am followed him long, for he would fain have been
avenged upon him. And so when he had long chased him, he saw a fair
well, and thither he rode to repose him, and tied his horse till a tree.

CHAPTER XXVII. How damosel Bragwaine found Tristram sleeping by a well,
and how she delivered letters to him from La Beale Isoud.

AND then he pulled off his helm and washed his visage and his hands, and
so he fell asleep. In the meanwhile came a damosel that had sought Sir
Tristram many ways and days within this land. And when she came to the
well she looked upon him, and had forgotten him as in remembrance of Sir
Tristram, but by his horse she knew him, that hight Passe-Brewel that
had been Sir Tristram's horse many years. For when he was mad in the
forest Sir Fergus kept him. So this lady, Dame Bragwaine, abode still
till he was awake. So when she saw him wake she saluted him, and he her
again, for either knew other of old acquaintance; then she told him how
she had sought him long and broad, and there she told him how she had
letters from Queen La Beale Isoud. Then anon Sir Tristram read them, and
wit ye well he was glad, for therein was many a piteous complaint.
Then Sir Tristram said: Lady Bragwaine, ye shall ride with me till that
tournament be done at the Castle of Maidens, and then shall bear letters
and tidings with you. And then Sir Tristram took his horse and sought
lodging, and there he met with a good ancient knight and prayed him to
lodge with him. Right so came Gouvernail unto Sir Tristram, that was
glad of that lady. So this old knight's name was Sir Pellounes, and he
told of the great tournament that should be at the Castle of Maidens.
And there Sir Launcelot and thirty-two knights of his blood had ordained
shields of Cornwall. And right so there came one unto Sir Pellounes,
and told him that Sir Persides de Bloise was come home; then that knight
held up his hands and thanked God of his coming home. And there Sir
Pellounes told Sir Tristram that in two years he had not seen his son,
Sir Persides. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I know your son well enough for a
good knight.

So on a time Sir Tristram and Sir Persides came to their lodging both
at once, and so they unarmed them, and put upon them their clothing.
And then these two knights each welcomed other. And when Sir Persides
understood that Sir Tristram was of Cornwall, he said he was once in
Cornwall: And there I jousted afore King Mark; and so it happed me