_How Sir Tristram rode after Palamides, and how he found him and fought
with him, and by the mean of Isoud the battle ceased._
Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that when he was come home and wist La
Beale Isoud was gone with Sir Palamides, wit ye well he was wroth out
of measure. Alas, said Sir Tristram, I am this day shamed. Then he
cried to Gouvernail his man, Haste thee that I were armed and on
horseback, for well I wot Lambegus hath no might nor strength to
withstand Sir Palamides; alas, that I had not been in his stead. So
anon as he was armed and horsed Sir Tristram and Gouvernail rode after
into the forest, and within a while he found his knight Lambegus almost
wounded to the death, and Sir Tristram bare him to a forester, and
charged him to keep him well. And then he rode forth, and there he
found Sir Adtherp sore wounded, and he told him how the queen would
have drowned herself and he had not been, and how for her sake and love
he had taken upon him to do battle with Sir Palamides. Where is my
lady? said Sir Tristram. Sir, said the knight, she is sure enough
within my castle, and she can hold her within it. Gramercy, said Sir
Tristram, of thy great goodness. And so he rode till he came nigh to
that castle, and then Sir Tristram saw where Sir Palamides sat at the
gate sleeping, and his horse pastured fast afore him. Now go thou
Gouvernail, said Sir Tristram, and bid him awake and make him ready. So
Gouvernail rode unto him and said, Sir Palamides, arise and take to
thee thine harness. But he was in such a study that he heard not what
Gouvernail said. So Gouvernail came again and told Sir Tristram that he
slept, or else he was mad. Go thou again, said Sir Tristram, and bid
him arise, and tell him that I am here his mortal foe. So Gouvernail
rode again and put upon him the butt of his spear, and said, Sir
Palamides make thee ready, for wit ye well Sir Tristram hoveth yonder,
and sendeth thee word he is thy mortal foe. And therewithal Sir
Palamides arose stilly without words, and gat his horse and saddled him
and bridled him, and lightly he lept upon him, and gat his spear in his
hand, and either feutred their spears, and hurtled fast together; and
there Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palamides over his horse tail. Then
lightly Sir Palamides put his shield afore him and drew his sword, and
there began strong battle on both parties, for both they fought for the
love of one lady, and ever she lay on the walls and beheld them how
they fought out of measure, and either were wounded passing sore, but
Palamides was much sorer wounded. Thus they fought tracing and
traversing more than two hours, that well nigh for dole and sorrow La
Beale Isoud swooned. Alas, said she, that one I loved and yet do, and
the other I love not, yet it were great pity that I should see Sir
Palamides slain, for well I know by that time the end be done Sir
Palamides is but a dead knight, and because he is not christened I
would be loth that he should die a Saracen. And therewithal she came
down and besought Sir Tristram to fight no more. Ah madam, said he,
what mean you? will ye have me shamed? Well ye know I will be ruled by
you. I will not your dishonour, said La Beale Isoud, but I would that
ye would for my sake spare this unhappy Saracen Palamides. Madam, said
Sir Tristram, I will leave fighting at this time for your sake.
Then she said to Sir Palamides: This shall be your charge, that thou
shalt go out of this country while I am therein. I will obey your
commandment, said Sir Palamides, the which is sore against my will.
Then take thy way, said La Beale Isoud, unto the court of king Arthur,
and there recommend me unto queen Guenever, and tell her that I send
her word that there be within the land but four lovers, that is Sir
Launcelot du Lake and queen Guenever, and Sir Tristram de Liones and
queen Isoud.