Chapter Chapter 323 · How Sir Tristram made him ready to rescue Sir Palomides,

. How Sir Tristram made him ready to rescue Sir Palomides,

but Sir Launcelot rescued him or he came.

When Sir Tristram heard how Sir Palomides went to his death, he was

heavy to hear that, and said: Howbeit that I am wroth with Sir

Palomides, yet will not I suffer him to die so shameful a death, for he

is a full noble knight. And then anon Sir Tristram was armed and took

his horse and two squires with him, and rode a great pace toward the

castle of Pelownes where Sir Palomides was judged to death. And these

twelve knights that led Sir Palomides passed by a well whereas Sir

Launcelot was, which was alighted there, and had tied his horse to a

tree, and taken off his helm to drink of that well; and when he saw

these knights, Sir Launcelot put on his helm and suffered them to pass

by him. And then was he ware of Sir Palomides bounden, and led

shamefully to his death. O Jesu, said Launcelot, what misadventure is

befallen him that he is thus led toward his death? Forsooth, said

Launcelot, it were shame to me to suffer this noble knight so to die an

I might help him, therefore I will help him whatsomever come of it, or

else I shall die for Sir Palomides’ sake. And then Sir Launcelot

mounted upon his horse, and gat his spear in his hand, and rode after

the twelve knights that led Sir Palomides. Fair knights, said Sir

Launcelot, whither lead ye that knight? it beseemeth him full ill to

ride bounden. Then these twelve knights suddenly turned their horses

and said to Sir Launcelot: Sir knight, we counsel thee not to meddle

with this knight, for he hath deserved death, and unto death he is

judged. That me repenteth, said Launcelot, that I may not borrow him

with fairness, for he is over good a knight to die such a shameful

death. And therefore, fair knights, said Sir Launcelot, keep you as

well as ye can, for I will rescue that knight or die for it.

Then they began to dress their spears, and Sir Launcelot smote the

foremost down, horse and man, and so he served three more with one

spear; and then that spear brast, and therewithal Sir Launcelot drew

his sword, and then he smote on the right hand and on the left hand.

Then within a while he left none of those twelve knights, but he had

laid them to the earth, and the most part of them were sore wounded.

And then Sir Launcelot took the best horse that he found, and loosed

Sir Palomides and set him upon that horse; and so they returned again

unto Joyous Gard, and then was Sir Palomides ware of Sir Tristram how

he came riding. And when Sir Launcelot saw him he knew him well, but

Sir Tristram knew him not because Sir Launcelot had on his shoulder a

golden shield. So Sir Launcelot made him ready to joust with Sir

Tristram, that Sir Tristram should not ween that he were Sir Launcelot.

Then Sir Palomides cried aloud to Sir Tristram: O my lord, I require

you joust not with this knight, for this good knight hath saved me from

my death. When Sir Tristram heard him say so he came a soft trotting

pace toward them. And then Sir Palomides said: My lord, Sir Tristram,

much am I beholding unto you of your great goodness, that would proffer

your noble body to rescue me undeserved, for I have greatly offended

you. Notwithstanding, said Sir Palomides, here met we with this noble

knight that worshipfully and manly rescued me from twelve knights, and

smote them down all and wounded them sore.