Chapter Chapter 304 · How Sir Palomides jousted with Sir Galihodin, and after

. How Sir Palomides jousted with Sir Galihodin, and after

with Sir Gawaine, and smote them down.

Then this squire departed and told Galihodin; and then he dressed his

shield, and put forth a spear, and Sir Palomides another; and there Sir

Palomides smote Galihodin so hard that he smote both horse and man to

the earth. And there he had an horrible fall. And then came there

another knight, and in the same wise he served him; and so he served

the third and the fourth, that he smote them over their horses’ croups,

and always Sir Palomides’ spear was whole. Then came six knights more

of Galihodin’s men, and would have been avenged upon Sir Palomides. Let

be, said Sir Galihodin, not so hardy, none of you all meddle with this

knight, for he is a man of great bounté and honour, and if he would ye

were not able to meddle with him. And right so they held them still.

And ever Sir Palomides was ready to joust; and when he saw they would

no more he rode unto Sir Tristram. Right well have ye done, said Sir

Tristram, and worshipfully have ye done as a good knight should. This

Galihodin was nigh cousin unto Galahalt, the haut prince; and this

Galihodin was a king within the country of Surluse.

So as Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides, and La Beale Isoud rode together

they saw afore them four knights, and every man had his spear in his

hand: the first was Sir Gawaine, the second Sir Uwaine, the third Sir

Sagramore le Desirous, and the fourth was Dodinas le Savage. When Sir

Palomides beheld them, that the four knights were ready to joust, he

prayed Sir Tristram to give him leave to have ado with them all so long

as he might hold him on horseback. And if that I be smitten down I pray

you revenge me. Well, said Sir Tristram, I will as ye will, and ye are

not so fain to have worship but I would as fain increase your worship.

And therewithal Sir Gawaine put forth his spear, and Sir Palomides

another; and so they came so eagerly together that Sir Palomides smote

Sir Gawaine to the earth, horse and all; and in the same wise he served

Uwaine, Sir Dodinas, and Sagramore. All these four knights Sir

Palomides smote down with divers spears. And then Sir Tristram departed

toward Lonazep.

And when they were departed then came thither Galihodin with his ten

knights unto Sir Gawaine, and there he told him all how he had sped. I

marvel, said Sir Gawaine, what knights they be, that are so arrayed in

green. And that knight upon the white horse smote me down, said

Galihodin, and my three fellows. And so he did to me, said Gawaine; and

well I wot, said Sir Gawaine, that either he upon the white horse is

Sir Tristram or else Sir Palomides, and that gay beseen lady is Queen

Isoud. Thus they talked of one thing and of other.

And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram passed on till that he came to the

well where his two pavilions were set; and there they alighted, and

there they saw many pavilions and great array. Then Sir Tristram left

there Sir Palomides and Sir Gareth with La Beale Isoud, and Sir

Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to Lonazep to hearken tidings; and Sir

Tristram rode upon Sir Palomides’ white horse. And when he came into

the castle Sir Dinadan heard a great horn blow, and to the horn drew

many knights. Then Sir Tristram asked a knight: What meaneth the blast

of that horn? Sir, said that knight, it is all those that shall hold

against King Arthur at this tournament. The first is the King of

Ireland, and the King of Surluse, the King of Listinoise, the King of

Northumberland, and the King of the best part of Wales, with many other

countries. And these draw them to a council, to understand what

governance they shall be of; but the King of Ireland, whose name was

Marhalt, and father to the good knight Sir Marhaus that Sir Tristram

slew, had all the speech that Sir Tristram might hear it. He said:

Lords and fellows, let us look to ourself, for wit ye well King Arthur

is sure of many good knights, or else he would not with so few knights

have ado with us; therefore by my counsel let every king have a

standard and a cognisance by himself, that every knight draw to their

natural lord, and then may every king and captain help his knights if

they have need. When Sir Tristram had heard all their counsel he rode

unto King Arthur for to hear of his counsel.