Chương Chương 254 · How Sir Dinadan told Sir Palomides of the battle between

. How Sir Dinadan told Sir Palomides of the battle between

Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristam.

Now turn we again unto Sir Palomides, how Sir Dinadan comforted him in

all that he might, from his great sorrow. What knight are ye? said Sir

Palomides. Sir, I am a knight-errant as ye be, that hath sought you

long by your shield. Here is my shield, said Sir Palomides, wit ye

well, an ye will ought, therewith I will defend it. Nay, said Sir

Dinadan, I will not have ado with you but in good manner. And if ye

will, ye shall find me soon ready. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, whitherward

ride you this way? By my head, said Sir Palomides, I wot not, but as

fortune leadeth me. Heard ye or saw ye ought of Sir Tristram? So God me

help, of Sir Tristram I both heard and saw, and not for then we loved

not inwardly well together, yet at my mischief Sir Tristram rescued me

from my death; and yet, or he and I departed, by both our assents we

assigned a day that we should have met at the stony grave that Merlin

set beside Camelot, and there to have done battle together; howbeit I

was letted, said Sir Palomides, that I might not hold my day, the which

grieveth me sore; but I have a large excuse. For I was prisoner with a

lord, and many other more, and that shall Sir Tristram right well

understand, that I brake it not of fear of cowardice. And then Sir

Palomides told Sir Dinadan the same day that they should have met. So

God me help, said Sir Dinadan, that same day met Sir Launcelot and Sir

Tristram at the same grave of stone. And there was the most mightiest

battle that ever was seen in this land betwixt two knights, for they

fought more than two hours. And there they both bled so much blood that

all men marvelled that ever they might endure it. And so at the last,

by both their assents, they were made friends and sworn-brethren for

ever, and no man can judge the better knight. And now is Sir Tristram

made a knight of the Round Table, and he sitteth in the siege of the

noble knight, Sir Marhaus. By my head, said Sir Palomides, Sir Tristram

is far bigger than Sir Launcelot, and the hardier knight. Have ye

assayed them both? said Sir Dinadan. I have seen Sir Tristram fight,

said Sir Palomides, but never Sir Launcelot to my witting. But at the

fountain where Sir Launcelot lay asleep, there with one spear he smote

down Sir Tristram and me, said Palomides, but at that time they knew

not either other. Fair knight, said Sir Dinadan, as for Sir Launcelot

and Sir Tristram let them be, for the worst of them will not be lightly

matched of no knights that I know living. No, said Sir Palomides, God

defend, but an I had a quarrel to the better of them both I would with

as good a will fight with him as with you. Sir, I require you tell me

your name, and in good faith I shall hold you company till that we come

to Camelot; and there shall ye have great worship now at this great

tournament; for there shall be the Queen Guenever, and La Beale Isoud

of Cornwall. Wit you well, sir knight, for the love of La Beale Isoud I

will be there, and else not, but I will not have ado in King Arthur’s

court. Sir, said Dinadan, I shall ride with you and do you service, so

you will tell me your name. Sir, ye shall understand my name is Sir

Palomides, brother to Safere, the good and noble knight. And Sir

Segwarides and I, we be Saracens born, of father and mother. Sir, said

Sir Dinadan, I thank you much for the telling of your name. For I am

glad of that I know your name, and I promise you by the faith of my

body, ye shall not be hurt by me by my will, but rather be advanced.

And thereto will I help you with all my power, I promise you, doubt ye

not. And certainly on my life ye shall win great worship in the court

of King Arthur, and be right welcome. So then they dressed on their

helms and put on their shields, and mounted upon their horses, and took

the broad way towards Camelot. And then were they ware of a castle that

was fair and rich, and also passing strong as any was within this

realm.