"Go again and tell him that I, his mortal foe, am here."
Gouvernail now prodded him with the butt of his spear, and cried,--
"Arise, Sir Palamides, and make ready, for yonder is Sir Tristram, and he sends you word that he is your mortal foe."
Then Palamides rose without a word of answer, and saddled and bridled his horse, upon which he sprang, putting his spear in rest. But he remained not long in his saddle, for when they met in mid career, Tristram smote him so hard a blow as to thrust him over his horse's tail to the ground.
Then they drew their swords and fought with all their strength, for the lady whom they both loved looked upon them from the walls, and well-nigh swooned for grief and distress on seeing how sorely each was hurt.
"Alas!" she cried, "one of them I love, and the other loves me. It would be a great pity to see Sir Palamides slain, much as he has troubled me, and slain he will be if this fight goes on."
Then, moved by her tender heart, she went down and besought Tristram to fight no more.
"What mean you?" he asked. "Would you have me shamed?"
"I desire not your dishonor; but for my sake I would have you spare this unhappy knight, whose love for me has made him mad."
"As you wish," he replied. "The fight shall end, since you desire it."
"As for you, Sir Palamides," she said, "I command that you shall go out of this country while I am in it."
"If it must be, it must," he answered, in bitter anguish; "but it is sorely against my will, for not to see you is not to live."
"Take your way to the court of King Arthur," she said, "and there recommend me to Queen Guenever. Tell her that Isolde says that in all the land there are but four lovers, and that these are Lancelot du Lake and Queen Guenever, and Tristram de Lyonesse and Queen Isolde."
This message filled Palamides with the greatest heaviness of heart, and mounting his steed he rode away moaning bitterly. But Isolde was full of gladness in being well rid of her troublesome lover, and Tristram in having rescued her from his rival. So he brought her back to King Mark, and there was great joy over her home-coming, while the king and all the court showered honors on the successful champion. Sir Lambegus was brought back to the court and put under the care of skilful leeches, and for a long time joy and good-will reigned.