Bab Bab 301 · Of the preparation of Sir Palomides and the two brethren

. Of the preparation of Sir Palomides and the two brethren

that should fight with him.

Well be ye found, said the knight to Palomides, for of all knights that

be alive, except three, I had liefest have you. The first is Sir

Launcelot du Lake, and Sir Tristram de Liones, the third is my nigh

cousin, Sir Lamorak de Galis. And I am brother unto King Hermance that

is dead, and my name is Sir Hermind. Ye say well, said Sir Palomides,

and ye shall see how I shall speed; and if I be there slain go ye to my

lord Sir Launcelot, or else to my lord Sir Tristram, and pray them to

revenge my death, for as for Sir Lamorak him shall ye never see in this

world. Alas, said Sir Hermind, how may that be? He is slain, said Sir

Palomides, by Sir Gawaine and his brethren. So God me help, said

Hermind, there was not one for one that slew him. That is truth, said

Sir Palomides, for they were four dangerous knights that slew him, as

Sir Gawaine, Sir Agravaine, Sir Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, but Sir

Gareth, the fifth brother was away, the best knight of them all. And so

Sir Palomides told Hermind all the manner, and how they slew Sir

Lamorak all only by treason.

So Sir Palomides took his ship, and arrived up at the Delectable Isle.

And in the meanwhile Sir Hermind that was the king’s brother, he

arrived up at the Red City, and there he told them how there was come a

knight of King Arthur’s to avenge King Hermance’s death: And his name

is Sir Palomides, the good knight, that for the most part he followeth

the beast Glatisant. Then all the city made great joy, for mickle had

they heard of Sir Palomides, and of his noble prowess. So let they

ordain a messenger, and sent unto the two brethren, and bade them to

make them ready, for there was a knight come that would fight with them

both. So the messenger went unto them where they were at a castle there

beside; and there he told them how there was a knight come of King

Arthur’s court to fight with them both at once. He is welcome, said

they; but tell us, we pray you, if it be Sir Launcelot or any of his

blood? He is none of that blood, said the messenger. Then we care the

less, said the two brethren, for with none of the blood of Sir

Launcelot we keep not to have ado withal. Wit ye well, said the

messenger, that his name is Sir Palomides, that yet is unchristened, a

noble knight. Well, said they, an he be now unchristened he shall never

be christened. So they appointed to be at the city within two days.

And when Sir Palomides was come to the city they made passing great joy

of him, and then they beheld him, and saw that he was well made,

cleanly and bigly, and unmaimed of his limbs, and neither too young nor

too old. And so all the people praised him; and though he was not

christened yet he believed in the best manner, and was full faithful

and true of his promise, and well conditioned; and because he made his

avow that he would never be christened unto the time that he had

achieved the beast Glatisant, the which was a full wonderful beast, and

a great signification; for Merlin prophesied much of that beast. And

also Sir Palomides avowed never to take full christendom unto the time

that he had done seven battles within the lists.

So within the third day there came to the city these two brethren, the

one hight Helius, the other hight Helake, the which were men of great

prowess; howbeit that they were false and full of treason, and but poor

men born, yet were they noble knights of their hands. And with them

they brought forty knights, to that intent that they should be big

enough for the Red City. Thus came the two brethren with great bobaunce

and pride, for they had put the Red City in fear and damage. Then they

were brought to the lists, and Sir Palomides came into the place and

said thus: Be ye the two brethren, Helius and Helake, that slew your

king and lord, Sir Hermance, by felony and treason, for whom that I am

come hither to revenge his death? Wit thou well, said Sir Helius and

Sir Helake, that we are the same knights that slew King Hermance; and

wit thou well, Sir Palomides Saracen, that we shall handle thee so or

thou depart that thou shalt wish that thou wert christened. It may well

be, said Sir Palomides, for yet I would not die or I were christened;

and yet so am I not afeard of you both, but I trust to God that I shall

die a better christian man than any of you both; and doubt ye not, said

Sir Palomides, either ye or I shall be left dead in this place.