第 三百零九 章 · How Sir Launcelot said to Sir Palomides, and how the

. How Sir Launcelot said to Sir Palomides, and how the

prize of that day was given unto Sir Palomides.

When Sir Ector de Maris saw Sir Launcelot his brother have such a

despite, and so set on foot, then he gat a spear eagerly, and ran

against Sir Palomides, and he smote him so hard that he bare him quite

from his horse. That saw Sir Tristram, that was in red harness, and he

smote down Sir Ector de Maris quite from his horse. Then Sir Launcelot

dressed his shield upon his shoulder, and with his sword naked in his

hand, and so came straight upon Sir Palomides fiercely and said: Wit

thou well thou hast done me this day the greatest despite that ever any

worshipful knight did to me in tournament or in jousts, and therefore I

will be avenged upon thee, therefore take keep to yourself. Ah, mercy,

noble knight, said Palomides, and forgive me mine unkindly deeds, for I

have no power nor might to withstand you, and I have done so much this

day that well I wot I did never so much, nor never shall in my

life-days; and therefore, most noble knight, I require thee spare me as

at this day, and I promise you I shall ever be your knight while I

live: an ye put me from my worship now, ye put me from the greatest

worship that ever I had or ever shall have in my life-days. Well, said

Sir Launcelot, I see, for to say thee sooth, ye have done marvellously

well this day; and I understand a part for whose love ye do it, and

well I wot that love is a great mistress. And if my lady were here as

she nis not, wit you well, said Sir Launcelot, ye should not bear away

the worship. But beware your love be not discovered, for an Sir

Tristram may know it ye will repent it; and sithen my quarrel is not

here, ye shall have this day the worship as for me; considering the

great travail and pain that ye have had this day, it were no worship

for me to put you from it. And therewithal Sir Launcelot suffered Sir

Palomides to depart.

Then Sir Launcelot by great force and might gat his own horse maugre

twenty knights. So when Sir Launcelot was horsed he did many marvels,

and so did Sir Tristram, and Sir Palomides in like wise. Then Sir

Launcelot smote down with a spear Sir Dinadan, and the King of

Scotland, and the King of Wales, and the King of Northumberland, and

the King of Listinoise. So then Sir Launcelot and his fellows smote

down well a forty knights. Then came the King of Ireland and the King

of the Straight Marches to rescue Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides. There

began a great medley, and many knights were smitten down on both

parties; and always Sir Launcelot spared Sir Tristram, and he spared

him. And Sir Palomides would not meddle with Sir Launcelot, and so

there was hurtling here and there. And then King Arthur sent out many

knights of the Table Round; and Sir Palomides was ever in the foremost

front, and Sir Tristram did so strongly well that the king and all

other had marvel. And then the king let blow to lodging; and because

Sir Palomides began first, and never he went nor rode out of the field

to repose, but ever he was doing marvellously well either on foot or on

horseback, and longest during, King Arthur and all the kings gave Sir

Palomides the honour and the gree as for that day.

Then Sir Tristram commanded Sir Dinadan to fetch the queen La Beale

Isoud, and bring her to his two pavilions that stood by the well. And

so Dinadan did as he was commanded. But when Sir Palomides understood

and wist that Sir Tristram was in the red armour, and on a red horse,

wit ye well that he was glad, and so was Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan,

for they all weened that Sir Tristram had been taken prisoner. And then

every knight drew to his inn. And then King Arthur and every knight

spake of those knights; but above all men they gave Sir Palomides the

prize, and all knights that knew Sir Palomides had wonder of his deeds.

Sir, said Sir Launcelot unto Arthur, as for Sir Palomides an he be the

green knight I dare say as for this day he is best worthy to have the

degree, for he reposed him never, nor never changed his weeds, and he

began first and longest held on. And yet, well I wot, said Sir

Launcelot, that there was a better knight than he, and that shall be

proved or we depart, upon pain of my life. Thus they talked on either

party; and so Sir Dinadan railed with Sir Tristram and said: What the

devil is upon thee this day? for Sir Palomides’ strength feebled never

this day, but ever he doubled his strength.