Le Morte Darthur
field, to behold Sir Palamides and Corsabrin. Sir Palamides pight his
pensel in the midst of the field, and then they hurtled together with
their spears as it were thunder, and either smote other to the earth.
And then they pulled their swords, and dressed their shields, and
lashed together mightily as mighty knights, that well nigh there was no
piece of harness would hold them. For this Corsabrin was a passing
felonious knight. Corsabrin, said Palamides, wilt thou release me
yonder damsel, and the pensel? Then was Corsabrin wroth out of measure,
and gave Palamides such a buffet that he kneeled on his knee. Then
Palamides arose lightly, and smote him upon the helm that he fell down
right to the earth. And therewith he rased off his helm, and said,
Corsabrin, yield thee, or else thou shalt die of my hands. Fie on thee,
said Corsabrin, do thy worst. Then he smote off his head. And
therewithal came a stench of his body when the soul departed, so that
there might no body abide the savour. So was the corpse had away and
buried in a wood, because he was a Paynim.
Then they blew unto lodging, and Palamides was unarmed. Then he went
unto queen Guenever, to the haut prince, and to Sir Launcelot. Sir,
said the haut prince, here have ye seen this day a great miracle by
Corsabrin, what savour there was when the soul departed from the body.
Therefore, Sir, we will require you to take the baptism upon you; and I
promise you, all knights will set the more by you, and say more worship
by you. Sir, said Palamides, I will that ye all know that into this
land I came to be christened, and in my heart I am christened, and
christened will I be. But I have made such an avow, that I may not be
christened till I have done seven true battles for Jesus’ sake. And
then will I be christened. And I trust God will take mine intent, for I
mean truly. Then Sir Palamides prayed queen Guenever and the haut
prince to sup with him. And so they did both, Sir Launcelot, and Sir
Lamorak, and many other good knights. So on the morn they heard their
mass, and blew the field; and then knights made them ready.
CHAP. XLVIII.
_Of the sixth day, and what then was done._
Here beginneth the sixth day. Then came there in Sir Gaheris, and there
encountered with him Sir Ossaise of Surluse, and Sir Gaheris smote him
over his horse croup. And then either party encountered with other, and
there was many spears broken, and many knights cast under feet. So
there came Sir Dornard and Sir Aglovale, that were brethren unto Sir
Lamorak, and they met with other two knights, and either smote other so
hard that all four knights and horses fell to the earth. When Sir
Lamorak saw his two brethren down he was wroth out of measure. And then
he gat a great spear in his hand, and therewithal he smote down four
good knights, and then his spear brake. Then he pulled out his sword,
and smote about him on the right hand and on the left hand, and rased
off helms and pulled down knights, that all men marvelled of such deeds
of arms as he did, for he fared so that many knights fled. Then he
horsed his brethren again, and said, Brethren, ye ought to be ashamed
to fall so off your horses; what is a knight but when he is on
horseback? I set not by a knight when he is on foot, for all battles on
foot are but pelowres battles. For there should no knight fight on
foot, but if it were for treason, or else he were driven thereto by
force: therefore, brethren, sit fast upon your horses, or else fight
never more afore me. With that came in duke Chaleins of Clarance; and
there encountered with him the earl Ulbawes of Surluse, and either of
them smote other down. Then the knights of both parties horsed their
lords again; for Sir Ector and Bleoberis were on foot, waiting on the
duke Chaleins; and the king with the hundred knights was with the earl
of Ulbawes. With that came Gaheris, and lashed to the king with the
hundred knights, and he to him again. Then came the duke Chaleins and
departed them. Then they blew to lodging, and the knights unarmed them,
and drew them to their dinner; and at the midst of their dinner in came
Dinadan, and began to rail. Then he beheld the haut prince, that seemed
wroth with some fault that he saw. For he had a custom he loved no
fish; and because he was served with fish, the which he hated,
therefore he was not merry. When Sir Dinadan had espied the haut
prince, he espied where was a fish with a great head, and that he gat
betwixt two dishes, and served the haut prince with that fish. And then
he said thus: Sir Galahalt, well may I liken you to a wolf, for he will
never eat fish, but flesh. Then the haut prince laughed at his words.
Well, well, said Dinadan to Launcelot, what do ye in this country; for
here may no mean knights win no worship for thee? Sir Dinadan, said
Launcelot, I ensure thee that I shall no more meet with thee, nor with
thy great spear, for I may not sit in my saddle when that spear hitteth
me. And if I be happy, I shall beware of that boisterous body that thou
bearest. Well, said Launcelot, make good watch ever. God forbid that
ever we meet, but if it be at a dish of meat. Then laughed the queen
and the haut prince, that they might not sit at their table. Thus they
made great joy till on the morn. And then they heard mass, and blew to
field. And queen Guenever and all the estates were set, and judges
armed clean with their shields to keep the right.
CHAP. XLIX.
