Perceval espied the knight and saw that the cognisance of his shield was such as that which had been set forth to him.
"Sir," saith he, "Too churlishly are you entreating this damsel! What wrong hath she done you?"
"What is it to you of me and of her?"
"I say it" saith Perceval, "for that no knight ought to do churlishly to damsel."
"He will not stint for you yet!" saith Brundans. He raiseth his sword and dealeth the damsel a buffet with the fiat so passing heavy that it maketh her stoop withal so that the blood rayeth out at mouth and nose.
"By my head," saith Perceval, "On this buffet I defy thee, for the death of Meliot and for the shame you have done this damsel."
"Neither you nor none other may brag that you have heart to attack me, but you shall aby it right dear!"
"That shall you see presently," saith Perceval and so draweth back the better to let drive at him, and moveth towards him as fast as his horse may run, and smiteth him so passing sore that he pierceth his shield and bursteth his habergeon and then thrusteth his spear into his body with such force that he overthroweth him all in a heap, him and his horse, in such sort that he breaketh both legs in the fall.
Then he alighteth over him, lowereth his coif, unlaceth the ventail, and smiteth off his head.
"Damsel," saith he, "Take it, I present it to you. And, sith that you are going to King Arthur's court, I pray and beseech you that you carry it thither and so salute him first for me, and tell Messire Gawain and Lancelot that this is the last present I look ever to make them, for I think never to see them more. Howbeit, wheresoever I may be, I shall be their well-wisher, nor may I never withdraw me of my love, and I would fain I might make them the same present of the heads of all their enemies, but that I may do nought against God's will."