_How Sir Palamides kept his day to have foughten, but Sir Tristram
might not come; and other things._
But in no wise there was no knight about Sir Tristram that would
believe that ever Sir Palamides would hurt Sir Tristram, neither by his
own hands nor by none other consenting. Then when the fifteenth day was
come, Sir Palamides came to the well with four knights with him of
Arthur’s court, and three serjeants of arms. And for this intent Sir
Palamides brought the knights with him and the serjeants of arms, for
they should bear record of the battle betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir
Palamides. And the one serjeant brought in his helm, the other his
spear, the third his sword. So thus Sir Palamides came into the field,
and there he abode nigh two hours. And then he sent a squire unto Sir
Tristram, and desired him to come into the field to hold his promise.
When the squire was come to Joyous Gard, anon as Sir Tristram heard of
his coming, he let command that the squire should come to his presence
there as he lay in his bed. My lord Sir Tristram, said Palamides’
squire, wit you well, my lord Palamides abideth you in the field, and
he would wit whether ye would do battle or not. Ah, my fair brother,
said Sir Tristram, wit thou well that I am right heavy for these
tidings, therefore tell Sir Palamides and I were well at ease I would
not lie here, nor he should have no need to send for me, and I might
either ride or go: and for thou shalt say that I am no liar—Sir
Tristram shewed him his thigh, that the wound was six inches deep:—And
now thou hast seen my hurt, tell thy lord that this is no feigned
matter; and tell him that I had lever than all the gold of king Arthur
that I were whole: and tell Palamides, as soon as I am whole I shall
seek him endlong and overthwart, and that I promise you as I am true
knight: and if ever I may meet with him he shall have battle of me his
fill. And with this the squire departed. And when Sir Palamides wist
that Tristram was hurt, he was glad, and said, Now I am sure I shall
have no shame, for I wot well I should have had hard handling of him,
and by likely I must needs have had the worse. For he is the hardest
knight in battle that now is living except Sir Launcelot. And then
departed Sir Palamides where as fortune led him. And within a month Sir
Tristram was whole of his hurt. And then he took his horse, and rode
from country to country, and all strange adventures he achieved
wheresoever he rode, and always he enquired for Sir Palamides, but of
all that quarter of summer Sir Tristram could never meet with Sir
Palamides. But thus as Sir Tristram sought and enquired after Sir
Palamides, Sir Tristram achieved many great battles, wherethrough all
the noise fell to Sir Tristram, and it ceased of Sir Launcelot; and
therefore Sir Launcelot’s brethren and his kinsmen would have slain Sir
Tristram, because of his fame. But when Sir Launcelot wist how his
kinsmen were set, he said to them openly, Wit you well, that and the
envy of you all be so hardy to wait upon my lord Sir Tristram with any
hurt, shame, or villainy, as I am true knight I shall slay the best of
you with mine own hands. Alas, fie for shame, should ye for his noble
deeds await upon him to slay him. Jesu defend, said Launcelot, that
ever any noble knight as Sir Tristram is should be destroyed with
treason. Of this noise and fame sprang into Cornwall, and among them of
Liones, whereof they were passing glad and made great joy. And then
they of Liones sent letters unto Sir Tristram of recommendation, and
many great gifts to maintain Sir Tristram’s estate. And ever between
Sir Tristram resorted unto Joyous Gard, where as La Beale Isoud was,
that loved him as her life.
Here endeth the tenthe book which is of syr Tristram.
And here foloweth the Enleuenth book whiche is of sir launcelot.
The Eleventh Book.