This cry met the ears of Lancelot, who was engaged in another part of the field. Then he got a spear and came towards the cry. Seeing Tristram standing without an antagonist, he cried out,—
"Knight with the black shield, well and worthily have you done; now make ready to joust with me."
When Tristram heard this he put his spear in rest, and both with lowered heads rode together with lightning speed. Tristram's spear broke into fragments on Lancelot's shield; but Lancelot, by ill-fortune, smote him in the side, wounding him deeply. He kept his saddle, however, and, drawing his sword, rushed upon Lancelot and gave him three such strokes that fire flew from his helm, and he was forced to lower his head towards his saddle-bow. This done, Tristram left the field, for he felt as if he would die. But Dinadan espied him and followed him into the forest.
After Tristram left the lists, Lancelot fought like a man beside himself, many a noble knight going down before his spear and sword. King Arthur, seeing against what odds he fought, came quickly to his aid, with the knights of his own kindred, and in the end they won the day against the king of Northgalis and his followers. So the prize was adjudged to Lancelot.
But neither for king, queen, nor knights would he accept it, and when the cry was raised by the heralds,—
"Sir Lancelot, Sir Lancelot has won the field this day!" he bade them change, and cry instead,—
"The knight with the black shield has won the day."
But the estates and the commonalty cried out together,—
"Sir Lancelot has won the field, whoever say nay!"
This filled Lancelot with shame and anger, and he rode with a lowering brow to King Arthur, to whom he cried,—