Palomides; as I rode upon mine adventures in a forest
here beside I espied where lay a dead knight, and a lady
weeping beside him. And when I saw her making such
dole, I asked her who slew her lord. Sir, she said, the
falsest knight of the world now living, and he is the most
villain that ever man heard speak of and his name is Sir
Breuse Saunce Pit. Then for pity I made the damosel
to leap on her palfrey, and I promised her to be her
warrant, and to help her to inter her lord. And so,
suddenly, as I came riding by this tower, there came out
Sir Breuse Saunce Pit, and suddenly he struck me from
my horse. And then or I might recover my horse this
Sir Breuse slew the damosel. And so I took my horse
again, and I was sore ashamed, and so began the medley
betwixt us: and this is the cause wherefore we did this
battle. Well, said Sir Tristram, now I understand the
manner of your battle, but in any wise have remembrance
of your promise that ye have made with me to do battle
with me this day fortnight. I shall not fail you, said Sir
Palomides. Well, said Sir Tristram, as at this time I will
not fail you till that ye be out of the danger of your
enemies.

So they mounted upon their horses, and rode together
unto that forest, and there they found a fair well, with
clear water bubbling. Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, to drink
of that water have I courage; and then they alighted off
their horses. And then were they ware by them where
stood a great horse tied to a tree, and ever he neighed.
And then were they ware of a fair knight armed, under