f Balin. And in that same place was
the fair lady Colombe slain, that was love unto Sir Lanceor; for after
he was dead she took his sword and thrust it through her body. And by
the craft of Merlin he made to inter this knight, Lanceor, and his lady,
Colombe, under one stone. And at that time Merlin prophesied that in
that same place should fight two the best knights that ever were in
Arthur's days, and the best lovers. So when Sir Tristram came to the
tomb where Lanceor and his lady were buried he looked about him after
Sir Palomides. Then was he ware of a seemly knight came riding against
him all in white, with a covered shield. When he came nigh Sir Tristram
he said on high: Ye be welcome, sir knight, and well and truly have ye
holden your promise. And then they dressed their shields and spears,
and came together with all their might of their horses; and they met so
fiercely that both their horses and knights fell to the earth, and as
fast as they might avoided their horses, and put their shields afore
them; and they struck together with bright swords, as men that were of
might, and either wounded other wonderly sore, that the blood ran out
upon the grass. And thus they fought the space of four hours, that never
one would speak to other one word, and of their harness they had hewn
off many pieces. O Lord Jesu, said Gouvernail, I marvel greatly of
the strokes my master hath given to your master. By my head, said Sir
Launcelot's servant, your master hath not given so many but your master
has received as many or more. O Jesu, said Gouvernail, it is too much
for Sir Palomides to suffer or Sir Launcelot, and yet pity it were that
either of these good knights should destroy other's blood. So they
stood and wept both, and made great dole when they saw the bright swords
over-covered with blood of their bodies.

Then at the last spake Sir Launcelot and said: Knight, thou fightest
wonderly well as ever I saw knight, therefore, an it please you, tell me
your name. Sir, said Sir Tristram, that is me loath to tell any man my
name. Truly, said Sir Launcelot, an I were required I was never loath to
tell my name. It is well said, said Sir Tristram, then I require you
to tell me your name? Fair knight, he said, my name is Sir Launcelot du
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
your name? Truly, said he, my name is Sir Tristram de Liones