Kabanata Kabanata 326 · How Sir Palomides kept his day to have foughten, but

. How Sir Palomides kept his day to have foughten, but

Sir Tristram might not come; and other things.

But in no wise there was no knight about Sir Tristram that would

believe that ever Sir Palomides would hurt Sir Tristram, neither by his

own hands nor by none other consenting. Then when the fifteenth day was

come, Sir Palomides came to the well with four knights with him of

Arthur’s court, and three sergeants-of-arms. And for this intent Sir

Palomides brought the knights with him and the sergeants-of-arms, for

they should bear record of the battle betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir

Palomides. And the one sergeant brought in his helm, the other his

spear, the third his sword. So thus Palomides came into the field, and

there he abode nigh two hours; and then he sent a squire unto Sir

Tristram, and desired him to come into the field to hold his promise.

When the squire was come to Joyous Gard, anon as Sir Tristram heard of

his coming he let command that the squire should come to his presence

thereas he lay in his bed. My lord Sir Tristram, said Palomides’

squire, wit you well my lord, Palomides, abideth you in the field, and

he would wit whether ye would do battle or not. Ah, my fair brother,

said Sir Tristram, wit thou well that I am right heavy for these

tidings; therefore tell Sir Palomides an I were well at ease I would

not lie here, nor he should have no need to send for me an I might

either ride or go; and for thou shalt say that I am no liar—Sir

Tristram showed him his thigh that the wound was six inches deep. And

now thou hast seen my hurt, tell thy lord that this is no feigned

matter, and tell him that I had liefer than all the gold of King Arthur

that I were whole; and tell Palomides as soon as I am whole I shall

seek him endlong and overthwart, and that I promise you as I am true

knight; and if ever I may meet with him, he shall have battle of me his

fill. And with this the squire departed; and when Palomides wist that

Tristram was hurt he was glad and said: Now I am sure I shall have no

shame, for I wot well I should have had hard handling of him, and by

likely I must needs have had the worse, for he is the hardest knight in

battle that now is living except Sir Launcelot.

And then departed Sir Palomides whereas fortune led him, and within a

month Sir Tristram was whole of his hurt. And then he took his horse,

and rode from country to country, and all strange adventures he

achieved wheresomever he rode; and always he enquired for Sir

Palomides, but of all that quarter of summer Sir Tristram could never

meet with Sir Palomides. But thus as Sir Tristram sought and enquired

after Sir Palomides Sir Tristram achieved many great battles,

wherethrough all the noise fell to Sir Tristram, and it ceased of Sir

Launcelot; and therefore Sir Launcelot’s brethren and his kinsmen would

have slain Sir Tristram because of his fame. But when Sir Launcelot

wist how his kinsmen were set, he said to them openly: Wit you well,

that an the envy of you all be so hardy to wait upon my lord, Sir

Tristram, with any hurt, shame, or villainy, as I am true knight I

shall slay the best of you with mine own hands. Alas, fie for shame,

should ye for his noble deeds await upon him to slay him. Jesu defend,

said Launcelot, that ever any noble knight as Sir Tristram is should be

destroyed with treason. Of this noise and fame sprang into Cornwall,

and among them of Liones, whereof they were passing glad, and made

great joy. And then they of Liones sent letters unto Sir Tristram of

recommendation, and many great gifts to maintain Sir Tristram’s estate;

and ever, between, Sir Tristram resorted unto Joyous Gard whereas La

Beale Isoud was, that loved him as her life.

_Here endeth the tenth book which is of Sir Tristram. And here

followeth the eleventh book which is of Sir Launcelot._

BOOK XI.