through me ye be marked of many good
knights, and that caused you to have much more labour for my sake than
needeth you. Then will I not be there, said Sir Tristram, but if ye be
there. God defend, said La Beale Isoud, for then shall I be spoken of
shame among all queens and ladies of estate; for ye that are called one
of the noblest knights of the world, and ye a knight of the Round
Table, how may ye be missed at that feast? What shall be said among all
knights? See how Sir Tristram hunteth, and hawketh, and cowereth within
a castle with his lady, and forsaketh your worship. Alas, shall some
say, it is pity that ever he was made knight, or that ever he should
have the love of a lady. Also what shall queens and ladies say of me?
It is pity that I have my life, that I will hold so noble a knight as
ye are from his worship. So God me help, said Sir Tristram unto La Beale
Isoud, it is passing well said of you and nobly counselled; and now I
well understand that ye love me; and like as ye have counselled me I
will do a part thereafter. But there shall no man nor child ride with
me, but myself. And so will I ride on Tuesday next coming, and no more
harness of war but my spear and my sword.

CHAPTER XII. How Sir Tristram departed unarmed and met with Sir
Palomides, and how they smote each other, and how Sir Palomides forbare
him.

AND so when the day came Sir Tristram took his leave at La Beale Isoud,
and she sent with him four knights, and within half a mile he sent them
again: and within a mile after Sir Tristram saw afore him where Sir
Palomides had stricken down a knight, and almost wounded him to the
death. Then Sir Tristram repented him that he was not armed, and then
he hoved still. With that Sir Palomides knew Sir Tristram, and cried on
high: Sir Tristram, now be we met, for or we depart we will redress our
old sores. As for that, said Sir Tristram, there was yet never Christian
man might make his boast that ever I fled from him; and wit ye well, Sir
Palomides, thou that art a Saracen shall never make thy boast that Sir
Tristram de Liones shall flee from thee. And therewith Sir Tristram
made his horse to run, and with all his might he came straight upon
Sir Palomides, and brast his spear upon him an hundred pieces. And
forthwithal Sir Tristram drew his sword. And then he turned his horse
and struck at Palomides six great strokes upon his helm; and then Sir
Palomides stood still, and beheld Sir Tristram, and mar