And when Sir Daynant had recovered from that blow that Sir Tauleas had given him, he also gave Sir Tristram great praise for what he had done.  And Sir Tristram was abashed at all the praise that was bestowed upon him.

Then Sir Daynant and his lady besought Sir Tristram that he would go with them to their castle so that they might care for him, but Sir Tristram would not, for he said:  “I wist very well that I am mad, and so this forest is a fit place for me to dwell and these kind rude fellows are fit companions for me at this time whilst my wits are wandering.”

Thus it was with this adventure.  And now you shall hear how Sir Launcelot found Sir Tristram in the forest and how he brought him out thence and likewise what befell thereafter.

[Sidenote:  Sir Launcelot enters the forest] For only the next day after all these things had happened, Sir Launcelot came riding through the forest that way, seeking for Sir Tauleas with intent to do battle with him because of his many evil deeds.  For Sir Launcelot purposed either to slay him or else to bring him captive to King Arthur.

So it came to pass that Sir Launcelot came to that place where Sir Tristram and the swineherds abode.

There Sir Launcelot made pause for to rest and to refresh himself, and whilst he sat with his helmet lying beside him so that the breezes might cool his face, all those rude swineherds gathered about and stared at him.  And Sir Launcelot smiled upon them, and he said:  “Good fellows, I pray you tell me; do you know where, hereabouts, I shall find a knight whom men call Sir Tauleas?”

Unto this the chief swineherd made reply, saying:  “Lord, if you come hither seeking Sir Tauleas, you shall seek him in vain.  For yesterday he was slain, and if you look yonder way you may see his head hanging from a branch of a tree at the edge of the glade.”

Upon this Sir Launcelot cried out in great amazement, “How hath that come to pass?” and therewith he immediately arose from where he sat and went to that tree where the head hung.  And he looked into the face of the head, and therewith he saw that it was indeed the head of Sir Tauleas that hung there.  Then Sir Launcelot said:  “This is very wonderful.  Now I pray you, tell me what knight was it who slew this wicked wretch, and how his head came to be left hanging here?”

To this the chief of the swineherds made reply:  “Messire, he who slew Sir Tauleas was no knight, but a poor madman whom we found in the forest and who has dwelt with us now for a year past.  Yonder you may see him, lying half naked, sleeping beside that well of water.”

Sir Launcelot said, “Was it he who did indeed slay Sir Tauleas?” And the swineherd said, “Yea, lord, it was he.”

Sir Launcelot said, “Do ye not then know who he is?” The swineherd replied:  “No, lord, we only know that one day we found him lying in the forest naked and nigh to death from hunger and that we fed him and clothed him, and that since then he hath dwelt ever with us, showing great love for us all.”