And then they came together as two wild boars, lashing together,
tracing and traversing as noble men that oft had been well proved in
battle; but ever Sir Palomides dread the might of Sir Tristram, and
therefore he suffered him to breathe him. Thus they fought more than
two hours, but often Sir Tristram smote such strokes at Sir Palomides
that he made him to kneel; and Sir Palomides brake and cut away many
pieces of Sir Tristram’s shield; and then Sir Palomides wounded Sir
Tristram, for he was a well fighting man. Then Sir Tristram was wood
wroth out of measure, and rushed upon Sir Palomides with such a might
that Sir Palomides fell grovelling to the earth; and therewithal he
leapt up lightly upon his feet, and then Sir Tristram wounded Palomides
sore through the shoulder. And ever Sir Tristram fought still in like
hard, and Sir Palomides failed not, but gave him many sad strokes. And
at the last Sir Tristram doubled his strokes, and by fortune Sir
Tristram smote Sir Palomides sword out of his hand, and if Sir
Palomides had stooped for his sword he had been slain.
Then Palomides stood still and beheld his sword with a sorrowful heart.
How now, said Sir Tristram unto Palomides, now have I thee at advantage
as thou haddest me this day; but it shall never be said in no court,
nor among good knights, that Sir Tristram shall slay any knight that is
weaponless; and therefore take thou thy sword, and let us make an end
of this battle. As for to do this battle, said Palomides, I dare right
well end it, but I have no great lust to fight no more. And for this
cause, said Palomides: mine offence to you is not so great but that we
may be friends. All that I have offended is and was for the love of La
Beale Isoud. And as for her, I dare say she is peerless above all other
ladies, and also I proffered her never no dishonour; and by her I have
gotten the most part of my worship. And sithen I offended never as to
her own person, and as for the offence that I have done, it was against
your own person, and for that offence ye have given me this day many
sad strokes, and some I have given you again; and now I dare say I felt
never man of your might, nor so well breathed, but if it were Sir
Launcelot du Lake; wherefore I require you, my lord, forgive me all
that I have offended unto you; and this same day have me to the next
church, and first let me be clean confessed, and after see you now that
I be truly baptised. And then will we all ride together unto the court
of Arthur, that we be there at the high feast. Now take your horse,
said Sir Tristram, and as ye say so it shall be, and all thine evil
will God forgive it you, and I do. And here within this mile is the
Suffragan of Carlisle that shall give you the sacrament of baptism.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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