_How Sir Tristram departed unarmed, and met with Sir Palamides, and how
they smote each other, and how Sir Palamides forbare him._
And so when the day came, Sir Tristram took his leave at La Beale
Isoud; and she sent with him four knights, and within half a mile he
sent them again: and within a mile after Sir Tristram saw afore him
where Sir Palamides had stricken down a knight, and almost wounded him
to the death. Then Sir Tristram repented him that he was not armed, and
then he hoved still. With that Sir Palamides knew Sir Tristram, and
cried on high, Sir Tristram, now be we met, for or we depart we will
redress our old sores! As for that, said Sir Tristram, there was never
yet Christian man that might make his boast that ever I fled from him;
and wit ye well Sir Palamides, thou that art a Saracen shall never make
thy boast that Sir Tristram de Liones shall flee from thee. And
therewith Sir Tristram made his horse to run, and with all his might he
came straight upon Sir Palamides, and brast his spear upon him in an
hundred pieces. And forthwithal Sir Tristram drew his sword. And then
he turned his horse and struck at Palamides six great strokes upon his
helm, and then Sir Palamides stood still and beheld Sir Tristram, and
marvelled of his woodness and of his folly. And then Sir Palamides said
to himself, And Sir Tristram were armed it were hard to cease him of
this battle, and if I turn again and slay him I am shamed wheresoever
that I go. Then Sir Tristram spake, and said, Thou coward knight, what
castest thou to do? why wilt thou not do battle with me, for have thou
no doubt I shall endure all thy malice. Ah, Sir Tristram, said Sir
Palamides, full well thou wotest I may not fight with thee for shame,
for thou art here naked, and I am armed, and if I slay thee dishonour
shall be mine. And well thou wotest, said Sir Palamides to Sir
Tristram, I know thy strength and thy hardiness to endure against a
good knight. That is truth, said Sir Tristram, I understand thy
valiantness well. Ye say well, said Sir Palamides, now I require you
tell me a question that I shall say to you. Tell me what it is, said
Sir Tristram, and I shall answer you the truth. I put the case, said
Sir Palamides, that ye were armed at all rights as well as I am, and I
naked as ye be, what would ye do to me now by your true knighthood? Ah,
said Sir Tristram, now I understand thee well, Sir Palamides, for now
must I say my own judgment, and, as God me bless, that I shall say
shall not be said for no fear that I have of thee. But this is all;
wit, Sir Palamides, as at this time thou shouldest depart from me, for
I would not have ado with thee. No more will I, said Sir Palamides, and
therefore ride forth on thy way. As for that I may choose, said Sir
Tristram, either to ride or to abide. But Sir Palamides, said Sir
Tristram, I marvel of one thing, that thou that art so good a knight,
that thou wilt not be christened, and thy brother Sir Safere hath been
christened many a day.