"None shall love my lady but myself," he cried, in passion. "And for what you have said I challenge you to battle to the uttermost."
"I can never fight in a better quarrel," said Palamides. "And if you slay me I can never die by a nobler hand. Since I cannot hope for favor from La Belle Isolde, I have as good will to die as to live."
"Then set a day in which we shall do battle in this cause."
"Let it be fifteen days hence. And let the place be in the meadow under Joyous Gard."
"Why so long a time?" demanded Tristram. "To-morrow will suit me better."
"It is because I am meagre and weak, and have fallen away to a shadow through hopeless love. I must rest until I get my strength again before I can face so doughty a knight."
"So let it be, then," said Tristram. "Yet once before you broke a promise to meet me in battle at the grave near Camelot."
"What could I do?" rejoined Palamides. "I was in prison, and could not keep my word."
"If you had done so, there would have been no need of a fight now," said Tristram, as he strode haughtily away.
Then Palamides took his horse and rode to Arthur's court, where he did his utmost to rest and regain strength. When the appointed time approached he returned, attended by four knights and four sergeant-at-arms.