Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




Anon Sir Tristram understood by his person and by
his knightly words that it was Sir Launcelot du Lake, and
verily Sir Tristram deemed that it was King Arthur, he
that Sir Palomides had smitten down. And then Sir
Tristram put his spear from him, and put Sir Palomides
again on horseback, and Sir Launcelot put King Arthur
on horseback and so departed. So God me help, said Sir
Tristram unto Palomides, ye did not worshipfully when
ye smote down that knight so suddenly as ye did. And
wit ye well ye did yourself great shame, for the knights
came hither of their gentleness to see a fair lady; and
that is every good knight's part, to behold a fair lady;
and ye had not ado to play such masteries afore my lady.
Wit thou well it will turn to anger, for he that ye smote
down was King Arthur, and that other was the good
knight Sir Launcelot. But I shall not forget the words
of Sir Launcelot when that he called him a man of great
worship, thereby I wist that it was King Arthur. And as
for Sir Launcelot, an there had been five hundred knights
in the meadow, he would not have refused them, and yet
he said he would refuse me. By that again I wist that it
was Sir Launcelot, for ever he forbeareth me in every
place, and showeth me great kindness; and of all knights,
I out-take none, say what men will say, he beareth the
flower of all chivalry, say it him whosomever will. An
he be well angered, and that him list to do his utterance
without any favour, I know him not alive but Sir
Launcelot is over hard for him, be it on horseback or on
foot. I may never believe, said Palomides, that King
Arthur will ride so privily as a poor errant knight. Ah,
said Sir Tristram, ye know not my lord Arthur, for all
knights may learn to be a knight of him. And therefore
ye may be sorry, said Sir Tristram, of your unkindly
deeds to so noble a king. And a thing that is done may
not be undone, said Palomides. Then Sir Tristram sent
Queen Isoud unto her lodging in the priory, there to
behold all the tournament.



CHAPTER LXXIV

How the second day Palomides forsook Sir Tristram, and
went to the contrary part against him.


THEN there was a cry unto all knights, that when they
heard an horn blow they should make jousts as they did the
first day. And like as the brethren Sir Edward and Sir
Sadok began the jousts the first day, Sir Uwaine the
king's son Urien and Sir Lucanere de Buttelere began
the jousts the second day. And at the first encounter

Sir Uwaine smote down the King's son of Scots; and
Sir Lucanere ran against the King of Wales, and they
brake their spears all to pieces; and they were so fierce
both, that they hurtled together that both fell to the
earth. Then they of Orkney horsed again Sir Lucanere.
And then came in Sir Tristram de Liones; and then
Sir Tristram smote down Sir Uwaine and Sir Lucanere;
and Sir Palomides smote down other two knights and
Sir Gareth smote down other two knights. Then
said Sir Arthur unto Sir Launcelot: See yonder three
knights do passingly well, and namely the first that
jousted. Sir, said Launcelot, that knight began not yet
but ye shall see him this day do marvellously. And then
came into the place the duke's son of Orkney, and then
they began to do many deeds of arms.

When Sir Tristram saw them so begin, he said to
Palomides: How feel ye yourself? may ye do this day
as ye did yesterday? Nay, said Palomides, I feel myself
so weary, and so sore bruised of the deeds of yesterday,
that I may not endure as I did yesterday. That me
repenteth, said Sir Tristram, for I shall lack you this
day. Sir Palomides said: Trust not to me, for I may
not do as I did. All these words said Palomides for to
beguile Sir Tristram. Sir, said Sir Tristram unto Sir
Gareth, then must I trust upon you; wherefore I pray
you be not far from me to rescue me. An need be,
said Sir Gareth, I shall not fail you in all that I may do.
Then Sir Palomides rode by himself; and then in despite
of Sir Tristram he put himself in the thickest press among
them of Orkney, and there he did so marvellously deeds
of arms that all men had wonder of him, for there might
none stand him a stroke.

When Sir Tristram saw Sir Palomides do such deeds,
he marvelled and said to himself: He is weary of my
company. So Sir Tristram beheld him a great while
and did but little else, for the noise and cry was so huge
and great that Sir Tristram marvelled from whence came
the strength that Sir Palomides had there in the field
Sir, said Sir Gareth unto Sir Tristram, remember ye not
of the words that Sir Dinadan said to you yesterday,
when he called you a coward; forsooth, sir, he said it
for none ill, for ye are the man in the world that he
most loveth, and all that he said was for your worship.
And therefore, said Sir Gareth to Sir Tristram, let me
know this day what ye be; and wonder ye not so upon
Sir Palomides, for he enforceth himself to win all the
worship and honour from you. I may well believe it,
said Sir Tristram. And sithen I understand his evil
will and his envy, ye shall see, if that I enforce myself,
that the noise shall be left that now is upon him.

