Percivale's Temptation in the Wilderness

                               Chapter Six

Of the great danger that Sir Percivale was in by his horse, and how he saw a serpent and lion fight

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While riding his horse, Sir Percivale came to a place of turbulent water. He then made the sign of the cross on his forehead and with that the horse bucked him off and went into the water. This convinced Sir Percivale that his horse was a fiend that would have taken him to Hell.

        Sir Percivale then prayed all night to God for protection from temptation. In the morning, he looked around and saw he was in an area of wild mountains surrounded by the sea. Sir Percivale then went down into the valley where he saw a young serpent carrying off a young lion cub. An adult lion was chasing after them. Sir Percivale followed them and helped the adult lion by mortally wounding the serpent. When the lion saw this he did not attack, but fawned over Sir Percivale. Percivale stroked its neck and shoulders thanking God for the friendliness of the beast. At midday the lion took its cub back to their home.

        Sir Percivale is one of the few of his time to truly believe in Christ. So once again Sir Percivale asks God not to lead him to temptation, but let him instead gain true championship. That night the lion returned and slept beside Sir Percivale. That night Sir Percivale has a strange dream.

        In the dream, Sir Percivale sees two ladies. One of them is on a lion and one of them is on a serpent; one is young and one is old. The young lady tells Sir Percivale that her lord sent her to tell him to be ready, for tomorrow he would fight the strongest champion of the world. If he were to be overcome, he would be shamed until the world’s ends. Sir Percivale asks who her lord is. She responds “the greatest lord of all the world” and disappears.

Written by Janelle Weddle, Class of 2008