Le Morte Darthur
for no danger nor peril that might fall for the pleasure of his uncle,
but to go he made him ready in the most goodliest wise that might be
devised. For Sir Tristram took with him the most goodliest knights that
he might find in the court, and they were arrayed after the guise that
was then used in the goodliest manner. So Sir Tristram departed and
took the sea with all his fellowship. And anon as he was in the broad
sea, a tempest took him and his fellowship and drove them back into the
coast of England, and there they arrived fast by Camelot, and full fain
they were to take the land. And when they were landed Sir Tristram set
up his pavilion upon the land of Camelot, and there he let hang his
shield upon the pavilion. And that day came two knights of king
Arthur’s, that one was Sir Ector de Maris, and Sir Morganor. And they
touched the shield and bad him come out of the pavilion for to just,
and he would just. Ye shall be answered, said Sir Tristram, and ye will
tarry a little while. So he made him ready, and first he smote down Sir
Ector de Maris, and after he smote down Sir Morganor, all with one
spear, and sore bruised them. And when they lay upon the earth they
asked Sir Tristram what he was, and of what country he was knight. Fair
lords, said Sir Tristram, wit ye well that I am of Cornwall. Alas, said
Sir Ector, now am I ashamed that ever any Cornish knight should
overcome me. And then for despite Sir Ector put off his armour from
him, and went on foot, and would not ride.
CHAP. XX.
_How king Anguish of Ireland was summoned to come unto king Arthur’s
court for treason._
Then it fell that Sir Bleoberis and Sir Blamor de Ganis that were
brethren, they had summoned the king Anguish of Ireland to come to
Arthur’s court, upon pain of forfeiture of king Arthur’s good grace.
And if the king of Ireland came not in at the day assigned and set, the
king should lose his lands. So by it happened that at the day assigned,
king Arthur neither Sir Launcelot might not be there for to give the
judgment, for king Arthur was with Sir Launcelot at the castle Joyous
Gard. And so king Arthur assigned king Carados and the king of Scots to
be there that day as judges. So when the kings were at Camelot king
Anguish of Ireland was come to know his accusers. Then was there Blamor
de Ganis, and appealed the king of Ireland of treason, that he had
slain a cousin of his in his court in Ireland by treason. The king was
sore abashed of his accusation, for why? he was come at the summoning
of king Arthur, and or that he came at Camelot he wist not wherefore he
was sent after. And when the king heard Sir Blamor say his will, he
understood full well there was none other remedy but to answer him
knightly. For the custom was such in those days, that and any man were
appealed of any treason or murder, he should fight body for body, or
else to find another knight for him. And all manner of murderers in
those days were called treason. So when king Anguish understood his
accusing he was passing heavy, for he knew Sir Blamor de Ganis that he
was a noble knight, and of noble knights come. Then the king of Ireland
was simply purveyed of his answer, therefore the judges gave him
respite by the third day to give his answer. So the king departed unto
his lodging. The mean while there came a lady by Sir Tristram’s
pavilion making great dole. What aileth you, said Sir Tristram, that ye
make such dole? Ah, fair knight, said the lady, I am ashamed unless
that some good knight help me, for a great lady of worship sent by me a
fair child and a rich unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, and hereby there met
with me a knight and threw me down from my palfrey, and took away the
child from me. Well my lady, said Sir Tristram, and for my lord Sir
Launcelot’s sake I shall get you that child again, or else I shall be
beaten for it. And so Sir Tristram took his horse, and asked the lady
which way the knight rode. And then she told him. And he rode after
him, and within a mile he overtook that knight. And then Sir Tristram
bad him turn and give again the child.
CHAP. XXI.
_How Sir Tristram rescued a child from a knight, and how Gouvernail
told him of king Anguish._
The knight turned his horse, and he made him ready for to fight. And
then Sir Tristram smote him with a sword such a buffet that he tumbled
to the earth. And then he yielded him unto Sir Tristram. Then come thy
way, said Sir Tristram, and bring the child to the lady again. So he
took his horse meekly and rode with Sir Tristram, and then by the way
Sir Tristram asked him his name. Then he said, My name is Breuse Saunce
Pité. So when he had delivered that child to the lady he said, Sir, as
in this the child is well remedied. Then Sir Tristram let him go again,
that sore repented him after, for he was a great foe unto many good
knights of king Arthur’s court. Then when Sir Tristram was in his
pavilion, Gouvernail his man came and told him how that king Anguish of
Ireland was come thither, and he was put in great distress, and there
Gouvernail told Sir Tristram how king Anguish was summoned and appealed
of murder. Truly, said Sir Tristram, these be the best tidings that
ever came to me this seven year, for now shall the king of Ireland have
need of my help, for I dare say there is no knight in this country that
is not of Arthur’s court dare do battle with Sir Blamor de Ganis, and
for to win the love of the king of Ireland I will take the battle upon
me, and therefore Gouvernail bring me, I charge thee, to the king. Then
Gouvernail went unto king Anguish of Ireland and saluted him fair. The
king welcomed him and asked him what he would. Sir, said Gouvernail,
here is a knight near hand that desireth to speak with you: he bad me
say he would do you service. What knight is he, said the king. Sir, he
said, it is Sir Tristram de Liones, that for your good grace ye shewed
him in your lands will reward you in these countries. Come on fellow,
said the king, with me anon, and shew me unto Sir Tristram. So the king
took a little hackney and but few fellowship with him until he came
unto Sir Tristram’s pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw the king, he
ran unto him and would have holden his stirrup. But the king lept from
his horse lightly, and either halsed other in arms. My gracious lord,
said Sir Tristram, gramercy of your great goodnesses shewed unto me in
your marches and lands: and at that time I promised you to do my
service and ever it lay in my power. And gentle knight, said the king
unto Sir Tristram, now have I great need of you; never had I so great
need of no knight’s help. How so, my good lord? said Sir Tristram. I
shall tell you, said the king. I am summoned and appealed from my
country for the death of a knight that was kin unto the good knight Sir
Launcelot, wherefore Sir Blamor de Ganis, brother to Sir Bleoberis,
hath appealed me to fight with him, other to find a knight in my stead.
