ersides. "Let us not go like courtiers there, but like
men ready to withstand their enemies."

"As you will. To fight or to look on is all one to me."

Then they armed and rode to the spot where so many knights had tried
their fortune before the tournament. When Palamides saw them approach,
he said to his squire,--

"Go to yonder knight with a green shield and in it a lion of gold. Tell
him that I request a passage-at-arms with him, and that my name is
Palamides."

Persides, who wore the shield thus described, did not hesitate to accept
the challenge, and rode against Palamides, but quickly found himself
felled to the earth by his powerful antagonist. Then Tristram made ready
to avenge his comrade, but before he could put his spear in rest
Palamides rode upon him like a thunderbolt, taking him at advantage, and
hurling him over his horse's tail.

At this Tristram sprang up in furious anger and sore shame, and leaped
into his saddle.

Then he sent Gouvernail to Palamides, accusing him of treachery, and
demanding a joust on equal terms.

"Not so," answered Palamides. "I know that knight better than he
fancies, and will not meet him now. But if he wants satisfaction he may
have it to-morrow at the Castle of Maidens, where I will be ready to
meet him in the lists."

As Tristram stood fretting and fuming in wrathful spite, Dinadan, who
had seen the affair, came up, and seeing the anger of the Cornish
knight, restrained his inclination to jest.

"Here it is proved," he said, "that a man can never be so strong but he
may meet his equal. Never was man so wise but that his brain might fail
him, and a passing good rider is he that never had a fall."

"Let be," cried Tristram, angrily. "You are readier with your tongue
than with your sword, friend Dinadan. I will revenge myself, and you
shall see it."

As they stood thus talking there came by them a likely knight, who rode
soberly and heavily, bearing a black shield.

"What knight is that?" asked Tristram.

"It is Sir Briant of North Wales," answered Persides. "I know him well."

Just behind him came a knight who bore a shield with the arms of
Cornwall, and as he rode up he sent a squire to Sir Briant, whom he
required to joust with him.

"Let it be so, if he will have it so," said Briant. "Bid him make
ready."

Then they rode together, and the Welsh knight got a severe fall.

"What Cornish knight is this?" asked Tristram.

"None, as I fancy," said Dinadan.