الفصل الفصل 279 · How Sir Launcelot fought in the tournament, and how Sir

. How Sir Launcelot fought in the tournament, and how Sir

Palomides did arms there for a damosel.

Then at the request of Queen Guenever and of King Bagdemagus Sir

Launcelot came into the range, but he was disguised, and that was the

cause that few folk knew him; and there met with him Sir Ector de

Maris, his own brother, and either brake their spears upon other to

their hands. And then either gat another spear. And then Sir Launcelot

smote down Sir Ector de Maris, his own brother. That saw Sir Bleoberis,

and he smote Sir Launcelot such a buffet upon the helm that he wist not

well where he was. Then Sir Launcelot was wrothy and smote Sir

Bleoberis so sore upon the helm that his head bowed down backward. And

he smote eft another buffet, that he avoided his saddle; and so he rode

by, and thrust forth to the thickest. When the King of Northgalis saw

Sir Ector and Bleoberis lie on the ground then was he wroth, for they

came on his party against them of Surluse. So the King of Northgalis

ran to Sir Launcelot, and brake a spear upon him all to pieces.

Therewith Sir Launcelot overtook the King of Northgalis, and smote him

such a buffet on the helm with his sword that he made him to avoid his

horse; and anon the king was horsed again. So both the King Bagdemagus’

and the King of Northgalis’ party hurled to other; and then began a

strong medley, but they of Northgalis were far bigger.

When Sir Launcelot saw his party go to the worst he thrang into the

thickest press with a sword in his hand; and there he smote down on the

right hand and on the left hand, and pulled down knights and raced off

their helms, that all men had wonder that ever one knight might do such

deeds of arms. When Sir Meliagaunce, that was son unto King Bagdemagus,

saw how Sir Launcelot fared he marvelled greatly. And when he

understood that it was he, he wist well that he was disguised for his

sake. Then Sir Meliagaunce prayed a knight to slay Sir Launcelot’s

horse, either with sword or with spear. At that time King Bagdemagus

met with a knight that hight Sauseise, a good knight, to whom he said:

Now fair Sauseise, encounter with my son Meliagaunce and give him large

payment, for I would he were well beaten of thy hands, that he might

depart out of this field. And then Sir Sauseise encountered with Sir

Meliagaunce, and either smote other down. And then they fought on foot,

and there Sauseise had won Sir Meliagaunce, had there not come rescues.

So then the haut prince blew to lodging, and every knight unarmed him

and went to the great feast.

Then in the meanwhile there came a damosel to the haut prince, and

complained that there was a knight that hight Goneries that withheld

her all her lands. Then the knight was there present, and cast his

glove to her or to any that would fight in her name. So the damosel

took up the glove all heavily for default of a champion. Then there

came a varlet to her and said: Damosel, will ye do after me? Full fain,

said the damosel. Then go you unto such a knight that lieth here beside

in an hermitage, and that followeth the Questing Beast, and pray him to

take the battle upon him, and anon I wot well he will grant you.

So anon she took her palfrey, and within a while she found that knight,

that was Sir Palomides. And when she required him he armed him and rode

with her, and made her to go to the haut prince, and to ask leave for

her knight to do battle. I will well, said the haut prince. Then the

knights were ready in the field to joust on horseback; and either gat a

spear in their hands, and met so fiercely together that their spears

all to-shivered. Then they flang out swords, and Sir Palomides smote

Sir Goneries down to the earth. And then he raced off his helm and

smote off his head. Then they went to supper, and the damosel loved

Palomides as paramour, but the book saith she was of his kin. So then

Palomides disguised himself in this manner, in his shield he bare the

Questing Beast, and in all his trappings. And when he was thus ready,

he sent to the haut prince to give him leave to joust with other

knights, but he was adoubted of Sir Launcelot. The haut prince sent him

word again that he should be welcome, and that Sir Launcelot should not

joust with him. Then Sir Galahalt, the haut prince, let cry what knight

somever he were that smote down Sir Palomides should have his damosel

to himself.