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Chapter XI
“Oneofthebestknightsinalltheworld,”saidSirPersides.
“IsheSirLancelot?”saidSirTristram.
“Nay,”answeredSirPersides,“itisSirPalomedes,whoisyetunchristened.”
Withinawhileonecameandtoldthemthataknightwithablackshieldhadsmittendownthirteenknights.“Letusgoandseethisjousting,”saidSirTristram.Sotheyarmedthemselvesandwentdown.AndwhenSirPalomedessawSirPersides,hesentasquiretohimandprofferedhimtojoust.Sotheyjousted,andSirPersideswasoverthrown.ThenSirTristrammadereadytojoust,buterehehadhisspearinrest,SirPalomedestookhimatadvantage,andstruckhimontheshieldsothathefell.AtthatSirTristramwaswrothoutofmeasureandsoreashamed,whereforehesentasquireandprayedSirPalomedestojoustonceagain.Buthewouldnot,saying,“Tellthymastertorevengehimselfto-morrowattheMaiden’sCastle,whereheshallseemeagain.”
SoonthemorrowSirTristramcommandedhisservanttogivehimablackshieldwithnocognizancethereon,andheandSirPersidesrodeintothetournamentandjoinedKingCarados’side.
ThentheknightsoftheKingofNorthWalescameforth,andtherewasagreatfightingandbreakingofspears,andoverthrowofmenandhorses.
NowKingArthursataboveinahighgallerytoseethetourneyandgivethejudgment,andSirLancelotsatbesidehim.ThencameagainstSirTristramandSirPersides,twoknightswiththemofNorthWales,SirBleoberisandSirGaheris;andSirPersideswassmittendownandnighslain,forfourhorsemenrodeoverhim.
