_How Sir Palamides changed his shield and his armour for to hurt Sir
Tristram, and how Sir Launcelot did to Sir Tristram._
Then when Sir Palamides saw that Sir Tristram was disguised, then he
thought to do him a shame. So Sir Palamides rode to a knight that was
sore wounded, that sat under a fair well from the field. Sir knight,
said Sir Palamides, I pray you to lend me your armour and your shield,
for mine is over well known in this field, and that hath done me great
damage, and ye shall have mine armour and my shield, that is as sure as
yours. I will well, said the knight, that ye have mine armour and my
shield, if they may do you any avail. So Sir Palamides armed him
hastily in that knight’s armour, and his shield that shone as any
crystal or silver, and so he came riding into the field. And then there
was neither Sir Tristram nor none of king Arthur’s party that knew Sir
Palamides. And right so as Sir Palamides was come into the field Sir
Tristram smote down three knights, even in the sight of Sir Palamides.
And then Sir Palamides rode against Sir Tristram, and either met other
with great spears, that they brast to their hands. And then they dashed
together with swords eagerly. Then Sir Tristram had marvel what knight
he was that did battle so knightly with him. Then was Sir Tristram
wroth, for he felt him passing strong, so that he deemed he might not
have ado with the remnant of the knights, because of the strength of
Sir Palamides. So they lashed together, and gave many sad strokes
together, and many knights marvelled what knight he might be that so
encountered with the black knight, Sir Tristram. Full well knew La
Beale Isoud that there was Sir Palamides that fought with Sir Tristram,
for she espied all in her window where that she stood, as Sir Palamides
changed his harness with the wounded knight. And then she began to weep
so heartily for the despite of Sir Palamides that there she swooned.
Then came in Sir Launcelot with the knights of Orkney; and when the
other party had espied Sir Launcelot they cried, Return, return, here
cometh Sir Launcelot du Lake. So there came knights and said, Sir
Launcelot, ye must needs fight with yonder knight in the black harness
(that was Sir Tristram), for he hath almost overcome that good knight
that fighteth with him with the silver shield (that was Sir Palamides).
Then Sir Launcelot rode betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides, and Sir
Launcelot said to Palamides, Sir knight, let me have the battle, for ye
have need to be reposed. Sir Palamides knew Sir Launcelot well, and so
did Sir Tristram. But because Sir Launcelot was a far hardier knight
than himself therefore he was glad, and suffered Sir Launcelot to fight
with Sir Tristram. For well wist he that Sir Launcelot knew not Sir
Tristram, and there he hoped that Sir Launcelot should beat or shame
Sir Tristram, whereof Sir Palamides was full fain. And so Sir Launcelot
gave Sir Tristram many sad strokes, but Sir Launcelot knew not Sir
Tristram, but Sir Tristram knew well Sir Launcelot. And thus they
fought long together, that La Beale Isoud was well out of her mind for
sorrow. Then Sir Dinadan told Sir Gareth how that knight in the black
harness was Sir Tristram, and this is Launcelot that fighteth with him,
that must needs have the better of him, for Sir Tristram hath had too
much travail this day. Then let us smite him down, said Sir Gareth. So
it is better that we do, said Sir Dinadan, than Sir Tristram be shamed.
For yonder hoveth the strong knight with the silver shield to fall upon
Sir Tristram if need be. Then forthwithal Gareth rushed upon Sir
Launcelot, and gave him a great stroke upon his helm so hard that he
was astonied. And then came Sir Dinadan with a spear, and he smote Sir
Launcelot such a buffet that horse and all fell to the earth. Alas,
said Sir Tristram to Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan, fie for shame, why did
ye smite down so good a knight as he is, and namely when I had ado with
him? Now ye do yourself great shame, and him no dis-worship: for I held
him reasonable hot though ye had not holpen me. Then came Sir Palamides
that was disguised, and smote down Sir Dinadan from his horse. Then Sir
Launcelot, because Sir Dinadan had smitten him aforehand, then Sir
Launcelot assailed Sir Dinadan passing sore, and Sir Dinadan defended
him mightily. But well understood Sir Tristram that Sir Dinadan might
not endure Sir Launcelot, wherefore Sir Tristram was sorry. Then came
Sir Palamides fresh upon Sir Tristram. And when Sir Tristram saw him
come, he thought to deliver him at once, because that he would help Sir
Dinadan, because he stood in great peril with Sir Launcelot. Then Sir
Tristram hurtled unto Sir Palamides, and gave him a great buffet, and
then Sir Tristram gat Sir Palamides, and pulled him down underneath
him. And so fell Sir Tristram with him, and Sir Tristram lept up
lightly, and left Sir Palamides, and went betwixt Sir Launcelot and
Dinadan, and then they began to do battle together. Right so Sir
Dinadan gat Sir Tristram’s horse, and said on high, that Sir Launcelot
might hear it, My lord Sir Tristram, take your horse. And when Sir
Launcelot heard him name Sir Tristram, Alas, said Sir Launcelot, what
have I done? I am dishonoured. Ah, my lord Sir Tristram, said
Launcelot, why were ye disguised? ye have put yourself in great peril
this day. But, I pray you, noble knight, to pardon me, for and I had
known you we had not done this battle. Sir, said Sir Tristram, this is
not the first kindness ye shewed me. So they were both horsed again.
Then all the people on the one side gave Sir Launcelot the honour and
the degree, and on the other side all the people gave to the noble
knight Sir Tristram the honour and the degree. But Launcelot said nay
thereto:—For I am not worthy to have this honour, for I will report me
unto all knights that Sir Tristram hath been longer in the field than
I, and he hath smitten down many more knights this day than I have
done; and therefore I will give Sir Tristram my voice and my name, and
so I pray all my lords and fellows so to do. Then there was the whole
voice of dukes and earls, barons and knights, that Sir Tristram this
day is proved the best knight.