第 三百一十八 章 · How Sir Tristram turned to King Arthur’s side, and how

. How Sir Tristram turned to King Arthur’s side, and how

Palomides would not.

Then Sir Tristram called unto him Sir Palomides, Sir Gareth, and Sir

Dinadan, and said thus to them: My fair fellows, wit ye well that I

will turn unto King Arthur’s party, for I saw never so few men do so

well, and it will be shame unto us knights that be of the Round Table

to see our lord King Arthur, and that noble knight Sir Launcelot, to be

dishonoured. It will be well done, said Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan. Do

your best, said Palomides, for I will not change my party that I came

in withal. That is for my sake, said Sir Tristram; God speed you in

your journey. And so departed Sir Palomides from them. Then Sir

Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan, turned with Sir Launcelot. And then Sir

Launcelot smote down the King of Ireland quite from his horse; and so

Sir Launcelot smote down the King of Scots, and the King of Wales; and

then Sir Arthur ran unto Sir Palomides and smote him quite from his

horse; and then Sir Tristram bare down all that he met. Sir Gareth and

Sir Dinadan did there as noble knights; then all the parties began to

flee. Alas, said Palomides, that ever I should see this day, for now

have I lost all the worship that I won; and then Sir Palomides went his

way wailing, and so withdrew him till he came to a well, and there he

put his horse from him, and did off his armour, and wailed and wept

like as he had been a wood man. Then many knights gave the prize to Sir

Tristram, and there were many that gave the prize unto Sir Launcelot.

Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, I thank you of the honour ye would give

me, but I pray you heartily that ye would give your voice to Sir

Launcelot, for by my faith said Sir Tristram, I will give Sir Launcelot

my voice. But Sir Launcelot would not have it, and so the prize was

given betwixt them both.

Then every man rode to his lodging, and Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector

rode with Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud unto their pavilions. Then as

Sir Palomides was at the well wailing and weeping, there came by him

flying the kings of Wales and of Scotland, and they saw Sir Palomides

in that arage. Alas, said they, that so noble a man as ye be should be

in this array. And then those kings gat Sir Palomides’ horse again, and

made him to arm him and mount upon his horse, and so he rode with them,

making great dole. So when Sir Palomides came nigh the pavilions

thereas Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud was in, then Sir Palomides

prayed the two kings to abide him there the while that he spake with

Sir Tristram. And when he came to the port of the pavilions, Sir

Palomides said on high: Where art thou, Sir Tristram de Liones? Sir,

said Dinadan, that is Palomides. What, Sir Palomides, will ye not come

in here among us? Fie on thee traitor, said Palomides, for wit you well

an it were daylight as it is night I should slay thee, mine own hands.

And if ever I may get thee, said Palomides, thou shalt die for this

day’s deed. Sir Palomides, said Sir Tristram, ye wite me with wrong,

for had ye done as I did ye had won worship. But sithen ye give me so

large warning I shall be well ware of you. Fie on thee, traitor, said

Palomides, and therewith departed.

Then on the morn Sir Tristram, Bleoberis, and Sir Ector de Maris, Sir

Gareth, Sir Dinadan, what by water and what by land, they brought La

Beale Isoud unto Joyous Gard, and there reposed them a seven night, and

made all the mirths and disports that they could devise. And King

Arthur and his knights drew unto Camelot, and Sir Palomides rode with

the two kings; and ever he made the greatest dole that any man could

think, for he was not all only so dolorous for the departing from La

Beale Isoud, but he was a part as sorrowful to depart from the

fellowship of Sir Tristram; for Sir Tristram was so kind and so gentle

that when Sir Palomides remembered him thereof he might never be merry.