Bab Bab 303 · How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides met Breuse Saunce Pité,

. How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides met Breuse Saunce Pité,

and how Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud went unto Lonazep.

And then Sir Tristram desired Sir Palomides to ride into the fields and

woods. So they were accorded to repose them in the forest. And when

they had played them a great while they rode unto a fair well; and anon

they were ware of an armed knight that came riding against them, and

there either saluted other. Then this armed knight spake to Sir

Tristram, and asked what were these knights that were lodged in Joyous

Gard. I wot not what they are, said Sir Tristram. What knights be ye?

said that knight, for meseemeth ye be no knights errant, because ye

ride unarmed. Whether we be knights or not we list not to tell thee our

name. Wilt thou not tell me thy name? said that knight; then keep thee,

for thou shalt die of my hands. And therewith he got his spear in his

hands, and would have run Sir Tristram through. That saw Sir Palomides,

and smote his horse traverse in midst of the side, that man and horse

fell to the earth. And therewith Sir Palomides alighted and pulled out

his sword to have slain him. Let be, said Sir Tristram, slay him not,

the knight is but a fool, it were shame to slay him. But take away his

spear, said Sir Tristram, and let him take his horse and go where that

he will.

So when this knight arose he groaned sore of the fall, and so he took

his horse, and when he was up he turned then his horse, and required

Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides to tell him what knights they were. Now

wit ye well, said Sir Tristram, that my name is Sir Tristram de Liones,

and this knight’s name is Sir Palomides. When he wist what they were he

took his horse with the spurs, because they should not ask him his

name, and so rode fast away through thick and thin. Then came there by

them a knight with a bended shield of azure, whose name was Epinogris,

and he came toward them a great wallop. Whither are ye riding? said Sir

Tristram. My fair lords, said Epinogris, I follow the falsest knight

that beareth the life; wherefore I require you tell me whether ye saw

him, for he beareth a shield with a case of red over it. So God me

help, said Tristram, such a knight departed from us not a quarter of an

hour agone; we pray you tell us his name. Alas, said Epinogris, why let

ye him escape from you? and he is so great a foe unto all errant

knights: his name is Breuse Saunce Pité. Ah, fie for shame, said Sir

Palomides, alas that ever he escaped mine hands, for he is the man in

the world that I hate most. Then every knight made great sorrow to

other; and so Epinogris departed and followed the chase after him.

Then Sir Tristram and his three fellows rode unto Joyous Gard; and

there Sir Tristram talked unto Sir Palomides of his battle, how he sped

at the Red City, and as ye have heard afore so was it ended. Truly,

said Sir Tristram, I am glad ye have well sped, for ye have done

worshipfully. Well, said Sir Tristram, we must forward to-morn. And

then he devised how it should be; and Sir Tristram devised to send his

two pavilions to set them fast by the well of Lonazep, and therein

shall be the queen La Beale Isoud. It is well said, said Sir Dinadan,

but when Sir Palomides heard of that his heart was ravished out of

measure: notwithstanding he said but little. So when they came to

Joyous Gard Sir Palomides would not have gone into the castle, but as

Sir Tristram took him by the finger, and led him into the castle. And

when Sir Palomides saw La Beale Isoud he was ravished so that he might

unnethe speak. So they went unto meat, but Palomides might not eat, and

there was all the cheer that might be had. And on the morn they were

apparelled to ride toward Lonazep.

So Sir Tristram had three squires, and La Beale Isoud had three

gentlewomen, and both the queen and they were richly apparelled; and

other people had they none with them, but varlets to bear their shields

and their spears. And thus they rode forth. So as they rode they saw

afore them a rout of knights; it was the knight Galihodin with twenty

knights with him. Fair fellows, said Galihodin, yonder come four

knights, and a rich and a well fair lady: I am in will to take that

lady from them. That is not of the best counsel, said one of

Galihodin’s men, but send ye to them and wit what they will say; and so

it was done. There came a squire unto Sir Tristram, and asked them

whether they would joust or else to lose their lady. Not so, said Sir

Tristram, tell your lord I bid him come as many as we be, and win her

and take her. Sir, said Palomides, an it please you let me have this

deed, and I shall undertake them all four. I will that ye have it, said

Sir Tristram, at your pleasure. Now go and tell your lord Galihodin,

that this same knight will encounter with him and his fellows.