_How Sir Tristram departed with La Beale Isoud, and how Palamides
followed and excused him._
Then they blew unto lodging, and queen Isoud was led unto her
pavilions. But wit you well she was wroth out of measure with Sir
Palamides, for she saw all his treason from the beginning to the
ending. And all this while neither Sir Tristram, neither Sir Gareth,
nor Dinadan, knew not of the treason of Sir Palamides. But afterward ye
shall hear that there befel the greatest debate betwixt Sir Tristram
and Sir Palamides that might be. So when the tournament was done, Sir
Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan rode with La Beale Isoud to these
pavilions. And ever Sir Palamides rode with them in their company
disguised as he was. But when Sir Tristram had espied him, that he was
the same knight with the shield of silver that held him so hot that
day, Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, wit you well here is none that hath
need of your fellowship, and therefore I pray you depart from us. Sir
Palamides answered again, as though he had not known Sir Tristram, Wit
ye well, sir knight, from this fellowship will I never depart, for one
of the best knights of the world commanded me to be in this company,
and till he discharge me of my service I will not be discharged. By
that Sir Tristram knew that it was Sir Palamides. Ah Sir Palamides,
said the noble knight Sir Tristram, are ye such a knight? Ye have been
named wrong, for ye have long been called a gentle knight, and as this
day ye have shewed me great ungentleness, for ye had almost brought me
unto my death. But as for you I suppose I should have done well enough,
but Sir Launcelot with you was overmuch, for I know no knight living
but Sir Launcelot is over good for him, and he will do his uttermost.
Alas, said Sir Palamides, are ye my lord Sir Tristram? Yea, sir, and
that ye know well enough. By my knighthood, said Palamides, until now I
knew you not, for I wend that ye had been the king of Ireland, for well
I wot that ye bare his arms. His arms I bare, said Sir Tristram, and
that will I stand by, for I won them once in a field of a full noble
knight, his name was Sir Marhaus, and with great pain I won that
knight, for there was none other recover, but Sir Marhaus died through
false leeches, and yet was he never yielden to me. Sir, said Palamides,
I wend ye had been turned upon Sir Launcelot’s party, and that caused
me to turn. Ye say well, said Sir Tristram, and so I take you, and I
forgive you. So then they rode into their pavilions, and when they were
alight they unarmed them, and washed their faces and hands, and so went
to meat, and were set at their table. But when Isoud saw Sir Palamides
she changed then her colours, and for wrath she might not speak. Anon
Sir Tristram espied her countenance, and said, Madam, for what cause
make ye us such cheer? we have been sore travailed this day. Mine own
lord, said La Beale Isoud, be ye not displeased with me, for I may none
otherwise do, for I saw this day how ye were betrayed, and nigh brought
to your death. Truly, sir, I saw every deal, how, and in what wise; and
therefore, sir, how should I suffer in your presence such a felon and
traitor as Sir Palamides. For I saw him with mine eyes how he beheld
you when ye went out of the field. For ever he hoved still upon his
horse till he saw you come in againward. And then forthwithal I saw him
ride to the hurt knight, and change harness with him, and then straight
I saw him how he rode into the field. And anon as he had found you he
encountered with you, and thus wilfully Sir Palamides did battle with
you, and as for him, sir, I was not greatly afeard, but I dread sore
Launcelot, that knew you not. Madam, said Palamides, ye may say what so
ye will, I may not contrary you, but by my knighthood I knew not Sir
Tristram. Sir Palamides, said Sir Tristram, I will take your excuse,
but well I wot ye spared me but little, but all is pardoned on my part.
Then La Beale Isoud held down her head, and said no more at that time.