_How Sir Tristram and Sir Launcelot, with Palamides, came to Joyous
Gard; and of Palamides and Sir Tristram._
Fair knight, said Sir Tristram unto Sir Launcelot, of whence be ye? I
am a knight errant, said Sir Launcelot, that rideth to seek many
adventures. What is your name? said Sir Tristram. Sir, at this time I
will not tell you. Then Sir Launcelot said unto Sir Tristram and to
Palamides, Now either of you are met together, I will depart from you.
Not so, said Sir Tristram, I pray you of knighthood to ride with me
unto my castle. Wit you well, said Sir Launcelot, I may not ride with
you, for I have many deeds to do in other places, that at this time I
may not abide with you. Truly, said Sir Tristram, I require you, as ye
be a true knight to the order of knighthood, play you with me this
night. Then Sir Tristram had a grant of Sir Launcelot: howbeit, though
he had not desired him he would have ridden with them, or soon would
come after them; for Sir Launcelot came for none other cause into that
country but for to see Sir Tristram. And when they were come within
Joyous Gard they alight, and their horses were led into a stable, and
then they unarmed them. And when Sir Launcelot was unhelmed, Sir
Tristram and Sir Palamides knew him. Then Sir Tristram took Sir
Launcelot in arms, and so did La Beale Isoud; and Sir Palamides kneeled
down upon his knees and thanked Sir Launcelot. When Sir Launcelot saw
Sir Palamides kneel, he lightly took him up, and said thus; Wit thou
well, Sir Palamides, I, and any knight in this land of worship, ought
of very right succour and rescue so noble a knight as ye are proved and
renowned throughout all this realm, endlong and overthwart. And then
was there joy among them; and the oftener that Sir Palamides saw La
Beale Isoud, the heavier he waxed day by day. Then Sir Launcelot within
three or four days departed; and with him rode Sir Ector de Maris: and
Dinadan and Sir Palamides were there left with Sir Tristram a two
months and more. But ever Sir Palamides faded and mourned, that all men
had marvel wherefore he faded so away. So upon a day, in the dawning
Sir Palamides went into the forest by himself alone, and there he found
a well, and then he looked into the well, and in the water he saw his
own visage, how he was disturbed and defaded, nothing like that he was.
What may this mean? said Sir Palamides. And thus he said to himself:
Ah, Palamides, Palamides, why art thou diffaded, thou that was wont be
called one of the fairest knights of the world? I will no more lead
this life, for I love that I may never get nor recover. And therewithal
he laid him down by the well. And then he began to make a rhyme of La
Beale Isoud and him. And in the meanwhile Sir Tristram was that same
day ridden into the forest to chase the hart of greese. But Sir
Tristram would not ride on hunting never more unarmed because of Sir
Breuse Sance Pité. And so as Sir Tristram rode into that forest up and
down, he heard one sing marvellously loud; and that was Sir Palamides,
that lay by the well. And then Sir Tristram rode softly thither, for he
deemed there was some knight errant that was at the well.
And when Sir Tristram came nigh him, he descended down from his horse,
and tied his horse fast till a tree, and then he came near him on foot.
And anon he was ware where lay Sir Palamides by the well, and sang loud
and merrily. And ever the complaints were of that noble queen La Beale
Isoud, the which was marvellously and wonderfully well said, and full
dolefully and piteously made. And all the whole song the noble knight
Sir Tristram heard from the beginning to the ending, the which grieved
and troubled him sore. But then at the last, when Sir Tristram had
heard all Sir Palamides’ complaints, he was wroth out of measure, and
thought for to slay him there as he lay. Then Sir Tristram remembered
himself that Sir Palamides was unarmed, and of the noble name that Sir
Palamides had, and the noble name that himself had, and then he made a
restraint of his anger, and so he went unto Sir Palamides a soft pace,
and said, Sir Palamides, I have heard your complaint, and of thy
treason that thou hast owed me so long. And wit thou well therefore
thou shalt die. And if it were not for shame of knighthood thou
shouldest not escape my hands, for now I know well thou hast awaited me
with treason. Tell me, said Sir Tristram, how thou wilt acquit thee.
Sir, said Palamides, thus I will acquit me:—as for queen La Beale
Isoud, ye shall wit well that I love her above all other ladies of the
world; and well I wot it shall befal me as for her love as befel to the
noble knight Sir Kehidius, that died for the love of La Beale Isoud;
and now, Sir Tristram, I will that ye wit that I have loved La Beale
Isoud many a day, and she hath been the causer of my worship. And else
I had been the most simplest knight in the world. For by her, and
because of her, I have won the worship that I have: for when I
remembered me of La Beale Isoud, I wan the worship wheresoever I came,
for the most part; and yet had I never reward nor bounty of her the
days of my life, and yet have I been her knight guerdonless; and
therefore Sir Tristram, as for any death I dread not, for I had as lief
die as to live. And if I were armed as thou art, I should lightly do
battle with thee. Well have ye uttered your treason, said Tristram. I
have done to you no treason, said Sir Palamides, for love is free for
all men, and though I have loved your lady she is my lady as well as
yours: howbeit I have wrong if any wrong be, for ye rejoice her, and
have her love, and so had I never, nor never am like to have. And yet
shall I love her to the uttermost days of my life as well as ye.