Then Sir Tristram asked Sir Palomides why the ten knights did battle with him.For this cause,said Sir Palomides;as I rode upon mine adventures in a forest here beside I espied where lay a dead knight,and a lady weeping beside him.And when I saw her making such dole,I asked her who slew her lord.Sir,she said,the falsest knight of the world now living,and he is the most villain that ever man heard speak of and his name is Sir Breuse Saunce Pit ,and suddenly he struck me from my horse.And then or I might recover my horse this Sir Breuse slew the damosel.And so I took my horse again,and I was sore ashamed,and so began the medley betwixt us:and this is the cause wherefore we did this battle.Well,said Sir Tristram,now I understand the manner of your battle,but in any wise have remembrance of your promise that ye have made with me to do battle with me this day fortnight.I shall not fail you,said Sir Palomides.Well,said Sir Tristram,as at this time I will not fail you till that ye be out of the danger of your enemies.
So they mounted upon their horses,and rode together unto that forest,and there they found a fair well,with clear water bubbling.Fair sir,said Sir Tristram,to drink of that water have I courage;and then they alighted off their horses.And then were they ware by them where stood a great horse tied to a tree,and ever he neighed.
And then were they ware of a fair knight armed,under a tree,lacking no piece of harness,save his helm lay under his head.By the good lord,said Sir Tristram,yonder lieth a well-faring knight;what is best to do?
Awake him,said Sir Palomides.So Sir Tristram awaked him with the butt of his spear.And so the knight rose up hastily and put his helm upon his head,and gat a great spear in his hand;and without any more words he hurled unto Sir Tristram,and smote him clean from his saddle to the earth,and hurt him on the left side,that Sir Tristram lay in great peril.Then he walloped farther,and fetched his course,and came hurling upon Sir Palomides,and there he struck him a part through the body,that he fell from his horse to the earth.And then this strange knight left them there,and took his way through the forest.With this Sir Palomides and Sir Tristram were on foot,and gat their horses again,and either asked counsel of other,what was best to do.By my head,said Sir Tristram,I will follow this strong knight that thus hath shamed us.
Well,said Sir Palomides,and I will repose me hereby with a friend of mine.Beware,said Sir Tristram unto Palomides,that ye fail not that day that ye have set with me to do battle,for,as I deem,ye will not hold your day,for I am much bigger than ye.As for that,said Sir Palomides,be it as it be may,for I fear you not,for an Ibe not sick nor prisoner,I will not fail you;but I have cause to have more doubt of you that ye will not meet with me,for ye ride after yonder strong knight.And if ye meet with him it is an hard adventure an ever ye escape his hands.Right so Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides departed,and either took their ways diverse.
CHAPTER III
How Sir Tristram sought a strong knight that had smitten him down,and many other knights of the Round Table.
AND so Sir Tristram rode long after this strong knight.
And at the last he saw where lay a lady overthwart a dead knight.Fair lady,said Sir Tristram,who hath slain your lord?Sir,she said,here came a knight riding,as my lord and I rested us here,and asked him of whence he was,and my lord said of Arthur's court.Therefore,said the strong knight,I will joust with thee,for I hate all these that be of Arthur's court.And my lord that lieth here dead amounted upon his horse,and the strong knight and my lord encountered together,and there he smote my lord throughout with his spear,and thus he hath brought me in great woe and damage.That me repenteth,said Sir Tristram,of your great anger;an it please you tell me your husband's name.Sir,said she,his name was Galardoun,that would have proved a good knight.So departed Sir Tristram from that dolorous lady,and had much evil lodging.Then on the third day Sir Tristram met with Sir Gawaine and with Sir Bleoberis in a forest at a lodge,and either were sore wounded.Then Sir Tristram asked Sir Gawaine and Sir Bleoberis if they met with such a knight,with such a cognisance,with a covered shield.
Fair sir,said these knights,such a knight met with us to our great damage.And first he smote down my fellow,Sir Bleoberis,and sore wounded him because he bade me I should not have ado with him,for why he was overstrong for me.That strong knight took his words at scorn,and said he said it for mockery.And then they rode together,and so he hurt my fellow.And when he had done so I might not for shame but I must joust with him.And at the first course he smote me down and my horse to the earth.And there he had almost slain me,and from us he took his horse and departed,and in an evil time we met with him.Fair knights,said Sir Tristram,so he met with me,and with another knight that hight Palomides,and he smote us both down with one spear,and hurt us right sore.By my faith,said Sir Gawaine,by my counsel ye shall let him pass and seek him no further;for at the next feast of the Round Table,upon pain of my head ye shall find him there.By my faith,said Sir Tristram,I shall never rest till that I find him.And then Sir Gawaine asked him his name.Then he said:My name is Sir Tristram.And so either told other their names,and then departed Sir Tristram and rode his way.
