Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur






CHAPTER LXVII

How Sir Tristram and his fellowship came into the tournament
of Lonazep; and of divers jousts and matters.


BUT Sir Tristram was not so soon come into the place,
but Sir Gawaine and Sir Galihodin went to King Arthur,
and told him: That same green knight in the green
harness with the white horse smote us two down, and six
of our fellows this same day. Well, said Arthur. And
then he called Sir Tristram and asked him what was his
name. Sir, said Sir Tristram, ye shall hold me excused as
at this time, for ye shall not wit my name. And there
Sir Tristram returned and rode his way. I have marvel,
said Arthur, that yonder knight will not tell me his name,
but go thou, Griflet le Fise de Dieu, and pray him to
speak with me betwixt us. Then Sir Griflet rode after
him and overtook him, and said him that King Arthur
prayed him for to speak with him secretly apart. Upon
this covenant, said Sir Tristram, I will speak with him;
that I will turn again so that ye will ensure me not to
desire to hear my name. I shall undertake, said Sir
Griflet, that he will not greatly desire it of you. So they
rode together until they came to King Arthur. Fair sir,
said King Arthur, what is the cause ye will not tell me
your name? Sir, said Sir Tristram, without a cause I will
not hide my name. Upon what party will ye hold? said
King Arthur. Truly, my lord, said Sir Tristram, I wot
not yet on what party I will be on, until I come to the
field, and there as my heart giveth me, there will I hold;
but to-morrow ye shall see and prove on what party I
shall come. And therewithal he returned and went to
his pavilions.

And upon the morn they armed them all in green, and
came into the field; and there young knights began to
joust, and did many worshipful deeds. Then spake
Gareth unto Sir Tristram, and prayed him to give him
leave to break his spear, for him thought shame to bear
his spear whole again. When Sir Tristram heard him say
so he laughed, and said: I pray you do your best. Then
Sir Gareth gat a spear and proffered to joust. That saw
a knight that was nephew unto the King of the Hundred
Knights; his name was Selises, and a good man of arms.
So this knight Selises then dressed him unto Sir Gareth,
and they two met together so hard that either smote other
down, his horse and all, to the earth, so they were both
bruised and hurt; and there they lay till the King with the
Hundred Knights halp Selises up, and Sir Tristram and
Sir Palomides halp up Gareth again. And so they rode
with Sir Gareth unto their pavilions, and then they pulled
off his helm.

And when La Beale Isoud saw Sir Gareth bruised in
the face she asked him what ailed him. Madam, said Sir
Gareth, I had a great buffet, and as I suppose I gave
another, but none of my fellows, God thank them, would
not rescue me. Forsooth, said Palomides, it longed not
to none of us as this day to joust, for there have not this
day jousted no proved knights, and needly ye would joust.
And when the other party saw ye proffered yourself to
joust they sent one to you, a passing good knight of his
age, for I know him well, his name is Selises; and
worshipfully ye met with him, and neither of you are
dishonoured, and therefore refresh yourself that ye may be
ready and whole to joust to-morrow. As for that, said
Gareth, I shall not fail you an I may bestride mine horse.



CHAPTER LXVIII

How Sir Tristram and his fellowship jousted, and of the
noble feats that they did in that tourneying.


NOW upon what party, said Tristram, is it best we be
withal as to-morn? Sir, said Palomides, ye shall have
mine advice to be against King Arthur as to-morn, for on
his party will be Sir Launcelot and many good knights of
his blood with him. And the more men of worship that
they be, the more worship we shall win. That is full
knightly spoken, said Sir Tristram; and right so as ye
counsel me, so will we do. In the name of God, said they
all. So that night they were lodged with the best. And
on the morn when it was day they were arrayed all in
green trappings, shields and spears, and La Beale Isoud in
the same colour, and her three damosels. And right so
these four knights came into the field endlong and through.
And so they led La Beale Isoud thither as she should stand
and behold all the jousts in a bay window; but always she
was wimpled that no man might see her visage. And then
these three knights rode straight unto the party of the
King of Scots.

