las, said Sir Tristram, I am this day shamed. Then he cried to
Gouvernail his man: Haste thee that I were armed and on horseback,
for well I wot Lambegus hath no might nor strength to withstand Sir
Palamides: alas that I have not been in his stead! So anon as he was
armed and horsed Sir Tristram and Gouvernail rode after into the forest,
and within a while he found his knight Lambegus almost wounded to the
death; and Sir Tristram bare him to a forester, and charged him to keep
him well. And then he rode forth, and there he found Sir Adtherp sore
wounded, and he told him how the queen would have drowned herself had
he not been, and how for her sake and love he had taken upon him to do
battle with Sir Palamides. Where is my lady? said Sir Tristram. Sir,
said the knight, she is sure enough within my castle, an she can hold
her within it. Gramercy, said Sir Tristram, of thy great goodness. And
so he rode till he came nigh to that castle; and then Sir Tristram saw
where Sir Palamides sat at the gate sleeping, and his horse pastured
fast afore him. Now go thou, Gouvernail, said Sir Tristram, and bid him
awake, and make him ready. So Gouvernail rode unto him and said: Sir
Palamides, arise, and take to thee thine harness. But he was in such a
study he heard not what Gouvernail said. So Gouvernail came again and
told Sir Tristram he slept, or else he was mad. Go thou again, said Sir
Tristram, and bid him arise, and tell him that I am here, his mortal
foe. So Gouvernail rode again and put upon him the butt of his spear,
and said: Sir Palamides, make thee ready, for wit ye well Sir Tristram
hoveth yonder, and sendeth thee word he is thy mortal foe. And
therewithal Sir Palamides arose stilly, without words, and gat his
horse, and saddled him and bridled him, and lightly he leapt upon, and
gat his spear in his hand, and either feutred their spears and hurtled
fast together; and there Tristram smote down Sir Palamides over his
horse's tail. Then lightly Sir Palamides put his shield afore him and
drew his sword. And there began strong battle on both parts, for both
they fought for the love of one lady, and ever she lay on the walls and
beheld them how they fought out of measure, and either were wounded
passing sore, but Palamides was much sorer wounded. Thus they fought
tracing and traversing more than two hours, that well-nigh for dole and
sorrow La Beale Isoud swooned. Alas, she said, that one I loved and yet
do, and the other I love