_How Sir Palamides fought with Corsabrin for a lady, and how Palamides
slew Corsabrin._
So by fortune this damsel heard tell that Palamides did much for
damsels’ sakes; so she sent to him a pensel, and prayed him to fight
with Sir Corsabrin for her love, and he should have her, and her lands
of her father’s that should fall to her. Then the damsel sent unto
Corsabrin, and bad him go unto Sir Palamides, that was a Paynim as well
as he: and she gave him warning that she had sent him her pensel; and
if he might overcome Palamides she would wed him. When Corsabrin wist
of her deeds, then was he wood wroth and angry, and rode unto Surluse,
where the haut prince was, and there he found Sir Palamides ready, the
which had the pensel. So there they waged battle either with other
afore Galahalt. Well, said the haut prince, this day must noble knights
just, and at after dinner we shall see how ye can speed. Then they blew
to justs. And in came Dinadan, and met with Sir Gerin, a good knight,
and he threw him down over his horse croup: and Sir Dinadan overthrew
four knights more; and there he did great deeds of arms. For he was a
good knight, but he was a scoffer, and a jester, and the merriest
knight among fellowship that was that time living. And he had such a
custom that he loved every good knight, and every good knight loved him
again. So then when the haut prince saw Dinadan do so well, he sent
unto Sir Launcelot, and bade him strike down Sir Dinadan:—And when
that ye have done so, bring him afore me and the noble queen Guenever.
Then Sir Launcelot did as he was required. Then Sir Lamorak and he
smote down many knights, and rased off helms, and drove all the knights
afore them. And so Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Dinadan, and made his
men to unarm him, and so brought him to the queen and the haut prince,
and then laughed at Sir Dinadan so sore that they might not stand.
Well, said Sir Dinadan, yet have I no shame, for the old shrew Sir
Launcelot smote me down. So they went to dinner, and all the court had
good sport at Dinadan. Then when the dinner was done, they blew to the
field, to behold Sir Palamides and Corsabrin. Sir Palamides pight his
pensel in the midst of the field, and then they hurtled together with
their spears as it were thunder, and either smote other to the earth.
And then they pulled their swords, and dressed their shields, and
lashed together mightily as mighty knights, that well nigh there was no
piece of harness would hold them. For this Corsabrin was a passing
felonious knight. Corsabrin, said Palamides, wilt thou release me
yonder damsel, and the pensel? Then was Corsabrin wroth out of measure,
and gave Palamides such a buffet that he kneeled on his knee. Then
Palamides arose lightly, and smote him upon the helm that he fell down
right to the earth. And therewith he rased off his helm, and said,
Corsabrin, yield thee, or else thou shalt die of my hands. Fie on thee,
said Corsabrin, do thy worst. Then he smote off his head. And
therewithal came a stench of his body when the soul departed, so that
there might no body abide the savour. So was the corpse had away and
buried in a wood, because he was a Paynim.
Then they blew unto lodging, and Palamides was unarmed. Then he went
unto queen Guenever, to the haut prince, and to Sir Launcelot. Sir,
said the haut prince, here have ye seen this day a great miracle by
Corsabrin, what savour there was when the soul departed from the body.
Therefore, Sir, we will require you to take the baptism upon you; and I
promise you, all knights will set the more by you, and say more worship
by you. Sir, said Palamides, I will that ye all know that into this
land I came to be christened, and in my heart I am christened, and
christened will I be. But I have made such an avow, that I may not be
christened till I have done seven true battles for Jesus’ sake. And
then will I be christened. And I trust God will take mine intent, for I
mean truly. Then Sir Palamides prayed queen Guenever and the haut
prince to sup with him. And so they did both, Sir Launcelot, and Sir
Lamorak, and many other good knights. So on the morn they heard their
mass, and blew the field; and then knights made them ready.