When King Arthur had seen them do all this he asked
Sir Launcelot what were these knights and that queen.
Sir, said Launcelot, I cannot say you in certain, but if Sir
Tristram be in this country, or Sir Palomides, wit ye well
it be they m certain, and La Beale Isoud. Then Arthur
called to him Sir Kay and said: Go lightly and wit how
many knights there be here lacking of the Table Round,
for by the sieges thou mayst know. So went Sir Kay
and saw by the writings in the sieges that there lacked ten
knights. And these be their names that be not here. Sir
Tristram, Sir Palomides, Sir Percivale, Sir Gaheris, Sir
Epinogris, Sir Mordred, Sir Dinadan, Sir La Cote Male
Taile, and Sir Pelleas the noble knight. Well, said Arthur,
some of these I dare undertake are here this day against us.

Then came therein two brethren, cousins unto Sir
Gawaine, the one hight Sir Edward, that other hight Sir
Sadok, the which were two good knights; and they asked
of King Arthur that they might have the first jousts, for
they were of Orkney. I am pleased, said King Arthur.
Then Sir Edward encountered with the King of Scots, in
whose party was Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides; and Sir
Edward smote the King of Scots quite from his horse, and
Sir Sadok smote down the King of North Wales, and gave
him a wonder great fall, that there was a great cry on King
Arthur's party, and that made Sir Palomides passing wroth.
And so Sir Palomides dressed his shield and his spear, and
with all his might he met with Sir Edward of Orkney,
that he smote him so hard that his horse might not stand
on his feet, and so they hurtled to the earth; and then
with the same spear Sir Palomides smote down Sir Sadok
over his horse's croup. O Jesu, said Arthur, what knight
is that arrayed all in green? he jousteth mightily. Wit
you well, said Sir Gawaine, he is a good knight, and yet
shall ye see him joust better or he depart. And yet shall
ye see, said Sir Gawaine, another bigger knight, in the
same colour, than he is; for that same knight, said Sir
Gawaine, that smote down right now my four cousins, he
smote me down within these two days, and seven fellows
more.

This meanwhile as they stood thus talking there came
into the place Sir Tristram upon a black horse, and or
ever he stint he smote down with one spear four good
knights of Orkney that were of the kin of Sir Gawaine;
and Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan everych of them smote
down a good knight. Jesu, said Arthur, yonder knight
upon the black horse doth mightily and marvellously well.
Abide you, said Sir Gawaine; that knight with the black
horse began not yet. Then Sir Tristram made to horse
again the two kings that Edward and Sadok had unhorsed
at the beginning. And then Sir Tristram drew his sword
and rode into the thickest of the press against them of
Orkney; and there he smote down knights, and rashed off
helms, and pulled away their shields, and hurtled down
many knights: he fared so that Sir Arthur and all knights
had great marvel when they saw one knight do so great
deeds of arms. And Sir Palomides failed not upon the
other side, but did so marvellously well that all men had
wonder. For there King Arthur likened Sir Tristram that
was on the black horse like to a wood lion, and likened
Sir Palomides upon the white horse unto a wood leopard,
and Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan unto eager wolves. But
the custom was such among them that none of the kings
would help other, but all the fellowship of every standard
to help other as they might; but ever Sir Tristram did so
much deeds of arms that they of Orkney waxed weary of
him, and so withdrew them unto Lonazep



CHAPTER LXIX

How Sir Tristram was unhorsed and smitten down by Sir
Launcelot, and after that Sir Tristram smote down
King Arthur.


