and was
wroth out of measure, and sore ashamed of that fall. Then Sir Tristram
sent unto Sir Palomides by Gouvernail, and prayed him to joust with
him at his request. Nay, said Sir Palomides, as at this time I will not
joust with that knight, for I know him better than he weeneth. And if he
be wroth he may right it to-morn at the Castle of Maidens, where he may
see me and many other knights.

With that came Sir Dinadan, and when he saw Sir Tristram wroth he list
not to jape. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, here may a man prove, be a man never
so good yet may he have a fall, and he was never so wise but he might
be overseen, and he rideth well that never fell. So Sir Tristram was
passing wroth, and said to Sir Persides and to Sir Dinadan: I will
revenge me. Right so as they stood talking there, there came by Sir
Tristram a likely knight riding passing soberly and heavily with a black
shield. What knight is that? said Sir Tristram unto Sir Persides. I know
him well, said Sir Persides, for his name is Sir Briant of North Wales;
so he passed on among other knights of North Wales. And there came in
Sir Launcelot du Lake with a shield of the arms of Cornwall, and he sent
a squire unto Sir Briant, and required him to joust with him. Well,
said Sir Briant, sithen I am required to joust I will do what I may; and
there Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Briant from his horse a great fall.
And then Sir Tristram marvelled what knight he was that bare the shield
of Cornwall. Whatsoever he be, said Sir Dinadan, I warrant you he is of
King Ban's blood, the which be knights of the most noble prowess in the
world, for to account so many for so many. Then there came two knights
of Northgalis, that one hight Hew de la Montaine, and the other Sir
Madok de la Montaine, and they challenged Sir Launcelot foot-hot. Sir
Launcelot not refusing them but made him ready, with one spear he smote
them down both over their horses' croups; and so Sir Launcelot rode
his way. By the good lord, said Sir Tristram, he is a good knight that
beareth the shield of Cornwall, and meseemeth he rideth in the best
manner that ever I saw knight ride.

Then the King of Northgalis rode unto Sir Palomides and prayed him
heartily for his sake to joust with that knight that hath done us of
Northgalis despite. Sir, said Sir Palomides, I am full loath to have ado
with that knight, and cause why is, for as to-morn the great tournament
shall be; and therefore I will keep myself fresh by my