Sir Samuel W. Baker - "Wild Beasts and their Ways"

Howells et al. - "The Whole Family"

Bolton Hall - "Three Acres And Liberty"

E.C. (Edmund Clerihew) Bentley - "The Woman in Black"

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The High History of the Holy Graal

U >> Unkown >> The High History of the Holy Graal






BRANCH XXXV.

TITLE I.

Herewithal is the story silent of Briant and talketh of Perceval,
that the ship beareth away right swiftly; but so long hath he
held battle therein that every one hath he slain of them that
were in the ship save only the pilot that steereth her, for him
hath he in covenant that he will believe in God and renounce his
evil Law. Perceval is far from land so that he seeth nought but
sea only, and the ship speedeth onward, and God guideth him, as
one that believeth in Him and loveth Him and serveth Him of a
good heart. The ship ran on by night and by day as it pleased
God, until that they saw a castle and an island of the sea. He
asked his pilot if he knew what castle it was.

"Certes," saith he, "Not I, for so far have we run that I know
not neither the sea nor the stars."

They come nigh the castle, and saw four that sounded bells at the
four corners of the town, right sweetly, and they that sounded
them were clad in white garments. They are come thither.


II.

So soon as the ship had taken haven under the castle, the sea
withdraweth itself back, so that the ship is left on dry land.
None were therein save Perceval, his horse, and the pilot. They
issued forth of the ship and went by the side of the sea toward
the castle, and therein were the fairest halls and the fairest
mansions that any might see ever. He Looketh underneath a tree
that was tall and broad and seeth the fairest fountain and the
clearest that any may devise, and it was all surrounded of rich
pillars, and the gravel thereof seemed to be gold and precious
stones. Above this fountain were two men sitting, their beards
and hair whiter than driven snow, albeit they seemed young of
visage. So soon as they saw Perceval they dressed them to meet
him, and bowed down and worshipped the shield that he bare at his
neck, and kissed the cross and then the boss wherein were the
hallows.

"Sir," say they, "Marvel not of this that we do, for well knew we
the knight that bare this shield tofore you. Many a time we saw
him or ever God were crucified."

Perceval marvelleth much of this that they say, for they talk of
a time that is long agone.


III.

"Lords, know ye then how he was named?"

Say they, "Joseph of Abarimacie, but no cross was there on the
shield before the death of Jesus Christ. But he had it set
thereon after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ for the sake of the
Saviour that he loved so well."

Perceval took off the shield from his neck, and one of the
worshipful men setteth upon it as it were a posy of herbs that
was blooming with the fairest flowers in the world. Perceval
looketh beyond the fountain and seeth in a right fair place a
round vessel like as it were ivory, and it was so large that
there was a knight within, all armed. He looketh thereinto and
seeth the knight, and speaketh unto him many times, but never the
more willeth the knight to answer him. Perceval looketh at him
in wonderment, and cometh back to the good men and asketh them
who is this knight, and they tell him that he may know not as
yet. They lead him to a great hall and bear his shield before
him, whereof they make right great joy, and show thereunto great
worship. He seeth the hall right rich, for hall so rich and so
fair had he seen never. It was hung about with right rich cloths
of silk, and in the midst of the hall was imaged the Saviour of
the World so as He is in His majesty, with the apostles about
Him, and within were great galleries that were full of folk and
seemed to be of great holiness, and so were they, for had they
not been good men they might not there have remained.


IV.

"Sir," say the two Masters to Perceval, "This house that you see
here so rich, is the hall royal."

"By my faith," saith Perceval, "So ought it well to be, for never
saw I none so much of worth."

He Looketh all around, and seeth the richest tables of gold and
ivory that he saw ever. One of the Masters clappeth his hands
thrice, and three and thirty men come into the hall all in a
company. They were clad in white garments, and not one of them
but had a red cross in the midst of his breast, and they seemed
to be all of an age. As soon as they enter into the hall they do
worship to God Our Lord and set out their cups. Then went they
to wash at a great laver of gold, and then went to sit at the
tables. The Masters made Perceval sit at the most master-table
with themselves. They were served thereat right gloriously, and
Perceval looked about him more gladlier than he ate.


V.

