Tristram kept his seat. Then Blamor drew his sword and threw his
shield before him, bidding Tristram to alight.

"Though a horse has failed me," he said, "I trust that the earth will
stand me in good stead."

Without hesitation Tristram consented, springing to the ground, sword in
hand, and the combatants broke at once into fierce battle, fighting like
madmen, till all who saw them marvelled at their courage and strength.
Never had knights been seen to fight more fiercely, for Blamor was so
furious and incessant in his attacks, and Tristram so active in his
defence, that it was a wonder they had breath to stand. But at last
Tristram smote his antagonist such a blow on the helm that he fell upon
his side, while his victor stood looking grimly down upon him.

When Blamor could gain breath to speak, he said,--

"Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, I require thee, as thou art a true knight, to
slay me, for I would not live in shame, though I might be lord of the
earth. You must slay me, indeed, if you would win the field, for I shall
never speak the hateful word of surrender."

When Tristram heard this knightly defiance he knew not what to do. The
thought of slaying one of Lancelot's blood hurt him sorely, but his duty
as a champion required him to force his antagonist to yield, or else to
slay him. In deep distress of mind he went to the kingly judges and
kneeled before them, beseeching them for the sake of King Arthur and
Lancelot, and for their own credit, to take this matter out of his
hands.

"It were a pity and shame that the noble knight who lies yonder should
be slain," he said, "yet he refuses to yield. As for the king I fight
for, I shall require him, as I am his true knight and champion, to have
mercy on the vanquished."

"That yield I freely," said King Anguish. "And I heartily pray the
judges to deal with him mercifully."

Then the judges called Bleoberis to them and asked his advice.

"My lords," he replied, "my brother is beaten, I acknowledge, yet,
though Sir Tristram has vanquished his body, he has not conquered his
heart, and I thank God he is not shamed by his defeat. And rather than
he should be shamed I require you to bid Tristram to slay him."

"That shall not be," replied the judges. "Both his adversaries, the king
and his champion, have pity on him, and you should have no less."

"I leave his fate to you," said Bleoberis. "Do what seems to you well."

Then, after further consultation, the judges