But then at the last,when Sir Tristram had heard all Sir Palomides'complaints,he was wroth out of measure,and thought for to slay him thereas he lay.Then Sir Tristram remembered himself that Sir Palomides was unarmed,and of the noble name that Sir Palomides had,and the noble name that himself had,and then he made a restraint of his anger;and so he went unto Sir Palomides a soft pace and said:Sir Palomides,I have heard your complaint,and of thy treason that thou hast owed me so long,and wit thou well therefore thou shalt die;and if it were not for shame of knighthood thou shouldest not escape my hands,for now I know well thou hast awaited me with treason.Tell me,said Sir Tristram,how thou wilt acquit thee?Sir,said Palomides,thus Iwill acquit me:as for Queen La Beale Isoud,ye shall wit well that I love her above all other ladies in this world;and well I wot it shall befall me as for her love as befell to the noble knight Sir Kehydius,that died for the love of La Beale Isoud.And now,Sir Tristram,I will that ye wit that I have loved La Beale Isoud many a day,and she hath been the causer of my worship,and else I had been the most simplest knight in the world.For by her,and because of her,I have won the worship that I have;for when I remembered me of La Beale Isoud I won the worship wheresomever I came for the most part;and yet had I never reward nor bount of her the days of my life,and yet have I been her knight guerdonless.And therefore,Sir Tristram,as for any death I dread not,for I had as lief die as to live.And if I were armed as thou art,Ishould lightly do battle with thee.Well have ye uttered your treason,said Tristram.I have done to you no treason,said Palomides,for love is free for all men,and though I have loved your lady,she is my lady as well as yours;howbeit I have wrong if any wrong be,for ye rejoice her,and have your desire of her,and so had Inever nor never am like to have,and yet shall I love her to the uttermost days of my life as well as ye.
CHAPTER LXXXVII
How there was a day set between Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides for to fight,and how Sir Tristram was hurt.
THEN said Sir Tristram:I will fight with you to the uttermost.I grant,said Palomides,for in a better quarrel keep I never to fight,for an I die of your hands,of a better knight's hands may I not be slain.And sithen I understand that I shall never rejoice La Beale Isoud,Ihave as good will to die as to live.Then set ye a day,said Sir Tristram,that we shall do battle.This day fifteen days,said Palomides,will I meet with you hereby,in the meadow under Joyous Gard.Fie for shame,said Sir Tristram,will ye set so long day?let us fight to-morn.Not so,said Palomides,for I am meagre,and have been long sick for the love of La Beale Isoud,and therefore I will repose me till I have my strength again.
So then Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides promised faith fully to meet at the well that day fifteen days.I am remembered,said Sir Tristram to Palomides,that ye brake me once a promise when that I rescued you from Breuse Saunce Pit and nine knights;and then ye promised me to meet me at the peron and the grave beside Camelot,whereas at that time ye failed of your promise.Wit you well,said Palomides unto Sir Tristram,I was at that day in prison,so that I might not hold my promise.So God me help,said Sir Tristram,an ye had holden your promise this work had not been here now at this time.
Right so departed Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides.