Chapter Chapter 185 · How Sir Tristram rode after Palamides, and how he found

. How Sir Tristram rode after Palamides, and how he found

him and fought with him, and by the means of Isoud the battle ceased.

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that when he was come home and wist La

Beale Isoud was gone with Sir Palamides, wit ye well he was wroth out

of measure. Alas, said Sir Tristram, I am this day shamed. Then he

cried to Gouvernail his man: Haste thee that I were armed and on

horseback, for well I wot Lambegus hath no might nor strength to

withstand Sir Palamides: alas that I have not been in his stead! So

anon as he was armed and horsed Sir Tristram and Gouvernail rode after

into the forest, and within a while he found his knight Lambegus almost

wounded to the death; and Sir Tristram bare him to a forester, and

charged him to keep him well. And then he rode forth, and there he

found Sir Adtherp sore wounded, and he told him how the queen would

have drowned herself had he not been, and how for her sake and love he

had taken upon him to do battle with Sir Palamides. Where is my lady?

said Sir Tristram. Sir, said the knight, she is sure enough within my

castle, an she can hold her within it. Gramercy, said Sir Tristram, of

thy great goodness. And so he rode till he came nigh to that castle;

and then Sir Tristram saw where Sir Palamides sat at the gate sleeping,

and his horse pastured fast afore him. Now go thou, Gouvernail, said

Sir Tristram, and bid him awake, and make him ready. So Gouvernail rode

unto him and said: Sir Palamides, arise, and take to thee thine

harness. But he was in such a study he heard not what Gouvernail said.

So Gouvernail came again and told Sir Tristram he slept, or else he was

mad. Go thou again, said Sir Tristram, and bid him arise, and tell him

that I am here, his mortal foe. So Gouvernail rode again and put upon

him the butt of his spear, and said: Sir Palamides, make thee ready,

for wit ye well Sir Tristram hoveth yonder, and sendeth thee word he is

thy mortal foe. And therewithal Sir Palamides arose stilly, without

words, and gat his horse, and saddled him and bridled him, and lightly

he leapt upon, and gat his spear in his hand, and either feutred their

spears and hurtled fast together; and there Tristram smote down Sir

Palamides over his horse’s tail. Then lightly Sir Palamides put his

shield afore him and drew his sword. And there began strong battle on

both parts, for both they fought for the love of one lady, and ever she

lay on the walls and beheld them how they fought out of measure, and

either were wounded passing sore, but Palamides was much sorer wounded.

Thus they fought tracing and traversing more than two hours, that

well-nigh for dole and sorrow La Beale Isoud swooned. Alas, she said,

that one I loved and yet do, and the other I love not, yet it were

great pity that I should see Sir Palamides slain; for well I know by

that time the end be done Sir Palamides is but a dead knight: because

he is not christened I would be loath that he should die a Saracen. And

therewithal she came down and besought Sir Tristram to fight no more.

Ah, madam, said he, what mean you, will ye have me shamed? Well ye know

I will be ruled by you. I will not your dishonour, said La Beale Isoud,

but I would that ye would for my sake spare this unhappy Saracen

Palamides. Madam, said Sir Tristram, I will leave fighting at this time

for your sake. Then she said to Sir Palamides: This shall be your

charge, that thou shalt go out of this country while I am therein. I

will obey your commandment, said Sir Palamides, the which is sore

against my will. Then take thy way, said La Beale Isoud, unto the court

of King Arthur, and there recommend me unto Queen Guenever, and tell

her that I send her word that there be within this land but four

lovers, that is, Sir Launcelot du Lake and Queen Guenever, and Sir

Tristram de Liones and Queen Isoud.