And by fortune in a meadow Sir Tristram met with Sir Kay,the Seneschal,and Sir Dinadan.What tidings with you,said Sir Tristram,with you knights?Not good,said these knights.Why so?said Sir Tristram;I pray you tell me,for I ride to seek a knight.What cognisance beareth he?said Sir Kay.He beareth,said Sir Tristram,a covered shield close with cloth.By my head,said Sir Kay,that is the same knight that met with us,for this night we were lodged within a widow's house,and there was that knight lodged;and when he wist we were of Arthur's court he spoke great villainy by the king,and specially by the Queen Guenever,and then on the morn was waged battle with him for that cause.And at the first recounter,said Sir Kay,he smote me down from my horse and hurt me passing sore;and when my fellow,Sir Dinadan,saw me smitten down and hurt he would not revenge me,but fled from me;and thus he departed.
And then Sir Tristram asked them their names,and so either told other their names.And so Sir Tristram departed from Sir Kay,and from Sir Dinadan,and so he passed through a great forest into a plain,till he was ware of a priory,and there he reposed him with a good man six days.
CHAPTER IV
How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sagramore le Desirous and Sir Dodinas le Savage.
AND then he sent his man that hight Gouvernail,and commanded him to go to a city thereby to fetch him new harness;for it was long time afore that that Sir Tristram had been refreshed,his harness was brised and broken.And when Gouvernail,his servant,was come with his apparel,he took his leave at the widow,and mounted upon his horse,and rode his way early on the morn.And by sudden adventure Sir Tristram met with Sir Sagramore le Desirous,and with Sir Dodinas le Savage.And these two knights met with Sir Tristram and questioned with him,and asked him if he would joust with them.Fair knights,said Sir Tristram,with a good will I would joust with you,but Ihave promised at a day set,near hand,to do battle with a strong knight;and therefore I am loath to have ado with you,for an it misfortuned me here to be hurt I should not be able to do my battle which I promised.As for that,said Sagramore,maugre your head,ye shall joust with us or ye pass from us.Well,said Sir Tristram,if ye enforce me thereto I must do what I may.And then they dressed their shields,and came running together with great ire.But through Sir Tristram's great force he struck Sir Sagramore from his horse.Then he hurled his horse farther,and said to Sir Dodinas:Knight,make thee ready;and so through fine force Sir Tristram struck Dodinas from his horse.And when he saw them lie on the earth he took his bridle,and rode forth on his way,and his man Gouvernail with him.
Anon as Sir Tristram was passed,Sir Sagramore and Sir Dodinas gat again their horses,and mounted up lightly and followed after Sir Tristram.And when Sir Tristram saw them come so fast after him he returned with his horse to them,and asked them what they would.It is not long ago sithen I smote you to the earth at your own request and desire:I would have ridden by you,but ye would not suffer me,and now meseemeth ye would do more battle with me.That is truth,said Sir Sagramore and Sir Dodinas,for we will be revenged of the despite ye have done to us.Fair knights,said Sir Tristram,that shall little need you,for all that I did to you ye caused it;wherefore I require you of your knighthood leave me as at this time,for I am sure an I do battle with you I shall not escape without great hurts,and as I suppose ye shall not escape all lotless.And this is the cause why I am so loath to have ado with you;for I must fight within these three days with a good knight,and as valiant as any is now living,and if I be hurt I shall not be able to do battle with him.What knight is that,said Sir Sagramore,that ye shall fight withal?Sirs,said he,it is a good knight called Sir Palomides.By my head,said Sir Sagramore and Sir Dodinas,ye have cause to dread him,for ye shall find him a passing good knight,and a valiant.
And because ye shall have ado with him we will forbear you as at this time,and else ye should not escape us lightly.But,fair knight,said Sir Sagramore,tell us your name.Sir,said he,my name is Sir Tristram de Liones.
Ah,said Sagramore and Sir Dodinas,well be ye found,for much worship have we heard of you.And then either took leave of other,and departed on their way.
CHAPTER V
How Sir Tristram met at the peron with Sir Launcelot,and how they fought together unknown.
THEN departed Sir Tristram and rode straight unto Camelot,to the peron that Merlin had made to-fore,where Sir Lanceor,that was the king's son of Ireland,was slain by the hands of Balin.And in that same place was the fair lady Colombe slain,that was love unto Sir Lanceor;for after he was dead she took his sword and thrust it through her body.And by the craft of Merlin he made to inter this knight,Lanceor,and his lady,Colombe,under one stone.And at that time Merlin prophesied that in that same place should fight two the best knights that ever were in Arthur's days,and the best lovers.So when Sir Tristram came to the tomb where Lanceor and his lady were buried he looked about him after Sir Palomides.Then was he ware of a seemly knight came riding against him all in white,with a covered shield.When he came nigh Sir Tristram he said on high:Ye be welcome,sir knight,and well and truly have ye holden your promise.And then they dressed their shields and spears,and came together with all their might of their horses;and they met so fiercely that both their horses and knights fell to the earth,and as fast as they might avoided their horses,and put their shields afore them;and they struck together with bright swords,as men that were of might,and either wounded other wonderly sore,that the blood ran out upon the grass.