THEN was the cry of heralds and all manner of common
people: The Green Knight hath done marvellously, and
beaten all them of Orkney. And there the heralds
numbered that Sir Tristram that sat upon the black horse
had smitten down with spears and swords thirty knights;
and Sir Palomides had smitten down twenty knights, and
the most part of these fifty knights were of the house of
King Arthur, and proved knights. So God me help, said
Arthur unto Sir Launcelot, this is a great shame to us
to see four knights beat so many knights of mine; and
therefore make you ready, for we will have ado with them.
Sir, said Launcelot, wit ye well that there are two passing
good knights, and great worship were it not to us now to
have ado with them, for they have this day sore travailed.
As for that, said Arthur, I will be avenged; and therefore
take with you Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector, and I will be
the fourth, said Arthur. Sir, said Launcelot, ye shall find
me ready, and my brother Sir Ector, and my cousin Sir
Bleoberis. And so when they were ready and on horseback:
Now choose, said Sir Arthur unto Sir Launcelot,
with whom that ye will encounter withal. Sir, said
Launcelot, I will meet with the green knight upon the
black horse, that was Sir Tristram; and my cousin Sir
Bleoberis shall match the green knight upon the white
horse, that was Sir Palomides; and my brother Sir Ector
shall match with the green knight upon the white horse,
that was Sir Gareth. Then must I, said Sir Arthur, have
ado with the green knight upon the grisled horse, and that
was Sir Dinadan. Now every man take heed to his fellow,
said Sir Launcelot. And so they trotted on together, and
there encountered Sir Launcelot against Sir Tristram. So
Sir Launcelot smote Sir Tristram so sore upon the shield
that he bare horse and man to the earth; but Sir Launcelot
weened that it had been Sir Palomides, and so he passed
forth. And then Sir Bleoberis encountered with Sir
Palomides, and he smote him so hard upon the shield that
Sir Palomides and his white horse rustled to the earth.
Then Sir Ector de Maris smote Sir Gareth so hard that
down he fell off his horse. And the noble King Arthur
encountered with Sir Dinadan, and he smote him quite
from his saddle. And then the noise turned awhile how
the green knights were slain down.

When the King of Northgalis saw that Sir Tristram
had a fall, then he remembered him how great deeds of
arms Sir Tristram had done. Then he made ready many
knights, for the custom and cry was such, that what
knight were smitten down, and might not be horsed
again by his fellows, outher by his own strength, that as
that day he should be prisoner unto the party that had
smitten him down. So came in the King of Northgalis,
and he rode straight unto Sir Tristram; and when he
came nigh him he alighted down suddenly and betook
Sir Tristram his horse, and said thus: Noble knight, I
know thee not of what country that thou art, but for the
noble deeds that thou hast done this day take there my
horse, and let me do as well I may; for, as Jesu me
help, thou art better worthy to have mine horse than I
myself. Gramercy, said Sir Tristram, and if I may I
shall quite you: look that ye go not far from us, and as
I suppose, I shall win you another horse. And therewith
Sir Tristram mounted upon his horse, and there he met
with King Arthur, and he gave him such a buffet upon
the helm with his sword that King Arthur had no power
to keep his saddle. And then Sir Tristram gave the
King of Northgalis King Arthur's horse: then was there
great press about King Arthur for to horse him again;
but Sir Palomides would not suffer King Arthur to be
horsed again, but ever Sir Palomides smote on the right
hand and on the left hand mightily as a noble knight.
And this meanwhile Sir Tristram rode through the
thickest of the press, and smote down knights on the
right hand and on the left hand, and raced off helms, and
so passed forth unto his pavilions, and left Sir Palomides
on foot; and Sir Tristram changed his horse and disguised
himself all in red, horse and harness.



CHAPTER LXX

How Sir Tristram changed his harness and it was all red,
and how he demeaned him, and how Sir Palomides
slew Launcelot's horse.


AND when the queen La Beale Isoud saw that Sir
Tristram was unhorsed, and she wist not where he was,
then she wept greatly. But Sir Tristram, when he was
ready, came dashing lightly into the field, and then La
Beale Isoud espied him. And so he did great deeds of
arms; with one spear, that was great, Sir Tristram smote
down five knights or ever he stint. Then Sir Launcelot
espied him readily, that it was Sir Tristram, and then he
repented him that he had smitten him down; and so
Sir Launcelot went out of the press to repose him and
lightly he came again. And now when Sir Tristram
came into the press, through his great force he put Sir
Palomides upon his horse, and Sir Gareth, and Sir
Dinadan, and then they began to do marvellously; but
Sir Palomides nor none of his two fellows knew not who
had holpen them on horseback again. But ever Sir
Tristram was nigh them and succoured them, and they
[knew] not him, because he was changed into red armour:
and all this while Sir Launcelot was away.

