Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK X CHAPTER LXXI

CHAPTER LXXI

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.