Le Morte Darthur
Bors said he would not just with no Cornish knights, for they are not
called men of worship. And all this was done upon a bridge. And with
this came Sir Bleoberis and Sir Driant, and Sir Bleoberis proffered to
just with Sir Tristram, and there Sir Tristram smote down Sir
Bleoberis. Then said Sir Bors de Ganis, I wist never Cornish knight of
so great valour nor so valiant as that knight that beareth the
trappours embroidered with crowns. And then Sir Tristram and Sir
Dinadan departed from them into a forest, and there met them a damsel
that came for the love of Sir Launcelot to seek after some noble
knights of king Arthur’s court for to rescue Sir Launcelot. And so Sir
Launcelot was ordained, for by the treason of queen Morgan le Fay to
have slain Sir Launcelot, and for that cause she ordained thirty
knights for to lie in a wait for Sir Launcelot, and this damsel knew
this treason. And for this cause the damsel came for to seek noble
knights to help Sir Launcelot. For that night, or the day after, Sir
Launcelot should come where these thirty knights were. And so this
damsel met with Sir Bors, Sir Bleoberis, Sir Ector, and Sir Driant, and
there she told them all four of the treason of Morgan le Fay. And then
they promised her that they would be nigh where Sir Launcelot should
meet with the thirty knights, and if so be they set upon him we will do
rescues as we can. So the damsel departed, and by adventure the damsel
met with Sir Tristram and with Sir Dinadan, and there the damsel told
them all the treason that was ordained for Sir Launcelot. Fair damsel,
said Sir Tristram, bring me to that same place where they should meet
with Sir Launcelot. Then said Sir Dinadan, What will ye do? it is not
for us to fight with thirty knights, and wit you well I will not
thereof, as to match one knight two or three is enough, and they be
men. But for to match fifteen knights, that will I never undertake. Fie
for shame, said Sir Tristram, do but your part. Nay, said Sir Dinadan,
I will not thereof, but if ye will lend me your shield, for ye bear a
shield of Cornwall, and for the cowardice that is named to the knights
of Cornwall, by your shields ye be ever forborn. Nay, said Sir
Tristram, I will not depart from my shield for her sake that gave it
me. But one thing, said Sir Tristram, I promise thee Sir Dinadan, but
if thou wilt promise me to abide with me, here I shall slay thee: for I
desire no more of thee but to answer one knight, and if thy heart will
not serve thee, stand by and look upon me and them. Sir, said Sir
Dinadan, I promise you to look upon and to do what I may to save
myself, but I would I had not met with you. So then anon these thirty
knights came fast by these four knights, and they were ware of them,
and either of other. And so these thirty knights let them pass for this
cause, that they would not wrath them if cause be that they had ado
with Sir Launcelot, and the four knights let them pass to this intent,
that they would see and behold what they would do with Sir Launcelot.
And so the thirty knights past on, and came by Sir Tristram and Sir
Dinadan. And then Sir Tristram cried on high, Lo here is a knight
against you for the love of Sir Launcelot. And there he slew two with
one spear, and ten with his sword. And then came in Sir Dinadan, and he
did passing well. And so of the thirty knights there went but ten away,
and they fled. All this battle saw Sir Bors de Ganis, and his three
fellows. And then they saw well it was the same knight that justed with
them at the bridge. Then they took their horses and rode unto Sir
Tristram, and praised him, and thanked him of his good deeds, and they
all desired Sir Tristram to go with them to their lodging. And he said
nay, he would not go to no lodging. Then they all four knights prayed
him to tell them his name. Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, as at this
time I will not tell you my name.
CHAP. XXIV.
_How Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan came to a lodging where they must
just with two knights._
Then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode forth their way till they came
to the shepherds and to the herdmen, and there they asked them if they
knew any lodging or harbour there nigh hand. Forsooth sirs, said the
herdmen, hereby is good lodging in a castle, but there is such a custom
that there shall no knight be harboured but if he just with two
knights, and if he be but one knight he must just with two. And as ye
be therein, soon shall ye be matched. There is shrewd harbour, said Sir
Dinadan, lodge where ye will, for I will not lodge there. Fie for
shame, said Sir Tristram, are ye not a knight of the Table Round,
wherefore ye may not with your worship refuse your lodging. Not so,
said the herdmen, for and ye be beaten and have the worse ye shall not
be lodged there, and if ye beat them ye shall be well harboured. Ah,
said Sir Dinadan, they are two sure knights. Then Sir Dinadan would not
lodge there in no manner, but as Sir Tristram required him of his
knighthood, and so they rode thither. And to make short tale, Sir
Tristram and Sir Dinadan smote them down both, and so they entered into
the castle, and had good cheer as they could think or devise. And when
they were unarmed, and thought to be merry and in good rest, there came
in at the gates Sir Palamides and Sir Gaheris, requiring to have the
custom of the castle. What array is this? said Sir Dinadan, I would
have my rest. That may not be, said Sir Tristram; now must we needs
defend the custom of this castle, insomuch as we have the better of the
lords of this castle, and therefore, said Sir Tristram, needs must ye
make you ready. In the devil’s name, said Sir Dinadan, came I into your
company. And so they made them ready. And Sir Gaheris encountered with
Sir Tristram, and Sir Gaheris had a fall, and Sir Palamides encountered
