บทที่ บทที่ 302 · Of the battle between Sir Palomides and the two brethren,

. Of the battle between Sir Palomides and the two brethren,

and how the two brethren were slain.

Then they departed, and the two brethren came against Sir Palomides,

and he against them, as fast as their horses might run. And by fortune

Sir Palomides smote Helake through his shield and through the breast

more than a fathom. All this while Sir Helius held up his spear, and

for pride and orgulité he would not smite Sir Palomides with his spear;

but when he saw his brother lie on the earth, and saw he might not help

himself, then he said unto Sir Palomides: Help thyself. And therewith

he came hurtling unto Sir Palomides with his spear, and smote him quite

from his saddle. Then Sir Helius rode over Sir Palomides twice or

thrice. And therewith Sir Palomides was ashamed, and gat the horse of

Sir Helius by the bridle, and therewithal the horse areared, and Sir

Palomides halp after, and so they fell both to the earth; but anon Sir

Helius stert up lightly, and there he smote Sir Palomides a great

stroke upon the helm, that he kneeled upon his own knee. Then they

lashed together many sad strokes, and traced and traversed now

backward, now sideling, hurtling together like two boars, and that same

time they fell both grovelling to the earth.

Thus they fought still without any reposing two hours, and never

breathed; and then Sir Palomides waxed faint and weary, and Sir Helius

waxed passing strong, and doubled his strokes, and drove Sir Palomides

overthwart and endlong all the field, that they of the city when they

saw Sir Palomides in this case they wept and cried, and made great

dole, and the other party made as great joy. Alas, said the men of the

city, that this noble knight should thus be slain for our king’s sake.

And as they were thus weeping and crying, Sir Palomides that had

suffered an hundred strokes, that it was wonder that he stood on his

feet, at the last Sir Palomides beheld as he might the common people,

how they wept for him; and then he said to himself: Ah, fie for shame,

Sir Palomides, why hangest thou thy head so low; and therewith he bare

up his shield, and looked Sir Helius in the visage, and he smote him a

great stroke upon the helm, and after that another and another. And

then he smote Sir Helius with such a might that he fell to the earth

grovelling; and then he raced off his helm from his head, and there he

smote him such a buffet that he departed his head from the body. And

then were the people of the city the joyfullest people that might be.

So they brought him to his lodging with great solemnity, and there all

the people became his men. And then Sir Palomides prayed them all to

take keep unto all the lordship of King Hermance: For, fair sirs, wit

ye well I may not as at this time abide with you, for I must in all

haste be with my lord King Arthur at the Castle of Lonazep, the which I

have promised. Then was the people full heavy at his departing, for all

that city proffered Sir Palomides the third part of their goods so that

he would abide with them; but in no wise as at that time he would not

abide.

And so Sir Palomides departed, and so he came unto the castle thereas

Sir Ebel was lieutenant. And when they in the castle wist how Sir

Palomides had sped, there was a joyful meiny; and so Sir Palomides

departed, and came to the castle of Lonazep. And when he wist that Sir

Tristram was not there he took his way over Humber, and came unto

Joyous Gard, whereas Sir Tristram was and La Beale Isoud. Sir Tristram

had commanded that what knight errant came within the Joyous Gard, as

in the town, that they should warn Sir Tristram. So there came a man of

the town, and told Sir Tristram how there was a knight in the town, a

passing goodly man. What manner of man is he, said Sir Tristram, and

what sign beareth he? So the man told Sir Tristram all the tokens of

him. That is Palomides, said Dinadan. It may well be, said Sir

Tristram. Go ye to him, said Sir Tristram unto Dinadan. So Dinadan went

unto Sir Palomides, and there either made other great joy, and so they

lay together that night. And on the morn early came Sir Tristram and

Sir Gareth, and took them in their beds, and so they arose and brake

their fast.