s of the
world for to revenge my death, and that is Sir Tristram de Liones, or
else Sir Launcelot du Lake.

Then Sir Palomides 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 Palomides 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 Palomides, 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 Palomides. 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 Palomides 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 Palomides 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 require thee of knighthood tell me thy name. Sir, my
name is Palomides, a knight of King Arthur's, and of the Table Round,
that hither I came to revenge the death of this dead king.

CHAPTER LXIII. Of the preparation of Sir Palomides and the two brethren
that should fight with him.

WELL be ye found, said the knight to Palomides, for of all knights
that be alive, except three, I had liefest have you. The first is Sir
Launcelot du Lake, and 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 Palomides,
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, and pray them to
revenge my death, for as for Sir Lamorak him shall ye never see in this
world. Alas, said Sir Hermind, how may that be? He is slain, said
Sir Palomide