Thus it was that that evening passed with them very pleasantly and cheerfully, so that it was the middle of the night ere Sir Percival withdrew to that couch that had been prepared for his rest.

Now word was brought to Sir Clamadius that Sir Engeneron the Seneschal had been overcome by another knight, wherefore Sir Clamadius wist that that was the knight in Sir Engeneron’s armor who had entered into the castle.  So Sir Clamadius said:  “Certes, this must be a champion of no small prowess who hath undertaken single-handed such a dangerous quest as this, and hath thus entered into the castle, for they appear to make great rejoicings at his coming.  Now if he remaineth there it may very well be that they will be encouraged to resist me a great while longer, and so all that I have thus far accomplished shall have been in vain.”

[Sidenote:  The old counsellor giveth advice to Sir Clamadius] Now there was among the counsellors of Sir Clamadius an old knight who was very cunning and far-sighted.  He said to the King:  “Sire, I think we may be able to devise some plan whereby we may withdraw this knight-champion out of the castle.  My plan is this:  Let ten of your best knights make parade before that castle tomorrow, and let them give challenge to those within the castle to come forth to battle.  Then I believe that this knight will come forth with the other knights from the castle to accept that challenge.  Thereafter let it be that our knights withdraw as though in retreat, and so lead this knight and the knights of the castle into an ambushment.  There let many fall upon them at once and either slay them or make them prisoners.  So the castle shall be deprived of this new champion that hath come to it, and therewith may be so disheartened that it will yield to thee.”

This advice seemed very good to King Clamadius, wherefore, when the next morning had come, he chose him ten knights from among the foremost of all his knights, and he bade them give that challenge in that wise.  These did so, and therewith Sir Percival and nine other knights issued out from the castle against them.

[Sidenote:  Sir Percival doeth great battle] But it did not fare as Sir Clamadius had expected; for the attack of Sir Percival and his knights was so fierce and sudden that those ten knights could not withdraw so easily as they intended.  For, ere they were able to withdraw, Sir Percival had struck down six of these knights with his own hand and the other four were made prisoners.

Thus Sir Percival and his knights did not come into that ambush that had been prepared for them.

Then those who were in ambush perceived that their plan had failed wherefore they broke from cover with intent to do what they could.  But Sir Percival and his knights beheld them coming, and so withdrew, defending themselves with great valor.  So they came into the castle again in safety.