ir Palomides is not christened. So said King Arthur, and
so said all those that beheld him. Then all people gave him the prize,
as for the best knight that day, that he passed Sir Launcelot outher
Sir Tristram. Well, said Dinadan to himself, all this worship that Sir
Palomides hath here this day he may thank the Queen Isoud, for had she
been away this day Sir Palomides had not gotten the prize this day.

Right so came into the field Sir Launcelot du Lake, and saw and heard
the noise and cry and the great worship that Sir Palomides had. He
dressed him against Sir Palomides, with a great mighty spear and a long,
and thought to smite him down. And when Sir Palomides saw Sir Launcelot
come upon him so fast, he ran upon Sir Launcelot as fast with his sword
as he might; and as Sir Launcelot should have stricken him he smote his
spear aside, and smote it a-two with his sword. And Sir Palomides rushed
unto Sir Launcelot, and thought to have put him to a shame; and with his
sword he smote his horse's neck that Sir Launcelot rode upon, and then
Sir Launcelot fell to the earth. Then was the cry huge and great: See
how Sir Palomides the Saracen hath smitten down Sir Launcelot's horse.
Right then were there many knights wroth with Sir Palomides because he
had done that deed; therefore many knights held there against that it
was unknightly done in a tournament to kill an horse wilfully, but that
it had been done in plain battle, life for life.

CHAPTER LXXI. How Sir Launcelot said to Sir Palomides, and how the prize
of that day was given unto Sir Palomides.

WHEN Sir Ector de Maris saw Sir Launcelot his brother have such a
despite, and so set on foot, then he gat a spear eagerly, and ran
against Sir Palomides, and he smote him so hard that he bare him quite
from his horse. That saw Sir Tristram, that was in red harness, and he
smote down Sir Ector de Maris quite from his horse. Then Sir Launcelot
dressed his shield upon his shoulder, and with his sword naked in his
hand, and so came straight upon Sir Palomides fiercely and said: Wit
thou well thou hast done me this day the greatest despite that ever any
worshipful knight did to me in tournament or in jousts, and therefore I
will be avenged upon thee, therefore take keep to yourself. Ah, mercy,
noble knight, said Palomides, and forgive me mine unkindly deeds, for I
have no power nor might to withstand you, and I have done so much
this day that well I wot I did never so much, no