_How Sir Tristram met at the peron with Sir Launcelot, and how they
fought together unknown._
Then departed Sir Tristram and rode straight unto Camelot, to the peron
that Merlin had made tofore, where Sir Lanceor, that was the king’s son
of Ireland, was slain by the hands of Balin. And in that same place was
the fair lady Columbe slain, that was love unto Sir Lanceor, for after
he was dead she took his sword and thrust it through her body. And by
the craft of Merlin he made to inter this knight Sir Lanceor and his
lady Columbe under one stone. And at that time Merlin prophesied that
in that same place should fight two the best knights that ever were in
Arthur’s days, and the best lovers. So when Sir Tristram came to the
tomb where Lanceor and his lady were buried, he looked about him after
Sir Palamides. Then was he ware of a seemly knight came riding against
him all in white, with a covered shield. When he came nigh Sir
Tristram, he said on high, Ye be welcome, Sir knight, and well and
truly have ye holden your promise. And then they dressed their shields
and spears, and came together with all their mights of their horses.
And they met so fiercely that both their horses and knights fell to the
earth. And as fast as they might they avoided their horses, and put
their shields before them, and they strake together with bright swords,
as men that were of might, and either wounded other wonderly sore, that
the blood ran out upon the grass. And thus they two fought the space of
four hours, that never one would speak to other one word, and of their
harness they had hewn off many pieces. Oh, said Gouvernail, I have
marvel greatly of the strokes my master hath given to your master. By
my head, said Sir Launcelot’s servant, your master hath not given so
many but your master hath received as many or more. Oh, said
Gouvernail, it is too much for Sir Palamides to suffer, or Sir
Launcelot, and yet pity it were that either of these good knights
should destroy other’s blood. So they stood and wept both, and made
great dole when they saw the bright swords over covered with blood of
their bodies. Then at the last spake Sir Launcelot and said: Knight,
thou fightest wonderly well as ever I saw knight, therefore and it
please you tell me your name. Sir, said Sir Tristram, that is me loth
to tell any man my name. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, and I were
required, I was never loth to tell my name. It is well said, quoth Sir
Tristram, then I require you to tell me your name. Fair knight, he
said, my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Alas, said Sir Tristram, what
have I done, for ye are the man in the world that I love best. Fair
knight, said Sir Launcelot, tell me your name. Truly, said he, my name
is Sir Tristram de Liones. Oh, said Sir Launcelot, what adventure is
befallen me! And therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled down and yielded him
up his sword. And therewithal Sir Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded
him up his sword. And so either gave other the degree. And then they
both forthwithal went to the stone, and set them down upon it, and took
off their helms to cool them, and either kissed other an hundred times.
And then anon after they took their helms and rode to Camelot. And
there they met with Sir Gawaine and with Sir Gaheris that had made
promise to Arthur never to come again to the court till they had
brought Sir Tristram with them.