Above, p. 337) … and carried it away. Perceval felt greatly cheered. Mightily pleased and much encouraged, he asked about the lance. The king said:

‘I'll tell you, and without a word of a lie. Truly, it is the lance with which the son of God suffered torment when He was stretched upon the cross. With it He was struck in the side, bringing blood pouring down; Longinus washed his eyes with it and recovered his sight.’

Then the worthy, loyal Perceval said he wanted to know for certain who was served from the grail and what it could be. At this the king leapt up, entirely healed and free of all pain, and said:

‘Listen now, friend: tell me your name – don't keep it from me – I want to hear it.’

‘As you wish,’ he replied. ‘I am called Perceval, truly. I was born at Sinadon, and my father's name was Alain li Gros.’

‘Ah, Perceval, you are dear to me2 indeed! Alain li Gros was my son! His mother's name was Enigeus, and her brother was Joseph, to whom Jesus Christ was given when He was taken from the cross: Pilate granted Joseph the body as a reward for his service, and Nicodemus took Him from the cross and delivered Him to Joseph. His wounds continued to bleed, and Joseph placed the grail in position, and the wounds shed their blood into the vessel, truly. In the same vessel Jesus made the sacrament on Maundy Thursday.’

‘And now, dear grandson, before you learn more, it is only right that you should bear a crown of gold upon your head and be king, for I shall not live for more than three more days. Such is the will of the Creator.’

Then he went and fetched his glorious crown and vestments and carried them to his beauteous chapel. There he blessed and anointed Perceval and bestowed his crown upon him.