to be recreant. I have no doubt of you, said
the king, that, an ye should have ado with Sir Launcelot du Lake-- Sir,
said Sir Tristram, as for Sir Launcelot, he is called the noblest knight
of the world, and wit ye well that the knights of his blood are noble
men, and dread shame; and as for Bleoberis, brother unto Sir Blamore, I
have done battle with him, therefore upon my head it is no shame to
call him a good knight. It is noised, said the king, that Blamore is the
hardier knight. Sir, as for that let him be, he shall never be refused,
an as he were the best knight that now beareth shield or spear.

So King Anguish departed unto King Carados and the kings that were that
time as judges, and told them that he had found his champion ready. Then
by the commandment of the kings Sir Blamore de Ganis and Sir Tristram
were sent for to hear the charge. And when they were come before the
judges there were many kings and knights beheld Sir Tristram, and
much speech they had of him because that he slew Sir Marhaus, the good
knight, and because he for-jousted Sir Palamides the good knight. So
when they had taken their charge they withdrew them to make them ready
to do battle.

Then said Sir Bleoberis unto his brother, Sir Blamore: Fair dear
brother, remember of what kin we be come of, and what a man is Sir
Launcelot du Lake, neither farther nor nearer but brother's children,
and there was never none of our kin that ever was shamed in battle; and
rather suffer death, brother, than to be shamed. Brother, said Blamore,
have ye no doubt of me, for I shall never shame none of my blood;
howbeit I am sure that yonder knight is called a passing good knight as
of his time one of the world, yet shall I never yield me, nor say the
loath word: well may he happen to smite me down with his great might of
chivalry, but rather shall he slay me than I shall yield me as recreant.
God speed you well, said Sir Bleoberis, for ye shall find him the
mightiest knight that ever ye had ado withal, for I know him, for I have
had ado with him. God me speed, said Sir Blamore de Ganis; and therewith
he took his horse at the one end of the lists, and Sir Tristram at
the other end of the lists, and so they feutred their spears and came
together as it had been thunder; and there Sir Tristram through great
might smote down Sir Blamore and his horse to the earth. Then anon Sir
Blamore avoided his horse and pulled out his sword and threw his shield
afore him, an