nd had it hot been for the love of Sir
Gawaine and his brother, Sir Persides had slain Sir Mordred. And so this
damosel came by Sir Palomides, and she and he had language together, the
which pleased neither of them; and so the damosel rode her ways till she
came to the old knight's place, and there she told that old knight how
she met with the woodest knight by adventure that ever she met withal.
What bare he in his shield? said Sir Tristram. It was indented with
white and black, said the damosel. Ah, said Sir Tristram, that was Sir
Palomides, the good knight. For well I know him, said Sir Tristram, for
one of the best knights living in this realm. Then that old knight took
a little hackney, and rode for Sir Palomides, and brought him unto his
own manor; and full well knew Sir Tristram Sir Palomides, but he said
but little, for at that time Sir Tristram was walking upon his feet,
and well amended of his hurts; and always when Sir Palomides saw Sir
Tristram he would behold him full marvellously, and ever him seemed that
he had seen him. Then would he say unto Sir Dinadan: An ever I may meet
with Sir Tristram he shall not escape mine hands. I marvel, said Sir
Dinadan, that ye boast behind Sir Tristram, for it is but late that he
was in your hands, and ye in his hands; why would ye not hold him when
ye had him? for I saw myself twice or thrice that ye gat but little
worship of Sir Tristram. Then was Sir Palomides ashamed. So leave we
them a little while in the old castle with the old knight Sir Darras.

Now shall we speak of King Arthur, that said to Sir Launcelot: Had not
ye been we had not lost Sir Tristram, for he was here daily unto the
time ye met with him, and in an evil time, said Arthur, ye encountered
with him. My lord Arthur, said Launcelot, ye put upon me that I should
be cause of his departition; God knoweth it was against my will. But
when men be hot in deeds of arms oft they hurt their friends as well as
their foes. And my lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye shall understand that
Sir Tristram is a man that I am loath to offend, for he hath done for me
more than ever I did for him as yet. But then Sir Launcelot made bring
forth a book: and then Sir Launcelot said: Here we are ten knights that
will swear upon a book never to rest one night where we rest another
this twelvemonth until that we find Sir Tristram. And as for me, said
Sir Launcelot, I promise you upon this book that an I may meet with him,
either with fairn