And when it was time for them to sleep rather than to carouse, they
went to rest. And the maiden caused Peredur's horse and arms to be
in the same lodging with him. And the next morning Peredur heard a
great tumult of men and horses around the castle. And Peredur arose,
and armed himself and his horse, and went to the meadow. Then the
aged woman and the maiden came to the grey man: "Lord," said they,
"take the word of the youth, that he will never disclose what he has
seen in this place, and we will be his sureties that he keep it." "I
will not do so, by my faith," said the grey man. So Peredur fought
with the host, and towards evening he had slain the one-third of them
without receiving any hurt himself. Then said the aged woman,
"Behold, many of thy host have been slain by the youth; do thou,
therefore, grant him mercy." "I will not grant it, by my faith,"
said he. And the aged woman and the fair maiden were upon the
battlements of the castle, looking forth. And at that juncture,
Peredur encountered the yellow-haired youth and slew him. "Lord,"
said the maiden, "grant the young man mercy." "That will I not do,
by Heaven," he replied; and thereupon Peredur attacked the auburn-
haired youth, and slew him likewise. "It were better that thou hadst
accorded mercy to the youth before he had slain thy two sons; for now
scarcely wilt thou thyself escape from him." "Go, maiden, and
beseech the youth to grant mercy unto us, for we yield ourselves into
his hands." So the maiden came to the place where Peredur was, and
besought mercy for her father, and for all such of his vassals as had
escaped alive. "Thou shalt have it, on condition that thy father and
all that are under him go and render homage to Arthur, and tell him
that it was his vassal Peredur that did him this service." "This
will we do willingly, by Heaven." "And you shall also receive
baptism; and I will send to Arthur, and beseech him to bestow this