Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK IX CHAPTER XXVII

CHAPTER XXVII

How damosel Bragwaine found Tristram sleeping by a well,
and how she delivered letters to him from La Beale Isoud.

AND then he pulled off his helm and washed his visage and his
hands, and so he fell asleep.  In the meanwhile came a damosel
that had sought Sir Tristram many ways and days within this land. 
And when she came to the well she looked upon him, and had
forgotten him as in remembrance of Sir Tristram, but by his horse
she knew him, that hight Passe-Brewel that had been Sir
Tristram's horse many years.  For when he was mad in the forest
Sir Fergus kept him.  So this lady, Dame Bragwaine, abode still
till he was awake.  So when she saw him wake she saluted him, and
he her again, for either knew other of old acquaintance; then she
told him how she had sought him long and broad, and there she
told him how she had letters from Queen La Beale Isoud.  Then
anon Sir Tristram read them, and wit ye well he was glad, for
therein was many a piteous complaint.  Then Sir Tristram said: 
Lady Bragwaine, ye shall ride with me till that tournament be
done at the Castle of Maidens, and then shall bear letters and
tidings with you.  And then Sir Tristram took his horse and
sought lodging, and there he met with a good ancient knight and
prayed him to lodge with him.  Right so came Gouvernail unto Sir
Tristram, that was glad of that lady.  So this old knight's name
was Sir Pellounes, and he told of the great tournament that
should be at the Castle of Maidens.  And there Sir Launcelot and
thirty-two knights of his blood had ordained shields of Cornwall. 
And right so there came one unto Sir Pellounes, and told him that
Sir Persides de Bloise was come home; then that knight held up
his hands and thanked God of his coming home.  And there Sir
Pellounes told Sir Tristram that in two years he had not seen his
son, Sir Persides.  Sir, said Sir Tristram, I know your son well
enough for a good knight.

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So on a time Sir Tristram and Sir Persides came to their lodging
both at once, and so they unarmed them, and put upon them their
clothing.  And then these two knights each welcomed other.  And
when Sir Persides understood that Sir Tristram was of Cornwall,
he said he was once in Cornwall:  And there I jousted afore King
Mark; and so it happed me at that time to overthrow ten knights,
and then came to me Sir Tristram de Liones and overthrew me, and
took my lady away from me, and that shall I never forget, but I
shall remember me an ever I see my time.  Ah, said Sir Tristram,
now I understand that ye hate Sir Tristram.  What deem ye, ween
ye that Sir Tristram is not able to withstand your malice?  Yes,
said Sir Persides, I know well that Sir Tristram is a noble
knight and a much better knight than I, yet shall I not owe him
my good will.  Right as they stood thus talking at a bay-window
of that castle, they saw many knights riding to and fro toward
the tournament.  And then was Sir Tristram ware of a likely
knight riding upon a great black horse, and a black-covered
shield.  What knight is that, said Sir Tristram, with the black
horse and the black shield? he seemeth a good knight.  I know him
well, said Sir Persides, he is one of the best knights of the
world.  Then is it Sir Launcelot, said Tristram.  Nay, said Sir
Persides, it is Sir Palomides, that is yet unchristened.