_How Sir Launcelot fought in the tournament, and how Sir Palamides did
arms there for a damsel._
Then at the request of queen Guenever and of king Bagdemagus, Sir
Launcelot came into the range, but he was disguised, and that was the
cause that few folk knew him. And there met with him Sir Ector de Maris
his own brother, and either brake their spears upon other to their
hands. And then either gat another spear, and then Sir Launcelot smote
down Sir Ector de Maris his own brother. That saw Sir Bleoberis, and he
smote Sir Launcelot such a buffet upon the helm that he wist not well
where he was. Then Sir Launcelot was wroth, and smote Sir Bleoberis so
sore upon the helm that his head bowed down backward. And he smote eft
another buffet that he avoided his saddle. And so he rode by and thrust
forth to the thickest. When the king of Northgalis saw Sir Ector and
Sir Bleoberis lie on the ground, then he was wonderous wroth, for they
came on his part against them of Surluse. So the king of Northgalis ran
to Sir Launcelot, and brake a spear upon him all to pieces. Therewith
Sir Launcelot overtook the king of Northgalis and smote him such a
buffet on the helm with his sword that he made him to avoid his horse;
and anon the king was horsed again. So both the king Bagdemagus and the
king of Northgalis party hurled together: and then began a strong
meddle, but they of Northgalis were far bigger.
When Sir Launcelot saw his party go to the worst, he thronged into the
thickest press with a sword in his hand, and there he smote down on the
right hand and on the left hand, and pulled down knights, and rased off
their helms, that all men had wonder that ever one knight might do such
deeds of arms. When Sir Meliagant, that was son unto king Bagdemagus,
saw how Sir Launcelot fared, he marvelled greatly. And when he
understood that it was he, he wist well that he was disguised for his
sake. Then Sir Meliagant prayed a knight to slay Sir Launcelot’s horse,
either with sword or with spear. At that time king Bagdemagus met with
a knight that hight Sauseise, a good knight, to whom he said, Now fair
Sauseise, encounter with my son Meliagant, and give him large payment;
for I would he were well beaten of thy hands, that he might depart out
of the field. And then Sir Sauseise encountered with Sir Meliagant, and
either smote other down. And then they fought on foot, and there
Sauseise had won Sir Meliagant had not there come rescues. So then the
haut prince blew to lodging. And every knight unarmed him and went to
the great feast. Then in the meanwhile there came a damsel unto the
haut prince, and complained that there was a knight that hight
Goneries, that withheld her all her lands. Then the knight was there
present, and cast his glove to him, or to any that would fight in her
name. So the damsel took up the glove all heavily for default of a
champion. Then there came a varlet to her and said, Damsel, will ye do
after me? Full fain, said the damsel. Then go ye unto such a knight
that lyeth here beside in an hermitage, and that followeth the questing
beast, and pray him to take the battle upon him, and anon I wot well he
will grant you.
So anon she took her palfrey, and within awhile she found that knight,
that was Sir Palamides. And when she required him, he armed him and
rode with her, and made her to go to the haut prince, and to ask leave
for her knight to do battle. I will well, said the haut prince. Then
the knights were ready in the field to just on horseback: and either
gat a spear in their hands, and met so fiercely together that their
spears all to-shivered. And then they flung out swords, and Sir
Palamides smote Sir Goneries down to the earth, and then he rased off
his helm, and smote off his head. Then they went to supper. And the
damsel loved Sir Palamides, but the book saith she was of his kin. So
then Sir Palamides disguised him in this manner; in his shield he bear
the questing beast, and in all his trappings. And when he was thus
ready, he sent to the haut prince to give him leave to just with other
knights, but he was adoubted of Sir Launcelot. The haut prince sent him
word again that he should be welcome, and that Sir Launcelot should not
just with him. Then Sir Galahalt the haut prince let cry what knight
soever he were that smote down Sir Palamides should have his damsel to
himself.