Kay turned with evil will, and Sir Tristram smote Sir Kay down, and so
he rode forth.

Then Sir Sagramore le Desirous rode after Sir Tristram, and made him
to joust with him, and there Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sagramore le
Desirous from his horse, and rode his way; and the same day he met with
a damosel that told him that he should win great worship of a knight
adventurous that did much harm in all that country. When Sir Tristram
heard her say so, he was glad to go with her to win worship. So Sir
Tristram rode with that damosel a six mile, and then met him Sir
Gawaine, and therewithal Sir Gawaine knew the damosel, that she was a
damosel of Queen Morgan le Fay. Then Sir Gawaine understood that she
led that knight to some mischief. Fair knight, said Sir Gawaine, whither
ride you now with that damosel? Sir, said Sir Tristram, I wot not
whither I shall ride but as the damosel will lead me. Sir, said Sir
Gawaine, ye shall not ride with her, for she and her lady did never
good, but ill. And then Sir Gawaine pulled out his sword and said:
Damosel, but if thou tell me anon for what cause thou leadest this
knight with thee thou shalt die for it right anon: I know all your
lady's treason, and yours. Mercy, Sir Gawaine, she said, and if ye will
save my life I will tell you. Say on, said Sir Gawaine, and thou
shalt have thy life. Sir, she said, Queen Morgan le Fay, my lady, hath
ordained a thirty ladies to seek and espy after Sir Launcelot or Sir
Tristram, and by the trains of these ladies, who that may first meet any
of these two knights they should turn them unto Morgan le Fay's castle,
saying that they should do deeds of worship; and if any of the two
knights came there, there be thirty knights lying and watching in a
tower to wait upon Sir Launcelot or upon Sir Tristram. Fie for shame,
said Sir Gawaine, that ever such false treason should be wrought or used
in a queen, and a king's sister, and a king and queen's daughter.

CHAPTER XXVI. How Sir Tristram and Sir Gawaine rode to have foughten
with the thirty knights, but they durst not come out.

SIR, said Sir Gawaine, will ye stand with me, and we will see the malice
of these thirty knights. Sir, said Sir Tristram, go ye to them, an it
please you, and ye shall see I will not fail you, for it is not long ago
since I and a fellow met with thirty knights of that queen's fellowship;
and God speed us so that we may win worship. So then Sir Gawaine and Sir
Tristram rode towar