he ware of a seemly knight riding against him with a covered shield.
They dressed their shields and spears, and came together with all the
mights of their horses. They met so fiercely that both horses and
knights fell to the earth. As fast as they were able they then gat
free from their horses, and put their shields before them; and they
strake together with bright swords, like men of might, and either
wounded other wonderly sore, so that the blood ran out upon the grass.

Thus they two fought the space of four hours. Never one would speak to
other one word, and of their harness they hewed off many pieces. Then
at the last spake the one with the covered shield; "Knight, thou
fightest wonderly well as ever I saw knight; therefore if it please you
tell me your name."

"Sir," said Sir Tristram, "that is me loath to tell any man my name."

"Truly," said the other, "if I was requested, I was never loath to tell
my name. I am Sir Launcelot of the Lake."

"Alas," said Sir Tristram, "what have I done, for ye are the man in the
world that I love best."

"Fair knight," said Sir Launcelot, "tell me now your name."

"Truly," said he, "my name is Sir Tristram of Lyonesse."

"Oh," said Sir Launcelot, "what adventure is befallen me!"

Therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled adown, and yielded him up his sword.
And therewithal Sir Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded him up his
sword. So either gave other the victory. Thereupon they both
forthwithal went to a stone, and sat down upon it, and took off their
helms to cool themselves. Then after a while they took their helms and
rode together to Camelot.

There soon they met King Arthur, and when he wist that it was Sir
Tristram, he ran unto him and took him by the hand and said, "Sir
Tristram, ye be as welcome as any knight that ever came to this court."
Then they went to the Table Round, where Queen Guenever came, and many
ladies with her, and all the ladies said at one voice, "Welcome, Sir
Tristram." "Welcome," said the damsels; "Welcome," said the knights;
"Welcome," said Arthur, "for one of the best knights and the gentlest
of the world, and the man of most honour. For of all manner of hunting
ye bear the prize; and of all the terms of hunting and hawking ye are
the beginner; of all instruments of music ye are the best. Therefore,
gentle knight, ye are welcome to this court. Now I pray you, grant me
a boon."

"It shall be at your commandment," said Tristram.

"Well,"