So when La Beale Isoud knew Sir Tristram again
upon his horse-back she was passing glad, and then she
laughed and made good cheer. And as it happened, Sir
Palomides looked up toward her where she lay in the
window, and he espied how she laughed; and therewith
he took such a rejoicing that he smote down, what with
his spear and with his sword, all that ever he met;
for through the sight of her he was so enamoured in
her love that he seemed at that time, that an both Sir
Tristram and Sir Launcelot had been both against him
they should have won no worship of him; and in his
heart, as the book saith, Sir Palomides wished that with
his worship he might have ado with Sir Tristram before
all men, because of La Beale Isoud. Then Sir Palomides
began to double his strength, and he did so marvellously
that all men had wonder of him, and ever he cast up
his eye unto La Beale Isoud. And when he saw her
make such cheer he fared like a lion, that there might
no man withstand him; and then Sir Tristram beheld
him, how that Sir Palomides bestirred him; and then he
said unto Sir Dinadan: So God me help, Sir Palomides
is a passing good knight and a well enduring, but such
deeds saw I him never do, nor never heard I tell that
ever he did so much in one day. It is his day, said
Dinadan; and he would say no more unto Sir Tristram;
but to himself he said: An if ye knew for whose love
he doth all those deeds of arms, soon would Sir Tristram
abate his courage. Alas, said Sir Tristram, that Sir
Palomides is not christened. So said King Arthur, and
so said all those that beheld him. Then all people gave
him the prize, as for the best knight that day, that he
passed Sir Launcelot outher Sir Tristram. Well, said
Dinadan to himself, all this worship that Sir Palomides
hath here this day he may thank the Queen Isoud, for
had she been away this day Sir Palomides had not gotten
the prize this day.

Right so came into the field Sir Launcelot du Lake,
and saw and heard the noise and cry and the great
worship that Sir Palomides had. He dressed him against
Sir Palomides, with a great mighty spear and a long, and
thought to smite him down. And when Sir Palomides
saw Sir Launcelot come upon him so fast, he ran upon
Sir Launcelot as fast with his sword as he might; and
as Sir Launcelot should have stricken him he smote his
spear aside, and smote it a-two with his sword. And
Sir Palomides rushed unto Sir Launcelot, and thought
to have put him to a shame; and with his sword he
smote his horse's neck that Sir Launcelot rode upon, and
then Sir Launcelot fell to the earth. Then was the cry
huge and great: See how Sir Palomides the Saracen hath
smitten down Sir Launcelot's horse. Right then were
there many knights wroth with Sir Palomides because he
had done that deed; therefore many knights held there
against that it was unknightly done in a tournament to
kill an horse wilfully, but that it had been done in plain
battle, life for life.



CHAPTER LXXI

How Sir Launcelot said to Sir Palomides, and how the
prize of that day was given unto Sir Palomides.


WHEN Sir Ector de Maris saw Sir Launcelot his brother
have such a despite, and so set on foot, then he gat a
spear eagerly, and ran against Sir Palomides, and he smote
him so hard that he bare him quite from his horse. That
saw Sir Tristram, that was in red harness, and he smote
down Sir Ector de Maris quite from his horse. Then
Sir Launcelot dressed his shield upon his shoulder, and
with his sword naked in his hand, and so came straight
upon Sir Palomides fiercely and said: Wit thou well
thou hast done me this day the greatest despite that ever
any worshipful knight did to me in tournament or in
jousts, and therefore I will be avenged upon thee, therefore
take keep to yourself. Ah, mercy, noble knight,
said Palomides, and forgive me mine unkindly deeds,
for I have no power nor might to withstand you, and I
have done so much this day that well I wot I did never
so much, nor never shall in my life-days; and therefore,
most noble knight, I require thee spare me as at this
day, and I promise you I shall ever be your knight while
I live: an ye put me from my worship now, ye put me
from the greatest worship that ever I had or ever shall
have in my life-days. Well, said Sir Launcelot, I see,
for to say thee sooth, ye have done marvellously well
this day; and I understand a part for whose love ye do
it, and well I wot that love is a great mistress. And if
my lady were here as she nis not, wit you well, said Sir
Launcelot, ye should not bear away the worship. But
beware your love be not discovered, for an Sir Tristram
may know it ye will repent it; and sithen my quarrel
is not here, ye shall have this day the worship as for me;
considering the great travail and pain that ye have had
this day, it were no worship for me to put you from it.
And therewithal Sir Launcelot suffered Sir Palomides to
depart.

