how sir tristram departed unarmed and met with sir palomides, and how they smote each other, and how sir palomides forbare him.

and so when the day came sir tristram took his leave at la beale isoud, and she sent with him four knights, and within half a mile he sent them again: and within a mile after sir tristram saw afore him where sir palomides had stricken down a knight, and almost wounded him to the death. then sir tristram repented him that he was not armed, and then he hoved still. with that sir palomides knew sir tristram, and cried on high: sir tristram, now be we met, for or we depart we will redress our old sores. as for that, said sir tristram, there was yet never christian man might make his boast that ever i fled from him; and wit ye well, sir palomides, thou that art a saracen shall never make thy boast that sir tristram de liones shall flee from thee. and therewith sir tristram made his horse to run, and with all his might he came straight upon sir palomides, and brast his spear upon him an hundred pieces. and forthwithal sir tristram drew his sword. and then he turned his horse and struck at palomides six great strokes upon his helm; and then sir palomides stood still, and beheld sir tristram, and marvelled of his woodness, and of his folly. and then sir palomides said to himself: an sir tristram were armed, it were hard to cease him of this battle, and if i turn again and slay him i am ashamed wheresomever that i go.

then sir tristram spake and said: thou coward knight, what castest thou to do; why wilt thou not do battle with me? for have thou no doubt i shall endure all thy malice. ah, sir tristram, said palomides, full well thou wottest i may not fight with thee for shame, for thou art here naked and i am armed, and if i slay thee, dishonour shall be mine. and well thou wottest, said sir palomides to sir tristram, i know thy strength and thy hardiness to endure against a good knight. that is truth, said sir tristram, i understand thy valiantness well. ye say well, said sir palomides; now, i require you, tell me a question that i shall say to you. tell me what it is, said sir tristram, and i shall answer you the truth, as god me help. i put case, said sir palomides, that ye were armed at all rights as well as i am, and i naked as ye be, what would you do to me now, by your true knighthood? ah, said sir tristram, now i understand thee well, sir palomides, for now must i say mine own judgment, and as god me bless, that i shall say shall not be said for no fear that i have of thee. but this is all: wit sir palomides, as at this time thou shouldest depart from me, for i would not have ado with thee. no more will i, said palomides, and therefore ride forth on thy way. as for that i may choose, said sir tristram, either to ride or to abide. but sir palomides, said sir tristram, i marvel of one thing, that thou that art so good a knight, that thou wilt not be christened, and thy brother, sir safere, hath been christened many a day.