_How Palamides went for to fight with two brethren for the death of
king Hermance._
Now will we leave them merry within Joyous Gard, and speak we of Sir
Palamides. Then Sir Palamides sailed even along Humber to the coasts of
the sea, where was a fair castle. And at that time it was early in the
morning afore day. Then the mariners went unto Sir Palamides, that
slept fast. Sir knight, said the mariners, ye must arise, for here is a
castle, there ye must go into. I assent me, said Sir Palamides. And
therewithal he arrived. And then he blew his horn, that the mariners
had given him. And when they within the castle heard that horn, they
put forth many knights, and there they stood upon the walls, and said
with one voice, Welcome be ye to this castle. And then it waxed clear
day, and Sir Palamides entered into the castle. And within a while he
was served with many divers meats. Then Sir Palamides heard about him
much weeping and great dole. What may this mean? said Sir Palamides: I
love not to hear such a sorrow, and fain I would know what it meaneth.
Then there came afore him one whose name was Sir Ebel, that said thus,
Wit ye well, sir knight, this dole and sorrow is here made every day,
and for this cause: we had a king that hight Hermance, and he was king
of the Red City, and this king that was lord was a noble knight, large
and liberal of his expense. And in the world he loved nothing so much
as he did errant knights of king Arthur’s court, and all justing,
hunting, and all manner of knightly games; for so kind a king and
knight had never the rule of poor people as he was; and because of his
goodness and gentleness we bemoan him and ever shall. And all kings and
estates may beware by our lord, for he was destroyed in his own
default, for had he cherished them of his blood he had yet lived with
great riches and rest; but all estates may beware of our king. But
alas, said Ebel, that we shall give all other warning by his death.
Tell me, said Palamides, in what manner was your lord slain, and by
whom? Sir, said Sir Ebel, our king brought up of children two men that
now are perilous knights, and these two knights our king had so in
charity, that he loved no man nor trusted no man of his blood, nor none
other that was about him. And by these two knights our king was
governed: and so they ruled him peaceably, and his lands, and never
would they suffer none of his blood to have no rule with our king. And
also he was so free and so gentle, and they so false and deceivable,
that they ruled him peaceably; and that espied the lords of our king’s
blood, and departed from him unto their own livelihood. Then when these
two traitors understood that they had driven all the lords of his blood
from him, they were not pleased with that rule, but then they thought
to have more, as ever it is an old saw, Give a churl rule, and thereby
he will not be sufficed; for whatsoever he be that is ruled by a
villain born, and the lord of the soil to be a gentleman born, the same
villain shall destroy all the gentlemen about him; therefore all
estates and lords beware whom ye take about you. And if ye be a knight
of king Arthur’s court, remember this tale, for this is the end and
conclusion. My lord and king rode unto the forest hereby, by the advice
of these false traitors; and there he chased at the red deer, armed at
all pieces full like a good knight; and so for labour he waxed dry, and
then he alight and drank at a well; and when he was alight, by the
assent of these two traitors, that one that hight Helius he suddenly
smote our king through the body with a spear, and so they left him
there. And when they were departed, then by fortune I came to the well,
and found my lord and king wounded to the death. And when I heard his
complaint, I let bring him to the water side, and in that same ship I
put him alive; and when my lord king Hermance was in that vessel, he
required me for the true faith I owed unto him for to write a letter in
this manner:—