So on the morn Sir Launcelot departed, and Sir Tristram was ready, and
La Beale Isoud with Sir Palomides and Sir Gareth. And so they rode all
in green full freshly beseen unto the forest. And Sir Tristram left Sir
Dinadan sleeping in his bed. And so as they rode it happed the king and
Launcelot stood in a window, and saw Sir Tristram ride and Isoud. Sir,
said Launcelot, yonder rideth the fairest lady of the world except your
queen, Dame Guenever. Who is that? said Sir Arthur. Sir, said he, it is
Queen Isoud that, out-taken my lady your queen, she is makeless. Take
your horse, said Arthur, and array you at all rights as I will do, and
I promise you, said the king, I will see her. Then anon they were armed
and horsed, and either took a spear and rode unto the forest. Sir, said
Launcelot, it is not good that ye go too nigh them, for wit ye well
there are two as good knights as now are living, and therefore, sir, I
pray you be not too hasty. For peradventure there will be some knights
be displeased an we come suddenly upon them. As for that, said Arthur,
I will see her, for I take no force whom I grieve. Sir, said Launcelot,
ye put yourself in great jeopardy. As for that, said the king, we will
take the adventure. Right so anon the king rode even to her, and
saluted her, and said: God you save. Sir, said she, ye are welcome.
Then the king beheld her, and liked her wonderly well.
With that came Sir Palomides unto Arthur, and said: Uncourteous knight,
what seekest thou here? thou art uncourteous to come upon a lady thus
suddenly, therefore withdraw thee. Sir Arthur took none heed of Sir
Palomides’ words, but ever he looked still upon Queen Isoud. Then was
Sir Palomides wroth, and therewith he took a spear, and came hurtling
upon King Arthur, and smote him down with a spear. When Sir Launcelot
saw that despite of Sir Palomides, he said to himself: I am loath to
have ado with yonder knight, and not for his own sake but for Sir
Tristram. And one thing I am sure of, if I smite down Sir Palomides I
must have ado with Sir Tristram, and that were overmuch for me to match
them both, for they are two noble knights; notwithstanding, whether I
live or I die, needs must I revenge my lord, and so will I, whatsomever
befall of me. And therewith Sir Launcelot cried to Sir Palomides: Keep
thee from me. And then Sir Launcelot and Sir Palomides rushed together
with two spears strongly, but Sir Launcelot smote Sir Palomides so hard
that he went quite out of his saddle, and had a great fall. When Sir
Tristram saw Sir Palomides have that fall, he said to Sir Launcelot:
Sir knight, keep thee, for I must joust with thee. As for to joust with
me, said Sir Launcelot, I will not fail you, for no dread I have of
you; but I am loath to have ado with you an I might choose, for I will
that ye wit that I must revenge my special lord that was unhorsed
unwarly and unknightly. And therefore, though I revenged that fall,
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