So they brought the stranger before the king.
"Thou hast done exceeding well, this day, fellow. Tell us then the banner that you serve."
"That I cannot do. For, sire, such are my master's commands. Yet may I say no knight is more true and worthy."
"Then must we wait for your master's coming. Go thou hence and tell your master he can be proud of thee. And take you this bag of gold besides such other prizes as are yours." So as the knave stood there, the King turned to Sir Dagonet, his jester, who was making himself heard.
"A fool speaks, sire. Yet claim I, like master like man. So then must this fellow's master be right skillful to hold him. And since this master is not you, nor Sir Launcelot, then I pick him to be Sir Tristram."
"Fool's reasoning, yet hath it much sense," said the King.
Now the stranger left. But ere departing, he turned to Allan.
"I trust, young master, I shall see you again. As to who I am, know you for your own keeping--fools ofttimes reason best of all."
The yeoman rode far into the forest. Then when he came to a lone habitation he dismounted. A knight seated near the small window at the further wall greeted him as he entered.
"How did the day turn out? No doubt they trounced you well."