_How Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides met Breuse Sance Pité, and how Sir
Tristram and La Beale Isoud went unto Lonazep._
And then Sir Tristram desired Sir Palamides to ride into the fields and
woods; so they were accorded to repose them in the forest. And when
they had played them a great while, they rode unto a fair well, and
anon they were ware of an armed knight that came riding against them,
and there either saluted other. Then this armed knight spake to Sir
Tristram, and asked what were those knights that were lodged in Joyous
Gard. I wot not what they are, said Sir Tristram. What knights be ye,
said that knight, for me seemeth that ye be no knights errant, because
ye ride unarmed? Whether we be knights or not, we list not to tell thee
our name. Wilt thou not tell me thy name, said that knight, then keep
thee, for thou shalt die of my hands. And therewith he gat his spear in
his hands, and would have run Sir Tristram through. That saw Sir
Palamides, and smote his horse traverse in midst of the side, that man
and horse fell to the earth. And therewith Sir Palamides alight, and
pulled out his sword to have slain him. Let be, said Sir Tristram, slay
him not, the knight is but a fool, it were shame to slay him. But take
away his spear, said Sir Tristram, and let him take his horse and go
where that he will. So when this knight arose he groaned sore of the
fall, and so he took his horse, and when he was up, he turned then his
horse, and required Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides to tell him what
knights they were. Now wit ye well, said Sir Tristram, that my name is
Sir Tristram de Liones, and this knight’s name is Sir Palamides. When
he wist what they were, he took his horse with the spurs because they
should not ask him his name, and so rode fast away through thick and
thin. Then came there by them a knight with a bended shield of azure,
whose name was Epinogris, and he came toward them a great wallop.
Whither are ye riding? said Sir Tristram. My fair lords, said
Epinogris, I follow the falsest knight that beareth the life, wherefore
I require tell me whether ye saw him, for he beareth a shield with a
case of red over it. Truly, said Tristram, such a knight departed from
us not a quarter of an hour ago; we pray you tell us his name. Alas,
said Epinogris, why let ye him escape from you, and he is so great a
foe unto all errant knights: his name is Breuse Sance Pité. Ah fie for
shame, said Sir Palamides, alas that ever he escaped my hands, for he
is the man in the world that I hate most. Then every knight made great
sorrow to other, and so Epinogris departed, and followed the chase
after him. Then Sir Tristram and his three fellows rode unto Joyous
Gard, and there Sir Tristram talked unto Sir Palamides of his battle,
how he sped at the Red City; and as ye have heard afore, so was it
ended. Truly, said Sir Tristram, I am glad ye have well sped, for ye
have done worshipfully. Well, said Sir Tristram, we must forward
to-morn. And then he devised how it should be, and Sir Tristram devised
to send his two pavilions to set them fast by the well of Lonazep,—and
therein shall be the queen La Beale Isoud. It is well said, said Sir
Dinadan. But when Sir Palamides heard of that, his heart was ravished
out of measure: notwithstanding he said but little. So when they came
to Joyous Gard, Sir Palamides would not have gone into the castle, but
as Sir Tristram took him by the finger, and led him into the castle.
And when Sir Palamides saw La Beale Isoud, he was so ravished so that
he might scarcely speak. So they went unto meat, but Palamides might
not eat, and there was all the cheer that might be had. And on the morn
they were apparelled to ride towards Lonazep.
So Sir Tristram had three squires, and La Beale Isoud had three
gentlewomen, and both the queen and they were richly apparelled; and
other people had they none with them, but varlets to bear their shields
and their spears. And thus they rode forth. So as they rode they saw
afore them a rout of knights: it was the knight Galihodin with twenty
knights with him. Fair fellows, said Galihodin, yonder come four
knights, and a rich and a well fair lady: I am in will to take that
lady from them. That is not of the best counsel, said one of
Galihodin’s men, but send ye to them and wit what they will say. And so
it was done. There came a squire to Sir Tristram and asked him whether
they would just, or else to lose their lady? Not so, said Sir Tristram,
tell your lord, I bid him come as many as we be, and win her and take
her. Sir, said Palamides, and it please you, let me have this deed, and
I shall undertake them all four. I will that ye have it, said Sir
Tristram, at your pleasure. Now go and tell your lord Galihodin, that
this same knight will encounter with him and his fellows.