by misfortune he smote Sir Tristram in the
thick of the thigh, and the arrow slew Sir Tristram's horse and hurt
him. When Sir Tristram was so hurt he was passing heavy, and wit ye well
he bled sore; and then he took another horse, and rode unto Joyous Gard
with great heaviness, more for the promise that he had made with Sir
Palomides, as to do battle with him within three days after, than for
any hurt of his thigh. Wherefore there was neither man nor woman that
could cheer him with anything that they could make to him, neither Queen
La Beale Isoud; for ever he deemed that Sir Palomides had smitten him so
that he should not be able to do battle with him at the day set.

CHAPTER LXXXVIII. How Sir Palomides kept his day to have foughten, but
Sir Tristram might not come; and other things.

BUT in no wise there was no knight about Sir Tristram that would believe
that ever Sir Palomides would hurt Sir Tristram, neither by his own
hands nor by none other consenting. Then when the fifteenth day was
come, Sir Palomides came to the well with four knights with him of
Arthur's court, and three sergeants-of-arms. And for this intent Sir
Palomides brought the knights with him and the sergeants-of-arms, for
they should bear record of the battle betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir
Palomides. And the one sergeant brought in his helm, the other his
spear, the third his sword. So thus Palomides came into the field,
and there he abode nigh two hours; and then he sent a squire unto Sir
Tristram, and desired him to come into the field to hold his promise.

When the squire was come to Joyous Gard, anon as Sir Tristram heard of
his coming he let command that the squire should come to his presence
thereas he lay in his bed. My lord Sir Tristram, said Palomides' squire,
wit you well my lord, Palomides, abideth you in the field, and he would
wit whether ye would do battle or not. Ah, my fair brother, said
Sir Tristram, wit thou well that I am right heavy for these tidings;
therefore tell Sir Palomides an I were well at ease I would not lie
here, nor he should have no need to send for me an I might either ride
or go; and for thou shalt say that I am no liar--Sir Tristram showed him
his thigh that the wound was six inches deep. And now thou hast seen my
hurt, tell thy lord that this is no feigned matter, and tell him that I
had liefer than all the gold of King Arthur that I were whole; and tell
Palomides as soon as I am whole I shall seek him endl