sore, that well-nigh at every stroke he struck down a
knight. And when they espied his strokes they fled all
with Breuse Saunce Pit unto the tower, and Sir Tristram
followed fast after with his sword in his hand, but they
escaped into the tower, and shut Sir Tristram without the
gate. And when Sir Tristram saw this he returned aback
unto Sir Palomides, and found him sitting under a tree
sore wounded. Ah, fair knight, said Sir Tristram, well
be ye found. Gramercy, said Sir Palomides, of your great
goodness, for ye have rescued me of my life, and saved
me from my death. What is your name? said Sir
Tristram. He said: My name is Sir Palomides. O
Jesu, said Sir Tristram, thou hast a fair grace of me this
day that I should rescue thee, and thou art the man in
the world that I most hate; but now make thee ready,
for I will do battle with thee. What is your name?
said Sir Palomides. My name is Sir Tristram, your
mortal enemy. It may be so, said Sir Palomides; but ye
have done over much for me this day that I should fight
with you; for inasmuch as ye have saved my life it will
be no worship for you to have ado with me, for ye are
fresh and I am wounded sore, and therefore, an ye will
needs have ado with me, assign me a day and then I
shall meet with you without fail. Ye say well, said Sir
Tristram, now I assign you to meet me in the meadow
by the river of Camelot, where Merlin set the peron.
So they were agreed.

Then Sir Tristram asked Sir Palomides why the ten
knights did battle with him. For this cause, said Sir