with Sir Dinadan, and Sir Dinadan had a fall; then was it fall for
fall. So then must they fight on foot. That would not Sir Dinadan, for
he was so sore bruised of the fall that Sir Palamides gave him. Then
Sir Tristram unlaced Sir Dinadan’s helm, and prayed him to help him. I
will not, said Sir Dinadan, for I am sore wounded of the thirty knights
that we had but late ago to do withal. But ye fare, said Sir Dinadan
unto Sir Tristram, as a mad man, and as a man that is out of his mind,
that would cast himself away, and I may curse the time that ever I saw
you. For in all the world are not two such knights that be so wood as
is Sir Launcelot and ye Sir Tristram: for once I fell in the fellowship
of Sir Launcelot as I have now done with you, and he set me a work that
a quarter of a year I kept my bed. Defend me, said Sir Dinadan, from
such two knights, and specially from your fellowship. Then, said Sir
Tristram, I will fight with them both. Then Sir Tristram bad them come
forth both, for I will fight with you. Then Sir Palamides and Sir
Gaheris dressed them and smote at them both. Then Dinadan smote at Sir
Gaheris a stroke or two, and turned from him. Nay, said Sir Palamides,
it is too much shame for us two knights to fight with one. And then he
did bid Sir Gaheris stand aside with that knight that hath no list to
fight. Then they rode together and fought long, and at the last Sir
Tristram doubled his strokes and drove Sir Palamides aback more than
three strides. And then by one assent Sir Gaheris and Sir Dinadan went
betwixt them and departed them in sunder. And then by assent of Sir
Tristram, they would have lodged together. But Sir Dinadan would not
lodge in that castle, and then he cursed the time that ever he came in
their fellowship. And so he took his horse and his harness and
departed. Then Sir Tristram prayed the lords of that castle to lend him
a man to bring him to a lodging. And so they did, and overtook Sir
Dinadan, and rode to their lodging two miles thence with a good man in
a priory, and there they were well at ease. And that same night, Sir
Bors, and Sir Bleoberis, and Sir Ector, and Sir Driant, abode still in
the same place there as Sir Tristram fought with the thirty knights,
and there they met with Sir Launcelot the same night, and had made
promise to lodge with Sir Colgrevance the same night.
CHAP. XXV.
_How Sir Tristram justed with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramor le Desirous, and
how Sir Gawaine turned Sir Tristram from Morgan le Fay._
But anon as the noble knight Sir Launcelot heard of the shield of
Cornwall, then wist he well that it was Sir Tristram that fought with
his enemies. And then Sir Launcelot praised Sir Tristram, and called
him the man of most worship in the world. So there was a knight in that
priory that hight Pellinore, and he desired to wit the name of Sir
Tristram, but in no wise he could not. And so Sir Tristram departed and
left Sir Dinadan in the priory, for he was so weary and so sore bruised
that he might not ride. Then this knight, Sir Pellinore, said to Sir
Dinadan, Sithen that ye will not tell me that knight’s name, I will
ride after him and make him to tell me his name, or he shall die
therefore. Beware, sir knight, said Sir Dinadan, for and ye follow him
ye shall repent it. So that knight, Sir Pellinore, rode after Sir
Tristram, and required him of justs. Then Sir Tristram smote him down,
and wounded him through the shoulder, and so he past on his way. And on
the next day following Sir Tristram met with pursuivants, and they told
him that there was made a great cry of tournament between king Carados
of Scotland and the king of North Wales, and either should just against
other at the Castle of Maidens. And these pursuivants sought all the
country after the good knights, and in especial king Carados let make
seeking for Sir Launcelot, and the king of Northgalis let seek after
Sir Tristram de Liones. And at that time Sir Tristram thought to be at
that justs, and so by adventure they met with Sir Kay the seneschal and
Sir Sagramor le Desirous, and Sir Kay required Sir Tristram to just,
and Sir Tristram in a manner refused him, because he would not be hurt
nor bruised against the great justs that should be before the Castle of
Maidens, and therefore he thought to repose him, and to rest him. And
alway Sir Kay cried, Sir knight of Cornwall, just with me, or else
yield thee to me as recreant. When Sir Tristram heard him say so, he
turned to him, and then Sir Kay refused him, and turned his back. Then
Sir Tristram said, As I find thee shall I take thee. Then Sir Kay
turned with evil will, and Sir Tristram smote Sir Kay down, and so he
rode forth. Then Sir Sagramor le Desirous rode after Sir Tristram and
made him to just with him. And there Sir Tristram smote down Sir
Sagramor le Desirous from his horse, and rode his way, and the same day
he met with a damsel that told him that he should win great worship of
a knight adventurous, that did much harm in all that country.
When Sir Tristram heard her say so, he was glad to go with her to win
worship. So Sir Tristram rode with that damsel a six mile, and then met
him Sir Gawaine, and therewithal Sir Gawaine knew the damsel, that she
was a damsel of queen Morgan le Fay. Then Sir Gawaine understood that
she led that knight to some mischief. Fair knight, said Sir Gawaine,
whither ride you now with that damsel? Sir, said Sir Tristram, I wot
not whither I shall ride, but as the damsel will lead me. Sir, said Sir
Gawaine, ye shall not ride with her, for she and her lady did never
good, but ill. And then Sir Gawaine pulled out his sword, and said,
Damsel, but if thou tell me anon for what cause thou leadest this
knight with thee, thou shalt die for it right anon. I know all your
lady’s treason and yours. Mercy, Sir Gawaine, she said, and if ye will
save my life I will tell you. Say on, said Sir Gawaine, and thou shalt