Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




So rode Sir Tristram unto Joyous Gard, and there he
heard in that town great noise and cry. What is this
noise? said Sir Tristram. Sir, said they, here is a knight
of this castle that hath been long among us, and right now
he is slain with two knights, and for none other cause but
that our knight said that Sir Launcelot were a better
knight than Sir Gawaine. That was a simple cause, said
Sir Tristram, for to slay a good knight for to say well
by his master. That is little remedy to us, said the
men of the town. For an Sir Launcelot had been here
soon we should have been revenged upon the false
knights.

When Sir Tristram heard them say so he sent for his
shield and for his spear, and lightly within a while he had
overtaken them, and bade them turn and amend that they
had misdone. What amends wouldst thou have? said the
one knight. And therewith they took their course, and
either met other so hard that Sir Tristram smote down
that knight over his horse's tail. Then the other knight
dressed him to Sir Tristram, and in the same wise he
served the other knight. And then they gat off their
horses as well as they might, and dressed their shields and
swords to do their battle to the utterance. Knights, said
Sir Tristram, ye shall tell me of whence ye are, and what
be your names, for such men ye might be ye should hard
escape my hands; and ye might be such men of such a
country that for all your evil deeds ye should pass quit.
Wit thou well, sir knight, said they, we fear not to tell
thee our names, for my name is Sir Agravaine, and my
name is Gaheris, brethren unto the good knight Sir Gawaine,
and we be nephews unto King Arthur. Well, said Sir
Tristram, for King Arthur's sake I shall let you pass as
at this time. But it is shame, said Sir Tristram, that Sir
Gawaine and ye be come of so great a blood that ye four
brethren are so named as ye be, for ye be called the greatest
destroyers and murderers of good knights that be now in
this realm; for it is but as I heard say that Sir Gawaine
and ye slew among you a better knight than ever ye were,
that was the noble knight Sir Lamorak de Galis. An it
had pleased God, said Sir Tristram, I would I had been by
Sir Lamorak at his death. Then shouldst thou have gone
the same way, said Sir Gaheris. Fair knight, said Sir
Tristram, there must have been many more knights than
ye are. And therewithal Sir Tristram departed from them
toward Joyous Gard. And when he was departed they
took their horses, and the one said to the other: We will
overtake him and be revenged upon him in the despite
of Sir Lamorak.



CHAPTER LVI

How Sir Tristram smote down Sir Agravaine and Sir
Gaheris, and how Sir Dinadan was sent for by La Beale Isoud.


SO when they had overtaken Sir Tristram, Sir Agravaine
bade him: Turn, traitor knight. That is evil said, said
Sir Tristram; and therewith he pulled out his sword, and
smote Sir Agravaine such a buffet upon the helm that he
tumbled down off his horse in a swoon, and he had a
grievous wound. And then he turned to Gaheris, and Sir
Tristram smote his sword and his helm together with such
a might that Gaheris fell out of his saddle: and so Sir
Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there he alighted
and unarmed him. So Sir Tristram told La Beale Isoud
of all his adventure, as ye have heard to-fore. And when
she heard him tell of Sir Dinadan: Sir, said she, is not that
he that made the song by King Mark? That same is he,
said Sir Tristram, for he is the best bourder and japer, and
a noble knight of his hands, and the best fellow that I
know, and all good knights love his fellowship. Alas, sir,
said she, why brought ye not him with you? Have ye
no care, said Sir Tristram, for he rideth to seek me in this
country; and therefore he will not away till he have met
with me. And there Sir Tristram told La Beale Isoud
how Sir Dinadan held against all lovers. Right so there
came in a varlet and told Sir Tristram how there was come
an errant knight into the town, with such colours upon
his shield. That is Sir Dinadan, said Sir Tristram; wit
ye what ye shall do, said Sir Tristram: send ye for him,
my Lady Isoud, and I will not be seen, and ye shall hear
the merriest knight that ever ye spake withal, and the
maddest talker; and I pray you heartily that ye make him
good cheer.

