. O Jesu,
said Sir Launcelot, what adventure is befallen me! And therewith Sir
Launcelot kneeled down and yielded him up his sword. And therewith Sir
Tristram kneeled adown, and yielded him up his sword. And so either gave
other the degree. And then they both forthwithal went to the stone, and
set them down upon it, and took off their helms to cool them, and either
kissed other an hundred times. And then anon after they took off their
helms and rode to Camelot. And there they met with Sir Gawaine and with
Sir Gaheris that had made promise to Arthur never to come again to the
court till they had brought Sir Tristram with them.

CHAPTER VI. How Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram to the court, and
of the great joy that the king and other made for the coming of Sir
Tristram.

RETURN again, said Sir Launcelot, for your quest is done, for I have
met with Sir Tristram: lo, here is his own person! Then was Sir Gawaine
glad, and said to Sir Tristram: Ye are welcome, for now have ye eased
me greatly of my labour. For what cause, said Sir Gawaine, came ye
into this court? Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, I came into this country
because of Sir Palomides; for he and I had assigned at this day to have
done battle together at the peron, and I marvel I hear not of him. And
thus by adventure my lord, Sir Launcelot, and I met together. With this
came King Arthur, and when he wist that there was Sir Tristram, then he
ran unto him and took him by the hand and said: Sir Tristram, ye are as
welcome as any knight that ever came to this court. And when the king
had heard how Sir Launcelot and he had foughten, and either had wounded
other wonderly sore, then the king made great dole. Then Sir Tristram
told the king how he came thither for to have had ado with Sir
Palomides. And then he told the king how he had rescued him from the
nine knights and Breuse Saunce Pite; and how he found a knight lying by
a well, and that knight smote down Sir Palomides and me, but his shield
was covered with a cloth. So Sir Palomides left me, and I followed after
that knight; and in many places I found where he had slain knights, and
forjousted many. By my head, said Sir Gawaine, that same knight smote
me down and Sir Bleoberis, and hurt us sore both, he with the covered
shield. Ah, said Sir Kay, that knight smote me adown and hurt me passing
sore, and fain would I have known him, but I might not. Jesu, mercy,
said Arthur, what knight was that with the covered