_How Sir Tristram fought with two knights of the Round Table._
Then within awhile Sir Tristram saw them afore him two likely knights.
Sir, said Gouvernail unto his master, Sir, I would counsel you not to
have ado with them, for they be two proved knights of Arthur’s court.
As for that, said Sir Tristram, have ye no doubt but I will have ado
with them to encrease my worship, for it is many day sithen I did any
deeds of arms. Do as ye list, said Gouvernail. And therewithal anon Sir
Tristram asked them from whence they came, and whither they would, and
what they did in those marches. Sir Sagramore looked upon Sir Tristram,
and had scorn of his words, and asked him again, Fair knight, be ye a
knight of Cornwall? Whereby ask ye it? said Sir Tristram. For it is
seldom seen, said Sir Sagramore, that ye Cornish knights be valiant men
of arms: for within these two hours there met us one of you Cornish
knights, and great words he spake, and anon with little might he was
laid to the earth. And, as I trow, said Sir Sagramore, ye shall have
the same handsel that he had. Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, it may so
happen that I may better withstand than he did, and whether ye will or
nill I will have ado with you, because he was my cousin that ye beat.
And therefore here do your best; and wit ye well but if ye quit you the
better here upon this ground one knight of Cornwall shall beat you
both. When Sir Dodinas le Savage heard him say so, he gat a spear in
his hand, and said, Sir knight, keep well thyself. And then they
departed, and came together as it had been thunder. And Sir Dodinas’
spear brast in sunder, but Sir Tristram smote him with a more might,
that he smote him clean over the horse croup, that nigh he had broken
his neck. When Sir Sagramore saw his fellow have such a fall he
marvelled what knight he might be, and he dressed his spear with all
his might, and Sir Tristram against him, and they came together as the
thunder, and there Sir Tristram smote Sir Sagramore a strong buffet,
that he bare his horse and him to the earth, and in the falling he
brake his thigh. When this was done Sir Tristram asked them, Fair
knights, will ye any more? Be there no bigger knights in the court of
king Arthur? It is to you shame to say of us knights of Cornwall
dishonour, for it may happen a Cornish knight may match you. That is
truth, said Sir Sagramore, that have we well proved; but I require
thee, said Sir Sagramore, tell us your right name, by the faith and
truth that ye owe to the high order of knighthood. Ye charge me with a
great thing, said Sir Tristram, and sithen ye list to wit it, ye shall
know and understand that my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, king
Meliodas’ son, and nephew unto king Mark. Then were they two knights
fain that they had met with Sir Tristram, and so they prayed him to
abide in their fellowship. Nay, said Sir Tristram, for I must have ado
with one of your fellows, his name is Sir Bleoberis de Ganis. God speed
you well, said Sir Sagramore and Dodinas. Sir Tristram departed, and
rode onward on his way, and then was he ware before him in a valley
where rode Sir Bleoberis with Sir Segwarides’s lady, that rode behind
his squire upon a palfrey.