This is included in just one surviving manuscript – Mons, Bibliothèque publique, 331/206 – where it appears at the very beginning, followed by Bliocadran and then by Chrétien's romance (omitting Chrétien's own prologue, of which it incorporates the last few lines).

By noble command, here begins the splendid telling of the most pleasing tale there is: the story of the Grail. But the Grail's secret none should reveal or tell, for before it's finished the story might disclose something for which an innocent party might suffer; so it's wisest to leave it and simply pass on – if Master Blihis is to be believed, no one should reveal the secret. So listen now, everyone, and you'll hear a tale to delight you, for in it you'll find the seven guards, who have charge of all the good tales that have ever been told throughout the world. Here you'll learn what sort of people the seven guards are and to what end they're to come.

You've never heard the story recounted or treated truthfully, yet how and why the mighty land of Logres was destroyed has been widely told – at one time it was hotly discussed. The kingdom went to ruin; the land was so dead, so desolate, that it wasn't worth a jot; the voices of the wells were lost, along with the maidens who dwelled in them. These maidens performed a vital service: no one travelling the roads, night or morning, ever needed to stray from his path to go and find food or drink; he had only to go to one of the wells. Anything he craved by way of fine food he would be given at once – as long as it was sought in moderation. A damsel would instantly appear from the well, and no one could have asked for one more fair! In her hand she'd be holding a golden vessel filled with meat and pies and bread; another maiden would come bearing a white napkin and a gold and silver platter containing the dish requested by the one who'd arrived seeking food.