come to offer to place myself in thy hands, that thou mayest succour
me, either by taking me hence, or by defending me here, whichever may
seem best unto thee." "Go, my sister," said he, "and sleep; nor will
I depart from thee until I do that which thou requirest, or prove
whether I can assist thee or not." The maiden went again to rest;
and the next morning she came to Peredur, and saluted him. "Heaven
prosper thee, my soul, and what tidings dost thou bring?" "None
other, than that the earl and all his forces have alighted at the
gate, and I never beheld any place so covered with tents, and
thronged with knights challenging others to the combat." "Truly,"
said Peredur, "let my horse be made ready." So his horse was
accoutred, and he arose and sallied forth to the meadow. And there
was a knight riding proudly along the meadow, having raised the
signal for battle. And they encountered, and Peredur threw the
knight over his horse's crupper to the ground. And at the close of
the day, one of the chief knights came to fight with him, and he
overthrew him also, so that he besought his mercy. "Who art thou?"
said Peredur. "Verily," said he, "I am Master of the Household to
the earl." "And how much of the countess's possessions is there in
thy power?" "The third part, verily," answered he. "Then," said
Peredur, "restore to her the third of her possessions in full, and
all the profit thou hast made by them, and bring meat and drink for a
hundred men, with their horses and arms, to her court this night.
And thou shalt remain her captive, unless she wish to take thy life."
And this he did forthwith. And that night the maiden was right
joyful, and they fared plenteously.

And the next day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and that day he
vanquished a multitude of the host. And at the close of the day,
there came a proud and stately knight, and Peredur overthrew him, and