So Sir Tristram arose and went away from that place very full of bitterness and anger against the King and his court.  For whiles there were some of that court who were sorry for the affront that King Mark had put upon him in public before the eyes of the entire court, yet there were others who smiled and were glad of his humiliation.  For even so true and noble a gentleman as Sir Tristram, when he groweth great and famous, is like to have as many enemies as friends.  For there are ever those who envy truth and nobility in a man, as well as others who hate meanness and falsity, and so Sir Tristram ever had many enemies whithersoever he went.  And that also was the case with Sir Launcelot and Sir Lamorack, and with other noble knights at that time.

[Sidenote:  Sir Tristram arms himself] But though Sir Tristram was so filled with indignation he said nothing to any man, but went to his lodging and summoned Gouvernail, and bade Gouvernail to help him to his armor and his horse.

Gouvernail said:  “Lord, what would you do for to arm and horse yourself at this hour?” Sir Tristram made reply:  “The King hath commanded me to do battle with Sir Lamorack, and yet Sir Lamorack is my very dear friend and sworn brother-in-arms.  He is already weary with battle, and of a surety I shall be very likely to overthrow him in an assault at arms at this time.”  Gouvernail said, “Lord, that would be great shame to you as well as to him.”  And Sir Tristram said, “Yea, it is great shame.”  Then Gouvernail beheld Sir Tristram’s face, how it was all filled with a passion of shame and indignation, and so he guessed what had passed, and held his peace.

So when Sir Tristram was armed and mounted, he rode down into the meadow of battle, where was Sir Lamorack parading with great glory before the applause of all who looked down upon that field.

[Sidenote:  Sir Lamorack speaks to Sir Tristram] But when Sir Lamorack beheld that it was Sir Tristram who came against him, he was greatly astonished, and cried out:  “Ha, Tristram, how is this?  Is it you who come against me?  Have you then forgot that I am your brother-in-arms and a fellow of the Round Table?”

To this Sir Tristram said:  “Messire, I come not of my own free will, but only because I must needs come, being so commanded by the King of Cornwall.”

“Very well,” said Sir Lamorack, “so be it as you will, though I am very much surprised that you should do battle against me, after all that hath passed betwixt us.  More especially at this season when, as you very well know, I am weary and winded with battle.”

Thereupon and without further parley, each knight took stand for the encounter at the position assigned to him.  Then when they were in all ways prepared, the marshal of the field blew upon his trumpet a call for the assault.

So rushed those two together like two stones, flung each out of a catapult; and therewith they two smote together in the midst of their course like to a clap of thunder.