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<h2> CHAPTER XXXII. How Sir Tristram found Palomides by a well, and brought him with him to his lodging. </h2>
<p>THEN the King with the Hundred Knights withdrew his knights. And all this
while, and long to-fore, Sir Launcelot had watched upon Sir Tristram with
a very purpose to have fellowshipped with him. And then suddenly Sir
Tristram, Sir Dinadan, and Gouvernail, his man, rode their way into the
forest, that no man perceived where they went. So then King Arthur blew
unto lodging, and gave the King of Northgalis the prize because Sir
Tristram was upon his side. Then Sir Launcelot rode here and there, so
wood as lion that fauted his fill, because he had lost Sir Tristram, and
so he returned unto King Arthur. And then in all the field was a noise
that with the wind it might be heard two mile thence, how the lords and
ladies cried: The Knight with the Black Shield hath won the field. Alas,
said King Arthur, where is that knight become? It is shame to all those in
the field so to let him escape away from you; but with gentleness and
courtesy ye might have brought him unto me to the Castle of Maidens. Then
the noble King Arthur went unto his knights and comforted them in the best
wise that he could, and said: My fair fellows, be not dismayed, howbeit ye
have lost the field this day. And many were hurt and sore wounded, and
many were whole. My fellows, said King Arthur, look that ye be of good
cheer, for to-morn I will be in the field with you and revenge you of your
enemies. So that night King Arthur and his knights reposed themself.</p>
<p>The damosel that came from La Beale Isoud unto Sir Tristram, all the while
the tournament was a-doing she was with Queen Guenever, and ever the queen
asked her for what cause she came into that country. Madam, she answered,
I come for none other cause but from my lady La Beale Isoud to wit of your
welfare. For in no wise she would not tell the queen that she came for Sir
Tristram's sake. So this lady, Dame Bragwaine, took her leave of Queen
Guenever, and she rode after Sir Tristram. And as she rode through the
forest she heard a great cry; then she commanded her squire to go into the
forest to wit what was that noise. And so he came to a well, and there he
found a knight bounden till a tree crying as he had been wood, and his
horse and his harness standing by him. And when he espied that squire,
therewith he abraid and brake himself loose, and took his sword in his
hand, and ran to have slain the squire. Then he took his horse and fled
all that ever he might unto Dame Bragwaine, and told her of his adventure.
Then she rode unto Sir Tristram's pavilion, and told Sir Tristram what
adventure she had found in the forest. Alas, said Sir Tristram, upon my
head there is some good knight at mischief.</p>
<p>Then Sir Tristram took his horse and his sword and rode thither, and there
he heard how the knight complained unto himself and said: I, woful knight
Sir Palomides, what misadventure befalleth me, that thus am defoiled with
falsehood and treason, through Sir Bors and Sir Ector. Alas, he said, why
live I so long! And then he gat his sword in his hands, and made many
strange signs and tokens; and so through his raging he threw his sword
into that fountain. Then Sir Palomides wailed and wrang his hands. And at
the last for pure sorrow he ran into that fountain, over his belly, and
sought after his sword. Then Sir Tristram saw that, and ran upon Sir
Palomides, and held him in his arms fast. What art thou, said Palomides,
that holdeth me so? I am a man of this forest that would thee none harm.
Alas, said Sir Palomides, I may never win worship where Sir Tristram is;
for ever where he is an I be there, then get I no worship; and if he be
away for the most part I have the gree, unless that Sir Launcelot be there
or Sir Lamorak. Then Sir Palomides said: Once in Ireland Sir Tristram put
me to the worse, and another time in Cornwall, and in other places in this
land. What would ye do, said Sir Tristram, an ye had Sir Tristram? I would
fight with him, said Sir Palomides, and ease my heart upon him; and yet,
to say thee sooth, Sir Tristram is the gentlest knight in this world
living. What will ye do, said Sir Tristram, will ye go with me to your
lodging? Nay, said he, I will go to the King with the Hundred Knights, for
he rescued me from Sir Bors de Ganis and Sir Ector and else had I been
slain traitorly. Sir Tristram said him such kind words that Sir Palomides
went with him to his lodging. Then Gouvernail went to-fore, and charged
Dame Bragwaine to go out of the way to her lodging And bid ye Sir Persides
that he make him no quarrels. And so they rode together till they came to
Sir Tristram's pavilion, and there Sir Palomides had all the cheer that
might be had all that night. But in no wise Sir Palomides might not know
what was Sir Tristram; and so after supper they yede to rest, and Sir
Tristram for great travail slept till it was day. And Sir Palomides might
not sleep for anguish; and in the dawning of the day he took his horse
privily, and rode his way unto Sir Gaheris and unto Sir Sagramore le
Desirous, where they were in their pavilions; for they three were fellows
at the beginning of the tournament. And then upon the morn the king blew
unto the tournament upon the third day.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXXIII. How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palomides, and how he jousted with King Arthur, and other feats. </h2>
<p>SO the King of Northgalis and the King with the Hundred Knights, they two
encountered with King Carados and with the King of Ireland; and there the
King with the Hundred Knights smote down King Carados, and the King of
Northgalis smote down the King of Ireland. With that came in Sir
Palomides, and when he came he made great work, for by his indented shield
he was well known. So came in King Arthur, and did great deeds of arms
together, and put the King of Northgalis and the King with the Hundred
Knights to the worse. With this came in Sir Tristram with his black
shield, and anon he jousted with Sir Palomides, and there by fine force
Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomides over his horse's croup. Then King Arthur
cried: Knight with the Black Shield, make thee ready to me, and in the
same wise Sir Tristram smote King Arthur. And then by force of King
Arthur's knights the King and Sir Palomides were horsed again. Then King
Arthur with a great eager heart he gat a spear in his hand, and there upon
the one side he smote Sir Tristram over his horse. Then foot-hot Sir
Palomides came upon Sir Tristram, as he was upon foot, to have overridden
him. Then Sir Tristram was ware of him, and there he stooped aside, and
with great ire he gat him by the arm, and pulled him down from his horse.