Then anon La Beale Isoud sent into the town, and
prayed Sir Dinadan that he would come into the castle and
repose him there with a lady. With a good will, said Sir
Dinadan; and so he mounted upon his horse and rode
into the castle; and there he alighted, and was unarmed,
and brought into the castle. Anon La Beale Isoud came
unto him, and either saluted other; then she asked him
of whence that he was. Madam, said Dinadan, I am of
the court of King Arthur, and knight of the Table Round,
and my name is Sir Dinadan. What do ye in this country?
said La Beale Isoud. Madam, said he, I seek Sir Tristram
the good knight, for it was told me that he was in this
country. It may well be, said La Beale Isoud, but I am
not ware of him. Madam, said Dinadan, I marvel of
Sir Tristram and mo other lovers, what aileth them to
be so mad and so sotted upon women. Why, said La
Beale Isoud, are ye a knight and be no lover? it is shame
to you: wherefore ye may not be called a good knight
[but] if ye make a quarrel for a lady. God defend me, said
Dinadan, for the joy of love is too short, and the sorrow
thereof, and what cometh thereof, dureth over long. Ah,
said La Beale Isoud, say ye not so, for here fast by was
the good knight Sir Bleoberis, that fought with three
knights at once for a damosel's sake, and he won her afore
the King of Northumberland. It was so, said Sir Dinadan,
for I know him well for a good knight and a noble, and
come of noble blood; for all be noble knights of whom
he is come of, that is Sir Launcelot du Lake.

Now I pray you, said La Beale Isoud, tell me will you
fight for my love with three knights that do me great
wrong? and insomuch as ye be a knight of King Arthur's
I require you to do battle for me. Then Sir Dinadan
said: I shall say you ye be as fair a lady as ever I saw
any, and much fairer than is my lady Queen Guenever,
but wit ye well at one word, I will not fight for you with
three knights, Jesu defend me. Then Isoud laughed, and
had good game at him. So he had all the cheer that she
might make him, and there he lay all that night. And
on the morn early Sir Tristram armed him, and La Beale
Isoud gave him a good helm; and then he promised her
that he would meet with Sir Dinadan, and they two would
ride together into Lonazep, where the tournament should
be: And there shall I make ready for you where ye shall
see the tournament. Then departed Sir Tristram with
two squires that bare his shield and his spears that were
great and long.



CHAPTER LVII

How Sir Dinadan met with Sir Tristram, and with jousting
with Sir Palomides, Sir Dinadan knew him.


THEN after that Sir Dinadan departed, and rode his
way a great pace until he had overtaken Sir Tristram.
And when Sir Dinadan had overtaken him he knew him
anon, and he hated the fellowship of him above all other
knights. Ah, said Sir Dinadan, art thou that coward
knight that I met with yesterday? keep thee, for thou
shalt joust with me maugre thy head. Well, said Sir
Tristram, and I am loath to joust. And so they let their
horses run, and Sir Tristram missed of him a-purpose,
and Sir Dinadan brake a spear upon Sir Tristram, and
therewith Sir Dinadan dressed him to draw out his sword.
Not so, said Sir Tristram, why are ye so wroth? I will
not fight. Fie on thee, coward, said Dinadan, thou
shamest all knights. As for that, said Sir Tristram, I
care not, for I will wait upon you and be under your
protection; for because ye are so good a knight ye may
save me. The devil deliver me of thee, said Sir Dinadan,
for thou art as goodly a man of arms and of thy person
as ever I saw, and the most coward that ever I saw.
What wilt thou do with those great spears that thou
carriest with thee? I shall give them, said Sir Tristram,
to some good knight when I come to the tournament;
and if I see you do best, I shall give them to you.

