stram.

Palamides, nothing loth, drew his weapon, and so fierce a combat began
in the midst of the arena that lords and ladies alike stood in their
seats in eagerness to behold it. But at the last Tristram struck
Palamides three mighty strokes on the helm, crying with each stroke,
"Take this for Sir Tristram's sake!"

So fierce were the blows that Palamides was felled to the earth. Then
the king with the hundred knights dashed forward and brought Tristram
his horse. Palamides was horsed at the same time, and with burning ire
he rushed upon Tristram, spear in rest, before he could make ready to
meet him. But Tristram lightly avoided the spear, and, enraged at his
repeated treachery, he caught him with both hands by the neck as his
horse bore him past, tore him clean from the saddle, and carried him
thus ten spears' length across the field before he let him fall.

At that moment King Arthur spurred upon the Cornish champion, sword in
hand, and Tristram fixed his spear to meet him, but with a sword-blow
Arthur cut the spear in two, and then dealt him three or four vigorous
strokes before he could draw. But at the last Tristram drew his sword
and assailed the king with equal energy.

This battle continued not long, for the press of battling knights forced
the combatants asunder. Then Tristram rode hither and thither, striking
and parrying, so that that day he smote down in all eleven of the good
knights of King Ban's blood, while all in seats and gallery shouted in
loud acclaim for the mighty warrior with the black shield.

This cry met the ears of Lancelot, who was engaged in another part of
the field. Then he got a spear and came towards the cry. Seeing
Tristram standing without an antagonist, he cried out,--

"Knight with the black shield, well and worthily have you done; now make
ready to joust with me."

When Tristram heard this he put his spear in rest, and both with lowered
heads rode together with lightning speed. Tristram's spear broke into
fragments on Lancelot's shield; but Lancelot, by ill-fortune, smote him
in the side, wounding him deeply. He kept his saddle, however, and,
drawing his sword, rushed upon Lancelot and gave him three such strokes
that fire flew from his helm, and he was forced to lower his head
towards his saddle-bow. This done, Tristram left the field, for he felt
as if he would die. But Dinadan espied him and followed him into the
forest.

After Tristram left the lists, Lancelot fought