Then Sir Palomides lightly arose, and then they dashed together mightily
with their swords; and many kings, queens, and lords, stood and beheld
them. And at the last Sir Tristram smote Sir Palomides upon the helm three
mighty strokes, and at every stroke that he gave him he said: This for Sir
Tristram's sake. With that Sir Palomides fell to the earth grovelling.</p>
<p>Then came the King with the Hundred Knights, and brought Sir Tristram an
horse, and so was he horsed again. By then was Sir Palomides horsed, and
with great ire he jousted upon Sir Tristram with his spear as it was in
the rest, and gave him a great dash with his sword. Then Sir Tristram
avoided his spear, and gat him by the neck with his both hands, and pulled
him clean out of his saddle, and so he bare him afore him the length of
ten spears, and then in the presence of them all he let him fall at his
adventure. Then Sir Tristram was ware of King Arthur with a naked sword in
his hand, and with his spear Sir Tristram ran upon King Arthur; and then
King Arthur boldly abode him and with his sword he smote a-two his spear,
and therewithal Sir Tristram stonied; and so King Arthur gave him three or
four strokes or he might get out his sword, and at the last Sir Tristram
drew his sword and [either] assailed other passing hard. With that the
great press departed [them]. Then Sir Tristram rode here and there and did
his great pain, that eleven of the good knights of the blood of King Ban,
that was of Sir Launcelot's kin, that day Sir Tristram smote down; that
all the estates marvelled of his great deeds and all cried upon the Knight
with the Black Shield.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXXIV. How Sir Launcelot hurt Sir Tristram, and how after Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palomides. </h2>
<p>THEN this cry was so large that Sir Launcelot heard it. And then he gat a
great spear in his hand and came towards the cry. Then Sir Launcelot
cried: The Knight with the Black Shield, make thee ready to joust with me.
When Sir Tristram heard him say so he gat his spear in his hand, and
either abashed down their heads, and came together as thunder; and Sir
Tristram's spear brake in pieces, and Sir Launcelot by malfortune struck
Sir Tristram on the side a deep wound nigh to the death; but yet Sir
Tristram avoided not his saddle, and so the spear brake. Therewithal Sir
Tristram that was wounded gat out his sword, and he rushed to Sir
Launcelot, and gave him three great strokes upon the helm that the fire
sprang thereout, and Sir Launcelot abashed his head lowly toward his
saddle-bow. And therewithal Sir Tristram departed from the field, for he
felt him so wounded that he weened he should have died; and Sir Dinadan
espied him and followed him into the forest. Then Sir Launcelot abode and
did many marvellous deeds.</p>
<p>So when Sir Tristram was departed by the forest's side he alighted, and
unlaced his harness and freshed his wound; then weened Sir Dinadan that he
should have died. Nay, nay, said Sir Tristram, Dinadan never dread thee,
for I am heart-whole, and of this wound I shall soon be whole, by the
mercy of God. By that Sir Dinadan was ware where came Palomides riding
straight upon them. And then Sir Tristram was ware that Sir Palomides came
to have destroyed him. And so Sir Dinadan gave him warning, and said: Sir
Tristram, my lord, ye are so sore wounded that ye may not have ado with
him, therefore I will ride against him and do to him what I may, and if I
be slain ye may pray for my soul; and in the meanwhile ye may withdraw you
and go into the castle, or in the forest, that he shall not meet with you.
