_Of the fourth day, and of many great feats of arms._
Here beginneth the fourth day. Then came into the field the king with
the hundred knights, and all they of Northgalis, and the duke Chaleins
of Clarance, and king Marsil of Pomitain. And there came Safere,
Palamides’ brother, and there he told him tidings of his mother, and
how he appealed an earl before king Arthur:—For he made war upon our
father and mother, and there I slew him in plain battle. So they went
into the field, and the damsel with them; and there came to encounter
against them Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, and Sir Ector de Maris. Sir
Palamides encountered with Sir Bleoberis, and either smote other down;
and in the same wise did Sir Safere and Sir Ector, and those two
couples did battle on foot. Then came in Sir Lamorak, and he
encountered with the king with the hundred knights, and smote him quite
over his horse tail; and in the same wise he served the king of
Northgalis, and also he smote down king Marsil. And so, or ever he
stint, he smote down with his spear and with his sword thirty knights.
When duke Chaleins saw Lamorak do so great prowess, he would not meddle
with him for shame; and then he charged all his knights in pain of
death that none of you touch him, for it were shame to all good knights
and that knight were shamed. Then the two kings gathered them together,
and all they set upon Sir Lamorak, and he failed them not, but rashed
here and there, smiting on the right hand and on the left, and rased
off many helms, so that the haut prince and queen Guenever said they
saw never knight do such deeds of arms on horseback. Alas, said
Launcelot to king Bagdemagus, I will arm me and help Sir Lamorak. And I
will ride with you, said king Bagdemagus. And when they two were
horsed, they came to Sir Lamorak, that stood among thirty knights, and
well was him that might reach him a buffet: and ever he smote again
mightily. Then came there into the press Sir Launcelot, and he threw
down Sir Mador de la Porte, and with the truncheon of that spear he
threw down many knights. And king Bagdemagus smote on the left hand and
on the right hand marvellously well. And then the three kings fled
aback. Therewithal then Sir Galahalt let blow to lodging, and all the
heralds gave Sir Lamorak the prize. And all this while fought
Palamides, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Safere, Sir Ector, on foot. Never were
there four knights evener matched. And then they were parted, and had
unto their lodging, and unarmed them, and so they went to the great
feast.
But when Sir Lamorak was come unto the court, queen Guenever took him
in her arms, and said, Sir, well have ye done this day. Then came the
haut prince, and he made of him great joy, and so did Dinadan, for he
wept for joy. But the joy that Sir Launcelot made of Sir Lamorak there
might no man tell. Then they went unto rest; and on the morn the haut
prince let blow unto the field.