Then when the dinner was done they blew to the field to behold Sir
Palomides and Corsabrin. Sir Palomides pight his pensel in 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 out
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 Palomides, wilt thou release me yonder damosel and the
pensel? Then was Corsabrin wroth out of measure, and gave Palomides
such a buffet that he kneeled on his knee. Then Palomides arose
lightly, and smote him upon the helm that he fell down right to the
earth. And therewith he raced 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 stink
of his body when the soul departed, that there might nobody 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 Palomides 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 Palomides, 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
Jesu’s sake, and then will I be christened; and I trust God will take
mine intent, for I mean truly. Then Sir Palomides 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.
CHAPTER XLVIII. Of the sixth day, and what then was done.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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