Then Sir Launcelot by great force and might gat
his own horse maugre twenty knights. So when Sir
Launcelot was horsed he did many marvels, and so did
Sir Tristram, and Sir Palomides in like wise. Then Sir
Launcelot smote down with a spear Sir Dinadan, and the
King of Scotland, and the King of Wales, and the King
of Northumberland, and the King of Listinoise. So then
Sir Launcelot and his fellows smote down well a forty
knights. Then came the King of Ireland and the King
of the Straight Marches to rescue Sir Tristram and Sir
Palomides. There began a great medley, and many
knights were smitten down on both parties; and always Sir
Launcelot spared Sir Tristram, and he spared him. And
Sir Palomides would not meddle with Sir Launcelot, and
so there was hurtling here and there. And then King
Arthur sent out many knights of the Table Round; and
Sir Palomides was ever in the foremost front, and Sir
Tristram did so strongly well that the king and all other
had marvel. And then the king let blow to lodging;
and because Sir Palomides began first, and never he went
nor rode out of the field to repose, but ever he was
doing marvellously well either on foot or on horseback,
and longest during, King Arthur and all the kings gave
Sir Palomides the honour and the gree as for that day.

Then Sir Tristram commanded Sir Dinadan to fetch
the queen La Beale Isoud, and bring her to his two
pavilions that stood by the well. And so Dinadan did as
he was commanded. But when Sir Palomides understood
and wist that Sir Tristram was in the red armour, and on
a red horse, wit ye well that he was glad, and so was Sir
Gareth and Sir Dinadan, for they all weened that Sir
Tristram had been taken prisoner. And then every
knight drew to his inn. And then King Arthur and every
knight spake of those knights; but above all men they
gave Sir Palomides the prize, and all knights that knew
Sir Palomides had wonder of his deeds. Sir, said Sir
Launcelot unto Arthur, as for Sir Palomides an he be the
green knight I dare say as for this day he is best worthy
to have the degree, for he reposed him never, nor never
changed his weeds, and he began first and longest held on.
And yet, well I wot, said Sir Launcelot, that there was a
better knight than he, and that shall be proved or we
depart, upon pain of my life. Thus they talked on either
party; and so Sir Dinadan railed with Sir Tristram and
said: What the devil is upon thee this day? for Sir
Palomides' strength feebled never this day, but ever he
doubled his strength.



CHAPTER LXXII

How Sir Dinadan provoked Sir Tristram to do well.


