at
that time to overthrow ten knights, and then came to me Sir Tristram de
Liones and overthrew me, and took my lady away from me, and that shall
I never forget, but I shall remember me an ever I see my time. Ah, said
Sir Tristram, now I understand that ye hate Sir Tristram. What deem ye,
ween ye that Sir Tristram is not able to withstand your malice? Yes,
said Sir Persides, I know well that Sir Tristram is a noble knight and
a much better knight than I, yet shall I not owe him my good will. Right
as they stood thus talking at a bay-window of that castle, they saw
many knights riding to and fro toward the tournament. And then was Sir
Tristram ware of a likely knight riding upon a great black horse, and a
black-covered shield. What knight is that, said Sir Tristram, with the
black horse and the black shield? he seemeth a good knight. I know him
well, said Sir Persides, he is one of the best knights of the world.
Then is it Sir Launcelot, said Tristram. Nay, said Sir Persides, it is
Sir Palomides, that is yet unchristened.

CHAPTER XXVIII. How Sir Tristram had a fall with Sir Palomides, and how
Launcelot overthrew two knights.

THEN they saw much people of the country salute Sir Palomides. And
within a while after there came a squire of the castle, that told Sir
Pellounes that was lord of that castle, that a knight with a black
shield had smitten down thirteen knights. Fair brother, said Sir
Tristram unto Sir Persides, let us cast upon us cloaks, and let us go
see the play. Not so, said Sir Persides, we will not go like knaves
thither, but we will ride like men and good knights to withstand our
enemies. So they armed them, and took their horses and great spears,
and thither they went thereas many knights assayed themself before the
tournament. And anon Sir Palomides saw Sir Persides, and then he sent
a squire unto him and said: Go thou to the yonder knight with the green
shield and therein a lion of gold, and say him I require him to joust
with me, and tell him that my name is Sir Palomides. When Sir Persides
understood that request of Sir Palomides, he made him ready, and there
anon they met together, but Sir Persides had a fall. Then Sir Tristram
dressed him to be revenged upon Sir Palomides, and that saw Sir
Palomides that was ready and so was not Sir Tristram, and took him at
an advantage and smote him over his horse's tail when he had no spear in
his rest. Then stert up Sir Tristram and took his horse lightly,