_Of the seventh battle, and how Sir Launcelot, being disguised like a
maid, smote down Sir Dinadan._
Now beginneth the seventh battle. There came in the duke Cambines, and
there encountered with him Sir Aristance, that was counted a good
knight, and they met so hard that either bare other down, horse and
man. Then came there the earl of Lambaile, and helped the duke again to
horse. Then came there Sir Ossaise of Surluse, and he smote the earl
Lambaile down from his horse. Then began they to do great deeds of
arms, and many spears were broken, and many knights were cast to the
earth. Then the king of Northgalis and the earl Ulbawes smote together,
that all the judges thought it was like mortal death. This mean while
queen Guenever and the haut prince and Sir Launcelot made there Sir
Dinadan make him ready to just. I would, said Sir Dinadan, ride into
the field, but then one of you twain will meet with me. Perdy, said the
haut prince, ye may see how we sit here as judges with our shields, and
always mayest thou behold whether we sit here or not. So Sir Dinadan
departed, and took his horse, and met with many knights, and did
passing well. And as he was departed, Sir Launcelot disguised himself,
and put upon his armour a maiden’s garment freshly attired. Then Sir
Launcelot made Sir Galihodin to lead him through the range, and all men
had wonder what damsel it was. And so as Sir Dinadan came into the
range, Sir Launcelot, that was in the damsel’s array, gat Galihodin’s
spear, and ran unto Sir Dinadan. And always Sir Dinadan looked up there
as Sir Launcelot was, and then he saw one sit in the stead of Sir
Launcelot, armed. But when Dinadan saw a manner of a damsel, he dread
perils that it was Sir Launcelot disguised. But Sir Launcelot came on
him so fast that he smote him over his horse croup. And then with great
scorns they gat Sir Dinadan into the forest there beside, and there
they despoiled him unto his shirt, and put upon him a woman’s garment,
and so brought him into the field, and so they blew unto lodging. And
every knight went and unarmed him. Then was Sir Dinadan brought in
among them all. And when queen Guenever saw Sir Dinadan brought so
among them all, then she laughed that she fell down, and so did all
that were there. Well, said Dinadan to Launcelot, thou art so false
that I can never beware of thee. Then, by all the assent, they gave Sir
Launcelot the prize: the next was Sir Lamorak de Galis; the third was
Sir Palamides; the fourth was king Bagdemagus. So these four knights
had the prize. And there was great joy and great nobley in all the
court. And on the morn queen Guenever and Sir Launcelot departed unto
king Arthur; but in no wise Sir Lamorak would not go with them. I shall
undertake, said Sir Launcelot, that, and ye will go with us king Arthur
shall charge Sir Gawaine and his brethren never to do you hurt. As for
that, said Sir Lamorak, I will not trust Sir Gawaine, nor none of his
brethren; and wit ye well Sir Launcelot, and it were not for my lord
king Arthur’s sake, I should match Sir Gawaine and his brethren well
enough. But to say that I should trust them, that shall I never. And
therefore I pray you recommend me unto my lord Arthur, and unto all my
lords of the Round Table. And in what place that ever I come I shall do
you service to my power: and, sir, it is but late that I revenged that
when my lord Arthur’s kin were put to the worse by Sir Palamides. Then
Sir Lamorak departed from Sir Launcelot, and either wept at their
departing.
CHAP. L.
_How by treason Sir Tristram was brought to a tournament for to have
been slain, and how he was put in prison._
Now turn we from this matter, and speak we of Sir Tristram, of whom
this book is principally of; and leave we the king and the queen, Sir
Launcelot, and Sir Lamorak. And here beginneth the treason of king Mark
that he ordained against Sir Tristram. There was cried by the coasts of
Cornwall a great tournament and justs. And all was done by Sir Galahalt
the haut prince, and king Bagdemagus, to the intent to slay Sir
Launcelot, or else utterly destroy him and shame him, because Sir
Launcelot had always the higher degree: therefore this prince and this
king made this justs against Sir Launcelot. And thus their counsel was
discovered unto king Mark, whereof he was full glad. Then king Mark
bethought him that he would have Sir Tristram unto that tournament
disguised that no man should know him, to that intent that the haut
prince should ween that Sir Tristram were Sir Launcelot. So at these
justs came in Sir Tristram. And at that time Sir Launcelot was not
there, but when they saw a knight disguised do such deeds of arms, they
wend it had been Sir Launcelot. And in especial king Mark said it was
Sir Launcelot plainly. Then they set upon him, both king Bagdemagus and
the haut prince, and their knights, that it was wonder that ever Sir
Tristram might endure that pain. Notwithstanding for all the pain that
he had, Sir Tristram wan the degree at that tournament, and there he
hurt many knights, and bruised them, and they hurt him, and bruised him
wonderly sore. So when the justs were all done they knew well that it
was Sir Tristram de Liones. And all that were on king Mark’s party were
glad that Sir Tristram was hurt, and the remnant were sorry of his
hurt; for Sir Tristram was not so behated as was Sir Launcelot within
the realm of England. Then came king Mark unto Sir Tristram, and said,
Fair nephew, I am sorry of your hurts. Gramercy, my lord, said Sir
Tristram. Then king Mark made Sir Tristram for to be put in a horse
bier, in great sign of love, and said, Fair cousin, I shall be your
leech myself. And so he rode forth with Sir Tristram, and brought him
to a castle by daylight. And then king Mark made Sir Tristram to eat,
and then after he gave him a drink, the which as soon as he had drunk
he fell on sleep; and when it was night he made him to be carried to
another castle, and there he put him in a strong prison, and there he
ordained a man and a woman to give him his meat and drink. So there he
was a great while. Then was Sir Tristram missed, and no creature wist
where he was become. When La Beale Isoud heard how he was missed,
privily she went unto Sir Sadok, and prayed him to espy where was Sir