Le Morte Darthur
Sir Uwaine came after and saw all this. Truly, said he, yonder is a
strong knight. And then they feutred their spears, and this knight came
so eagerly that he smote down Sir Uwaine. Then came Ozana with the
hardy heart, and he was smitten down. Now, said Sir Griflet, by my
counsel let us send to yonder errant knight, and wit whether he be of
Arthur’s court, for, as I deem, it is Sir Lamorak de Galis. So they
sent unto him, and prayed the strange knight to tell his name, and
whether he were of Arthur’s court or not. As for my name they shall not
wit, but tell them I am a knight errant as they are: and let them wit
that I am no knight of king Arthur’s court. And so the squire rode
again to them, and told them his answer of him. By my head, said Sir
Agravaine, he is one of the strongest knights that ever I saw, for he
hath overthrown three noble knights, and needs we must encounter with
him for shame. So Sir Agravaine feutred his spear, and that other was
ready, and smote him down over his horse to the earth. And in the same
wise he smote Sir Uwaine les Avoutres and also Sir Griflet. Then had he
served them all but Sir Dinadan, for he was behind, and Sir Mordred was
unarmed, and Dagonet had his harness. So when this was done this strong
knight rode on his way a soft pace, and king Mark rode after him
praising him much, but he would answer no words, but sighed wonderly
sore, hanging down his head, taking no heed to his words. Thus they
rode well a three mile English, and then this knight called to him a
varlet and bad him, Ride until yonder fair manor, and recommend me to
the lady of that castle and place, and pray her to send me refreshing
of good meats and drinks. And if she ask thee what I am, tell her that
I am the knight that followeth the glatisant beast,—that is in English
to say the questing beast. For that beast wheresoever he went he
quested with such a noise as it had been a thirty couple of hounds.
Then the varlet went his way, and came to the manor and saluted the
lady, and told her from whence he came. And when she understood that he
came from the knight that followed the questing beast, O sweet Lord
Jesu, she said, when shall I see that noble knight, my dear son
Palamides. Alas, will he not abide with me! And therewith she swooned
and wept and made passing great dole. And then all so soon as she might
she gave the varlet all that he asked. And the varlet returned unto Sir
Palamides, for he was a varlet of king Mark. And as soon as he came he
told the knight’s name was Sir Palamides. I am well pleased, said king
Mark, but hold thee still and say nothing. Then they alight, and set
them down and reposed them awhile. Anon withal king Mark fell on sleep.
When Sir Palamides found him sound asleep he took his horse and rode
his way, and said to them, I will not be in the company of a sleeping
knight. And so he rode forth a great pace.
CHAP. XIV.
_How king Mark and Sir Dinadan heard Sir Palamides making great sorrow
and mourning for La Beale Isoud._
Now turn we unto Sir Dinadan that found these seven knights passing
heavy. And when he wist how that they sped, as heavy was he. My lord
Uwaine, said Dinadan, I dare lay my head it is Sir Lamorak de Galis; I
promise you all I shall find him and he may be found in this country.
And so Sir Dinadan rode after this knight. And so did king Mark, that
sought him through the forest. So as king Mark rode after Sir
Palamides, he heard a noise of a man that made great dole. Then king
Mark rode as nigh that noise as he might and as he durst. Then was he
ware of a knight that was descended off his horse and had put off his
helm, and there he made a piteous complaint and a dolorous of love.
Now leave we that, and talk we of Sir Dinadan, that rode to seek Sir
Palamides. And as he came within a forest, he met with a knight a
chaser of a deer. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, met ye with a knight with a
shield of silver and lions’ heads? Yea, fair knight, said the other,
with such a knight met I with but a while ago, and straight yonder way
be went. Gramercy, said Sir Dinadan, for might I find the track of his
horse, I should not fail to find that knight. Right so as Sir Dinadan
rode in the even late, he heard a doleful noise, as it were of a man.
Then Sir Dinadan rode toward that noise. And when he came nigh that
noise, he alight off his horse and went near him on foot. Then was he
ware of a knight that stood under a tree, and his horse tied by him,
and the helm off his head. And ever that knight made a doleful
complaint as ever made knight. And always he made his complaint of La
Beale Isoud the queen of Cornwall, and said, Ah fair lady, why love I
thee, for thou art fairest of all other, and yet shewest thou never
love to me nor bounty. Alas, yet must I love thee. And I may not blame
thee fair lady, for mine eyes be cause of this sorrow. And yet to love
thee I am but a fool, for the best knight of the world loveth thee, and
ye him again, that is Sir Tristram de Liones. And the falsest king and
knight is your husband, and the most coward and full of treason is your
lord king Mark. Alas, that ever so fair a lady and peerless of all
other should be matched with the most villainous knight of the world.
All this language heard king Mark what Sir Palamides said by him.
Wherefore he was adread when he saw Sir Dinadan, lest, and he espied
him, that he would tell Sir Palamides that he was king Mark; and
therefore he withdrew him, and took his horse and rode to his men where
he commanded them to abide. And so he rode as fast as he might unto
Camelot. And the same day he found there Amant the knight ready, that
before king Arthur had appealed him of treason. And so lightly the king
commanded them to do battle. And by misadventure king Mark smote Amant
through the body. And yet was Amant in the righteous quarrel. And right
so he took his horse and departed from the court for dread of Sir
Dinadan, that he would tell Sir Tristram and Sir Palamides what he was.
