Arthur lie on the ground sore wounded,
he was passing heavy. And then he dressed his shield and his spear, and
cried aloud unto Sir Tristram and said: Knight, defend thee. So they
came together as thunder, and Sir Uwaine brised his spear all to pieces
upon Sir Tristram's shield, and Sir Tristram smote him harder and sorer,
with such a might that he bare him clean out of his saddle to the earth.
With that Sir Tristram turned about and said: Fair knights, I had no
need to joust with you, for I have had enough to do this day. Then arose
Arthur and went to Sir Uwaine, and said to Sir Tristram: We have as we
have deserved, for through our orgulyte we demanded battle of you,
and yet we knew not your name. Nevertheless, by Saint Cross, said Sir
Uwaine, he is a strong knight at mine advice as any is now living.

Then Sir Tristram departed, and in every place he asked and demanded
after Sir Launcelot, but in no place he could not hear of him whether he
were dead or alive; wherefore Sir Tristram made great dole and sorrow.
So Sir Tristram rode by a forest, and then was he ware of a fair tower
by a marsh on that one side, and on that other side a fair meadow. And
there he saw ten knights fighting together. And ever the nearer he came
he saw how there was but one knight did battle against nine knights,
and that one did so marvellously that Sir Tristram had great wonder
that ever one knight might do so great deeds of arms. And then within a
little while he had slain half their horses and unhorsed them, and their
horses ran in the fields and forest. Then Sir Tristram had so great pity
of that one knight that endured so great pain, and ever he thought it
should be Sir Palomides, by his shield. And so he rode unto the knights
and cried unto them, and bade them cease of their battle, for they did
themselves great shame so many knights to fight with one. Then answered
the master of those knights, his name was called Breuse Saunce Pite,
that was at that time the most mischievoust knight living, and said
thus: Sir knight, what have ye ado with us to meddle? and therefore,
an ye be wise, depart on your way as ye came, for this knight shall not
escape us. That were pity, said Sir Tristram, that so good a knight
as he is should be slain so cowardly; and therefore I warn you I will
succour him with all my puissance.

CHAPTER II. How Sir Tristram saved Sir Palomides' life, and how they
promised to fight together within a fortnight.

S