_How Sir Tristram had a fall of Sir Palamides, and how Launcelot
overthrew two knights._
Then they saw much people of the country salute Sir Palamides. And
within a while after there came a squire of the castle that told Sir
Pellounes, that was lord of that castle, that a knight with a black
shield had smitten down thirteen knights. Fair brother, said Sir
Tristram unto Sir Persides, let us cast upon us our cloaks, and let us
go see the play. Not so, said Sir Persides, we will not go like knaves
thither, but we will ride like men and good knights to withstand our
enemies. So they armed them, and took their horses, and great spears,
and thither they went, there as many knights assayed themselves before
the tournament. And anon Sir Palamides saw Sir Persides, and then he
sent a squire unto him, and said, Go thou to the yonder knight with a
green shield and therein a lion of gold, and say to him I require him
to just with me, and tell him that my name is Sir Palamides. When Sir
Persides understood that request of Sir Palamides he made him ready.
And there anon they met together, but Sir Persides had a fall. Then Sir
Tristram dressed him to be revenged upon Sir Palamides. And that saw
Sir Palamides, that was ready, and so was not Sir Tristram, and took
him at advantage, and smote him over his horse tail when he had no
spear in his rest. Then start up Sir Tristram, and took his horse
lightly, and was wroth out of measure, and sore ashamed of that fall.
Then Sir Tristram sent unto Sir Palamides by Gouvernail his squire, and
prayed him to just with him at his request. Nay, said Sir Palamides, as
at this time I will not just with that knight, for I know him better
than he weeneth. And if he be wroth, he may right it to-morn at the
Castle of Maidens, where he may see me and many other knights. With
that came Sir Dinadan, and when he saw Sir Tristram wroth he list not
to jest. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, here may a man prove, be a man never so
good yet may he have a fall, and he was never so wise but he might be
overseen, and he rideth well that never fell. So Sir Tristram was
passing wroth, and said to Sir Persides and Sir Dinadan, I will revenge
me. Right so as they stood talking there, there came by Sir Tristram a
likely knight, riding passing soberly and heavily, with a black shield.
What knight is that? said Sir Tristram unto Sir Persides. I know him
well, said Sir Persides, for his name is Sir Briant of North Wales: so
he past on among other knights of North Wales. And there came in Sir
Launcelot du Lake with a shield of the arms of Cornwall, and he sent a
squire unto Sir Briant, and required him to just with him. Well, said
Sir Briant, since I am required to just I will do what I may. And there
Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Briant from his horse a great fall. And
then Sir Tristram marvelled what knight he was that bare the shield of
Cornwall. Whatsoever he be, said Sir Dinadan, I warrant you he is of
king Ban’s blood, the which be knights of the most noble prowess in the
world, for to account so many for so many. Then there came two knights
of Northgalis, the one hight Hew de la Montaine, and the other Sir
Madok de la Montaine, and they challenged Sir Launcelot foot hot. Sir
Launcelot not refusing them, but made him ready, with one spear he
smote them down both over their horse croups, and so Sir Launcelot rode
his way. By my faith, said Sir Tristram, he is a good knight that
beareth the shield of Cornwall, and me seemeth he rideth in the best
manner that ever I saw knight ride. Then the king of Northgalis rode
unto Sir Palamides, and prayed him heartily for his sake to just with
that knight that hath done us of Northgalis despite. Sir, said Sir
Palamides, I am full loth to have ado with that knight, and cause why
is for as to-morn the great tournament shall be, and therefore I will
keep myself fresh by my will. Nay, said the king of Northgalis, I pray
you require him of justs. Sir, said Sir Palamides, I will just at your
request, and require that knight to just with me; and often I have seen
a man have a fall at his own request.