Then by adventure Sir Palomides, the good knight, met with Sir Blamore
de Ganis, Sir Bleoberis’ brother. And either smote other with great
spears, that both their horses and knights fell to the earth. But Sir
Blamore had such a fall that he had almost broken his neck, for the
blood brast out at nose, mouth, and his ears, but at the last he
recovered well by good surgeons. Then there came in the Duke Chaleins
of Clarance; and in his governance there came a knight that hight Elis
la Noire; and there encountered with him King Bagdemagus, and he smote
Elis that he made him to avoid his saddle. So the Duke Chaleins of
Clarance did there great deeds of arms, and of so late as he came in
the third day there was no man did so well except King Bagdemagus and
Sir Palomides, that the prize was given that day to King Bagdemagus.
And then they blew unto lodging, and unarmed them, and went to the
feast. Right so came Dinadan, and mocked and japed with King Bagdemagus
that all knights laughed at him, for he was a fine japer, and well
loving all good knights.
So anon as they had dined there came a varlet bearing four spears on
his back; and he came to Palomides, and said thus: Here is a knight by
hath sent you the choice of four spears, and requireth you for your
lady’s sake to take that one half of these spears, and joust with him
in the field. Tell him, said Palomides, I will not fail him. When Sir
Galahalt wist of this, he bade Palomides make him ready. So the Queen
Guenever, the haut prince, and Sir Launcelot, they were set upon
scaffolds to give the judgment of these two knights. Then Sir Palomides
and the strange knight ran so eagerly together that their spears brake
to their hands. Anon withal either of them took a great spear in his
hand and all to-shivered them in pieces. And then either took a greater
spear, and then the knight smote down Sir Palomides, horse and man, to
the earth. And as he would have passed over him the strange knight’s
horse stumbled and fell down upon Palomides. Then they drew their
swords and lashed together wonderly sore a great while.
Then the haut prince and Sir Launcelot said they saw never two knights
fight better than they did; but ever the strange knight doubled his
strokes, and put Palomides aback; therewithal the haut prince cried:
Ho: and then they went to lodging. And when they were unarmed they knew
it was the noble knight Sir Lamorak. When Sir Launcelot knew that it
was Sir Lamorak he made much of him, for above all earthly men he loved
him best except Sir Tristram. Then Queen Guenever commended him, and so
did all other good knights make much of him, except Sir Gawaine’s
brethren. Then Queen Guenever said unto Sir Launcelot: Sir, I require
you that an ye joust any more, that ye joust with none of the blood of
my lord Arthur. So he promised he would not as at that time.
CHAPTER XLV. Of the fourth day, and of many great feats of arms.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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