grief, that I should see so fair a youth as thou art, slain." "Who
will slay me?" inquired Peredur. "If thou art so daring as to remain
here to-night, I will tell thee." "How great soever my danger may be
from remaining here, I will listen unto thee." "This Palace is owned
by him who is my father," said the maiden, "and he slays every one
who comes hither without his leave." "What sort of a man is thy
father, that he is able to slay every one thus?" "A man who does
violence and wrong unto his neighbours, and who renders justice unto
none." And hereupon he saw the youths arise and clear the chessmen
from the board. And he heard a great tumult; and after the tumult
there came in a huge black one-eyed man, and the maidens arose to
meet him. And they disarrayed him, and he went and sat down; and
after he had rested and pondered awhile, he looked at Peredur, and
asked who the knight was. "Lord," said one of the maidens, "he is
the fairest and gentlest youth that ever thou didst see. And for the
sake of Heaven, and of thine own dignity, have patience with him."
"For thy sake I will have patience, and I will grant him his life
this night." Then Peredur came towards them to the fire, and partook
of food and liquor, and entered into discourse with the ladies. And
being elated with the liquor, he said to the black man, "It is a
marvel to me, so mighty as thou sayest thou art, who could have put
out thine eye." "It is one of my habits," said the black man, "that
whosoever puts to me the question which thou hast asked, shall not
escape with his life, either as a free gift or for a price." "Lord,"
said the maiden, "whatsoever he may say to thee in jest, and through
the excitement of liquor, make good that which thou saidst and didst
promise me just now." "I will do so, gladly, for thy sake," said he.
"Willingly will I grant him his life this night." And that night
thus they remained.