Le Morte Darthur
Segwarides, which were renowned two noble knights. So as they came
either by other, the king looked upon Sir Dinadan, that at that time
had Sir Tristram’s helm upon his shoulder, the which helm the king had
seen before with the queen of Northgalis, and that queen the king
loved, and that helm the queen of Northgalis had given unto La Beale
Isoud, and the queen La Beale Isoud gave it to Sir Tristram. Sir
knight, said Berrant, where had ye that helm? What would ye? said Sir
Dinadan. For I will have ado with thee, said the king, for the love of
her that owned that helm, and therefore keep you. So they departed and
came together with all the mights of their horses; and there the king
with the hundred knights smote Sir Dinadan, horse and all, to the
earth; and then he commanded his servant, Go and take thou his helm
off, and keep it. So the varlet went to unbuckle his helm. What helm?
What wilt thou do? said Sir Tristram; leave that helm. To what intent,
said the king, will ye, sir knight, meddle with that helm? Wit you
well, said Sir Tristram, that helm shall not depart from me, or it be
dearer bought. Then make you ready, said Sir Berrant unto Sir Tristram.
So they hurtled together, and there Sir Tristram smote him down over
his horse tail. And then the king arose lightly, and gat his horse
lightly again, and then he strake fiercely at Sir Tristram many great
strokes. And then Sir Tristram gave Sir Berrant such a buffet upon the
helm that he fell down over his horse, sore stunned. Lo, said Sir
Dinadan, that helm is unhappy to us twain, for I had a fall for it, and
now, sir king, have ye another fall. Then Segwarides asked, Who shall
just with me? I pray thee, said Sir Gareth unto Dinadan, let me have
this justs. Sir, said Dinadan, I pray you take it as for me. That is no
reason, said Tristram, for this justs should be yours. At a word, said
Sir Dinadan, I will not thereof. Then Gareth dressed him to Sir
Segwarides, and there Sir Segwarides smote Sir Gareth and his horse to
the earth. Now, said Sir Tristram to Dinadan, just with yonder knight.
I will not thereof, said Dinadan. Then will I, said Sir Tristram. And
then Sir Tristram ran to him and gave him a fall, and so they left them
on foot. And Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there Sir Gareth
would not of his courtesy have gone into this castle, but Sir Tristram
would not suffer him to depart. And so they alight and unarmed them,
and had great cheer. But when Dinadan came afore La Beale Isoud, he
cursed the time that ever he bare Sir Tristram’s helm, and there he
told her how Sir Tristram had mocked him. Then was there laughing and
jesting at Sir Dinadan, that they wist not what to do with him.
CHAP. LXI.
_How Palamides went for to fight with two brethren for the death of
king Hermance._
Now will we leave them merry within Joyous Gard, and speak we of Sir
Palamides. Then Sir Palamides sailed even along Humber to the coasts of
the sea, where was a fair castle. And at that time it was early in the
morning afore day. Then the mariners went unto Sir Palamides, that
slept fast. Sir knight, said the mariners, ye must arise, for here is a
castle, there ye must go into. I assent me, said Sir Palamides. And
therewithal he arrived. And then he blew his horn, that the mariners
had given him. And when they within the castle heard that horn, they
put forth many knights, and there they stood upon the walls, and said
with one voice, Welcome be ye to this castle. And then it waxed clear
day, and Sir Palamides entered into the castle. And within a while he
was served with many divers meats. Then Sir Palamides heard about him
much weeping and great dole. What may this mean? said Sir Palamides: I
love not to hear such a sorrow, and fain I would know what it meaneth.
Then there came afore him one whose name was Sir Ebel, that said thus,
Wit ye well, sir knight, this dole and sorrow is here made every day,
and for this cause: we had a king that hight Hermance, and he was king
of the Red City, and this king that was lord was a noble knight, large
and liberal of his expense. And in the world he loved nothing so much
as he did errant knights of king Arthur’s court, and all justing,
hunting, and all manner of knightly games; for so kind a king and
knight had never the rule of poor people as he was; and because of his
goodness and gentleness we bemoan him and ever shall. And all kings and
estates may beware by our lord, for he was destroyed in his own
default, for had he cherished them of his blood he had yet lived with
great riches and rest; but all estates may beware of our king. But
alas, said Ebel, that we shall give all other warning by his death.
Tell me, said Palamides, in what manner was your lord slain, and by
whom? Sir, said Sir Ebel, our king brought up of children two men that
now are perilous knights, and these two knights our king had so in
charity, that he loved no man nor trusted no man of his blood, nor none
other that was about him. And by these two knights our king was
governed: and so they ruled him peaceably, and his lands, and never
would they suffer none of his blood to have no rule with our king. And
also he was so free and so gentle, and they so false and deceivable,
that they ruled him peaceably; and that espied the lords of our king’s
blood, and departed from him unto their own livelihood. Then when these
two traitors understood that they had driven all the lords of his blood
from him, they were not pleased with that rule, but then they thought
to have more, as ever it is an old saw, Give a churl rule, and thereby
he will not be sufficed; for whatsoever he be that is ruled by a
villain born, and the lord of the soil to be a gentleman born, the same
villain shall destroy all the gentlemen about him; therefore all
estates and lords beware whom ye take about you. And if ye be a knight
of king Arthur’s court, remember this tale, for this is the end and
conclusion. My lord and king rode unto the forest hereby, by the advice
of these false traitors; and there he chased at the red deer, armed at
all pieces full like a good knight; and so for labour he waxed dry, and
then he alight and drank at a well; and when he was alight, by the
assent of these two traitors, that one that hight Helius he suddenly
smote our king through the body with a spear, and so they left him
there. And when they were departed, then by fortune I came to the well,
and found my lord and king wounded to the death. And when I heard his
complaint, I let bring him to the water side, and in that same ship I
put him alive; and when my lord king Hermance was in that vessel, he
required me for the true faith I owed unto him for to write a letter in
this manner:—
CHAP. LXII.