So thus as they rode talking they saw where came an
errant knight afore them, that dressed him to joust. Lo,
said Sir Tristram, yonder is one will joust; now dress
thee to him. Ah, shame betide thee, said Sir Dinadan.
Nay, not so, said Tristram, for that knight beseemeth a
shrew. Then shall I, said Sir Dinadan. And so they
dressed their shields and their spears, and they met
together so hard that the other knight smote down Sir
Dinadan from his horse. Lo, said Sir Tristram, it had
been better ye had left. Fie on thee, coward, said Sir
Dinadan. Then Sir Dinadan started up and gat his
sword in his hand, and proffered to do battle on foot.
Whether in love or in wrath? said the other knight.
Let us do battle in love, said Sir Dinadan. What is your
name, said that knight, I pray you tell me. Wit ye well
my name is Sir Dinadan. Ah, Dinadan, said that knight,
and my name is Gareth, the youngest brother unto Sir
Gawaine. Then either made of other great cheer, for
this Gareth was the best knight of all the brethren, and
he proved a good knight. Then they took their horses,
and there they spake of Sir Tristram, how such a coward
he was; and every word Sir Tristram heard and laughed
them to scorn.

Then were they ware where came a knight afore them
well horsed and well armed, and he made him ready to
joust. Fair knights, said Sir Tristram, look betwixt you
who shall joust with yonder knight, for I warn you I will
not have ado with him. Then shall I, said Sir Gareth.
And so they encountered together, and there that knight
smote down Sir Gareth over his horse's croup. How
now, said Sir Tristram unto Sir Dinadan, dress thee now
and revenge the good knight Gareth. That shall I not,
said Sir Dinadan, for he hath stricken down a much
bigger knight than I am. Ah, said Sir Tristram, now
Sir Dinadan, I see and feel well your heart faileth you,
therefore now shall ye see what I shall do. And then Sir
Tristram hurtled unto that knight, and smote him quite
from his horse. And when Sir Dinadan saw that, he
marvelled greatly; and then he deemed that it was Sir
Tristram.

Then this knight that was on foot pulled out his
sword to do battle. What is your name? said Sir
Tristram. Wit ye well, said that knight, my name is
Sir Palomides. What knight hate ye most? said Sir
Tristram. Sir knight, said he, I hate Sir Tristram to the
death, for an I may meet with him the one of us shall die.
Ye say well, said Sir Tristram, and wit ye well that I am
Sir Tristram de Liones, and now do your worst. When
Sir Palomides heard him say so he was astonied. And
then he said thus: I pray you, Sir Tristram, forgive me
all mine evil will, and if I live I shall do you service
above all other knights that be living; and whereas I
have owed you evil will me sore repenteth. I wot not
what aileth me, for meseemeth that ye are a good knight,
and none other knight that named himself a good knight
should not hate you; therefore I require you, Sir Tristram,
take no displeasure at mine unkind words. Sir
Palomides, said Sir Tristram, ye say well, and well I wot
ye are a good knight, for I have seen ye proved; and
many great enterprises have ye taken upon you, and well
achieved them; therefore, said Sir Tristram, an ye have
any evil will to me, now may ye right it, for I am ready
at your hand. Not so, my lord Sir Tristram, I will do
you knightly service in all thing as ye will command.
And right so I will take you, said Sir Tristram. And so
they rode forth on their ways talking of many things.
O my lord Sir Tristram, said Dinadan, foul have ye
mocked me, for God knoweth I came into this country for
your sake, and by the advice of my lord Sir Launcelot;
and yet would not Sir Launcelot tell me the certainty
of you, where I should find you. Truly, said Sir Tristram,
Sir Launcelot wist well where I was, for I abode within
his own castle.



CHAPTER LVIII

How they approached the Castle Lonazep, and of other
devices of the death of Sir Lamorak.


