Le Morte Darthur
have thy life. Sir, she said, queen Morgan le Fay, my lady, hath
ordained a thirty ladies to seek and espy after Sir Launcelot or Sir
Tristram, and by the trains of these ladies, who that may first meet
with any of these two knights, they should turn them unto Morgan le
Fay’s castle, saying that they should do deeds of worship, and if any
of those two knights came there, there be thirty knights lying and
watching in a tower to wait upon Sir Launcelot, or upon Sir Tristram.
Fie for shame, said Sir Gawaine, that ever such false treason should be
wrought or used in a queen and a king’s sister, and a king and queen’s
daughter.
CHAP. XXVI.
_How Sir Tristram and Sir Gawaine rode to have fought against the
thirty knights, but they durst not come out._
Sir, said Sir Gawaine, will ye stand with me, and we will see the
malice of these thirty knights? Sir, said Sir Tristram, go ye to them
and it please you, and ye shall see I will not fail you, for it is not
long ago since I and a fellow met with thirty knights of that queen’s
fellowship; and God speed us so that we may win worship. So then Sir
Gawaine and Sir Tristram rode toward the castle where Morgan le Fay
was, and ever Sir Gawaine deemed well that he was Sir Tristram de
Liones, because he heard that two knights had slain and beaten thirty
knights. And when they came afore the castle Sir Gawaine spake on high,
and said, Queen Morgan le Fay, send out your knights that ye have laid
in a watch for Sir Launcelot, and for Sir Tristram. Now, said Sir
Gawaine, I know your false treason, and through all places where that I
ride men shall know of your false treason. And now let see Sir Gawaine
whether ye dare come out of your castle ye thirty knights. Then the
queen spake and all the thirty knights at once, and said, Sir Gawaine,
full well wotest thou what thou dost and sayest; for we know thee
passing well; but all that thou speakest and dost thou sayest it upon
pride of that good knight that is there with thee. For there be some of
us that know full well the hands of that knight over all well, and wit
thou well, Sir Gawaine, it is more for his sake than for thine that we
will not come out of this castle. For wit ye well, Sir Gawaine, that
knight that beareth the arms of Cornwall we know him, and what he is.
Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Tristram departed, and rode on their ways a
day or two together, and there by adventure they met with Sir Kay and
Sir Sagramor le Desirous. And then they were glad of Sir Gawaine, and
he of them, but they wist not what he was with the shield of Cornwall
but by deeming. And thus they rode together a day or two. And then they
were ware of Sir Breuse Sance Pité chasing a lady for to have slain
her, for he had slain her lover before. Hold you all still, said Sir
Gawaine, and shew none of you forth, and ye shall see me reward yonder
false knight, for and he espy you he is so well horsed that he will
escape away. And then Sir Gawaine rode betwixt Sir Breuse and the lady,
and said, False knight, leave her and have ado with me. When Sir Breuse
saw no more but Sir Gawaine he feutred his spear, and Sir Gawaine
against him, and there Sir Breuse overthrew Sir Gawaine, and then he
rode over him and overthwart him twenty times, to have destroyed him;
and when Sir Tristram saw him do so villainous a deed, he hurled out
against him. And when Sir Breuse saw him with the shield of Cornwall,
he knew him well that it was Sir Tristram, and then he fled, and Sir
Tristram followed after him. And Sir Breuse Sance Pité was so horsed
that he went his way quite. And Sir Tristram followed him long, for he
would fain have been avenged upon him. And so when he had long chased
him he saw a fair well, and thither he rode to repose him, and tied his
horse to a tree.
CHAP. XXVII.
_How damsel Bragwaine found Tristram sleeping by a well, and how she
delivered letters to him from La Beale Isoud._
And then he pulled off his helm, and washed his visage and his hands,
and so he fell on sleep. In the mean while came a damsel that had
sought Sir Tristram many ways and days within this land. And when she
came to the well she looked upon him, and had forgotten him as in
remembrance of Sir Tristram, but by his horse she knew him, that hight
Passe-Brewel, that had been Sir Tristram’s horse many years. For when
he was mad in the forest, Sir Fergus kept him. So this lady dame
Bragwaine abode still till he was awake. So when she saw him wake she
saluted him, and he her again, for either knew other of old
acquaintance. Then she told him how she had sought him long and broad,
and there she told him how she had letters from queen La Beale Isoud.
Then anon Sir Tristram read them, and wit ye well he was glad, for
therein was many a piteous complaint. Then Sir Tristram said, Lady
Bragwaine, ye shall ride with me till that tournament be done at the
Castle of Maidens; and then shall ye bear letters and tidings with you.
And then Sir Tristram took his horse and sought lodging, and there he
met with a good ancient knight that prayed him to lodge with him. Right
so came Gouvernail unto Sir Tristram, that was glad of that lady. So
this old knight’s name was Sir Pellounes, and he told of the great
tournament that should be at the Castle of Maidens. And there Sir
Launcelot and thirty-two knights of his blood had ordained shields of
Cornwall. And right so there came one unto Sir Pellounes and told him
that Sir Persides de Bloise was come home, and then that knight held up
his hands and thanked God of his coming home, and there Sir Pellounes
told Sir Tristram that in two years he had not seen his son Sir
Persides. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I know your son well enough for a
good knight. So on a time Sir Tristram and Sir Persides came to their
lodging both at once, and so they unarmed them, and put upon them their
clothing. And then these two knights each welcomed other. And when
Persides understood that Sir Tristram was of Cornwall, he said he was
once in Cornwall,—and there I justed afore king Mark, and so it happed
me at that time to overthrow ten knights, and then came to me Sir
Tristram de Liones and overthrew me, and took my lady from me, and that
I shall never forget, but I shall remember me and ever I see my time.
