So within the third day there came to the city these two brethren, the
one hight Helius, the other hight Helake, the which were men of great
prowess; howbeit that they were false and full of treason, and but poor
men born, yet were they noble knights of their hands. And with them
they brought forty knights, to that intent that they should be big
enough for the Red City. Thus came the two brethren with great bobaunce
and pride, for they had put the Red City in fear and damage. Then they
were brought to the lists, and Sir Palomides came into the place and
said thus: Be ye the two brethren, Helius and Helake, that slew your
king and lord, Sir Hermance, by felony and treason, for whom that I am
come hither to revenge his death? Wit thou well, said Sir Helius and
Sir Helake, that we are the same knights that slew King Hermance; and
wit thou well, Sir Palomides Saracen, that we shall handle thee so or
thou depart that thou shalt wish that thou wert christened. It may well
be, said Sir Palomides, for yet I would not die or I were christened;
and yet so am I not afeard of you both, but I trust to God that I shall
die a better christian man than any of you both; and doubt ye not, said
Sir Palomides, either ye or I shall be left dead in this place.
CHAPTER LXIV. Of the battle between Sir Palomides and the two brethren,
and how the two brethren were slain.
Then they departed, and the two brethren came against Sir Palomides,
and he against them, as fast as their horses might run. And by fortune
Sir Palomides smote Helake through his shield and through the breast
more than a fathom. All this while Sir Helius held up his spear, and
for pride and orgulité he would not smite Sir Palomides with his spear;
but when he saw his brother lie on the earth, and saw he might not help
himself, then he said unto Sir Palomides: Help thyself. And therewith
he came hurtling unto Sir Palomides with his spear, and smote him quite
from his saddle. Then Sir Helius rode over Sir Palomides twice or
thrice. And therewith Sir Palomides was ashamed, and gat the horse of
Sir Helius by the bridle, and therewithal the horse areared, and Sir
Palomides halp after, and so they fell both to the earth; but anon Sir
Helius stert up lightly, and there he smote Sir Palomides a great
stroke upon the helm, that he kneeled upon his own knee. Then they
lashed together many sad strokes, and traced and traversed now
backward, now sideling, hurtling together like two boars, and that same
time they fell both grovelling to the earth.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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