ong and overthwart,
and that I promise you as I am true knight; and if ever I may meet
with him, he shall have battle of me his fill. And with this the squire
departed; and when Palomides wist that Tristram was hurt he was glad and
said: Now I am sure I shall have no shame, for I wot well I should have
had hard handling of him, and by likely I must needs have had the worse,
for he is the hardest knight in battle that now is living except Sir
Launcelot.

And then departed Sir Palomides whereas fortune led him, and within a
month Sir Tristram was whole of his hurt. And then he took his horse,
and rode from country to country, and all strange adventures he achieved
wheresomever he rode; and always he enquired for Sir Palomides, but
of all that quarter of summer Sir Tristram could never meet with Sir
Palomides. But thus as Sir Tristram sought and enquired after Sir
Palomides Sir Tristram achieved many great battles, wherethrough all
the noise fell to Sir Tristram, and it ceased of Sir Launcelot; and
therefore Sir Launcelot's brethren and his kinsmen would have slain
Sir Tristram because of his fame. But when Sir Launcelot wist how his
kinsmen were set, he said to them openly: Wit you well, that an the
envy of you all be so hardy to wait upon my lord, Sir Tristram, with any
hurt, shame, or villainy, as I am true knight I shall slay the best of
you with mine own hands Alas, fie for shame, should ye for his noble
deeds await upon him to slay him. Jesu defend, said Launcelot, that ever
any noble knight as Sir Tristram is should be destroyed with treason.
Of this noise and fame sprang into Cornwall, and among them of Liones,
whereof they were passing glad, and made great joy. And then they of
Liones sent letters unto Sir Tristram of recommendation, and many great
gifts to maintain Sir Tristram's estate; and ever, between, Sir Tristram
resorted unto Joyous Gard whereas La Beale Isoud was, that loved him as
her life.

_Here endeth the tenth book which is of Sir Tristram. And here followeth
the eleventh book which is of Sir Launcelot._

BOOK XI.

CHAPTER I. How Sir Launcelot rode on his adventure, and how he holp a
dolorous lady from her pain, and how that he fought with a dragon.

NOW leave we Sir Tristram de Liones, and speak we of Sir Launcelot du
Lake, and of Sir Galahad, Sir Launcelot's son, how he was gotten, and in
what manner, as the book of French rehearseth. Afore the time that Sir
Galahad was gotten o