what I may. And then
they dressed their shields, and came running together with great ire.
But through Sir Tristram's great force he struck Sir Sagramore from
his horse. Then he hurled his horse farther, and said to Sir Dodinas:
Knight, make thee ready; and so through fine force Sir Tristram struck
Dodinas from his horse. And when he saw them lie on the earth he took
his bridle, and rode forth on his way, and his man Gouvernail with him.

Anon as Sir Tristram was passed, Sir Sagramore and Sir Dodinas gat again
their horses, and mounted up lightly and followed after Sir Tristram.
And when Sir Tristram saw them come so fast after him he returned with
his horse to them, and asked them what they would. It is not long ago
sithen I smote you to the earth at your own request and desire: I would
have ridden by you, but ye would not suffer me, and now meseemeth ye
would do more battle with me. That is truth, said Sir Sagramore and Sir
Dodinas, for we will be revenged of the despite ye have done to us. Fair
knights, said Sir Tristram, that shall little need you, for all that
I did to you ye caused it; wherefore I require you of your knighthood
leave me as at this time, for I am sure an I do battle with you I shall
not escape without great hurts, and as I suppose ye shall not escape all
lotless. And this is the cause why I am so loath to have ado with you;
for I must fight within these three days with a good knight, and as
valiant as any is now living, and if I be hurt I shall not be able to do
battle with him. What knight is that, said Sir Sagramore, that ye shall
fight withal? Sirs, said he, it is a good knight called Sir Palomides.
By my head, said Sir Sagramore and Sir Dodinas, ye have cause to dread
him, for ye shall find him a passing good knight, and a valiant. And
because ye shall have ado with him we will forbear you as at this time,
and else ye should not escape us lightly. But, fair knight, said Sir
Sagramore, tell us your name. Sir, said he, my name is Sir Tristram de
Liones. Ah, said Sagramore and Sir Dodinas, well be ye found, for much
worship have we heard of you. And then either took leave of other, and
departed on their way.

CHAPTER V. How Sir Tristram met at the peron with Sir Launcelot, and how
they fought together unknown.

THEN departed Sir Tristram and rode straight unto Camelot, to the peron
that Merlin had made to-fore, where Sir Lanceor, that was the king's son
of Ireland, was slain by the hands o