And well I wot, said the king, these that are come of king Ban’s blood,
as Sir Launcelot and these other, are passing good knights, and hard
men for to win in battle as any that I know now living. Sir, said Sir
Tristram, for the good lordship ye shewed me in Ireland, and for my
lady your daughter’s sake, La Beale Isoud, I will take the battle for
you upon this condition that ye shall grant me two things: that one is,
that ye shall swear to me that ye are in the right, that ye were never
consenting to the knight’s death; Sir, then, said Sir Tristram, when
that I have done this battle, if God give me grace that I speed, that
ye shall give me a reward, what thing reasonable that I will ask of
you. Truly, said the king, ye shall have whatsoever ye will ask. It is
well said, said Sir Tristram.
CHAP. XXII.
_How Sir Tristram fought for Sir Anguish and overcame his adversary,
and how his adversary would never yield him._
Now make your answer that your champion is ready, for I shall die in
your quarrel rather than to be recreant. I have no doubt of you, said
the king, that and ye should have ado with Sir Launcelot du Lake. Sir,
said Sir Tristram, as for Sir Launcelot, he is called the noblest
knight of the world, and wit ye well that the knights of his blood are
noble men and dread shame; and as for Sir Bleoberis, brother to Sir
Blamor, I have done battle with him, therefore upon my head it is no
shame to call him a good knight. It is noised, said the king, that
Blamor is the hardier knight. Sir, as for that, let him be, he shall
never be refused, and as he were the best knight that now beareth
shield or spear. So king Anguish departed unto king Carados and the
kings that were that time as judges, and told them that he had found
his champion ready. And then by the commandments of the kings Sir
Blamor de Ganis and Sir Tristram were sent for, to hear the charge. And
when they were come before the judges, there were many kings and
knights beheld Sir Tristram, and much speech they had of him because he
slew Sir Marhaus the good knight, and because he forjusted Sir
Palamides the good knight. So when they had taken their charge they
withdrew them for to make them ready to do battle. Then said Sir
Bleoberis to his brother Sir Blamor, Fair dear brother, remember of
what kin we be come of, and what a man is Sir Launcelot du Lake,
neither further nor nearer but brothers’ children, and there was never
none of our kin that ever was shamed in battle, and rather suffer
death, brother, than to be shamed. Brother, said Blamor, have ye no
doubt of me, for I shall never shame none of my blood, how be it I am
sure that yonder knight is called a passing good knight, as of his time
one of the world, yet shall I never yield me, nor say the loth word:
well may he happen to smite me down with his great might of chivalry,
but rather shall he slay me than I shall yield me as recreant. God
speed you well, said Bleoberis, for ye shall find him the mightiest
knight that ever ye had ado withall, for I know him, for I have had ado
with him. God me speed, said Blamor de Ganis. And therewith he took his
horse at the one end of the lists, and Sir Tristram at the other end of
the lists, and so they feutred their spears and came together as it had
been thunder, and there Sir Tristram through great might smote down Sir
Blamor and his horse to the earth. Then anon Sir Blamor avoided his
horse, and pulled out his sword and threw his shield afore him, and bad
Sir Tristram alight; for though an horse hath failed me, I trust the
earth will not fail me. And then Sir Tristram alight and dressed him
unto battle, and there they lashed together strongly as racing and
tracing, foining and dashing many sad strokes, that the kings and
knights had great wonder that they might stand, for ever they fought
like wood men, so that there were never knights seen fight more
fiercely than they did, for Sir Blamor was so hasty that he would have
no rest, that all men wondered that they had breath to stand on their
feet; and all the place was bloody that they fought in. And at the
last, Sir Tristram smote Sir Blamor such a buffet upon the helm that he
there fell down upon his side, and Sir Tristram stood and beheld him.
CHAP. XXIII.
_How Sir Blamor desired Tristram to slay him, and how Sir Tristram
spared him, and how they took appointment._
Then when Sir Blamor might speak, he said thus: Sir Tristram de Liones,
I require thee, as thou art a noble knight, and the best knight that
ever I found, that thou wilt slay me out, for I would not live to be
made lord of all the earth, for I had lever die with worship than live
with shame; and needs, Sir Tristram, thou must slay me, or else thou