And while he was thus looking, he seeth a chain of gold come down
above him loaded with precious stones, and in the midst thereof
was a crown of gold. The chain descended a great length and held
on to nought save to the will of Our Lord only. As soon as the
Masters saw it descending they opened a great wide pit that was
in the midst of the hall, so that one could see the hole all
openly. As soon as the entrance of this pit was discovered,
there issued thence the greatest cry and most dolorous that any
heard ever, and when the worshipful men hear it, they stretched
out their hands towards Our Lord and all began to weep. Perceval
heareth this dolour, and marvelleth much what it may be. He
seeth that the chain of gold descendeth thither and is there
stayed until they have well-nigh eaten, and then draweth itself
again into the air and so goeth again aloft. But Perceval
knoweth not what became thereof, and the Master covereth the pit
again, that was right grisly to see, and pitiful to hear were the
voices that issued therefrom.


VI.

The Good Men rose from the tables when they had eaten, and gave
thanks right sweetly to Our Lord; and then returned thither
whence they had come.

"Sir," saith the Master to Perceval, "The chain of gold that you
have seen is right precious and the crown of gold likewise. But
never may you issue forth from hence save you promise to return
so soon as you shall see the ship and the sail crossed of a red
cross; otherwise may you not depart hence."

"Tell me," saith he, "of the chain of gold and the crown, what it
may be?"

"We will tell you not," saith one of the Masters, "Save you
promise that which I tell you."

"Certes, Sir," saith Perceval, "I promise you faithfully, that so
soon as I shall have done that I have to do for my lady my mother
and one other, that I will return hither, so I be on live and I
see your ship so marked as you say."

"Yea, be you faithful to the end herein, and you shall have the
crown of gold upon your head so soon as you return, and so shall
you be seated in the throne, and shall be king of an island that
is near to this, right plenteous of all things good, for nought
is there in the world that is there lacking that is needful for
man's body. King Hermit was the king thereof that thus hath
garnished it, and for that he approved himself so well in this
kingdom, and that they who are in the island consented thereto,
is he chosen to be king of a greater realm. Now they desire that
another worshipful man be sent them for king, that shall do for
them as much good as did he, but take you good heed, sith that
you will be king therein, that the island be well garnished; for,
and you garnish it not well, you will be put into the Poverty-
stricken Island, the crying whereof you have but now since heard,
and the crown thereof will again be reft from you. For they that
have been kings of the Plenteous Island and have not well
approved them, are among the folk that you saw in the Poverty-
stricken Island, lacking in all things good. And so I tell you
that King Hermit, whom you will succeed, hath sent thither a
great part of his folk. There are the heads sealed in silver,
and the heads sealed in lead, and the bodies whereunto these
heads belonged; I tell you that you must make come thither the
head both of the King and of the Queen. But of the other I tell
you that they are in the Poverty-stricken Island. But we know
not whether they shall ever issue forth thence."


VII.

"Sir," saith Perceval, "Tell me of the knight that is all armed
in the ivory vessel, who he is, and what is the name of this
castle?"

"You may not know," saith the Master, "until your return. But
tell me tidings of the most Holy Graal, that you reconquered, is
it still in the holy chapel that was King Fisherman's?"

"Yea, Sir," saith Perceval, "And the sword wherewith S. John was
beheaded, and other hallows in great plenty."

"I saw the Graal," saith the Master, "or ever Joseph, that was
uncle to King Fisherman, collected therein the blood or Jesus
Christ. Know that well am I acquainted with all your lineage,
and of what folk you were born. For your good knighthood and for
your good cleanness and for your good valour came you in hither,
for such was Our Lord's will, and take heed that you be ready
when place shall be, and time shall come, and you shall see the
ship apparelled."

"Sir," saith Perceval, "Most willingly shall I return, nor never
would I have sought to depart but for my lady my mother, and for
my sister, for never have I seen no place that so much hath
pleased me."

He was right well harboured the night within, and in the morning,
or ever he departed, heard a holy mass in a holy chapel the
fairest that he had seen ever. The Master cometh to him after
the mass and bringeth him a shield as white as snow. Afterwards,
he saith, "You will leave me your shield within for token of your
coming and will bear this."

"Sir," saith Perceval, "I will do your pleasure."

He hath taken leave, and so departeth from the rich mansion, and
findeth the ship all apparelled, and heareth sound the bells at
his forth-going the same as at his coming. He entereth into the
ship and the sail is set. He leaveth the land far behind, and
the pilot steereth the ship and Our Lord God guideth and leadeth
him. The ship runneth a great speed, for far enough had she to
run, but God made her speed as He would, for He knew the passing
great goodness and worth of the knight that was within.


VIII.

