Le Morte d'Arthur BOOK X CHAPTER LXXIV

CHAPTER LXXIV

How the second day Palomides forsook Sir Tristram, and
went to the contrary part against him.

THEN there was a cry unto all knights, that when they
heard an horn blow they should make jousts as they did the
first day.  And like as the brethren Sir Edward and Sir
Sadok began the jousts the first day, Sir Uwaine the
king's son Urien and Sir Lucanere de Buttelere began
the jousts the second day.  And at the first encounter

Sir Uwaine smote down the King's son of Scots; and
Sir Lucanere ran against the King of Wales, and they
brake their spears all to pieces; and they were so fierce
both, that they hurtled together that both fell to the
earth.  Then they of Orkney horsed again Sir Lucanere.
And then came in Sir Tristram de Liones; and then
Sir Tristram smote down Sir Uwaine and Sir Lucanere;
and Sir Palomides smote down other two knights and
Sir Gareth smote down other two knights.  Then
said Sir Arthur unto Sir Launcelot:  See yonder three
knights do passingly well, and namely the first that
jousted.  Sir, said Launcelot, that knight began not yet
but ye shall see him this day do marvellously.  And then
came into the place the duke's son of Orkney, and then
they began to do many deeds of arms.

When Sir Tristram saw them so begin, he said to
Palomides:  How feel ye yourself? may ye do this day
as ye did yesterday?  Nay, said Palomides, I feel myself
so weary, and so sore bruised of the deeds of yesterday,
that I may not endure as I did yesterday.  That me
repenteth, said Sir Tristram, for I shall lack you this
day.  Sir Palomides said:  Trust not to me, for I may
not do as I did.  All these words said Palomides for to
beguile Sir Tristram.  Sir, said Sir Tristram unto Sir
Gareth, then must I trust upon you; wherefore I pray
you be not far from me to rescue me.  An need be,
said Sir Gareth, I shall not fail you in all that I may do.
Then Sir Palomides rode by himself; and then in despite
of Sir Tristram he put himself in the thickest press among
them of Orkney, and there he did so marvellously deeds
of arms that all men had wonder of him, for there might
none stand him a stroke.

When Sir Tristram saw Sir Palomides do such deeds,
he marvelled and said to himself:  He is weary of my
company.  So Sir Tristram beheld him a great while
and did but little else, for the noise and cry was so huge
and great that Sir Tristram marvelled from whence came
the strength that Sir Palomides had there in the field
Sir, said Sir Gareth unto Sir Tristram, remember ye not
of the words that Sir Dinadan said to you yesterday,
when he called you a coward; forsooth, sir, he said it
for none ill, for ye are the man in the world that he
most loveth, and all that he said was for your worship.
And therefore, said Sir Gareth to Sir Tristram, let me
know this day what ye be; and wonder ye not so upon
Sir Palomides, for he enforceth himself to win all the
worship and honour from you.  I may well believe it,
said Sir Tristram.  And sithen I understand his evil
will and his envy, ye shall see, if that I enforce myself,
that the noise shall be left that now is upon him.

Then Sir Tristram rode into the thickest of the
press, and then he did so marvellously well, and did so
great deeds of arms, that all men said that Sir Tristram
did double so much deeds of arms as Sir Palomides had
done aforehand.  And then the noise went plain from
Sir Palomides, and all the people cried upon Sir Tristram.
O Jesu, said the people, see how Sir Tristram smiteth
down with his spear so many knights.  And see, said
they all, how many knights he smiteth down with his
sword, and of how many knights he rashed off their
helms and their shields; and so he beat them all of
Orkney afore him.  How now, said Sir Launcelot unto
King Arthur, I told you that this day there would a
knight play his pageant.  Yonder rideth a knight ye
may see he doth knightly, for he hath strength and wind.
So God me help, said Arthur to Launcelot, ye say sooth,
for I saw never a better knight, for he passeth far Sir
Palomides.  Sir, wit ye well, said Launcelot, it must
be so of right, for it is himself, that noble knight Sir
Tristram.  I may right well believe it, said Arthur.

But when Sir Palomides heard the noise and the
cry was turned from him, he rode out on a part and
beheld Sir Tristram.  And when Sir Palomides saw Sir
Tristram do so marvellously well he wept passingly
sore for despite, for he wist well he should no worship
win that day; for well knew Sir Palomides, when Sir
Tristram would put forth his strength and his manhood,
be should get but little worship that day,