Chapter Chapter 251 · How Sir Palomides by adventure met King Mark flying, and

. How Sir Palomides by adventure met King Mark flying, and

how he overthrew Dagonet and other knights.

So King Mark rode by fortune by a well, in the way where stood a

knight-errant on horseback, armed at all points, with a great spear in

his hand. And when he saw King Mark coming flying he said: Knight,

return again for shame and stand with me, and I shall be thy warrant.

Ah, fair knight, said King Mark, let me pass, for yonder cometh after

me the best knight of the world, with the black bended shield. Fie, for

shame, said the knight, he is none of the worthy knights, and if he

were Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram I should not doubt to meet the

better of them both. When King Mark heard him say that word, he turned

his horse and abode by him. And then that strong knight bare a spear to

Dagonet, and smote him so sore that he bare him over his horse’s tail,

and nigh he had broken his neck. And anon after him came Sir Brandiles,

and when he saw Dagonet have that fall he was passing wroth, and cried:

Keep thee, knight, and so they hurtled together wonder sore. But the

knight smote Sir Brandiles so sore that he went to the earth, horse and

man. Sir Uwaine came after and saw all this. Jesu, said he, yonder is a

strong knight. And then they feutred their spears, and this knight came

so eagerly that he smote down Sir Uwaine. Then came Ozana with the

hardy heart, and he was smitten down. Now, said Sir Griflet, by my

counsel let us send to yonder errant-knight, and wit whether he be of

Arthur’s court, for as I deem it is Sir Lamorak de Galis. So they sent

unto him, and prayed the strange knight to tell his name, and whether

he were of Arthur’s court or not. As for my name they shall not wit,

but tell them I am a knight-errant as they are, and let them wit that I

am no knight of King Arthur’s court; and so the squire rode again unto

them and told them his answer of him. By my head, said Sir Agravaine,

he is one of the strongest knights that ever I saw, for he hath

overthrown three noble knights, and needs we must encounter with him

for shame. So Sir Agravaine feutred his spear, and that other was

ready, and smote him down over his horse to the earth. And in the same

wise he smote Sir Uwaine les Avoutres and also Sir Griflet. Then had he

served them all but Sir Dinadan, for he was behind, and Sir Mordred was

unarmed, and Dagonet had his harness.

So when this was done, this strong knight rode on his way a soft pace,

and King Mark rode after him, praising him mickle; but he would answer

no words, but sighed wonderly sore, hanging down his head, taking no

heed to his words. Thus they rode well a three mile English, and then

this knight called to him a varlet, and bade him ride until yonder fair

manor, and recommend me to the lady of that castle and place, and pray

her to send me refreshing of good meats and drinks. And if she ask thee

what I am, tell her that I am the knight that followeth the glatisant

beast: that is in English to say the questing beast; for that beast

wheresomever he yede he quested in the belly with such a noise as it

had been a thirty couple of hounds. Then the varlet went his way and

came to the manor, and saluted the lady, and told her from whence he

came. And when she understood that he came from the knight that

followed the questing beast: O sweet Lord Jesu, she said, when shall I

see that noble knight, my dear son Palomides? Alas, will he not abide

with me? and therewith she swooned and wept, and made passing great

dole. And then also soon as she might she gave the varlet all that he

asked. And the varlet returned unto Sir Palomides, for he was a varlet

of King Mark. And as soon as he came, he told the knight’s name was Sir

Palomides. I am well pleased, said King Mark, but hold thee still and

say nothing. Then they alighted and set them down and reposed them a

while. Anon withal King Mark fell asleep. When Sir Palomides saw him

sound asleep he took his horse and rode his way, and said to them: I

will not be in the company of a sleeping knight. And so he rode forth a

great pace.