ned Sir Dinadan that
he should have died. Nay, nay, said Sir Tristram, Dinadan never dread
thee, for I am heart-whole, and of this wound I shall soon be whole,
by the mercy of God. By that Sir Dinadan was ware where came Palomides
riding straight upon them. And then Sir Tristram was ware that Sir
Palomides came to have destroyed him. And so Sir Dinadan gave him
warning, and said: Sir Tristram, my lord, ye are so sore wounded that ye
may not have ado with him, therefore I will ride against him and do to
him what I may, and if I be slain ye may pray for my soul; and in the
meanwhile ye may withdraw you and go into the castle, or in the forest,
that he shall not meet with you. Sir Tristram smiled and said: I thank
you, Sir Dinadan, of your good will, but ye shall wit that I am able to
handle him. And then anon hastily he armed him, and took his horse,
and a great spear in his hand, and said to Sir Dinadan: Adieu; and rode
toward Sir Palomides a soft pace. Then when Sir Palomides saw that, he
made countenance to amend his horse, but he did it for this cause, for
he abode Sir Gaheris that came after him. And when he was come he rode
toward Sir Tristram. Then Sir Tristram sent unto Sir Palomides, and
required him to joust with him; and if he smote down Sir Palomides he
would do no more to him; and if it so happened that Sir Palomides smote
down Sir Tristram, he bade him do his utterance. So they were accorded.
Then they met together, and Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palomides that
he had a grievous fall, so that he lay still as he had been dead. And
then Sir Tristram ran upon Sir Gaheris, and he would not have jousted;
but whether he would or not Sir Tristram smote him over his horse's
croup, that he lay still as though he had been dead. And then Sir
Tristram rode his way and left Sir Persides' squire within the
pavilions, and Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to an old knight's
place to lodge them. And that old knight had five sons at the
tournament, for whom he prayed God heartily for their coming home. And
so, as the French book saith, they came home all five well beaten.

And when Sir Tristram departed into the forest Sir Launcelot held alway
the stour like hard, as a man araged that took no heed to himself, and
wit ye well there was many a noble knight against him. And when King
Arthur saw Sir Launcelot do so marvellous deeds of arms he then armed
him, and took his horse and his armour, and rode into the field to help
Sir