Kabanata Kabanata 222 · How Sir Tristram had a fall with Sir Palomides, and how

. How Sir Tristram had a fall with Sir Palomides, and how

Launcelot overthrew two knights.

Then they saw much people of the country salute Sir Palomides. And

within a while after there came a squire of the castle, that told Sir

Pellounes that was lord of that castle, that a knight with a black

shield had smitten down thirteen knights. Fair brother, said Sir

Tristram unto Sir Persides, let us cast upon us cloaks, and let us go

see the play. Not so, said Sir Persides, we will not go like knaves

thither, but we will ride like men and good knights to withstand our

enemies. So they armed them, and took their horses and great spears,

and thither they went thereas many knights assayed themself before the

tournament. And anon Sir Palomides saw Sir Persides, and then he sent a

squire unto him and said: Go thou to the yonder knight with the green

shield and therein a lion of gold, and say him I require him to joust

with me, and tell him that my name is Sir Palomides. When Sir Persides

understood that request of Sir Palomides, he made him ready, and there

anon they met together, but Sir Persides had a fall. Then Sir Tristram

dressed him to be revenged upon Sir Palomides, and that saw Sir

Palomides that was ready and so was not Sir Tristram, and took him at

an advantage and smote him over his horse’s tail when he had no spear

in his rest. Then stert up Sir Tristram and took his horse lightly, and

was wroth out of measure, and sore ashamed of that fall. Then Sir

Tristram sent unto Sir Palomides by Gouvernail, and prayed him to joust

with him at his request. Nay, said Sir Palomides, as at this time I

will not joust with that knight, for I know him better than he weeneth.

And if he be wroth he may right it to-morn at the Castle of Maidens,

where he may see me and many other knights.

With that came Sir Dinadan, and when he saw Sir Tristram wroth he list

not to jape. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, here may a man prove, be a man never

so good yet may he have a fall, and he was never so wise but he might

be overseen, and he rideth well that never fell. So Sir Tristram was

passing wroth, and said to Sir Persides and to Sir Dinadan: I will

revenge me. Right so as they stood talking there, there came by Sir

Tristram a likely knight riding passing soberly and heavily with a

black shield. What knight is that? said Sir Tristram unto Sir Persides.

I know him well, said Sir Persides, for his name is Sir Briant of North

Wales; so he passed on among other knights of North Wales. And there

came in Sir Launcelot du Lake with a shield of the arms of Cornwall,

and he sent a squire unto Sir Briant, and required him to joust with

him. Well, said Sir Briant, sithen I am required to joust I will do

what I may; and there Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Briant from his

horse a great fall. And then Sir Tristram marvelled what knight he was

that bare the shield of Cornwall. Whatsoever he be, said Sir Dinadan, I

warrant you he is of King Ban’s blood, the which be knights of the most

noble prowess in the world, for to account so many for so many. Then

there came two knights of Northgalis, that one hight Hew de la

Montaine, and the other Sir Madok de la Montaine, and they challenged

Sir Launcelot foot-hot. Sir Launcelot not refusing them but made him

ready, with one spear he smote them down both over their horses’

croups; and so Sir Launcelot rode his way. By the good lord, said Sir

Tristram, he is a good knight that beareth the shield of Cornwall, and

meseemeth he rideth in the best manner that ever I saw knight ride.

Then the King of Northgalis rode unto Sir Palomides and prayed him

heartily for his sake to joust with that knight that hath done us of

Northgalis despite. Sir, said Sir Palomides, I am full loath to have

ado with that knight, and cause why is, for as to-morn the great

tournament shall be; and therefore I will keep myself fresh by my will.

Nay, said the King of Northgalis, I pray you require him of jousts.

Sir, said Sir Palomides, I will joust at your request, and require that

knight to joust with me, and often I have seen a man have a fall at his

own request.