Ah, said Sir Tristram, now I understand that ye hate Sir Tristram. What
deem ye, ween ye that Sir Tristram is not able to withstand your
malice? Yes, said Sir Persides, I know well that Sir Tristram is a
noble knight, and a much better knight than I, yet shall I not owe him
my good will. Right as they stood thus talking at a bay window of that
castle, they saw many knights riding to and fro toward the tournament.
And then was Sir Tristram ware of a likely knight riding upon a great
black horse, and a black covered shield. What knight is that, said Sir
Tristram, with the black horse and the black shield? He seemeth to be a
good knight. I know him well, said Sir Persides, he is one of the best
knights of the world. Then is it Sir Launcelot, said Sir Tristram. Nay,
said Sir Persides, it is Sir Palamides, that is yet unchristened.
CHAP. XXVIII.
_How Sir Tristram had a fall of Sir Palamides, and how Launcelot
overthrew two knights._
Then they saw much people of the country salute Sir Palamides. And
within a while after there came a squire of the castle that told Sir
Pellounes, that was lord of that castle, that a knight with a black
shield had smitten down thirteen knights. Fair brother, said Sir
Tristram unto Sir Persides, let us cast upon us our cloaks, and let us
go see the play. Not so, said Sir Persides, we will not go like knaves
thither, but we will ride like men and good knights to withstand our
enemies. So they armed them, and took their horses, and great spears,
and thither they went, there as many knights assayed themselves before
the tournament. And anon Sir Palamides saw Sir Persides, and then he
sent a squire unto him, and said, Go thou to the yonder knight with a
green shield and therein a lion of gold, and say to him I require him
to just with me, and tell him that my name is Sir Palamides. When Sir
Persides understood that request of Sir Palamides he made him ready.
And there anon they met together, but Sir Persides had a fall. Then Sir
Tristram dressed him to be revenged upon Sir Palamides. And that saw
Sir Palamides, that was ready, and so was not Sir Tristram, and took
him at advantage, and smote him over his horse tail when he had no
spear in his rest. Then start up Sir Tristram, and took his horse
lightly, and was wroth out of measure, and sore ashamed of that fall.
Then Sir Tristram sent unto Sir Palamides by Gouvernail his squire, and
prayed him to just with him at his request. Nay, said Sir Palamides, as
at this time I will not just with that knight, for I know him better
than he weeneth. And if he be wroth, he may right it to-morn at the
Castle of Maidens, where he may see me and many other knights. With
that came Sir Dinadan, and when he saw Sir Tristram wroth he list not
to jest. Lo, said Sir Dinadan, here may a man prove, be a man never so
good yet may he have a fall, and he was never so wise but he might be
overseen, and he rideth well that never fell. So Sir Tristram was
passing wroth, and said to Sir Persides and Sir Dinadan, I will revenge
me. Right so as they stood talking there, there came by Sir Tristram a
likely knight, riding passing soberly and heavily, with a black shield.
What knight is that? said Sir Tristram unto Sir Persides. I know him
well, said Sir Persides, for his name is Sir Briant of North Wales: so
he past on among other knights of North Wales. And there came in Sir
Launcelot du Lake with a shield of the arms of Cornwall, and he sent a
squire unto Sir Briant, and required him to just with him. Well, said
Sir Briant, since I am required to just I will do what I may. And there
Sir Launcelot smote down Sir Briant from his horse a great fall. And
then Sir Tristram marvelled what knight he was that bare the shield of
Cornwall. Whatsoever he be, said Sir Dinadan, I warrant you he is of
king Ban’s blood, the which be knights of the most noble prowess in the
world, for to account so many for so many. Then there came two knights
of Northgalis, the one hight Hew de la Montaine, and the other Sir
Madok de la Montaine, and they challenged Sir Launcelot foot hot. Sir
Launcelot not refusing them, but made him ready, with one spear he
smote them down both over their horse croups, and so Sir Launcelot rode
his way. By my faith, said Sir Tristram, he is a good knight that
beareth the shield of Cornwall, and me seemeth he rideth in the best
manner that ever I saw knight ride. Then the king of Northgalis rode
unto Sir Palamides, and prayed him heartily for his sake to just with
that knight that hath done us of Northgalis despite. Sir, said Sir
Palamides, I am full loth to have ado with that knight, and cause why
is for as to-morn the great tournament shall be, and therefore I will
keep myself fresh by my will. Nay, said the king of Northgalis, I pray
you require him of justs. Sir, said Sir Palamides, I will just at your
request, and require that knight to just with me; and often I have seen
a man have a fall at his own request.
CHAP. XXIX.
_How Sir Launcelot justed with Palamides and overthrew him, and after
he was assailed with twelve knights._
Then Sir Palamides sent unto Sir Launcelot a squire, and required him
of justs. Fair fellow, said Sir Launcelot, tell me thy lord’s name.
Sir, said the squire, my lord’s name is Sir Palamides the good knight.
In good hour, said Sir Launcelot, for there is no knight that I saw
this seven years that I had lever have ado withal than with him. And so