he besought his mercy. "Who art thou?" said Peredur. "I am Steward
of the Palace," said he. "And how much of the maiden's possessions
are under thy control?" "One-third part," answered he. "Verily,"
said Peredur, "thou shalt fully restore to the maiden her
possessions, and, moreover, thou shalt give her meat and drink for
two hundred men, and their horses and their arms. And for thyself,
thou shalt be her captive." And immediately it was so done.

And the third day Peredur rode forth to the meadow; and he vanquished
more that day than on either of the preceding. And at the close of
the day, an earl came to encounter him, and he overthrew him, and he
besought his mercy. "Who art thou?" said Peredur. "I am the earl,"
said he. "I will not conceal it from thee." "Verily," said Peredur,
"thou shalt restore the whole of the maiden's earldom, and shalt give
her thine own earldom in addition thereto, and meat and drink for
three hundred men, and their horses and arms, and thou thyself shalt
remain in her power." And thus it was fulfilled. And Peredur
tarried three weeks in the country, causing tribute and obedience to
be paid to the maiden, and the government to be placed in her hands.
"With thy leave," said Peredur, "I will go hence." "Verily, my
brother, desirest thou this?" "Yes, by my faith; and had it not been
for love of thee, I should not have been here thus long." "My soul,"
said she, "who art thou?" "I am Peredur the son of Evrawc from the
North; and if ever thou art in trouble or in danger, acquaint me
therewith, and if I can, I will protect thee."

So Peredur rode forth. And far thence there met him a lady, mounted
on a horse that was lean, and covered with sweat; and she saluted the
youth. "Whence comest thou, my sister?" Then she told him the cause
of her journey. Now she was the wife of the Lord of the Glade.