THUS they rode until they were ware of the Castle
Lonazep. And then were they ware of four hundred
tents and pavilions, and marvellous great ordinance. So
God me help, said Sir Tristram, yonder I see the greatest
ordinance that ever I saw. Sir, said Palomides, meseemeth
that there was as great an ordinance at the Castle of
Maidens upon the rock, where ye won the prize, for I
saw myself where ye forjousted thirty knights. Sir, said
Dinadan, and in Surluse, at that tournament that Galahalt
of the Long Isles made, the which there dured seven days,
was as great a gathering as is here, for there were many
nations. Who was the best? said Sir Tristram. Sir, it
was Sir Launcelot du Lake and the noble knight, Sir
Lamorak de Galis, and Sir Launcelot won the degree. I
doubt not, said Sir Tristram, but he won the degree, so
he had not been overmatched with many knights; and of
the death of Sir Lamorak, said Sir Tristram, it was over
great pity, for I dare say he was the cleanest mighted man
and the best winded of his age that was alive; for I knew
him that he was the biggest knight that ever I met withal,
but if it were Sir Launcelot. Alas, said Sir Tristram, full
woe is me for his death. And if they were not the cousins
of my lord Arthur that slew him, they should die for it,
and all those that were consenting to his death. And for
such things, said Sir Tristram, I fear to draw unto the
court of my lord Arthur; I will that ye wit it, said Sir
Tristram unto Gareth.

Sir, I blame you not, said Gareth, for well I understand
the vengeance of my brethren Sir Gawaine, Agravaine,
Gaheris, and Mordred. But as for me, said Sir
Gareth, I meddle not of their matters, therefore there is
none of them that loveth me. And for I understand they
be murderers of good knights I left their company; and
God would I had been by, said Gareth, when the noble
knight, Sir Lamorak, was slain. Now as Jesu be my help,
said Sir Tristram, it is well said of you, for I had liefer
than all the gold betwixt this and Rome I had been there.
Y-wis,[1] said Palomides, and so would I had been there,
and yet had I never the degree at no jousts nor tournament
thereas he was, but he put me to the worse, or on
foot or on horseback; and that day that he was slain he
did the most deeds of arms that ever I saw knight do in
all my life days. And when him was given the degree by
my lord Arthur, Sir Gawaine and his three brethren, Agravaine,
Gaheris, and Sir Mordred, set upon Sir Lamorak in
a privy place, and there they slew his horse. And so they
fought with him on foot more than three hours, both
before him and behind him; and Sir Mordred gave him
his death wound behind him at his back, and all to-hew
him: for one of his squires told me that saw it. Fie
upon treason, said Sir Tristram, for it killeth my heart to
hear this tale. So it doth mine, said Gareth; brethren as
they be mine I shall never love them, nor draw in their
fellowship for that deed.

Now speak we of other deeds, said Palomides, and let
him be, for his life ye may not get again. That is the
more pity, said Dinadan, for Sir Gawaine and his brethren,
except you Sir Gareth, hate all the good knights of the
Round Table for the most part; for well I wot an they
might privily, they hate my lord Sir Launcelot and all his
kin, and great privy despite they have at him; and that
is my lord Sir Launcelot well ware of, and that causeth
him to have the good knights of his kin about him.


[1] ``Y-wis'' (certainly); Caxton, ``ye wis''; W. de Worde, ``truly.''



CHAPTER LIX

How they came to Humber bank, and how they found a ship
there, wherein lay the body of King Hermance.


SIR, said Palomides, let us leave of this matter, and let us
see how we shall do at this tournament. By mine advice,
said Palomides, let us four hold together against all that
will come. Not by my counsel, said Sir Tristram, for I
see by their pavilions there will be four hundred knights,
and doubt ye not, said Sir Tristram, but there will be
many good knights; and be a man never so valiant nor
so big, yet he may be overmatched. And so have I seen
knights done many times; and when they weened best to
have won worship they lost it, for manhood is not worth
but if it be medled with wisdom. And as for me, said
Sir Tristram, it may happen I shall keep mine own head
as well as another.

