rn, for better he would
assay him or ever he departed. Then Sir Palamides turned him, and either
lashed at other with their swords. But at the first stroke Sir Tristram
smote down Palamides, and gave him such a stroke upon the head that
he fell to the earth. So then Tristram bade yield him, and do his
commandment, or else he would slay him. When Sir Palamides beheld his
countenance, he dread his buffets so, that he granted all his askings.
Well said, said Sir Tristram, this shall be your charge. First, upon
pain of your life that ye forsake my lady La Beale Isoud, and in no
manner wise that ye draw not to her. Also this twelvemonth and a day
that ye bear none armour nor none harness of war. Now promise me this,
or here shalt thou die. Alas, said Palamides, for ever am I ashamed.
Then he sware as Sir Tristram had commanded him. Then for despite and
anger Sir Palamides cut off his harness, and threw them away.

And so Sir Tristram turned again to the castle where was La Beale Isoud;
and by the way he met with a damosel that asked after Sir Launcelot,
that won the Dolorous Guard worshipfully; and this damosel asked Sir
Tristram what he was. For it was told her that it was he that smote down
Sir Palamides, by whom the ten knights of King Arthur's were smitten
down. Then the damosel prayed Sir Tristram to tell her what he was, and
whether that he were Sir Launcelot du Lake, for she deemed that there
was no knight in the world might do such deeds of arms but if it were
Launcelot. Fair damosel, said Sir Tristram, wit ye well that I am not
Sir Launcelot, for I was never of such prowess, but in God is all that
he may make me as good a knight as the good knight Sir Launcelot. Now,
gentle knight, said she, put up thy visor; and when she beheld his
visage she thought she saw never a better man's visage, nor a better
faring knight. And then when the damosel knew certainly that he was not
Sir Launcelot, then she took her leave, and departed from him. And then
Sir Tristram rode privily unto the postern, where kept him La Beale
Isoud, and there she made him good cheer, and thanked God of his good
speed. So anon, within a while the king and the queen understood that it
was Tramtrist that smote down Sir Palamides; then was he much made of,
more than he was before.

CHAPTER XI. How the queen espied that Sir Tristram had slain her brother
Sir Marhaus by his sword, and in what jeopardy he was.

THUS was Sir Tramtrist long there well c