For,fair sirs,wit ye well I may not as at this time abide with you,for I must in all haste be with my lord King Arthur at the Castle of Lonazep,the which I have promised.Then was the people full heavy at his departing,for all that city proffered Sir Palomides the third part of their goods so that he would abide with them;but in no wise as at that time he would not abide.
And so Sir Palomides departed,and so he came unto the castle thereas Sir Ebel was lieutenant.And when they in the castle wist how Sir Palomides had sped,there was a joyful meiny;and so Sir Palomides departed,and came to the castle of Lonazep.And when he wist that Sir Tristram was not there he took his way over Humber,and came unto Joyous Gard,whereas Sir Tristram was and La Beale Isoud.Sir Tristram had commanded that what knight errant came within the Joyous Gard,as in the town,that they should warn Sir Tristram.So there came a man of the town,and told Sir Tristram how there was a knight in the town,a passing goodly man.What manner of man is he,said Sir Tristram,and what sign beareth he?So the man told Sir Tristram all the tokens of him.That is Palomides,said Dinadan.It may well be,said Sir Tristram.Go ye to him,said Sir Tristram unto Dinadan.So Dinadan went unto Sir Palomides,and there either made other great joy,and so they lay together that night.And on the morn early came Sir Tristram and Sir Gareth,and took them in their beds,and so they arose and brake their fast.
CHAPTER LXV
How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides met Breuse Saunce Pit ,and how Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud went unto Lonazep.
AND then Sir Tristram desired Sir Palomides to ride into the fields and woods.So they were accorded to repose them in the forest.And when they had played them a great while they rode unto a fair well;and anon they were ware of an armed knight that came riding against them,and there either saluted other.Then this armed knight spake to Sir Tristram,and asked what were these knights that were lodged in Joyous Gard.I wot not what they are,said Sir Tristram.What knights be ye?
said that knight,for meseemeth ye be no knights errant,because ye ride unarmed.Whether we be knights or not we list not to tell thee our name.Wilt thou not tell me thy name?said that knight;then keep thee,for thou shalt die of my hands.And therewith he got his spear in his hands,and would have run Sir Tristram through.
That saw Sir Palomides,and smote his horse traverse in midst of the side,that man and horse fell to the earth.
And therewith Sir Palomides alighted and pulled out his sword to have slain him.Let be,said Sir Tristram,slay him not,the knight is but a fool,it were shame to slay him.But take away his spear,said Sir Tristram,and let him take his horse and go where that he will.
So when this knight arose he groaned sore of the fall,and so he took his horse,and when he was up he turned then his horse,and required Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides to tell him what knights they were.Now wit ye well,said Sir Tristram,that my name is Sir Tristram de Liones,and this knight's name is Sir Palomides.When he wist what they were he took his horse with the spurs,because they should not ask him his name,and so rode fast away through thick and thin.Then came there by them a knight with a bended shield of azure,whose name was Epinogris,and he came toward them a great wallop.
Whither are ye riding?said Sir Tristram.My fair lords,said Epinogris,I follow the falsest knight that beareth the life;wherefore I require you tell me whether ye saw him,for he beareth a shield with a case of red over it.So God me help,said Tristram,such a knight departed from us not a quarter of an hour agone;we pray you tell us his name.Alas,said Epinogris,why let ye him escape from you?and he is so great a foe unto all errant knights:his name is Breuse Saunce Pit .Ah,fie for shame,said Sir Palomides,alas that ever he escaped mine hands,for he is the man in the world that I hate most.
Then every knight made great sorrow to other;and so Epinogris departed and followed the chase after him.
Then Sir Tristram and his three fellows rode unto Joyous Gard;and there Sir Tristram talked unto Sir Palomides of his battle,how he sped at the Red City,and as ye have heard afore so was it ended.Truly,said Sir Tristram,I am glad ye have well sped,for ye have done worshipfully.Well,said Sir Tristram,we must forward to-morn.And then he devised how it should be;and Sir Tristram devised to send his two pavilions to set them fast by the well of Lonazep,and therein shall be the queen La Beale Isoud.It is well said,said Sir Dinadan,but when Sir Palomides heard of that his heart was ravished out of measure:notwithstanding he said but little.So when they came to Joyous Gard Sir Palomides would not have gone into the castle,but as Sir Tristram took him by the finger,and led him into the castle.And when Sir Palomides saw La Beale Isoud he was ravished so that he might unnethe speak.So they went unto meat,but Palomides might not eat,and there was all the cheer that might be had.And on the morn they were apparelled to ride toward Lonazep.