in armour on such a day as this." "And what day is to-day?" said
Peredur. "To-day is Good Friday," he answered. "Chide me not that I
knew not this, seeing that it is a year to-day since I journeyed
forth from my country." Then he dismounted, and led his horse in his
hand. And he had not proceeded far along the high road before he
came to a cross road, and the cross road traversed a wood. And on
the other side of the wood he saw an unfortified castle, which
appeared to be inhabited. And at the gate of the castle there met
him the priest whom he had seen before, and he asked his blessing.
"The blessing of Heaven be unto thee," said he, "it is more fitting
to travel in thy present guise than as thou wast erewhile; and this
night thou shalt tarry with me." So he remained there that night.

And the next day Peredur sought to go forth. "To-day may no one
journey. Thou shalt remain with me to-day and to-morrow, and the day
following, and I will direct thee as best I may to the place which
thou art seeking." And the fourth day Peredur sought to go forth,
and he entreated the priest to tell him how he should find the Castle
of Wonders. "What I know thereof I will tell thee," he replied. "Go
over yonder mountain, and on the other side of the mountain thou wilt
come to a river, and in the valley wherein the river runs is a King's
palace, wherein the King sojourned during Easter. And if thou mayest
have tidings anywhere of the Castle of Wonders, thou wilt have them
there."

Then Peredur rode forward. And he came to the valley in which was
the river, and there met him a number of men going to hunt, and in
the midst of them was a man of exalted rank, and Peredur saluted him.
"Choose, chieftain," said the man, "whether thou wilt go with me to
the chase, or wilt proceed to my palace, and I will dispatch one of