Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK X CHAPTER XLVI

CHAPTER XLVI

Of the Fifth day, and how Sir Lamorak behaved him.

HERE beginneth the fifth day.  So it befell that Sir Palomides
came in the morntide, and proffered to joust thereas
King Arthur was in a castle there besides Surluse; and
there encountered with him a worshipful duke, and there
Sir Palomides smote him over his horse's croup.  And
this duke was uncle unto King Arthur.  Then Sir Elise's
son rode unto Palomides, and Palomides served Elise in
the same wise.  When Sir Uwaine saw this he was wroth.
Then he took his horse and encountered with Sir Palomides,
and Palomides smote him so hard that he went to
the earth, horse and man.  And for to make a short tale,
he smote down three brethren of Sir Gawaine, that is for
to say Mordred, Gaheris, and Agravaine.  O Jesu, said
Arthur, this is a great despite of a Saracen that he shall
smite down my blood.  And therewithal King Arthur
was wood wroth, and thought to have made him ready to
joust.

That espied Sir Lamorak, that Arthur and his blood
were discomfit; and anon he was ready, and asked Palomides
if he would any more joust.  Why should I not?
said Palomides.  Then they hurtled together, and brake
their spears, and all to-shivered them, that all the castle
rang of their dints.  Then either gat a greater spear in
his hand, and they came so fiercely together; but Sir
Palomides' spear all to-brast and Sir Lamorak's did hold.
Therewithal Sir Palomides lost his stirrups and lay
upright on his horse's back.  And then Sir Palomides
returned again and took his damosel, and Sir Safere returned
his way.

So, when he was departed, King Arthur came to Sir
Lamorak and thanked him of his goodness, and prayed
him to tell him his name.  Sir, said Lamorak, wit thou
well, I owe you my service, but as at this time I will not
abide here, for I see of mine enemies many about me.
Alas, said Arthur, now wot I well it is Sir Lamorak de
Galis.  O Lamorak, abide with me, and by my crown
I shall never fail thee: and not so hardy in Gawaine's
head, nor none of his brethren, to do thee any wrong.
Sir, said Sir Lamorak, wrong have they done me, and to
you both.  That is truth, said the king, for they slew
their own mother and my sister, the which me sore
grieveth: it had been much fairer and better that ye
had wedded her, for ye are a king's son as well as they.
O Jesu, said the noble knight Sir Lamorak unto Arthur,
her death shall I never forget.  I promise you, and make
mine avow unto God, I shall revenge her death as soon as
I see time convenable.  And if it were not at the reverence
of your highness I should now have been revenged
upon Sir Gawaine and his brethren.  Truly, said Arthur,
I will make you at accord.  Sir, said Lamorak, as at this
time I may not abide with you, for I must to the jousts,
where is Sir Launcelot, and the haut prince Sir Galahalt.

Then there was a damosel that was daughter to King
Bandes.  And there was a Saracen knight that hight
Corsabrin, and he loved the damosel, and in no wise he
would suffer her to be married; for ever this Corsabrin
noised her, and named her that she was out of her mind;
and thus he let her that she might not be married.