_How Sir Tristram made him ready to rescue Sir Palamides, but Sir
Launcelot rescued him or he came._
When Sir Tristram heard how Sir Palamides went to his death, he was
heavy to hear that, and said, Howbeit that I am wrath with Sir
Palamides, yet will not I suffer him to die so shameful a death, for he
is a full noble knight. And then anon Sir Tristram was armed, and took
his horse, and two squires with him, and rode a great pace toward the
castle of Pelownes, where Sir Palamides was judged to death. And these
twelve knights that led Sir Palamides passed by a well whereas Sir
Launcelot was, which was alight there, and had tied his horse to a
tree, and taken off his helm to drink of that well; and when he saw
these knights, Sir Launcelot put on his helm, and suffered them to pass
by him. And then was he ware of Sir Palamides bounden, and led
shamefully to his death. Oh, mercy, said Launcelot, what misadventure
is befallen him, that he is thus led toward his death? Forsooth, said
Launcelot, it were shame to me to suffer this noble knight so to die
and I might help him, therefore I will help him whatsoever come of it,
or else I shall die for Sir Palamides’ sake. And then Sir Launcelot
mounted upon his horse, and gat his spear in his hand, and rode after
the twelve knights that led Sir Palamides. Fair knights, said Sir
Launcelot, whither lead ye that knight? it beseemeth him full ill to
ride bounden. Then these twelve knights suddenly turned their horses,
and said to Sir Launcelot, Sir knight, we counsel thee not to meddle
with this knight, for he hath deserved death, and unto death he is
judged. That me repenteth, said Launcelot, that I may not ransom him
with fairness, for he is over good a knight to die such a shameful
death. And therefore, fair knights, said Sir Launcelot, keep you as
well as ye can, for I will rescue that knight, or die for it. Then they
began to dress their spears, and Sir Launcelot smote the foremost down,
horse and man; and so he served three more with one spear, and then
that spear brake; and therewithal Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and
then he smote on the right hand and on the left hand: then within
awhile he left none of those twelve knights but he had laid them to the
earth, and the most part of them were sore wounded. And then Sir
Launcelot took the best horse that he found, and loosed Sir Palamides,
and set him upon that horse, and so they returned again unto Joyous
Gard. And then was Sir Palamides ware of Sir Tristram how he came
riding; and when Sir Launcelot saw him he knew him right well; but Sir
Tristram knew not him, because Sir Launcelot had on his shoulder a
golden shield. So Sir Launcelot made him ready to just with Sir
Tristram, that Sir Tristram should not wend that he were Sir Launcelot.
Then Sir Palamides cried on loud unto Sir Tristram, O my lord, I
require you just not with this knight, for this good knight hath saved
me from my death. When Sir Tristram heard him say so, he came a soft
trotting pace toward them. And then Sir Palamides said, My lord Sir
Tristram, much am I beholding unto you of your great goodness that
would proffer your noble body to rescue me undeserved, for I have
greatly offended you. Notwithstanding, said Sir Palamides, here met we
with this noble knight, that worshipfully and manly rescued me from
twelve knights, and smote them down all, and wounded them sore.