Bab Bab 314 · How Sir Palomides changed his shield and his armour for

. How Sir Palomides changed his shield and his armour for

to hurt Sir Tristram, and how Sir Launcelot did to Sir Tristram.

Then when Sir Palomides saw that Sir Tristram was disguised, then he

thought to do him a shame. So Sir Palomides rode to a knight that was

sore wounded, that sat under a fair well from the field. Sir knight,

said Sir Palomides, I pray you to lend me your armour and your shield,

for mine is over-well known in this field, and that hath done me great

damage; and ye shall have mine armour and my shield that is as sure as

yours. I will well, said the knight, that ye have mine armour and my

shield, if they may do you any avail. So Sir Palomides armed him

hastily in that knight’s armour and his shield that shone as any

crystal or silver, and so he came riding into the field. And then there

was neither Sir Tristram nor none of King Arthur’s party that knew Sir

Palomides. And right so as Sir Palomides was come into the field Sir

Tristram smote down three knights, even in the sight of Sir Palomides.

And then Sir Palomides rode against Sir Tristram, and either met other

with great spears, that they brast to their hands. And then they dashed

together with swords eagerly. Then Sir Tristram had marvel what knight

he was that did battle so knightly with him. Then was Sir Tristram

wroth, for he felt him passing strong, so that he deemed he might not

have ado with the remnant of the knights, because of the strength of

Sir Palomides. So they lashed together and gave many sad strokes

together, and many knights marvelled what knight he might be that so

encountered with the black knight, Sir Tristram. Full well knew La

Beale Isoud that there was Sir Palomides that fought with Sir Tristram,

for she espied all in her window where that she stood, as Sir Palomides

changed his harness with the wounded knight. And then she began to weep

so heartily for the despite of Sir Palomides that there she swooned.

Then came in Sir Launcelot with the knights of Orkney. And when the

other party had espied Sir Launcelot, they cried: Return, return, here

cometh Sir Launcelot du Lake. So there came knights and said: Sir

Launcelot, ye must needs fight with yonder knight in the black harness,

that was Sir Tristram, for he hath almost overcome that good knight

that fighteth with him with the silver shield, that was Sir Palomides.

Then Sir Launcelot rode betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides, and Sir

Launcelot said to Palomides: Sir knight, let me have the battle, for ye

have need to be reposed. Sir Palomides knew Sir Launcelot well, and so

did Sir Tristram, but because Sir Launcelot was far hardier knight than

himself therefore he was glad, and suffered Sir Launcelot to fight with

Sir Tristram. For well wist he that Sir Launcelot knew not Sir

Tristram, and there he hoped that Sir Launcelot should beat or shame

Sir Tristram, whereof Sir Palomides was full fain. And so Sir Launcelot

gave Sir Tristram many sad strokes, but Sir Launcelot knew not Sir

Tristram, but Sir Tristram knew well Sir Launcelot. And thus they

fought long together, that La Beale Isoud was well-nigh out of her mind

for sorrow.

Then Sir Dinadan told Sir Gareth how that knight in the black harness

was Sir Tristram: And this is Launcelot that fighteth with him, that

must needs have the better of him, for Sir Tristram hath had too much

travail this day. Then let us smite him down, said Sir Gareth. So it is

better that we do, said Sir Dinadan, than Sir Tristram be shamed, for

yonder hoveth the strong knight with the silver shield to fall upon Sir

Tristram if need be. Then forthwithal Gareth rushed upon Sir Launcelot,

and gave him a great stroke upon his helm so hard that he was astonied.

And then came Sir Dinadan with a spear, and he smote Sir Launcelot such

a buffet that horse and all fell to the earth. O Jesu, said Sir

Tristram to Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan, fie for shame, why did ye smite

down so good a knight as he is, and namely when I had ado with him? now

ye do yourself great shame, and him no disworship; for I held him

reasonable hot, though ye had not holpen me.

Then came Sir Palomides that was disguised, and smote down Sir Dinadan

from his horse. Then Sir Launcelot, because Sir Dinadan had smitten him

aforehand, then Sir Launcelot assailed Sir Dinadan passing sore, and

Sir Dinadan defended him mightily. But well understood Sir Tristram

that Sir Dinadan might not endure Sir Launcelot, wherefore Sir Tristram

was sorry. Then came Sir Palomides fresh upon Sir Tristram. And when

Sir Tristram saw him come, he thought to deliver him at once, because

that he would help Sir Dinadan, because he stood in great peril with

Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Tristram hurtled unto Sir Palomides and gave

him a great buffet, and then Sir Tristram gat Sir Palomides and pulled

him down underneath him. And so fell Sir Tristram with him; and Sir

Tristram leapt up lightly and left Sir Palomides, and went betwixt Sir

Launcelot and Dinadan, and then they began to do battle together.

Right so Sir Dinadan gat Sir Tristram’s horse, and said on high that

Sir Launcelot might hear it: My lord Sir Tristram, take your horse. And

when Sir Launcelot heard him name Sir Tristram: O Jesu, said Launcelot,

what have I done? I am dishonoured. Ah, my lord Sir Tristram, said

Launcelot, why were ye disguised? ye have put yourself in great peril

this day; but I pray you noble knight to pardon me, for an I had known

you we had not done this battle. Sir, said Sir Tristram, this is not

the first kindness ye showed me. So they were both horsed again.

Then all the people on the one side gave Sir Launcelot the honour and

the degree, and on the other side all the people gave to the noble

knight Sir Tristram the honour and the degree; but Launcelot said nay

thereto: For I am not worthy to have this honour, for I will report me

unto all knights that Sir Tristram hath been longer in the field than

I, and he hath smitten down many more knights this day than I have

done. And therefore I will give Sir Tristram my voice and my name, and

so I pray all my lords and fellows so to do. Then there was the whole

voice of dukes and earls, barons and knights, that Sir Tristram this

day is proved the best knight.