d Sir Tristram to Dinadan,
joust 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
alighted 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 japing at Sir Dinadan, that they wist not what to do
with him.

CHAPTER LXI. How Palomides 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
Palomides. Then Sir Palomides sailed evenlong 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 Palomides 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 Palomides; 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
Palomides entered into the castle. And within a while he was served with
many divers meats. Then Sir Palomides heard about him much weeping and
great dole. What may this mean? said Sir Palomides; 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 jousting, 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 gentle
ness 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 h