And thus they fought the space of four hours,that never one would speak to other one word,and of their harness they had hewn off many pieces.O Lord Jesu,said Gouvernail,I marvel greatly of the strokes my master hath given to your master.By my head,said Sir Launcelot's servant,your master hath not given so many but your master has received as many or more.O Jesu,said Gouvernail,it is too much for Sir Palomides to suffer or Sir Launcelot,and yet pity it were that either of these good knights should destroy other's blood.So they stood and wept both,and made great dole when they saw the bright swords over-covered with blood of their bodies.
Then at the last spake Sir Launcelot and said:Knight,thou fightest wonderly well as ever I saw knight,therefore,an it please you,tell me your name.Sir,said Sir Tristram,that is me loath to tell any man my name.Truly,said Sir Launcelot,an I were required I was never loath to tell my name.It is well said,said Sir Tristram,then Irequire you to tell me your name?Fair knight,he said,my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake.Alas,said Sir Tristram,what have I done!for ye are the man in the world that I love best.Fair knight,said Sir Launcelot,tell me your name?Truly,said he,my name is Sir Tristram de Liones.O Jesu,said Sir Launcelot,what adventure is befallen me!And therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled down and yielded him up his sword.And therewith Sir Tristram kneeled adown,and yielded him up his sword.And so either gave other the degree.And then they both forthwithal went to the stone,and set them down upon it,and took off their helms to cool them,and either kissed other an hundred times.And then anon after they took off their helms and rode to Camelot.And there they met with Sir Gawaine and with Sir Gaheris that had made promise to Arthur never to come again to the court till they had brought Sir Tristram with them.
CHAPTER VI
How Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram to the court,and of the great joy that the king and other made for the coming of Sir Tristram.
RETURN again,said Sir Launcelot,for your quest is done,for I have met with Sir Tristram:lo,here is his own person!Then was Sir Gawaine glad,and said to Sir Tristram:Ye are welcome,for now have ye eased me greatly of my labour.For what cause,said Sir Gawaine,came ye into this court?Fair sir,said Sir Tristram,Icame into this country because of Sir Palomides;for he and I had assigned at this day to have done battle together at the peron,and I marvel I hear not of him.And thus by adventure my lord,Sir Launcelot,and I met together.
With this came King Arthur,and when he wist that there was Sir Tristram,then he ran unto him and took him by the hand and said:Sir Tristram,ye are as welcome as any knight that ever came to this court.And when the king had heard how Sir Launcelot and he had foughten,and either had wounded other wonderly sore,then the king made great dole.Then Sir Tristram told the king how he came thither for to have had ado with Sir Palomides.
And then he told the king how he had rescued him from the nine knights and Breuse Saunce Pit ;and how he found a knight lying by a well,and that knight smote down Sir Palomides and me,but his shield was covered with a cloth.So Sir Palomides left me,and I followed after that knight;and in many places I found where he had slain knights,and forjousted many.By my head,said Sir Gawaine,that same knight smote me down and Sir Bleoberis,and hurt us sore both,he with the covered shield.Ah,said Sir Kay,that knight smote me adown and hurt me passing sore,and fain would I have known him,but I might not.Jesu,mercy,said Arthur,what knight was that with the covered shield?I know not,said Sir Tristram;and so said they all.Now,said King Arthur,then wot I,for it is Sir Launcelot.Then they all looked upon Sir Launcelot and said:Ye have beguiled us with your covered shield.It is not the first time,said Arthur,he hath done so.My lord,said Sir Launcelot,truly wit ye well I was the same knight that bare the covered shield;and because I would not be known that Iwas of your court I said no worship of your house.That is truth,said Sir Gawaine,Sir Kay,and Sir Bleoberis.
Then King Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand and went to the Table Round.Then came Queen Guenever and many ladies with her,and all the ladies said at one voice:Welcome,Sir Tristram!Welcome,said the damosels.Welcome,said knights.Welcome,said Arthur,for one of the best knights,and the gentlest of the world,and the man of most worship;for of all manner of hunting thou bearest the prize,and of all measures of blowing thou art the beginning,and of all the terms of hunting and hawking ye are the beginner,of all instruments of music ye are the best;therefore,gentle knight,said Arthur,ye are welcome to this court.And also,I pray you,said Arthur,grant me a boon.It shall be at your commandment,said Tristram.Well,said Arthur,I will desire of you that ye will abide in my court.