Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK X CHAPTER LXV

CHAPTER LXV

How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides met Breuse Saunce
Pit, and how Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud went
unto Lonazep.


AND then Sir Tristram desired Sir Palomides to ride into
the fields and woods.  So they were accorded to repose
them in the forest.  And when they had played them a
great while they rode unto a fair well; and anon they
were ware of an armed knight that came riding against
them, and there either saluted other.  Then this armed
knight spake to Sir Tristram, and asked what were these
knights that were lodged in Joyous Gard.  I wot not
what they are, said Sir Tristram.  What knights be ye?
said that knight, for meseemeth ye be no knights errant,
because ye ride unarmed.  Whether we be knights or not
we list not to tell thee our name.  Wilt thou not tell me
thy name? said that knight; then keep thee, for thou
shalt die of my hands.  And therewith he got his spear
in his hands, and would have run Sir Tristram through.
That saw Sir Palomides, and smote his horse traverse in
midst of the side, that man and horse fell to the earth.
And therewith Sir Palomides alighted and pulled out his
sword to have slain him.  Let be, said Sir Tristram, slay
him not, the knight is but a fool, it were shame to slay
him.  But take away his spear, said Sir Tristram, and let
him take his horse and go where that he will.

So when this knight arose he groaned sore of the fall,
and so he took his horse, and when he was up he turned
then his horse, and required Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides
to tell him what knights they were.  Now wit ye well,
said Sir Tristram, that my name is Sir Tristram de Liones,
and this knight's name is Sir Palomides.  When he wist
what they were he took his horse with the spurs, because
they should not ask him his name, and so rode fast away
through thick and thin.  Then came there by them a
knight with a bended shield of azure, whose name was
Epinogris, and he came toward them a great wallop.
Whither are ye riding? said Sir Tristram.  My fair lords,
said Epinogris, I follow the falsest knight that beareth
the life; wherefore I require you tell me whether ye saw
him, for he beareth a shield with a case of red over it.  So
God me help, said Tristram, such a knight departed from
us not a quarter of an hour agone; we pray you tell us
his name.  Alas, said Epinogris, why let ye him escape
from you? and he is so great a foe unto all errant
knights: his name is Breuse Saunce Pit.  Ah, fie for
shame, said Sir Palomides, alas that ever he escaped mine
hands, for he is the man in the world that I hate most.
Then every knight made great sorrow to other; and so
Epinogris departed and followed the chase after him.

Then Sir Tristram and his three fellows rode unto
Joyous Gard; and there Sir Tristram talked unto Sir
Palomides of his battle, how he sped at the Red City, and
as ye have heard afore so was it ended.  Truly, said Sir
Tristram, I am glad ye have well sped, for ye have done
worshipfully.  Well, said Sir Tristram, we must forward
to-morn.  And then he devised how it should be; and
Sir Tristram devised to send his two pavilions to set
them fast by the well of Lonazep, and therein shall be
the queen La Beale Isoud.  It is well said, said Sir
Dinadan, but when Sir Palomides heard of that his heart
was ravished out of measure: notwithstanding he said
but little.  So when they came to Joyous Gard Sir
Palomides would not have gone into the castle, but as
Sir Tristram took him by the finger, and led him into
the castle.  And when Sir Palomides saw La Beale Isoud
he was ravished so that he might unnethe speak.  So they
went unto meat, but Palomides might not eat, and there
was all the cheer that might be had.  And on the morn
they were apparelled to ride toward Lonazep.

So Sir Tristram had three squires, and La Beale Isoud
had three gentlewomen, and both the queen and they
were richly apparelled; and other people had they none
with them, but varlets to bear their shields and their
spears.  And thus they rode forth.  So as they rode they
saw afore them a rout of knights; it was the knight
Galihodin with twenty knights with him.  Fair fellows,
said Galihodin, yonder come four knights, and a rich and
a well fair lady: I am in will to take that lady from
them.  That is not of the best counsel, said one of
Galihodin's men, but send ye to them and wit what they
will say; and so it was done.  There came a squire unto
Sir Tristram, and asked them whether they would joust
or else to lose their lady.  Not so, said Sir Tristram,
tell your lord I bid him come as many as we be, and
win her and take her.  Sir, said Palomides, an it please
you let me have this deed, and I shall undertake them
all four.  I will that ye have it, said Sir Tristram, at
your pleasure.  Now go and tell your lord Galihodin,
that this same knight will encounter with him and his
fellows.