CHAPTER LXXVII

How Sir Tristram departed with La Beale Isoud, and how
Palomides followed and excused him.


THEN they blew unto lodging, and Queen Isoud was led
unto her pavilions.  But wit you well she was wroth out
of measure with Sir Palomides, for she saw all his treason
from the beginning to the ending.  And all this while
neither Sir Tristram, neither Sir Gareth nor Dinadan, knew
not of the treason of Sir Palomides; but afterward ye
shall hear that there befell the greatest debate betwixt Sir
Tristram and Sir Palomides that might be.

So when the tournament was done, Sir Tristram,
Gareth, and Dinadan, rode with La Beale Isoud to these
pavilions.  And ever Sir Palomides rode with them in
their company disguised as he was.  But when Sir Tristram
had espied him that he was the same knight with the
shield of silver that held him so hot that day:  Sir knight,
said Sir Tristram, wit ye well here is none that hath need
of your fellowship, and therefore I pray you depart from
us.  Sir Palomides answered again as though he had not
known Sir Tristram:  Wit you well, sir knight, from this
fellowship will I never depart, for one of the best knights
of the world commanded me to be in this company, and
till he discharge me of my service I will not be discharged.
By that Sir Tristram knew that it was Sir Palomides.  Ah,
Sir Palomides, said the noble knight Sir Tristram, are ye
such a knight? Ye have been named wrong, for ye have
long been called a gentle knight, and as this day ye have
showed me great ungentleness, for ye had almost brought
me unto my death.  But, as for you, I suppose I should
have done well enough, but Sir Launcelot with you was
overmuch; for I know no knight living but Sir Launcelot
is over good for him, an he will do his uttermost.  Alas,
said Sir Palomides, are ye my lord Sir Tristram? Yea,
sir, and that ye know well enough.  By my knighthood,
said Palomides, until now I knew you not; I weened that
ye had been the King of Ireland, for well I wot ye bare his
arms.  His arms I bare, said Sir Tristram, and that will I
stand by, for I won them once in a field of a full noble
knight, his name was Sir Marhaus; and with great pain
I won that knight, for there was none other recover, but
Sir Marhaus died through false leeches; and yet was he
never yolden to me.  Sir, said Palomides, I weened ye
had been turned upon Sir Launcelot's party, and that
caused me to turn.  Ye say well, said Sir Tristram, and
so I take you, and I forgive you.

So then they rode into their pavilions; and when they
were alighted they unarmed them and washed their faces
and hands, and so yode unto meat, and were set at their
table.  But when Isoud saw Sir Palomides she changed
then her colours, and for wrath she might not speak.
Anon Sir Tristram espied her countenance and said:
Madam, for what cause make ye us such cheer? we have
been sore travailed this day.  Mine own lord, said La
Beale Isoud, for God's sake be ye not displeased with me,
for I may none otherwise do; for I saw this day how ye
were betrayed and nigh brought to your death.  Truly,
sir, I saw every deal, how and in what wise, and therefore,
sir, how should I suffer in your presence such a felon and
traitor as Sir Palomides; for I saw him with mine eyes,
how he beheld you when ye went out of the field.  For
ever he hoved still upon his horse till he saw you come in
againward.  And then forthwithal I saw him ride to the
hurt knight, and changed harness with him, and then
straight I saw him how he rode into the field.  And anon
as he had found you he encountered with you, and thus
wilfully Sir Palomides did battle with you; and as for him,
sir, I was not greatly afraid, but I dread sore Launcelot,
that knew you not.  Madam, said Palomides, ye may say
whatso ye will, I may not contrary you, but by my knighthood
I knew not Sir Tristram.  Sir Palomides, said Sir
Tristram, I will take your excuse, but well I wot ye spared
me but little, but all is pardoned on my part.  Then La
Beale Isoud held down her head and said no more at that
time.