_How Sir Tristram won the degree at a tournament in Ireland, and there
made Palamides to bear no harness in a year._
Then Sir Tristram asked him what he did in those countries. Sir, he
said, I came hither with Sir Gawaine for to be made knight, and if it
please you, of your hands that I may be made knight. Await upon me as
to-morn, secretly, and in the field I shall make you a knight. Then had
La Beale Isoud great suspicion unto Tramtrist that he was some man of
worship proved, and therewith she comforted herself, and cast more love
unto him than she had done tofore. And so on the morn Sir Palamides
made him ready to come into the field as he did the first day. And
there he smote down the king with the hundred knights, and the king of
Scotland. Then had La Beale Isoud ordained and well arrayed Sir
Tramtrist in white horse and harness. And right so she let put him out
at a privy postern, and so he came into the field as it had been a
bright angel. And anon Sir Palamides espied him, and therewith he
feutered a spear unto Sir Tramtrist, and he again unto him. And there
Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palamides unto the earth. And then there
was a great noise of people: some said Sir Palamides had a fall, some
said the knight with the black shield had a fall. And wit you well La
Beale Isoud was passing glad. And then Sir Gawaine and his fellows nine
had marvel what knight it might be that had smitten down Sir Palamides.
Then would there none just with Tramtrist, but all that were there
forsook him, most and least. Then Sir Tristram made Hebes a knight, and
caused him to put himself forth, and did right well that day. So after
Sir Hebes held him with Sir Tristram. And when Sir Palamides had
received this fall, wit ye well he was sore ashamed: and as privily as
he might he withdrew him out of the field. All that espied Sir
Tristram, and lightly he rode after Sir Palamides, and overtook him,
and bad him turn, for better he would assay him or ever he departed.
Then Sir Palamides turned him, and either lashed at other with their
swords. But at the first stroke Sir Tristram smote down Palamides, and
gave him such a stroke upon the head that he fell to the earth. So then
Tristram bad yield him and do his commandment, or else he would slay
him. When Sir Palamides beheld his countenance, he dread his buffets so
that he granted all his askings. Well said, said Sir Tristram, this
shall be your charge. First upon pain of your life that ye forsake my
lady La Beale Isoud, and in no manner wise that ye draw not to her.
Also this twelvemonth and a day that ye bear none armour nor none
harness of war. Now promise me this, or here shalt thou die. Alas, said
Palamides, for ever am I ashamed. Then he sware as Sir Tristram had
commanded him. Then for despite and anger Sir Palamides cut off his
harness and threw them away. And so Sir Tristram turned again to the
castle where was La Beale Isoud, and by the way he met with a damsel
that asked after Sir Launcelot, that won the Dolorous Gard
worshipfully, and this damsel asked Sir Tristram what he was: for it
was told her that it was he that smote down Sir Palamides, by whom the
ten knights of king Arthur were smitten down. Then the damsel prayed
Sir Tristram to tell her what he was, and whether that he were Sir
Launcelot du Lake, for she deemed that there was no knight in the world
might do such deeds of arms but if it were Launcelot. Fair damsel, said
Sir Tristram, wit ye well that I am not Sir Launcelot, for I was never
of such prowess, but in God is all, that he may make me as good a
knight as the good knight Sir Launcelot. Now, gentle knight, said she,
put up thy visor. And when she beheld his visage she thought she saw
never a better man’s visage, nor a better faring knight. And then when
the damsel knew certainly that he was not Sir Launcelot, then she took
her leave and departed from him. And then Sir Tristram rode privily
unto the postern where kept him La Beale Isoud, and there she made him
good cheer, and thanked God of his good speed. So anon within a while
the king and the queen understood that it was Tramtrist that smote down
Sir Palamides; then was he much made of more than he was before.