And so did they. "Tell me, my soul," said the man, "which of the
youths thinkest thou plays best." "I think," said Peredur, "that the
yellow-haired youth could draw blood from the other, if he chose."
"Arise thou, my life, and take the cudgel and the shield from the
hand of the youth with the auburn hair, and draw blood from the
yellow-haired youth if thou canst." So Peredur arose, and went to
play with the yellow-haired youth; and he lifted up his arm, and
struck him such a mighty blow, that his brow fell over his eye, and
the blood flowed forth. "Ah, my life," said the man, "come now, and
sit down, for thou wilt become the best fighter with the sword of any
in this island; and I am thy uncle, thy mother's brother. And with
me shalt thou remain a space, in order to learn the manners and
customs of different countries, and courtesy, and gentleness, and
noble bearing. Leave, then, the habits and the discourse of thy
mother, and I will be thy teacher; and I will raise thee to the rank
of knight from this time forward. And thus do thou. If thou seest
aught to cause thee wonder, ask not the meaning of it; if no one has
the courtesy to inform thee, the reproach will not fall upon thee,
but upon me that am thy teacher." And they had abundance of honour
and service. And when it was time they went to sleep. At the break
of day, Peredur arose, and took his horse, and with his uncle's
permission he rode forth. And he came to a vast desert wood, and at
the further end of the wood was a meadow, and on the other side of
the meadow he saw a large castle. And thitherward Peredur bent his
way, and he found the gate open, and he proceeded to the hall. And
he beheld a stately hoary-headed man sitting on one side of the hall,
and many pages around him, who arose to receive and to honour
Peredur. And they placed him by the side of the owner of the palace.
Then they discoursed together; and when it was time to eat, they
caused Peredur to sit beside the nobleman during the repast. And