Sir Tristram smiled and said: I thank you, Sir Dinadan, of your good will,
but ye shall wit that I am able to handle him. And then anon hastily he
armed him, and took his horse, and a great spear in his hand, and said to
Sir Dinadan: Adieu; and rode toward Sir Palomides a soft pace. Then when
Sir Palomides saw that, he made countenance to amend his horse, but he did
it for this cause, for he abode Sir Gaheris that came after him. And when
he was come he rode toward Sir Tristram. Then Sir Tristram sent unto Sir
Palomides, and required him to joust with him; and if he smote down Sir
Palomides he would do no more to him; and if it so happened that Sir
Palomides smote down Sir Tristram, he bade him do his utterance. So they
were accorded. Then they met together, and Sir Tristram smote down Sir
Palomides that he had a grievous fall, so that he lay still as he had been
dead. And then Sir Tristram ran upon Sir Gaheris, and he would not have
jousted; but whether he would or not Sir Tristram smote him over his
horse's croup, that he lay still as though he had been dead. And then Sir
Tristram rode his way and left Sir Persides' squire within the pavilions,
and Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to an old knight's place to lodge
them. And that old knight had five sons at the tournament, for whom he
prayed God heartily for their coming home. And so, as the French book
saith, they came home all five well beaten.</p>
<p>And when Sir Tristram departed into the forest Sir Launcelot held alway
the stour like hard, as a man araged that took no heed to himself, and wit
ye well there was many a noble knight against him. And when King Arthur
saw Sir Launcelot do so marvellous deeds of arms he then armed him, and
took his horse and his armour, and rode into the field to help Sir
Launcelot; and so many knights came in with King Arthur. And to make short
tale in conclusion, the King of Northgalis and the King of the Hundred
Knights were put to the worse; and because Sir Launcelot abode and was the
last in the field the prize was given him. But Sir Launcelot would neither
for king, queen, nor knight, have the prize, but where the cry was cried
through the field: Sir Launcelot, Sir Launcelot hath won the field this
day, Sir Launcelot let make another cry contrary: Sir Tristram hath won
the field, for he began first, and last he hath endured, and so hath he
done the first day, the second, and the third day.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXXV. How the prize of the third day was given to Sir Launcelot, and Sir Launcelot gave it to Sir Tristram. </h2>
<p>THEN all the estates and degrees high and low said of Sir Launcelot great
worship, for the honour that he did unto Sir Tristram; and for that honour
doing to Sir Tristram he was at that time more praised and renowned than
an he had overthrown five hundred knights; and all the people wholly for
this gentleness, first the estates both high and low, and after the
commonalty cried at once: Sir Launcelot hath won the field whosoever say
nay. Then was Sir Launcelot wroth and ashamed, and so therewithal he rode
to King Arthur. Alas, said the king, we are all dismayed that Sir Tristram
is thus departed from us. By God, said King Arthur, he is one of the
noblest knights that ever I saw hold spear or sword in hand, and the most
courteoust knight in his fighting; for full hard I saw him, said King
Arthur, when he smote Sir Palomides upon the helm thrice, that he abashed
his helm with his strokes, and also he said: Here is a stroke for Sir
Tristram, and thus thrice he said. Then King Arthur, Sir Launcelot, and
Sir Dodinas le Savage took their horses to seek Sir Tristram, and by the
means of Sir Persides he had told King Arthur where Sir Tristram was in
his pavilion. But when they came there, Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan were
gone.</p>
<p>Then King Arthur and Sir Launcelot were heavy, and returned again to the
Castle of Maidens making great dole for the hurt of Sir Tristram, and his
sudden departing. So God me help, said King Arthur, I am more heavy that I
cannot meet with him than for all the hurts that all my knights have had
at the tournament. Right so came Sir Gaheris and told King Arthur how Sir
Tristram had smitten down Sir Palomides, and it was at Sir Palomides' own
request. Alas, said King Arthur, that was great dishonour to Sir
Palomides, inasmuch as Sir Tristram was sore wounded, and now may we all,
kings, and knights, and men of worship, say that Sir Tristram may be
called a noble knight, and one of the best knights that ever I saw the
days of my life. For I will that ye all, kings and knights, know, said
King Arthur, that I never saw knight do so marvellously as he hath done
these three days; for he was the first that began and that longest held
on, save this last day. And though he was hurt, it was a manly adventure
of two noble knights, and when two noble men encounter needs must the one
have the worse, like as God will suffer at that time. As for me, said Sir
Launcelot, for all the lands that ever my father left me I would not have
hurt Sir Tristram an I had known him at that time; that I hurt him was for
I saw not his shield. For an I had seen his black shield, I would not have
meddled with him for many causes; for late he did as much for me as ever
did knight, and that is well known that he had ado with thirty knights,
and no help save Sir Dinadan. And one thing shall I promise, said Sir
Launcelot, Sir Palomides shall repent it as in his unkindly dealing for to
follow that noble knight that I by mishap hurted thus. Sir Launcelot said
all the worship that might be said by Sir Tristram. Then King Arthur made
a great feast to all that would come. And thus we let pass King Arthur,
and a little we will turn unto Sir Palomides, that after he had a fall of
Sir Tristram, he was nigh-hand araged out of his wit for despite of Sir
Tristram. And so he followed him by adventure. And as he came by a river,
in his woodness he would have made his horse to have leapt over; and the
horse failed footing and fell in the river, wherefore Sir Palomides was
adread lest he should have been drowned; and then he avoided his horse,
and swam to the land, and let his horse go down by adventure.</p>
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