So thus they rode until that they came to Humber
bank, where they heard a cry and a doleful noise. Then
were they ware in the wind where came a rich vessel
hilled over with red silk, and the vessel landed fast by
them. Therewith Sir Tristram alighted and his knights.
And so Sir Tristram went afore and entered into that
vessel. And when he came within he saw a fair bed
richly covered, and thereupon lay a dead seemly knight,
all armed save the head, was all be-bled with deadly
wounds upon him, the which seemed to be a passing good
knight. How may this be, said Sir Tristram, that this
knight is thus slain? Then Sir Tristram was ware of a
letter in the dead knight's hand. Master mariners, said
Sir Tristram, what meaneth that letter? Sir, said they,
in that letter ye shall hear and know how he was slain,
and for what cause, and what was his name. But sir,
said the mariners, wit ye well that no man shall take that
letter and read it but if he be a good knight, and that
he will faithfully promise to revenge his death, else shall
there be no knight see that letter open. Wit ye well,
said Sir Tristram, that some of us may revenge his death
as well as other, and if it be so as ye mariners say his
death shall be revenged. And therewith Sir Tristram
took the letter out of the knight's hand, and it said thus:
Hermance, king and lord of the Red City, I send unto
all knights errant, recommending unto you noble knights
of Arthur's court. I beseech them all among them to
find one knight that will fight for my sake with two
brethren that I brought up of nought, and feloniously
and traitorly they have slain me; wherefore I beseech
one good knight to revenge my death. And he that
revengeth my death I will that he have my Red City and
all my castles.

Sir, said the mariners, wit ye well this king and knight
that here lieth was a full worshipful man and of full
great prowess, and full well he loved all manner knights
errants. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, here is a
piteous case, and full fain would I take this enterprise
upon me; but I have made such a promise that needs I
must be at this great tournament, or else I am shamed.
For well I wot for my sake in especial my lord Arthur let
make this jousts and tournament in this country; and
well I wot that many worshipful people will be there at
that tournament for to see me; therefore I fear me to
take this enterprise upon me that I shall not come again
by time to this jousts. Sir, said Palomides, I pray you
give me this enterprise, and ye shall see me achieve it
worshipfully, other else I shall die in this quarrel. Well,
said Sir Tristram, and this enterprise I give you, with
this, that ye be with me at this tournament that shall be
as this day seven night. Sir, said Palomides, I promise
you that I shall be with you by that day if I be unslain
or unmaimed.



CHAPTER LX

How Sir Tristram with his fellowship came and were with
an host which after fought with Sir Tristram; and
other matters.


THEN departed Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Sir Dinadan,
and left Sir Palomides in the vessel; and so Sir Tristram
beheld the mariners how they sailed overlong Humber.
And when Sir Palomides was out of their sight they took
their horses and beheld about them. And then were they
ware of a knight that came riding against them unarmed,
and nothing about him but a sword. And when this
knight came nigh them he saluted them, and they him
again. Fair knights, said that knight, I pray you insomuch
as ye be knights errant, that ye will come and see
my castle, and take such as ye find there; I pray you
heartily. And so they rode with him until his castle, and
there they were brought into the hall, that was well
apparelled; and so they were there unarmed, and set at a
board; and when this knight saw Sir Tristram, anon he
knew him. And then this knight waxed pale and wroth
at Sir Tristram. When Sir Tristram saw his host make
such cheer he marvelled and said: Sir, mine host, what
cheer make you? Wit thou well, said he, I fare the
worse for thee, for I know thee, Sir Tristram de Liones,
thou slewest my brother; and therefore I give thee
summons I will slay thee an ever I may get thee at
large. Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I am never advised
that ever I slew any brother of yours; and if ye say that
I did I will make amends unto my power. I will none
amends, said the knight, but keep thee from me.

