Then Tristram
hastened to his room and armed himself, after which he took his horse
and his squire and rode into the forest.

Here the valorous champion killed some of the knights whom the king had
sent against him and put to flight thirty more, so that King Mark in
fear and fury called a council of his lords, and asked what was to be
done with his rebellious subject.

"Our counsel is," said the barons, "that you send for Sir Tristram and
make friends with him, for you well know that if you push him hard many
of your men will join him. He is peerless and matchless among Christian
knights except Sir Lancelot, and if you drive him to seek King Arthur's
court he will find such friends there that he may defy your power.
Therefore we counsel you to beg him to return to the court, under
assurance of safety."

"You may send for him, then," said the king, though his heart burned
with secret fury. The barons now sent for Tristram under a safe-conduct,
and he returned to the court, where he was welcomed by the king, and all
that had passed seemed to be forgotten.

Shortly after this the king and queen went hunting, accompanied by
Tristram and many knights and gentlemen of the court. Entering the
forest, they set up their pavilions and tents beside a river, where they
hunted and jousted daily, for King Mark had with him thirty knights who
stood ready to meet all comers.

Fortune brought thither two knights-errant, one being Lamorak de Galis,
who of all knights was counted next to Lancelot and Tristram. The other
was Sir Driant, both being Knights of the Round Table.

Driant jousted first with the Cornish knights, and, after unhorsing some
of them, got a stunning fall. Then Lamorak offered to meet them, and of
the thirty knights not one kept his seat before him, while some were
sorely hurt.

"What knight is this who fights so well?" asked the king.

"Sir," said Tristram, "it is Lamorak de Galis, one of the best knights
who ever put spear in rest."

"Then, Sir Tristram, you must meet him. It were a shame to us all to let
him go away victor."

"It were a greater shame to overthrow a noble knight when he and his
horse are worn out with over-labor."

"He shall not leave here and boast of how he vanquished King Mark's
knights. I charge you, as you love me and my lady La Belle Isolde, to
take your arms and joust with this Lamorak."

"You charge me to do what is against knighthood, for it is no honor for
a fresh man and h