How Sir Tristram jousted, and smote down King Arthur,
because he told him not the cause why he bare that shield.


AND if so be ye can descrive what ye bear, ye are worthy
to bear the arms. As for that, said Sir Tristram, I will
answer you; this shield was given me, not desired, of
Queen Morgan le Fay; and as for me, I can not descrive
these arms, for it is no point of my charge, and yet I
trust to God to bear them with worship. Truly, said
King Arthur, ye ought not to bear none arms but if ye
wist what ye bear: but I pray you tell me your name.
To what intent? said Sir Tristram. For I would wit,
said Arthur. Sir, ye shall not wit as at this time. Then
shall ye and I do battle together, said King Arthur.
Why, said Sir Tristram, will ye do battle with me but if
I tell you my name? and that little needeth you an ye
were a man of worship, for ye have seen me this day
have had great travail, and therefore ye are a villainous
knight to ask battle of me, considering my great travail;
howbeit I will not fail you, and have ye no doubt that I
fear not you; though you think you have me at a great
advantage yet shall I right well endure you. And there
withal King Arthur dressed his shield and his spear, and
Sir Tristram against him, and they came so eagerly
together. And there King Arthur brake his spear all to
pieces upon Sir Tristram's shield. But Sir Tristram hit
Arthur again, that horse and man fell to the earth. And
there was King Arthur wounded on the left side, a great
wound and a perilous.