God hath guided and led the ship by day and by night until that
she arrived at an island where was a castle right ancient, but it
seemed not to be over-rich, rather it showed as had it been of
great lordship in days of yore. They cast anchor, and Perceval
is come toward the castle and entereth in all armed. He seeth
the castle large, and the dwelling chambers fallen down and the
house-place roofless, and he seeth a lady sitting before the
steps of an old hall. She rose up as soon as she saw him, but
she was right poorly clad. It seemed well by her body and her
cheer and her bearing that she was a gentlewoman, and he seeth
that two damsels come with her that are young of age and are as
poorly clad as is the lady.

"Sir," saith she to Perceval, "Welcome may you be. No knight
have I seen enter this castle of a long time."

"Lady," saith Perceval, "God grant you joy and honour!"

"Sir," saith she, "Need have we thereof, for none scarce have I
had this long while past."

She leadeth him into a great ancient hall that was right poorly
garnished.

"Sir," saith she, "Here will you harbour you the night, and you
would take in good part that we may do and you knew the plight of
this castle."

She maketh him be unarmed of a servant that was there within, and
the damsels come before him and serve him right sweetly. The
lady bringeth him a mantle to do on.

"Sir," saith she, "Within are no better garments wherewith to
show you honour than this."

Perceval looketh on the damsels and hath great pity of them, for
so well shapen were they of limb and body as that nature might
not have better fashioned them, and all the beauty that may be in
woman's body was in them, and all the sweetness and simpleness.


IX.

"Lady," saith Perceval, "Is this castle, then, not yours?"

"Sir," saith she, "So much is all that remaineth unto me of all
my land, and you see there my daughters of whom is it right sore
pity, for nought have they but what you see, albeit gentlewomen
are they and of high lineage, but their kinsfolk are too far
away, and a knight that is right cruel hath reft us of our land
sithence that my lord was dead, and holdeth a son of mine in his
prison, whereof I am right sorrowful, for he is one of the
comeliest knights in the world. He had not been knight more than
four years when he took him, and now may I aid neither myself nor
other, but I have heard tell that there is a knight in the land
of Wales that was the son of Alain li Gros of the Valleys of
Camelot, and he is the Best Knight in the World, and this Alain
was brother of Calobrutus, whose wife was I, and of whom I had my
son and these two daughters. This know I well, that and the Good
Knight that is so near akin to them were by any adventure to come
into this island, I should have my son again, and my daughters
that are disherited would have their lands again freely, and so
should I be brought out of sore pain and poverty. I am of
another lineage that is full far away, for King Ban of Benoic
that is dead was mine uncle, but he hath a son that is a right
good knight as I have been told, so that and one of these two
should come nigh me in any of these islands right joyous should I
be thereof."


X.

Perceval heareth that the two damsels are his uncle's daughters,
and hath great pity thereof.

"Lady," saith he, "How is he named that is in prison?"

"Sir," saith she, "Galobruns, and he that holdeth him in prison
is named Gohaz of the Castle of the Whale."

"Is his castle near this, Lady?" saith he.

"Sir, there is but an arm of the sea to cross, and in all these
islands of the sea is there none that hath any puissance but he
only, and so assured is he that no dread hath he of any. For
none that is in this land durst offend against him. Sir, one
thing hath he bid me do, whereof I am sore grieved, that and I
send him not one of my daughters, he hath sworn his oath that he
will reave me of my castle."

"Lady," saith Perceval, "An oath is not always kept. To the two
damsels, please God, shall he do no shame, and right heavy am I
of that he hath done already, for they were daughters of mine
uncle. Alain li Gros was my father and Galobrutus my uncle, and
many another good man that now is dead."


XI.

When the damsels heard this, they kneeled down before him, and
began to weep for joy and kiss his hands, and pray him for God's
sake have mercy on them and on their brother. And he saith that
he will not depart from their land until he hath done all he may.
He remaineth the night in the castle and his mariner likewise.
The lady made great joy of Perceval, and did him all the honour
she might. When the morrow came they showed him the land of the
King that had reft them of their land, but the lady could not
tell him where her son was in prison. He departeth and cometh
back to his ship when he hath taken leave of the lady and the
damsels, and right glad was he to know that the damsels were so
nigh to him of kin. So he prayeth God grant him that he may be
able to give them back their land and bring them out of the
poverty wherein they are. He roweth until that he is come under
a rock, wherein was a cave at top round and narrow and secure
like as it were a little house. Perceval looketh on that side,
and seeth a man sitting within. He maketh the ship draw nigh the
rock, then looketh and seeth the cutting of a way that went
upwards through the rock. He is come forth of the ship and goeth
up the little path until he cometh into the little house. He
findeth within one of the comeliest knights in the world. He had
a ring at his feet and a collar on his neck with a chain whereof
the other end was fixed by a staple into a great ledge of the
rock. He rose up over against Perceval as soon as he saw him.

