t Sir Tristram. I may right well believe it, said Arthur.

But when Sir Palomides heard the noise and the cry was turned from him,
he rode out on a part and beheld Sir Tristram. And when Sir Palomides
saw Sir Tristram do so marvellously well he wept passingly sore for
despite, for he wist well he should no worship win that day; for well
knew Sir Palomides, when Sir Tristram would put forth his strength and
his manhood, he should get but little worship that day.

CHAPTER LXXV. How Sir Tristram departed of the field, and awaked Sir
Dinadan, and changed his array into black.

THEN came King Arthur, and the King of Northgalis, and Sir Launcelot du
Lake; and Sir Bleoberis, Sir Bors de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, these
three knights came into the field with Sir Launcelot. And then Sir
Launcelot with the three knights of his kin did so great deeds of arms
that all the noise began upon Sir Launcelot. And so they beat the King
of Wales and the King of Scots far aback, and made them to avoid the
field; but Sir Tristram and Sir Gareth abode still in the field and
endured all that ever there came, that all men had wonder that any
knight might endure so many strokes. But ever Sir Launcelot, and his
three kinsmen by the commandment of Sir Launcelot, forbare Sir Tristram.
Then said Sir Arthur: Is that Sir Palomides that endureth so well? Nay,
said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well it is the good knight Sir Tristram, for
yonder ye may see Sir Palomides beholdeth and hoveth, and doth little or
nought. And sir, ye shall understand that Sir Tristram weeneth this day
to beat us all out of the field. And as for me, said Sir Launcelot,
I shall not beat him, beat him whoso will. Sir, said Launcelot unto
Arthur, ye may see how Sir Palomides hoveth yonder, as though he were in
a dream; wit ye well he is full heavy that Tristram doth such deeds of
arms Then is he but a fool, said Arthur, for never was Sir Palomides,
nor never shall be, of such prowess as Sir Tristram. And if he have any
envy at Sir Tristram, and cometh in with him upon his side he is a false
knight.

As the king and Sir Launcelot thus spake, Sir Tristram rode privily out
of the press, that none espied him but La Beale Isoud and Sir Palomides,
for they two would not let off their eyes upon Sir Tristram. And when
Sir Tristram came to his pavilions he found Sir Dinadan in his bed
asleep. Awake, said Tristram, ye ought to be ashamed so to sleep when
knights have ado in the field. T