AND thou, Sir Tristram, farest all this day as though thou
hadst been asleep, and therefore I call thee coward. Well,
Dinadan, said Sir Tristram, I was never called coward or
now of no earthly knight in my life; and wit thou well,
sir, I call myself never the more coward though Sir
Launcelot gave me a fall, for I outcept him of all knights.
And doubt ye not Sir Dinadan, an Sir Launcelot have a
quarrel good, he is too over good for any knight that now
is living; and yet of his sufferance, largess, bounty, and
courtesy, I call him knight peerless: and so Sir Tristram
was in manner wroth with Sir Dinadan. But all this
language Sir Dinadan said because he would anger Sir
Tristram, for to cause him to awake his spirits and to be
wroth; for well knew Sir Dinadan that an Sir Tristram
were thoroughly wroth Sir Palomides should not get the
prize upon the morn. And for this intent Sir Dinadan
said all this railing and language against Sir Tristram.
Truly, said Sir Palomides, as for Sir Launcelot, of his
noble knighthood, courtesy, and prowess, and gentleness,
I know not his peer; for this day, said Sir Palomides, I
did full uncourteously unto Sir Launcelot, and full unknightly,
and full knightly and courteously he did to me
again; for an he had been as ungentle to me as I was to
him, this day I had won no worship. And therefore, said
Palomides, I shall be Sir Launcelot's knight while my life
lasteth. This talking was in the houses of kings. But all
kings, lords, and knights, said, of clear knighthood, and
of pure strength, of bounty, of courtesy, Sir Launcelot
and Sir Tristram bare the prize above all knights that ever
were in Arthur's days. And there were never knights in
Arthur's days did half so many deeds as they did; as the
book saith, no ten knights did not half the deeds that they
did, and there was never knight in their days that required
Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram of any quest, so it were not
to their shame, but they performed their desire.



CHAPTER LXXIII

How King Arthur and Sir Lancelot came to see La Beale
Isoud, and how Palomides smote down King Arthur.


SO on the morn Sir Launcelot departed, and Sir Tristram
was ready, and La Beale Isoud with Sir Palomides and Sir
Gareth. And so they rode all in green full freshly beseen
unto the forest. And Sir Tristram left Sir Dinadan
sleeping in his bed. And so as they rode it happed the
king and Launcelot stood in a window, and saw Sir
Tristram ride and Isoud. Sir, said Launcelot, yonder
rideth the fairest lady of the world except your queen,
Dame Guenever. Who is that? said Sir Arthur. Sir,
said he, it is Queen Isoud that, out-taken my lady your
queen, she is makeless. Take your horse, said Arthur,
and array you at all rights as I will do, and I promise you,
said the king, I will see her. Then anon they were armed
and horsed, and either took a spear and rode unto the
forest. Sir, said Launcelot, it is not good that ye go too
nigh them, for wit ye well there are two as good knights
as now are living, and therefore, sir, I pray you be not
too hasty. For peradventure there will be some knights
be displeased an we come suddenly upon them. As for
that, said Arthur, I will see her, for I take no force whom
I grieve. Sir, said Launcelot, ye put yourself in great
jeopardy. As for that, said the king, we will take the
adventure. Right so anon the king rode even to her,
and saluted her, and said: God you save. Sir, said she,
ye are welcome. Then the king beheld her, and liked her
wonderly well.

With that came Sir Palomides unto Arthur, and said:
Uncourteous knight, what seekest thou here? thou art
uncourteous to come upon a lady thus suddenly, therefore
withdraw thee. Sir Arthur took none heed of Sir Palomides'
words, but ever he looked still upon Queen Isoud
Then was Sir Palomides wroth, and therewith he took a
spear, and came hurtling upon King Arthur, and smote
him down with a spear. When Sir Launcelot saw that
despite of Sir Palomides, he said to himself: I am loath
to have ado with yonder knight, and not for his own sake
but for Sir Tristram. And one thing I am sure of, if I
smite down Sir Palomides I must have ado with Sir Tristram,
and that were overmuch for me to match them both,
for they are two noble knights; notwithstanding, whether
I live or I die, needs must I revenge my lord, and so will
I, whatsomever befall of me. And therewith Sir Launcelot
cried to Sir Palomides: Keep thee from me. And then
Sir Launcelot and Sir Palomides rushed together with two
spears strongly, but Sir Launcelot smote Sir Palomides so
hard that he went quite out of his saddle, and had a great
fall. When Sir Tristram saw Sir Palomides have that
fall, he said to Sir Launcelot: Sir knight, keep thee, for
I must joust with thee. As for to joust with me, said
Sir Launcelot, I will not fail you, for no dread I have of
you; but I am loath to have ado with you an I might
choose, for I will that ye wit that I must revenge my
special lord that was unhorsed unwarly and unknightly.
And therefore, though I revenged that fall, take ye no
displeasure therein, for he is to me such a friend that I
may not see him shamed.

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