_How Sir Tristram was put to the keeping of La Beale Isoud for to be
healed of his wound._
Then the king for great favour made Tramtrist to be put in his
daughter’s ward and keeping, because she was a noble surgeon. And when
she had searched him she found in the bottom of his wound that therein
was poison, and so she healed him within a while, and therefore
Tramtrist cast great love to La Beale Isoud, for she was at that time
the fairest maid and lady of the world. And there Tramtrist learned her
to harp, and she began to have a great fancy unto him. And at that time
Sir Palamides the Saracen was in that country, and well cherished with
the king and the queen. And every day Sir Palamides drew unto La Beale
Isoud, and proffered her many gifts, for he loved her passingly well.
All that espied Tramtrist, and full well knew he Sir Palamides for a
noble knight and a mighty man. And wit ye well Sir Tramtrist had great
despite at Sir Palamides, for La Beale Isoud told Tramtrist that Sir
Palamides was in will to be christened for her sake. Thus was there
great envy betwixt Tramtrist and Sir Palamides. Then it befel that King
Anguish let cry a great justs and a great tournament for a lady which
was called the lady of the lawns, and she was nigh cousin unto the
king. And what man won her, three days after he should wed her, and
have all her lands. This cry was made in England, Wales, Scotland, and
also in France and in Britany. It befel upon a day La Beale Isoud came
unto Sir Tramtrist and told him of this tournament. He answered and
said, Fair lady, I am but a feeble knight, and but late I had been dead
had not your good ladyship been. Now, fair lady, what would ye I should
do in this matter? Well ye wot, my lady, that I may not just. Ah
Tramtrist, said La Beale Isoud, why will ye not have ado at that
tournament? well I wot Sir Palamides shall be there and to do what he
may, and therefore Tramtrist I pray you for to be there, for else Sir
Palamides is like to win the degree. Madam, said Tramtrist, as for that
it may be so, for he is a proved knight, and I am but a young knight
and late made, and the first battle that I did it mishapped me to be
sore wounded as ye see. But and I wist ye would be my better lady, at
that tournament I will be, so that ye will keep my counsel, and let no
creature have knowledge that I shall just but yourself, and such as ye
will to keep your counsel; my poor person shall I jeopard there for
your sake, that peradventure Sir Palamides shall know when that I come.
Thereto, said La Beale Isoud, do your best, and as I can, said La Beale
Isoud, I shall purvey horse and armour for you at my devise. As ye will
so be it, said Sir Tramtrist, I will be at your commandment. So at the
day of justs there came Sir Palamides with a black shield, and he
overthrew many knights, that all the people had marvel of him. For he
put to the worse Sir Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, Bagdemagus, Kay,
Dodias le Savage, Sagramore le Desirous, Gumret le Petit, and Griflet
le Fise de Dieu. All these the first day Sir Palamides strake down to
the earth. And then all manner of knights were adread of Sir Palamides,
and many called him the knight with the black shield. So that day Sir
Palamides had great worship. Then came king Anguish unto Tramtrist and
asked him why he would not just. Sir, said he, I was but late hurt, and
as yet I dare not adventure me. Then came there the same squire that
was sent from the king’s daughter of France unto Sir Tristram. And when
he had espied Sir Tristram he fell flat to his feet. All that espied La
Beale Isoud, what courtesy the squire made unto Sir Tristram. And
therewith all suddenly Sir Tristram ran unto his squire, whose name was
Hebes le Renoumes, and prayed him heartily in no wise to tell his name.
Sir, said Hebes, I will not discover your name but if ye command me.