_How La Beale Isoud sent letters unto Sir Tristram by her maid
Bragwaine, and of divers adventures of Sir Tristram._
Now leave we here Sir La Cote Male Taile, and turn we unto Sir Tristram
de Liones that was in Britanny. When La Beale Isoud understood that he
was wedded she sent unto him by her maiden Bragwaine as piteous letters
as could be thought and made, and her conclusion was, that, and it
pleased Sir Tristram, that he would come to her court and bring with
him Isoud la Blanche Mains, and they should be kept as well as she
herself. Then Sir Tristram called unto him Sir Kehydius and asked him
whether he would go with him into Cornwall secretly. He answered him
that he was ready at all times. And then he let ordain privily a little
vessel, and therein they went, Sir Tristram, Kehydius, dame Bragwaine,
and Gouvernail Sir Tristram’s squire. So when they were in the sea, a
contrarious wind blew them on the coasts of North Wales, nigh the
castle perilous. Then said Sir Tristram, Here shall ye abide me these
ten days, and Gouvernail my squire with you. And if so be I come not
again by that day, take the next way into Cornwall, for in this forest
are many strange adventures as I have heard say, and some of them I
cast me to prove or I depart: and when I may I shall hie me after you.
Then Sir Tristram and Kehydius took their horses and departed from
their fellowship. And so they rode within that forest a mile and more.
And at the last Sir Tristram saw afore him a likely knight armed,
sitting by a well, and a strong mighty horse passing nigh him tied to
an oak, and a man hoving and riding by him, leading an horse laden with
spears. And this knight that sat at the well seemed by his countenance
to be passing heavy. Then Sir Tristram rode near him and said, Fair
knight, why sit ye so drooping? Ye seem to be a knight errant by your
arms and harness, and therefore dress you to just with one of us or
with both. Therewithal that knight made no words, but took his shield
and buckled it about his neck, and lightly he took his horse and lept
upon him. And then he took a great spear of his squire, and departed
his way a furlong. Sir Kehydius asked leave of Sir Tristram to just
first. Do your best, said Sir Tristram. So they met together, and there
Sir Kehydius had a fall, and was sore wounded on high above the breast.
Then Sir Tristram said, Knight, that is well justed, now make you ready
unto me. I am ready, said the knight. And then that knight took a
greater spear in his hand and encountered with Sir Tristram, and there
by great force that knight smote down Sir Tristram from his horse, and
he had a great fall. Then Sir Tristram was sore ashamed, and lightly he
avoided his horse and put his shield afore his shoulder, and drew his
sword. And then Sir Tristram required that knight of his knighthood to
alight upon foot and fight with him. I will well, said the knight. And
so he alight upon foot and avoided his horse, and cast his shield upon
his shoulder, and drew his sword, and there they fought a long battle
together full nigh two hours.
Then Sir Tristram said, Fair knight, hold thy hand, and tell me of
whence thou art, and what is thy name. As for that, said the knight, I
will be advised, but and thou wilt tell me thy name, peradventure I
will tell thee mine.