h sought you long
by your shield. Here is my shield, said Sir Palomides, wit ye well, an
ye will ought, therewith I will defend it. Nay, said Sir Dinadan, I will
not have ado with you but in good manner. And if ye will, ye shall find
me soon ready. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, whitherward ride you this way? By
my head, said Sir Palomides, I wot not, but as fortune leadeth me. Heard
ye or saw ye ought of Sir Tristram? So God me help, of Sir Tristram
I both heard and saw, and not for then we loved not inwardly well
together, yet at my mischief Sir Tristram rescued me from my death; and
yet, or he and I departed, by both our assents we assigned a day that we
should have met at the stony grave that Merlin set beside Camelot,
and there to have done battle together; howbeit I was letted, said Sir
Palomides, that I might not hold my day, the which grieveth me sore; but
I have a large excuse. For I was prisoner with a lord, and many other
more, and that shall Sir Tristram right well understand, that I brake
it not of fear of cowardice. And then Sir Palomides told Sir Dinadan the
same day that they should have met. So God me help, said Sir Dinadan,
that same day met Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram at the same grave of
stone. And there was the most mightiest battle that ever was seen in
this land betwixt two knights, for they fought more than two hours. And
there they both bled so much blood that all men marvelled that ever they
might endure it. And so at the last, by both their assents, they were
made friends and sworn-brethren for ever, and no man can judge the
better knight. And now is Sir Tristram made a knight of the Round Table,
and he sitteth in the siege of the noble knight, Sir Marhaus. By my
head, said Sir Palomides, Sir Tristram is far bigger than Sir Launcelot,
and the hardier knight. Have ye assayed them both? said Sir Dinadan.
I have seen Sir Tristram fight, said Sir Palomides, but never Sir
Launcelot to my witting. But at the fountain where Sir Launcelot lay
asleep, there with one spear he smote down Sir Tristram and me, said
Palomides, but at that time they knew not either other. Fair knight,
said Sir Dinadan, as for Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram let them be, for
the worst of them will not be lightly matched of no knights that I know
living. No, said Sir Palomides, God defend, but an I had a quarrel to
the better of them both I would with as good a will fight with him as
with you. Sir, I require you tell me your name, and