend of hell, the champion that thou foughtest withal, the which would have overcome thee, had it not been for the grace of God. Now, beware, Sir Percivale, and take this for an ensample."
Then the good man vanished away, and Sir Percivale took his arms, and entered into the ship and so departed from thence.
CHAPTER XXX
THE VICTORY OF SIR BORS OVER HIMSELF
When Sir Bors was departed from Vagon, he met with a religious man riding on an ass, and Sir Bors saluted him. Anon the good man knew him to be one of the knights errant that was in the quest of the Holy Grail.
"What are ye?" said the good man.
"Sir," said he, "I am a knight that fain would be counselled in the quest of the Holy Grail, for he shall have much earthly honour that may bring it to an end."