Then were there maidens that La Beale Isoud had sent to Sir Tristram
that knew Sir Amant well.
CHAP. XV.
_How king Mark had slain Sir Amant wrongfully tofore king Arthur, and
Sir Launcelot fetched king Mark to king Arthur._
Then by the licence of king Arthur they went to him, and spake with
him, for while the truncheon of the spear stuck in his body he spake:
Ah, fair damsels, said Amant, recommend me unto La Beale Isoud, and
tell her that I am slain for the love of her and of Sir Tristram. And
there he told the damsels how cowardly king Mark had slain him and Sir
Bersules his fellow:—And for that deed I appealed him of treason, and
here I am slain in a righteous quarrel; and all was because Sir
Bersules and I would not consent by treason to slay the noble knight
Sir Tristram. Then the two maidens cried aloud that all the court might
hear it, and said, O sweet Lord Jesu that knoweth all hid things, why
sufferest thou so false a traitor to vanquish and slay a true knight
that fought in a righteous quarrel! Then anon it was sprung to the king
and the queen, and to all lords and ladies, that it was king Mark that
had slain Sir Amant, and Sir Bersules afore hand, wherefore they did
their battle. Then was king Arthur wroth out of measure, and so were
all the other knights.
But when Sir Tristram knew all the matter, he made great dole out of
measure, and wept for sorrow for loss of the noble knights Sir Bersules
and Sir Amant. When Sir Launcelot espied Sir Tristram weep, he went
hastily to king Arthur, and said, Sir, I pray you give me leave to
return again to yonder false king and knight. I pray you, said king
Arthur, fetch him again, but I would not that ye slew him for my
worship. Then Sir Launcelot armed him in all haste, and mounted upon a
great horse, and took a spear in his hand and rode after king Mark. And
from thence a three mile English Sir Launcelot overtook him, and bad
him—Turn recreant king and knight: for whether thou wilt or not thou
shalt go with me to king Arthur’s court. King Mark returned and looked
upon Sir Launcelot and said, Fair sir, what is your name? Wit thou
well, said he, my name is Sir Launcelot, and therefore defend thee. And
when king Mark wist that it was Sir Launcelot, and came so fast upon
him with a spear, he cried then aloud, I yield me to thee Sir
Launcelot, honourable knight. But Sir Launcelot would not hear him, but
came fast upon him. King Mark saw that, and made no defence, but
tumbled down out of his saddle to the earth as a sack, and there he lay
still, and cried Sir Launcelot mercy.—Arise, recreant knight and
king.—I will not fight, said king Mark; but whither that ye will I
will go with you. Alas, alas, said Sir Launcelot, that I may not give
thee one buffet for the love of Sir Tristram and of La Beale Isoud, and
for the two knights that thou hast slain traitourly. And so he mounted
upon his horse, and brought him to king Arthur. And there king Mark
alight in that same place, and threw his helm from him upon the earth,
and his sword, and fell flat to the earth of king Arthur’s feet, and
put him in his grace and mercy. Truly, said Arthur, ye are welcome in a
manner, and in a manner ye are not welcome. In this manner ye are
welcome, that ye come hither maugre your head, as I suppose. That is
truth, said king Mark, and else I had not been here: for my lord Sir
Launcelot brought me hither through his fine force, and to him am I
yielden to as recreant. Well, said Arthur, ye understand ye ought to do
me service, homage, and fealty, and never would ye do me none, but ever
ye have been against me, and a destroyer of my knights: now how will ye
acquit you? Sir, said king Mark, right as your lordship will require
me, unto my power I will make a large amends. For he was a fair speaker
and false there under. Then for great pleasure of Sir Tristram, to make
them twain accorded, the king withheld king Mark as at that time, and
made a broken love day between them.
CHAP. XVI.
_How Sir Dinadan told Sir Palamides of the battle between Sir Launcelot
and Sir Tristram._
Now turn we again unto Sir Palamides, how Sir Dinadan comforted him in
all that he might from his great sorrow. What knight are ye? said Sir
Palamides. Sir, I am a knight errant as ye be, that hath sought you
long by your shield. Here is my shield, said Sir Palamides, wit ye
well, and ye will aught therewith, I will defend it. Nay, said Sir
Dinadan, I will not have ado with you but in good manner. And if ye
will ye shall find me soon ready. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, whitherward
ride you this way? By my head, said Sir Palamides, I wot not, but as
fortune leadeth me. Heard ye or saw ye ought of Sir Tristram?—Truly of
Sir Tristram I both heard and saw, and not for then we loved not
inwardly well together, yet at my mischief Sir Tristram rescued me from
my death: and yet or he and I departed, by both our assents we assigned
a day that we should have met at the stony grave that Merlin set beside
Camelot, and there to have done battle together, howbeit I was letted,
said Sir Palamides, that I might not hold my day, the which grieveth me
sore; but I have a large excuse, for I was prisoner with a lord, and
many other more, and that shall Sir Tristram right well understand,
that I brake it not of fear of cowardice. And then Sir Palamides told
Sir Dinadan the same day that they should have met. Truly, said Sir
Dinadan, that same day met Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram at the same
grave of stone. And there was the most mightiest battle that ever was
seen in this land betwixt two knights, for they fought more than two
hours, and there they both bled so much blood that all men marvelled