THEN at the request of Queen Guenever and of King Bagdemagus Sir Launcelot came into the range,but he was disguised,and that was the cause that few folk knew him;and there met with him Sir Ector de Maris,his own brother,and either brake their spears upon other to their hands.And then either gat another spear.And then Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Ector de Maris,his own brother.That saw Sir Bleoberis,and he smote Sir Launcelot such a buffet upon the helm that he wist not well where he was.Then Sir Launcelot was wrothy and smote Sir Bleoberis so sore upon the helm that his head bowed down backward.And he smote eft another buffet,that he avoided his saddle;and so he rode by,and thrust forth to the thickest.When the King of Northgalis saw Sir Ector and Bleoberis lie on the ground then was he wroth,for they came on his party against them of Surluse.
So the King of Northgalis ran to Sir Launcelot,and brake a spear upon him all to pieces.Therewith Sir Launcelot overtook the King of Northgalis,and smote him such a buffet on the helm with his sword that he made him to avoid his horse;and anon the king was horsed again.
So both the King Bagdemagus'and the King of North-galis'
party hurled to other;and then began a strong medley,but they of Northgalis were far bigger.
When Sir Launcelot saw his party go to the worst he thrang into the thickest press with a sword in his hand;and there he smote down on the right hand and on the left hand,and pulled down knights and raced off their helms,that all men had wonder that ever one knight might do such deeds of arms.When Sir Meliagaunce,that was son unto King Bagdemagus,saw how Sir Launcelot fared he marvelled greatly.And when he understood that it was he,he wist well that he was disguised for his sake.Then Sir Meliagaunce prayed a knight to slay Sir Launcelot's horse,either with sword or with spear.At that time King Bagdemagus met with a knight that hight Sauseise,a good knight,to whom he said:
Now fair Sauseise,encounter with my son Meliagaunce and give him large payment,for I would he were well beaten of thy hands,that he might depart out of this field.
And then Sir Sauseise encountered with Sir Meliagaunce,and either smote other down.And then they fought on foot,and there Sauseise had won Sir Meliagaunce,had there not come rescues.So then the haut prince blew to lodging,and every knight unarmed him and went to the great feast.
Then in the meanwhile there came a damosel to the haut prince,and complained that there was a knight that hight Goneries that withheld her all her lands.Then the knight was there present,and cast his glove to her or to any that would fight in her name.So the damosel took up the glove all heavily for default of a champion.Then there came a varlet to her and said:Damosel,will ye do after me?Full fain,said the damosel.Then go you unto such a knight that lieth here beside in an hermitage,and that followeth the Questing Beast,and pray him to take the battle upon him,and anon I wot well he will grant you.
So anon she took her palfrey,and within a while she found that knight,that was Sir Palomides.And when she required him he armed him and rode with her,and made her to go to the haut prince,and to ask leave for her knight to do battle.I will well,said the haut prince.
Then the knights were ready in the field to joust on horseback;and either gat a spear in their hands,and met so fiercely together that their spears all to-shivered.
Then they flang out swords,and Sir Palomides smote Sir Goneries down to the earth.And then he raced off his helm and smote off his head.Then they went to supper,and the damosel loved Palomides as paramour,but the book saith she was of his kin.So then Palomides disguised himself in this manner,in his shield he bare the Questing Beast,and in all his trappings.And when he was thus ready,he sent to the haut prince to give him leave to joust with other knights,but he was adoubted of Sir Launcelot.The haut prince sent him word again that he should be welcome,and that Sir Launcelot should not joust with him.Then Sir Galahalt,the haut prince,let cry what knight somever he were that smote down Sir Palomides should have his damosel to himself.
CHAPTER XLII
How Sir Galahalt and Palomides fought together,and of Sir Dinadan and Sir Galahalt.
HERE beginneth the second day.Anon as Sir Palomides came into the field,Sir Galahalt,the haut prince,was at the range end,and met with Sir Palomides,and he with him,with great spears.And then they came so hard together that their spears all to-shivered,but Sir Galahalt smote him so hard that he bare him backward over his horse,but yet he lost not his stirrups.Then they drew their swords and lashed together many sad strokes,that many worshipful knights left their business to behold them.
But at the last Sir Galahalt,the haut prince,smote a stroke of might unto Palomides,sore upon the helm;but the helm was so hard that the sword might not bite,but slipped and smote off the head of the horse of Sir Palomides.When the haut prince wist and saw the good knight fall unto the earth he was ashamed of that stroke.
And therewith he alighted down off his own horse,and prayed the good knight,Palomides,to take that horse of his gift,and to forgive him that deed.Sir,said Palomides,I thank you of your great goodness,for ever of a man of worship a knight shall never have disworship;and so he mounted upon that horse,and the haut prince had another anon.Now,said the haut prince,I release to you that maiden,for ye have won her.Ah,said Palomides,the damosel and I be at your commandment.