insomuch as we have the better
of the lords of this castle, and therefore, said Sir Tristram, needs
must ye make you ready. In the devil's name, said Sir Dinadan, came
I into your company. And so they made them ready; and Sir Gaheris
encountered with Sir Tristram, and Sir Gaheris had a fall; and Sir
Palomides encountered with Sir Dinadan, and Sir Dinadan had a fall: then
was it fall for fall. So then must they fight on foot. That would not
Sir Dinadan, for he was so sore bruised of the fall that Sir Palomides
gave him. Then Sir Tristram unlaced Sir Dinadan's helm, and prayed him
to help him. I will not, said Sir Dinadan, for I am sore wounded of the
thirty knights that we had but late ago to do withal. But ye fare, said
Sir Dinadan unto Sir Tristram, as a madman and as a man that is out of
his mind that would cast himself away, and I may curse the time that
ever I saw you, for in all the world are not two such knights that be
so wood as is Sir Launcelot and ye Sir Tristram; for once I fell in the
fellowship of Sir Launcelot as I have done now with you, and he set me
a work that a quarter of a year I kept my bed. Jesu defend me, said
Sir Dinadan, from such two knights, and specially from your fellowship.
Then, said Sir Tristram, I will fight with them both. Then Sir Tristram
bade them come forth both, for I will fight with you. Then Sir Palomides
and Sir Gaheris dressed them, and smote at them both. Then Dinadan
smote at Sir Gaheris a stroke or two, and turned from him. Nay, said Sir
Palomides, it is too much shame for us two knights to fight with one.
And then he did bid Sir Gaheris stand aside with that knight that hath
no list to fight. Then they rode together and fought long, and at the
last Sir Tristram doubled his strokes, and drove Sir Palomides aback
more than three strides. And then by one assent Sir Gaheris and Sir
Dinadan went betwixt them, and departed them in-sunder. And then by
assent of Sir Tristram they would have lodged together. But Sir Dinadan
would not lodge in that castle. And then he cursed the time that ever he
came in their fellowship, and so he took his horse, and his harness, and
departed.

Then Sir Tristram prayed the lords of that castle to lend him a man to
bring him to a lodging, and so they did, and overtook Sir Dinadan, and
rode to their lodging two mile thence with a good man in a priory,
and there they were well at ease. And that same night Sir Bors and Sir
Bleoberis, and Sir Ector and