Kabanata Kabanata 282 · Of the third day, and how Sir Palomides jousted with Sir

. Of the third day, and how Sir Palomides jousted with Sir

Lamorak, and other things.

Now beginneth the third day of jousting; and at that day King

Bagdemagus made him ready; and there came against him King Marsil, that

had in gift an island of Sir Galahalt the haut prince; and this island

had the name Pomitain. Then it befell that King Bagdemagus and King

Marsil of Pomitain met together with spears, and King Marsil had such a

buffet that he fell over his horse’s croup. Then came there in a knight

of King Marsil to revenge his lord, and King Bagdemagus smote him down,

horse and man, to the earth. So there came an earl that hight Arrouse,

and Sir Breuse, and an hundred knights with them of Pomitain, and the

King of Northgalis was with them; and all these were against them of

Surluse. And then there began great battle, and many knights were cast

under horses’ feet. And ever King Bagdemagus did best, for he first

began, and ever he held on. Gaheris, Gawaine’s brother, smote ever at

the face of King Bagdemagus; and at the last King Bagdemagus hurtled

down Gaheris, horse and man.

Then by adventure Sir Palomides, the good knight, met with Sir Blamore

de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis’ brother. And either smote other with great

spears, that both their horses and knights fell to the earth. But Sir

Blamore had such a fall that he had almost broken his neck, for the

blood brast out at nose, mouth, and his ears, but at the last he

recovered well by good surgeons. Then there came in the Duke Chaleins

of Clarance; and in his governance there came a knight that hight Elis

la Noire; and there encountered with him King Bagdemagus, and he smote

Elis that he made him to avoid his saddle. So the Duke Chaleins of

Clarance did there great deeds of arms, and of so late as he came in

the third day there was no man did so well except King Bagdemagus and

Sir Palomides, that the prize was given that day to King Bagdemagus.

And then they blew unto lodging, and unarmed them, and went to the

feast. Right so came Dinadan, and mocked and japed with King Bagdemagus

that all knights laughed at him, for he was a fine japer, and well

loving all good knights.

So anon as they had dined there came a varlet bearing four spears on

his back; and he came to Palomides, and said thus: Here is a knight by

hath sent you the choice of four spears, and requireth you for your

lady’s sake to take that one half of these spears, and joust with him

in the field. Tell him, said Palomides, I will not fail him. When Sir

Galahalt wist of this, he bade Palomides make him ready. So the Queen

Guenever, the haut prince, and Sir Launcelot, they were set upon

scaffolds to give the judgment of these two knights. Then Sir Palomides

and the strange knight ran so eagerly together that their spears brake

to their hands. Anon withal either of them took a great spear in his

hand and all to-shivered them in pieces. And then either took a greater

spear, and then the knight smote down Sir Palomides, horse and man, to

the earth. And as he would have passed over him the strange knight’s

horse stumbled and fell down upon Palomides. Then they drew their

swords and lashed together wonderly sore a great while.

Then the haut prince and Sir Launcelot said they saw never two knights

fight better than they did; but ever the strange knight doubled his

strokes, and put Palomides aback; therewithal the haut prince cried:

Ho: and then they went to lodging. And when they were unarmed they knew

it was the noble knight Sir Lamorak. When Sir Launcelot knew that it

was Sir Lamorak he made much of him, for above all earthly men he loved

him best except Sir Tristram. Then Queen Guenever commended him, and so

did all other good knights make much of him, except Sir Gawaine’s

brethren. Then Queen Guenever said unto Sir Launcelot: Sir, I require

you that an ye joust any more, that ye joust with none of the blood of

my lord Arthur. So he promised he would not as at that time.