Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK VIII CHAPTER XXXI

CHAPTER XXXI

How Sir Tristram rode after Palamides, and how he found
him and fought with him, and by the means of Isoud
the battle ceased.

NOW turn we unto Sir Tristram, that when he was come home and
wist La Beale Isoud was gone with Sir Palamides, wit ye well he
was wroth out of measure.  Alas, <330>said Sir Tristram, I am
this day shamed.  Then he cried to Gouvernail his man:  Haste
thee that I were armed and on horseback, for well I wot Lambegus
hath no might nor strength to withstand Sir Palamides: alas that
I have not been in his stead!  So anon as he was armed and horsed
Sir Tristram and Gouvernail rode after into the forest, and
within a while he found his knight Lambegus almost wounded to the
death; and Sir Tristram bare him to a forester, and charged him
to keep him well.  And then he rode forth, and there he found Sir
Adtherp sore wounded, and he told him how the queen would have
drowned herself had he not been, and how for her sake and love he
had taken upon him to do battle with Sir Palamides.  Where is my
lady? said Sir Tristram.  Sir, said the knight, she is sure
enough within my castle, an she can hold her within it. 
Gramercy, said Sir Tristram, of thy great goodness.  And so he
rode till he came nigh to that castle; and then Sir Tristram saw
where Sir Palamides sat at the gate sleeping, and his horse
pastured fast afore him.  Now go thou, Gouvernail, said Sir
Tristram, and bid him awake, and make him ready.  So Gouvernail
rode unto him and said:  Sir Palamides, arise, and take to thee
thine harness.  But he was in such a study he heard not what
Gouvernail said.  So Gouvernail came again and told Sir Tristram
he slept, or else he was mad.  Go thou again, said Sir Tristram,
and bid him arise, and tell him that I am here, his mortal foe. 
So Gouvernail rode again and put upon him the butt of his spear,
and said:  Sir Palamides, make thee ready, for wit ye well Sir
Tristram hoveth yonder, and sendeth thee word he is thy mortal
foe.
    And therewithal Sir Palamides arose stilly, without words,
and gat his horse, and saddled him and bridled him, and lightly
he leapt upon, and gat his spear in his hand, and either feutred
their spears and hurtled fast together; and there Tristram smote
down Sir Palamides over his horse's tail.  Then lightly Sir
Palamides put his shield afore him and drew his sword.  And there
began strong battle on both parts, for both they fought for the
love of one lady, and ever she lay on the walls and beheld
<331>them how they fought out of measure, and either were wounded
passing sore, but Palamides was much sorer wounded.  Thus they
fought tracing and traversing more than two hours, that well-nigh
for dole and sorrow La Beale Isoud swooned.  Alas, she said, that
one I loved and yet do, and the other I love not, yet it were
great pity that I should see Sir Palamides slain; for well I know
by that time the end be done Sir Palamides is but a dead knight:
because he is not christened I would be loath that he should die
a Saracen.  And therewithal she came down and besought Sir
Tristram to fight no more.  Ah, madam, said he, what mean you,
will ye have me shamed?  Well ye know I will be ruled by you.  I
will not your dishonour, said La Beale Isoud, but I would that ye
would for my sake spare this unhappy Saracen Palamides.  Madam,
said Sir Tristram, I will leave fighting at this time for your
sake.  Then she said to Sir Palamides:  This shall be your
charge, that thou shalt go out of this country while I am
therein.  I will obey your commandment, said Sir Palamides, the
which is sore against my will.  Then take thy way, said La Beale
Isoud, unto the court of King Arthur, and there recommend me unto
Queen Guenever, and tell her that I send her word that there be
within this land but four lovers, that is, Sir Launcelot du Lake
and Queen Guenever, and Sir Tristram de Liones and Queen Isoud.