_How Sir Tristram returned against king Arthur’s party, because he saw
Sir Palamides on that party._
Then upon the morn Sir Palamides returned from the king of Northgalis,
and rode to king Arthur’s side, where was king Carados, and the king of
Ireland, and Sir Launcelot’s kin, and Sir Gawaine’s kin. So Sir
Palamides sent the damsel unto Sir Tristram that he sent to seek him
when he was out of his mind in the forest; and this damsel asked Sir
Tristram what he was, and what was his name. As for that, said Sir
Tristram, tell Sir Palamides he shall not wit as at this time, unto the
time I have broken two spears upon him. But let him wit thus much, said
Sir Tristram, that I am the same knight that he smote down in over
evening at the tournament, and tell him plainly, on what part that Sir
Palamides be I will be on the contrary part. Sir, said the damsel, ye
shall understand that Sir Palamides will be on king Arthur’s side,
where the most noble knights of the world be. Then, said Sir Tristram,
will I be with the king of Northgalis, because Sir Palamides will be on
king Arthur’s side, and else I would not but for his sake. So when king
Arthur was come they blew unto the field, and then there began a great
party, and so king Carados justed with the king with the hundred
knights, and there king Carados had a fall; then there was hurling and
rashing, and right so came in knights of king Arthur’s, and they bare
back the king of Northgalis’ knights. Then Sir Tristram came in, and
began so roughly and so bigly that there was none might withstand him,
and thus Sir Tristram endured long. And at the last Sir Tristram fell
among the fellowship of king Ban, and there fell upon him Sir Bors de
Ganis, and Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Blamor de Ganis, and many other
knights. And then Sir Tristram smote on the right hand and on the left
hand, that all lords and ladies spake of his noble deeds. But at the
last Sir Tristram should have had the worse had not the king with the
hundred knights been. And then he came with his fellowship and rescued
Sir Tristram, and brought him away from those knights that bare the
shields of Cornwall. And then Sir Tristram saw another fellowship by
themselves, and there were a forty knights together, and Sir Kay the
seneschal was their governor. Then Sir Tristram rode in amongst them,
and there he smote down Sir Kay from his horse, and there he fared
among those knights like a grey hound among conies. Then Sir Launcelot
found a knight that was sore wounded upon the head. Sir, said Sir
Launcelot, who wounded you so sore? Sir, he said, a knight that beareth
a black shield, and I may curse the time that ever I met with him, for
he is a devil and no man. So Sir Launcelot departed from him, and
thought to meet with Sir Tristram, and so he rode with his sword drawn
in his hand to seek Sir Tristram, and then he espied him how he hurled
here and there, and at every stroke Sir Tristram well nigh smote down a
knight. O mercy, said the king, sith the time I bare arms saw I never
no knight do so marvellous deeds of arms. And if I should set upon this
knight, said Sir Launcelot to himself, I did shame to myself; and
therewithal Sir Launcelot put up his sword. And then the king with the
hundred knights and a hundred more of North Wales set upon the twenty
of Sir Launcelot’s kin: and they twenty knights held them ever together
as wild swine, and none would fail other. And so when Sir Tristram
beheld the noblesse of these twenty knights, he marvelled of their good
deeds, for he saw by their fare and by their rule, that they had lever
die than avoid the field. Now, said Sir Tristram, well may he be
valiant and full of prowess that hath such a sort of noble knights unto
his kin, and full like is he to be a noble man that is their leader and
governor. He meant it by Sir Launcelot du Lake. So when Sir Tristram
had beholden them long, he thought shame to see two hundred knights
battering upon twenty knights. Then Sir Tristram rode unto the king
with the hundred knights and said, Sir, leave your fighting with those
twenty knights, for ye win no worship of them, ye be so many, and they
so few; and wit ye well they will not out of the field, I see by their
cheer and countenance; and worship get ye none and ye slay them.
Therefore leave your fighting with them, for I to increase my worship I
will ride to the twenty knights and help them with all my might and
power. Nay, said the king with the hundred knights, ye shall not do so.
Now I see your courage and courtesy I will withdraw my knights for your
pleasure, for evermore a good knight will favour another, and like will
draw to like.