_How Sir Launcelot said to Sir Palamides, and how the prize of that day
was given unto Sir Palamides._
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 Palamides, 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 Palamides 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 justs, and
therefore I will be avenged upon thee, therefore take keep to yourself.
Ah mercy, noble knight, said Palamides, 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. And 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 the 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 is not, wit you well that ye should not bear away the
worship. But beware your love be not discovered; for and Sir Tristram
may know it ye will repent it. And since 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
Palamides 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 Palamides in
likewise. 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 Palamides. There began a great meddle, and many knights there were
smitten down on both parties, and always Sir Launcelot spared Sir
Tristram, and he spared him. And Sir Palamides 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 Palamides 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 Palamides 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 enduring, king Arthur
and all the kings gave Sir Palamides 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 Palamides
understood and wist that Sir Tristram was in the red armour, and on the
red horse, wit ye well that he was glad, and so was Sir Gareth, and Sir
Dinadan. For they all wend 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
Palamides the prize, and all knights that knew Sir Palamides had wonder
of his deeds. Sir, said Sir Launcelot unto Arthur, as for Sir
Palamides, and 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, ne 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 Palamides’ strength
feebled never this day, but ever he doubled his strength.