Kabanata Kabanata 315 · How Sir Tristram departed with La Beale Isoud, and how

. How Sir Tristram departed with La Beale Isoud, and how

Palomides followed and excused him.

Then they blew unto lodging, and Queen Isoud was led unto her

pavilions. But wit you well she was wroth out of measure with Sir

Palomides, for she saw all his treason from the beginning to the

ending. And all this while neither Sir Tristram, neither Sir Gareth nor

Dinadan, knew not of the treason of Sir Palomides; but afterward ye

shall hear that there befell the greatest debate betwixt Sir Tristram

and Sir Palomides that might be.

So when the tournament was done, Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan,

rode with La Beale Isoud to these pavilions. And ever Sir Palomides

rode with them in their company disguised as he was. But when Sir

Tristram had espied him that he was the same knight with the shield of

silver that held him so hot that day: Sir knight, said Sir Tristram,

wit ye well here is none that hath need of your fellowship, and

therefore I pray you depart from us. Sir Palomides answered again as

though he had not known Sir Tristram: Wit you well, sir knight, from

this fellowship will I never depart, for one of the best knights of the

world commanded me to be in this company, and till he discharge me of

my service I will not be discharged. By that Sir Tristram knew that it

was Sir Palomides. Ah, Sir Palomides, said the noble knight Sir

Tristram, are ye such a knight? Ye have been named wrong, for ye have

long been called a gentle knight, and as this day ye have showed me

great ungentleness, for ye had almost brought me unto my death. But, as

for you, I suppose I should have done well enough, but Sir Launcelot

with you was overmuch; for I know no knight living but Sir Launcelot is

over good for him, an he will do his uttermost. Alas, said Sir

Palomides, are ye my lord Sir Tristram? Yea, sir, and that ye know well

enough. By my knighthood, said Palomides, until now I knew you not; I

weened that ye had been the King of Ireland, for well I wot ye bare his

arms. His arms I bare, said Sir Tristram, and that will I stand by, for

I won them once in a field of a full noble knight, his name was Sir

Marhaus; and with great pain I won that knight, for there was none

other recover, but Sir Marhaus died through false leeches; and yet was

he never yolden to me. Sir, said Palomides, I weened ye had been turned

upon Sir Launcelot’s party, and that caused me to turn. Ye say well,

said Sir Tristram, and so I take you, and I forgive you.

So then they rode into their pavilions; and when they were alighted

they unarmed them and washed their faces and hands, and so yode unto

meat, and were set at their table. But when Isoud saw Sir Palomides she

changed then her colours, and for wrath she might not speak. Anon Sir

Tristram espied her countenance and said: Madam, for what cause make ye

us such cheer? we have been sore travailed this day. Mine own lord,

said La Beale Isoud, for God’s sake be ye not displeased with me, for I

may none otherwise do; for I saw this day how ye were betrayed and nigh

brought to your death. Truly, sir, I saw every deal, how and in what

wise, and therefore, sir, how should I suffer in your presence such a

felon and traitor as Sir Palomides; for I saw him with mine eyes, how

he beheld you when ye went out of the field. For ever he hoved still

upon his horse till he saw you come in againward. And then forthwithal

I saw him ride to the hurt knight, and changed harness with him, and

then straight I saw him how he rode into the field. And anon as he had

found you he encountered with you, and thus wilfully Sir Palomides did

battle with you; and as for him, sir, I was not greatly afraid, but I

dread sore Launcelot, that knew you not. Madam, said Palomides, ye may

say whatso ye will, I may not contrary you, but by my knighthood I knew

not Sir Tristram. Sir Palomides, said Sir Tristram, I will take your

excuse, but well I wot ye spared me but little, but all is pardoned on

my part. Then La Beale Isoud held down her head and said no more at

that time.