When the next day dawned, at six-thirty in the morning, Sir Tristano and Sir Carados rode back out onto the field on their good destriers. Meeting, they challenged each other, then eagerly rode to strike each other on the shield, hitting blows so heavy that both their lances were shattered. But neither knight bent the other over the saddlebow, and they finished their course.

As they wheeled their horses around, each man took his iron mace in hand and began to deliver such great, strong blows that it was a mighty marvel to watch. Soon most of their armor lay in pieces on the ground.

In the third assault each one was so badly wounded that his flesh was stained and livid with blood and sweat, but they still both seemed always to find greater strength, because so much depended on this battle. Sir Tristano greatly exerted himself to surpass the experience the other knight had acquired in the passing of time, for Sir Carados had been doing deeds of arms for forty years. And the older knight was afraid of losing, fearful of losing his reputation, because he claimed to be the best knight in the world.

Then it seemed to all the people in the fortress, and to Sir Arpinello and Sir Adanain, that Tristano was getting the best of the battle. Carados was very tired and his efforts were diminishing, while Tristano seemed always fresher. During the battle the knights had to dismount because their horses were so exhausted they could not stand up.

In the fourth assault, most of the ground was stained with their blood, and Sir Carados said to himself, "Alas, lord God, who can this knight be who is so bold and such a mighty warrior? He doesn't seem to be Sir Sigurans the Brown, nor yet the high prince Galeotto, nor Lancilotto, nor Palamidesso, for I have tested them at other times, and I made them hang up their shields against their will."

And on the other side, Tristano marveled greatly, saying, "Alas, lord God, this is surely a bold knight! He has truly in himself great and powerful strength, without using magic arts: he is one of the greatest knights I have ever met or found in this world. Neither Brunoro the Brown, the high prince Galeotto, or Lancilotto comes near him."

And the perilous battle went on. In the fifth assault Sir Carados put forth all his strength and struck Tristano on the shield so that it broke down the middle, and Tristano's left arm was seriously wounded. Then Tristano was infuriated, and struck Carados on the helmet with the edge of his sword, hitting it with all his strength. That blow was so heavy that it sliced through the helmet and iron cap, making a great gash in his head, so that Carados fell senseless to the ground, and lay a long time without getting up, pulseless and unmoving, because he was unconscious.

La Tavola Ritonda