_The copy of the letter written for to revenge the king’s death, and
how Sir Palamides fought for to have the battle._
Recommending unto king Arthur and to all his knights errant, beseeching
them all that insomuch as I king Hermance, king of the Red City, thus
am slain by felony and treason through two knights of mine own, and of
mine own bringing up, and of mine own making, that some worshipful
knight will revenge my death, insomuch I have been ever to my power
well willing unto Arthur’s court; and who that will adventure his life
with these two traitors for my sake in one battle, I king Hermance,
king of the Red City, freely give him all my lands and rents that ever
I held in my life. This letter, said Ebel, I wrote by my lord’s
commandment; and then he received his Creator, and when he was dead he
commanded me or ever he was cold to put that letter fast in his hand;
and then he commanded me to put forth that same vessel down Humber, and
I should give these mariners in commandment never to stint until that
they came unto Logris, where all the noble knights shall assemble at
this time;—And there shall some good knight have pity on me to revenge
my death, for there was never king nor lord falselyer ne traitorlyer
slain than I am here to my death. Thus was the complaint of our king
Hermance. Now, said Sir Ebel, ye know all how our lord was betrayed, we
require you for God’s sake have pity upon his death, and worshipfully
revenge his death, and then may ye hold all these lands. For we all wit
well that, and ye may slay these two traitors, the Red City and all
those that be therein will take you for their lord. Truly, said Sir
Palamides, it grieveth my heart for to hear you tell this doleful tale.
And to say the truth, I saw the same letter that ye speak of; and one
of the best knights on the earth read that letter to me, and by his
commandment I came hither to revenge your king’s death; and therefore
have done, and let me wit where I shall find those traitors, for I
shall never be at ease in my heart till that I be in hands with them.
Sir, said Sir Ebel, then take your ship again, and that ship must bring
you unto the Delectable Isle, fast by the Red City, and we in this
castle shall pray for you and abide your again-coming; for this same
castle, and ye speed well, must needs be yours; for our king Hermance
let make this castle for the love of the two traitors, and so we kept
it with strong hand, and therefore full sore are we threated. Wot ye
what ye shall do, said Sir Palamides; whatsoever come of me, look ye
keep well this castle. For, and it misfortune me so to be slain in this
quest, I am sure there will come one of the best knights of the world
for to revenge my death, and that is Sir Tristram de Liones, or else
Sir Launcelot du Lake.
Then Sir Palamides departed from that castle. And as he came nigh the
city, there came out of a ship a goodly knight armed against him, with
his shield on his shoulder, and his hand upon his sword. And anon as he
came nigh Sir Palamides he said, Sir knight, what seek ye here? Leave
this quest, for it is mine, and mine it was or ever it was yours, and
therefore I will have it. Sir knight, said Palamides, it may well be
that this quest was yours or it was mine, but when the letter was taken
out of the dead king’s hand, at that time by likelihood there was no
knight had undertaken to revenge the death of the king. And so at that
time I promised to revenge his death. And so I shall, or else I am
ashamed. Ye say well, said the knight, but wit ye well then will I
fight with you, and who be the better knight of us both, let him take
the battle upon hand. I assent me, said Sir Palamides. And then they
dressed their shields and pulled out their swords, and lashed together
many sad strokes as men of might; and this fighting was more than an
hour; but at the last Sir Palamides waxed big and better winded, so
that then he smote that knight such a stroke that he made him to kneel
upon his knees. Then that knight spake on high and said, Gentle knight,
hold thy hand. Sir Palamides was goodly, and withdrew his hand. Then
this knight said, Wit ye well, knight, that thou art better worthy to
have this battle than I, and I require thee of knighthood tell me thy
name. Sir, my name is Palamides, a knight of king Arthur, and of the
Table Round, that hither I came to revenge the death of this dead king.
CHAP. LXIII.
_Of the preparation of Sir Palamides and the two brethren that should
fight with him._
Well be ye found, said the knight to Palamides, for of all knights that
be on live, except three, I had levest have you. The first is Sir
Launcelot du Lake, the second is Sir Tristram de Liones, the third is
my nigh cousin Sir Lamorak de Galis. And I am brother unto king
Hermance that is dead, and my name is Sir Hermind. Ye say well, said
Sir Palamides, and ye shall see how I shall speed. And if I be there
slain go ye to my lord Sir Launcelot, or else to my lord Sir Tristram,