_How the second day Palamides forsook Sir Tristram, and went to the
contrary part against him._
Then there was a cry unto all knights, that when they heard an horn
blow they should make justs as they did the first day. And like as the
brethren Sir Edward and Sir Sadok began the justs the first day, Sir
Uwaine, the king’s son Urein, and Sir Lucanere de Buttelere, began the
justs the second day. And at the first encounter Sir Uwaine smote down
the king’s son of Scots, and Sir Lucanere ran against the king of
Wales, and they brake their spears all to pieces, and they were so
fierce both, that they hurtled together that both fell to the earth.
Then they of Orkney horsed again Sir Lucanere. And then came in Sir
Tristram de Liones; and then Sir Tristram smote down Sir Uwaine and Sir
Lucanere; and Sir Palamides smote down other two knights; and Sir
Gareth smote down other two knights. Then said Sir Arthur unto Sir
Launcelot, See yonder three knights do passing well, and namely the
first that justed. Sir, said Launcelot, that knight began not yet, but
ye shall see him this day do marvellously. And then came into the place
the duke’s son of Orkney, and then they began to do many deeds of arms.
When Sir Tristram saw them so begin, he said to Palamides, How feel ye
yourself? may ye do this day as ye did yesterday? Nay, said Palamides,
I feel myself so weary and so sore bruised of the deeds of yesterday,
that I may not endure as I did yesterday. That me repenteth, said Sir
Tristram, for I shall lack you this day. Sir Palamides said, Trust not
to me, for I may not do as I did. All these words said Palamides for to
beguile Sir Tristram. Sir, said Sir Tristram unto Sir Gareth, then must
I trust upon you; wherefore I pray you be not far from me to rescue me.
And need be, said Gareth, I shall not fail you in all that I may do.
Then Sir Palamides rode by himself, and then in despite of Sir Tristram
he put himself in the thickest press among them of Orkney: and there he
did so marvellous deeds of arms that all men had wonder of him, for
there might none stand him a stroke. When Sir Tristram saw Sir
Palamides do such deeds he marvelled, and said to himself, He is weary
of my company. So Sir Tristram beheld him a great while, and did but
little else, for the noise and cry was so huge and great that Sir
Tristram marvelled from whence came the strength that Sir Palamides had
there in the field. Sir, said Sir Gareth unto Sir Tristram, remember ye
not of the words that Sir Dinadan said to you yesterday, when he called
you coward? For sooth, Sir, he said it for none ill; for ye are the man
in the world that he most loveth, and all that he said was for your
worship. And therefore, said Sir Gareth to Sir Tristram, let me know
this day what ye be; and wonder ye not so upon Sir Palamides, for he
enforceth himself to win all the worship and honour from you. I may
well believe it, said Sir Tristram, and since I understand his evil
will and his envy ye shall see, if that I enforce myself, that the
noise shall be left that now is upon him.
Then Sir Tristram rode into the thickest of the press, and then he did
so marvellously well, and did so great deeds of arms, that all men said
that Sir Tristram did double so much deeds of arms that Sir Palamides
had done aforehand. And then the noise went plain from Sir Palamides,
and all the people cried upon Sir Tristram. See, said the people, how
Sir Tristram smiteth down with his spear so many knights. And see, said
they all, how many knights he smiteth down with his sword, and of how
many knights he rashed off their helms and their shields. And so he
beat them all of Orkney afore him. How now, said Sir Launcelot unto
king Arthur, I told you that this day there would a knight play his
pageant. Yonder rideth a knight ye may see he doth knightly, for he
hath strength and wind. Truly, said Arthur to Launcelot, ye say sooth,
for I saw never a better knight, for he passeth far Sir Palamides. Sir,
wit ye well, said Launcelot, it must be so of right, for it is himself
that noble knight Sir Tristram. I may right well believe it, said
Arthur. But when Sir Palamides heard the noise and the cry was turned
from him he rode out on a part, and beheld Sir Tristram. And when Sir
Palamides saw Sir Tristram do so marvellously well, he wept passingly
sore for despite, for he wist well he should no worship win that day.
For well knew Sir Palamides, when Sir Tristram would put forth his
strength and his manhood, he should get but little worship that day.