le my life lasteth. This talking was in the houses of kings.
But all kings, lords, and knights, said, of clear knighthood, and of
pure strength, of bounty, of courtesy, Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram
bare the prize above all knights that ever were in Arthur's days. And
there were never knights in Arthur's days did half so many deeds as they
did; as the book saith, no ten knights did not half the deeds that
they did, and there was never knight in their days that required Sir
Launcelot or Sir Tristram of any quest, so it were not to their shame,
but they performed their desire.

CHAPTER LXXIII. How King Arthur and Sir Lancelot came to see La Beale
Isoud, and how Palomides smote down King Arthur.

SO on the morn Sir Launcelot departed, and Sir Tristram was ready, and
La Beale Isoud with Sir Palomides and Sir Gareth. And so they rode all
in green full freshly beseen unto the forest. And Sir Tristram left Sir
Dinadan sleeping in his bed. And so as they rode it happed the king and
Launcelot stood in a window, and saw Sir Tristram ride and Isoud. Sir,
said Launcelot, yonder rideth the fairest lady of the world except your
queen, Dame Guenever. Who is that? said Sir Arthur. Sir, said he, it is
Queen Isoud that, out-taken my lady your queen, she is makeless. Take
your horse, said Arthur, and array you at all rights as I will do, and
I promise you, said the king, I will see her. Then anon they were armed
and horsed, and either took a spear and rode unto the forest. Sir, said
Launcelot, it is not good that ye go too nigh them, for wit ye well
there are two as good knights as now are living, and therefore, sir, I
pray you be not too hasty. For peradventure there will be some knights
be displeased an we come suddenly upon them. As for that, said Arthur, I
will see her, for I take no force whom I grieve. Sir, said Launcelot, ye
put yourself in great jeopardy. As for that, said the king, we will take
the adventure. Right so anon the king rode even to her, and saluted her,
and said: God you save. Sir, said she, ye are welcome. Then the king
beheld her, and liked her wonderly well.

With that came Sir Palomides unto Arthur, and said: Uncourteous knight,
what seekest thou here? thou art uncourteous to come upon a lady thus
suddenly, therefore withdraw thee. Sir Arthur took none heed of Sir
Palomides' words, but ever he looked still upon Queen Isoud Then was Sir
Palomides wroth, and therewith he took a spear, and came hurtling upon