So when he had dined Sir Tristram asked his arms,
and departed. And so they rode on their ways, and
within a while Sir Dinadan saw where came a knight well
armed and well horsed, without shield. Sir Tristram,
said Sir Dinadan, take keep to yourself, for I dare undertake
yonder cometh your host that will have ado with
you. Let him come, said Sir Tristram, I shall abide
him as well as I may. Anon the knight, when he came
nigh Sir Tristram, he cried and bade him abide and keep
him. So they hurtled together, but Sir Tristram smote
the other knight so sore that he bare him over his horse's
croup. That knight arose lightly and took his horse
again, and so rode fiercely to Sir Tristram, and smote him
twice hard upon the helm. Sir knight, said Sir Tristram,
I pray you leave off and smite me no more, for I would
be loath to deal with you an I might choose, for I have
your meat and your drink within my body. For all that
he would not leave; and then Sir Tristram gave him
such a buffet upon the helm that he fell up-so-down from
his horse, that the blood brast out at the ventails of his
helm, and so he lay still likely to be dead. Then Sir
Tristram said: Me repenteth of this buffet that I smote
so sore, for as I suppose he is dead. And so they left
him and rode on their ways.

So they had not ridden but a while, but they saw
riding against them two full likely knights, well armed
and well horsed, and goodly servants about them. The
one was Berrant le Apres, and he was called the King
with the Hundred Knights; and the other was Sir
Segwarides, which were renowned two noble knights. So
as they came either by other the king looked upon Sir
Dinadan, that at that time he had Sir Tristram's helm
upon his shoulder, the which helm the king had seen
to-fore with the Queen of Northgalis, and that queen the
king loved as paramour; and that helm the Queen of
Northgalis had given to La Beale Isoud, and the queen
La Beale Isoud gave it to Sir Tristram. Sir knight, said
Berrant, where had ye that helm? What would ye? said
Sir Dinadan. For I will have ado with thee, said the
king, for the love of her that owed that helm, and
therefore keep you. So they departed and came together with
all their mights of their horses, and there the King with
the Hundred Knights smote Sir Dinadan, horse and all,
to the earth; and then he commanded his servant: Go
and take thou his helm off, and keep it. So the varlet
went to unbuckle his helm. What helm, what wilt thou
do? said Sir Tristram, leave that helm. To what intent,
said the king, will ye, sir knight, meddle with that helm?
Wit you well, said Sir Tristram, that helm shall not depart
from me or it be dearer bought. Then make you ready,
said Sir Berrant unto Sir Tristram. So they hurtled
together, and there Sir Tristram smote him down over his
horse's tail; and then the king arose lightly, and gat his
horse lightly again. And then he struck fiercely at Sir
Tristram many great strokes. And then Sir Tristram
gave Sir Berrant such a buffet upon the helm that he fell
down over his horse sore stonied. Lo, said Dinadan, that
helm is unhappy to us twain, for I had a fall for it, and
now, sir king, have ye another fall.

Then Segwarides asked: Who shall joust with me?
I pray thee, said Sir Gareth unto Dinadan, let me have
this jousts. Sir, said Dinadan, I pray you take it as for me.
That is no reason, said Tristram, for this jousts should
be yours. At a word, said Dinadan, I will not thereof.
Then Gareth dressed him to Sir Segwarides, and there Sir
Segwarides smote Gareth and his horse to the earth.
Now, said Sir Tristram to Dinadan, joust with yonder
knight. I will not thereof, said Dinadan. Then will I,
said Sir Tristram. And then Sir Tristram ran to him,
and gave him a fall; and so they left them on foot, and
Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there Sir Gareth
would not of his courtesy have gone into this castle, but
Sir Tristram would not suffer him to depart. And so
they alighted and unarmed them, and had great cheer.
But when Dinadan came afore La Beale Isoud he cursed
the time that ever he bare Sir Tristram's helm, and there
he told her how Sir Tristram had mocked him. Then
was there laughing and japing at Sir Dinadan, that they
wist not what to do with him.

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