"Sir Knight," saith Perceval, "You are well made fast."

"Sir, that irketh me," saith the knight, "Better should I like
myself elsewhere than here."

"You would be right," saith Perceval, "For you are in right evil
plight in the midst of this sea. Have you aught within to eat or
to drink?"

"Sir," saith he, "The daughter of the Sick Knight that dwelleth
in the island hard by, sendeth me every day in a boat as much
meat as I may eat, for she hath great pity of me. The King that
hath imprisoned me here hath reft her castles like as he hath
those of my lady my mother."

"May none remove you hence?"

"Sir, in no wise, save he that set me here, for he keepeth with
him the key of the lock, and he told me when he departed hence
that never more should I issue forth."

"By my head," saith Perceval, "but you shall! And you were the
son of Galobrutus, you were the son of mine uncle," saith
Perceval, "and I of yours, so that it would be a reproach to me
for evermore and I left you in this prison."


XII.

When Galobruns heareth that he is his uncle's son, great joy hath
he thereof. He would have fallen at his feet, but Perceval would
not, and said to him, "Now be well assured, for I will seek your
deliverance."

He cometh down from the rock, and so entereth the ship and roweth
of a long space. He looketh before him and seeth a right rich
island and a right plenteous, and on the other side he seeth in a
little islet a knight that is mounted up in a tall tree that was
right broad with many boughs. There was a damsel with him, that
had climbed up also for dread of a serpent, great and evil-
favoured that had issued from a hole in a mountain. The damsel
seeth Perceval's ship coming, and crieth out to him.

"Ha, Sir," saith she, "Come to help this King that is up above,
and me that am a damsel!"

"Whereof are you afeard, damsel?" saith Perceval.

"Of a great serpent, Sir," saith she, "that hath made us climb
up, whereof ought I not to be sorry, for this King hath carried
me off from my father's house, and would have done me shame of my
body and this serpent had not run upon him."

"And what is the King's name, damsel?" saith Perceval.

"Sir, he is called Gohaz of the Castle of the Whale. This great
land is his own that is so plenteous, and other lands enow that
he hath reft of my father and of other."

The King had great shame of this that the damsel told him, and
made answer never a word. Perceval understandeth that it was he
that held his cousin in prison, and is issued from the ship
forthwith, sword drawn. The serpent seeth him, and cometh toward
him, jaws yawning, and casteth forth fire and flame in great
plenty. Perceval thrusteth his sword right through the gullet.

"Now may you come down," saith he to the King.

"Sir," saith he, "The key of a chain wherewith a certain knight
is bound hath fallen, and the serpent seized it."

Perceval rendeth open the throat and findeth the key forthwith,
all red-hot with the fire of the serpent. The King cometh down,
that hath no dread of aught, but cometh, rather, as he ought, to
thank Perceval of the goodness he had done him, and Perceval
seizeth him between his arms and beareth him away to the ship.


XIII.

"Sir Knight," saith Gohaz, "Take heed what you do, for I am King
of this land."

"Therefore," saith Perceval, "I do it. For, had it been another
I should do it not."

"Ha, Sir," saith the damsel, "Leave me not here to get forth as I
may, but help me until that I shall be in the house of my father,
the Sick Knight, that is sore grieved on my account."

Perceval understandeth that it is the damsel of whom Galobruns
spake such praise. He goeth to bring her down from the tree,
then bringeth her into the ship, and so goeth back toward the
rock where his cousin was.

"Sir Knight," saith Gohaz, "Where will you put me?"

"I will put you," saith he, "as an enemy, there, where you have
put the son of mine uncle in prison; so shall I avenge me of you,
and he also at his will."

When the King heard this, he was glad thereof not a whit, and the
damsel was loath not a whit, whom he had thus disherited. They
row until they come to the rock. Perceval issueth forth of the
ship, and bringeth Gohaz up maugre his head. Galobruns seeth him
coming and maketh great joy thereof, and Perceval saith to him:
"Behold here your mortal enemy! Now do your will of him!"

He taketh the key and so looseth him of the irons wherein he was
imprisoned.


XIV.

"Galobruns," saith Perceval, "Now may you do your pleasure of
your enemy?"

"Sir," saith he, "Right gladly!"

He maketh fast the irons on his feet that he had upon his own,
and afterward setteth the collar on his neck.

"Now let him be here," saith he, "in such sort and in such prison
as he put me; for well I know that he will be succoured of none."

After that, he flingeth the key into the sea as far as he might,
and so seemed it to Galobruns that he well avenged himself in
such wise, and better than if he had killed him. Perceval
alloweth him everything therein at his will. They enter into the
ship and leave Gohaz all sorrowing on the rock, that never
thereafter ate nor drank. And Perceval bringeth his cousin and
the damsel, and they row until that they come into their land,
and Perceval maketh send for all the folk of King Gohaz and
maketh all the more powerful do sure homage to Galobruns and his
sisters in such sort that the land was all at their will. He
sojourned there so long as it pleased him, and then departed and
took leave of the damsel and Galobruns, that thanked him much for
the lands that he had again through him.


XV.

Perceval hath rowed until that he is come nigh a castle that was
burning fiercely with a great flame, and seeth a hermitage upon
the sea hard by. He seeth the hermit at the door of the chapel,
and asketh him what the castle is that hath caught fire thus.

"Sir," saith the hermit, "I will tell you. Joseus, the son of
King Pelles, slew his mother there. Never sithence hath the
castle stinted of burning, and I tell you that of this castle and
one other will be kindled the fire that shall burn up the world
and put it to an end."

Perceval marvelleth much, and knew well that it was the castle of
King Hermit his uncle. He departeth thence in great haste, and
passeth three kingdoms and saileth by the wastes and deserts on
one side and the other of the sea, for the ship ran somewhat
a-nigh the land. He looketh and seeth on an island twelve
hermits sitting on the seashore. The sea was calm and
untroubled, and he made cast the anchor so as to keep the ship
steady. Then he saluteth the hermits, and they all bow down
to him in answer. He asketh them where have they their repair,
and they tell him that they have not far away twelve chapels and
twelve houses that surround a grave-yard wherein lie twelve dead
knights that we keep watch over. They were all brothers-german,
and right worshipful men, and none thereof lived more than twelve
years knight save one only, and none of them was there but won
much land and broad kingdoms from the misbelievers, and they all
died in arms; and the name of the eldest was Alain li Gros, and
he came into this country from the Valleys of Camelot to avenge
his brother Alibans of the Waste City that the Giant King had
slain, and he took vengeance on him thereof, but he died
thereafter of a wound that the Giant had given him.

"Sir," saith one of the hermits, "I was at his death, but nought
was there he so longed after as a son of his, and he said that
his name was Perceval. He was the last of the brothers that
died."


XVI.

When Perceval heard this he had pity thereof, and issued forth of
the ship and came to land, and his mariner with him. He prayed
the hermits that they would lead him to the graveyard where the
knights lay, and gladly did they so. Perceval is come thither
and seeth the coffins right rich and fair, and the chapels full
fairly dight, and every coffin lay over against the altar in each
chapel.

"Lords, which coffin is that of the Lord of Camelot?"

"This, the highest," say the hermits, "and the most rich, for
that he was eldest of all the brethren."

Perceval kneeleth down before it, then embraceth the coffin and
prayeth right sweetly for the soul of his father, and in like
manner he went to all the other coffins. He harboured the night
with the hermits, and told them that Alain li Gros was his father
and all the other his uncles. Right joyous were the hermits for
that he was come thither, and the morrow, or ever he departed, he
heard mass in the chapel of his father and in the others where he
might. He entered into the ship and sped full swift, and so far
hath the ship run that he draweth nigh the islands of Great
Britain. He arriveth at the head of a forest under the Red Tower
whereof he had slain the lord, there where Meliot delivered
Messire Gawain. He is issued forth of the ship and leadeth forth
his horse and is armed, and commendeth the pilot to God. He
mounteth on his destrier, all armed, and goeth amidst the land
that was well-nigh void of people, for he himself had slain the
greater part thereof, albeit he knew it not. He rideth so long,
right amidst the country, that he cometh toward evensong to a
hold that was in a great forest, and he bethought him that he
would go into the hermitage, and he cometh straight into the
hold, and seeth a knight lying in the entrance of the gate on a
straw mattress, and a damsel sate at the bed's head, of passing
great beauty, and held his head on her lap.

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