Then Sir Tristram rode into the thickest of the
press, and then he did so marvellously well, and did so
great deeds of arms, that all men said that Sir Tristram
did double so much deeds of arms as Sir Palomides had
done aforehand. And then the noise went plain from
Sir Palomides, and all the people cried upon Sir Tristram.
O Jesu, said the people, see how Sir Tristram smiteth
down with his spear so many knights. And see, said
they all, how many knights he smiteth down with his
sword, and of how many knights he rashed off their
helms and their shields; and so he beat them all of
Orkney afore him. How now, said Sir Launcelot unto
King Arthur, I told you that this day there would a
knight play his pageant. Yonder rideth a knight ye
may see he doth knightly, for he hath strength and wind.
So God me help, said Arthur to Launcelot, ye say sooth,
for I saw never a better knight, for he passeth far Sir
Palomides. Sir, wit ye well, said Launcelot, it must
be so of right, for it is himself, that noble knight Sir
Tristram. I may right well believe it, said Arthur.

But when Sir Palomides heard the noise and the
cry was turned from him, he rode out on a part and
beheld Sir Tristram. And when Sir Palomides saw Sir
Tristram do so marvellously well he wept passingly
sore for despite, for he wist well he should no worship
win that day; for well knew Sir Palomides, when Sir
Tristram would put forth his strength and his manhood,
be should get but little worship that day,



CHAPTER LXXV

How Sir Tristram departed of the field, and awaked Sir
Dinadan, and changed his array into black.


THEN came King Arthur, and the King of Northgalis,
and Sir Launcelot du Lake; and Sir Bleoberis, Sir Bors
de Ganis, Sir Ector de Maris, these three knights came
into the field with Sir Launcelot. And then Sir
Launcelot with the three knights of his kin did so great
deeds of arms that all the noise began upon Sir Launcelot.
And so they beat the King of Wales and the King of
Scots far aback, and made them to avoid the field; but
Sir Tristram and Sir Gareth abode still in the field and
endured all that ever there came, that all men had wonder
that any knight might endure so many strokes. But
ever Sir Launcelot, and his three kinsmen by the commandment
of Sir Launcelot, forbare Sir Tristram. Then
said Sir Arthur: Is that Sir Palomides that endureth
so well? Nay, said Sir Launcelot, wit ye well it is
the good knight Sir Tristram, for yonder ye may see
Sir Palomides beholdeth and hoveth, and doth little
or nought. And sir, ye shall understand that Sir
Tristram weeneth this day to beat us all out of the
field. And as for me, said Sir Launcelot, I shall not
beat him, beat him whoso will. Sir, said Launcelot
unto Arthur, ye may see how Sir Palomides hoveth
yonder, as though he were in a dream; wit ye well
he is full heavy that Tristram doth such deeds of arms
Then is he but a fool, said Arthur, for never was Sir
Palomides, nor never shall be, of such prowess as Sir
Tristram. And if he have any envy at Sir Tristram,
and cometh in with him upon his side he is a false
knight.

As the king and Sir Launcelot thus spake, Sir
Tristram rode privily out of the press, that none espied
him but La Beale Isoud and Sir Palomides, for they two
would not let off their eyes upon Sir Tristram. And
when Sir Tristram came to his pavilions he found Sir
Dinadan in his bed asleep. Awake, said Tristram, ye
ought to be ashamed so to sleep when knights have
ado in the field. Then Sir Dinadan arose lightly and
said: What will ye that I shall do? Make you
ready, said Sir Tristram, to ride with me into the field.
So when Sir Dinadan was armed he looked upon Sir
Tristram's helm and on his shield, and when he saw
so many strokes upon his helm and upon his shield he
said: In good time was I thus asleep, for had I been
with you I must needs for shame there have followed
you; more for shame than any prowess that is in me;
that I see well now by those strokes that I should have
been truly beaten as I was yesterday. Leave your japes,
said Sir Tristram, and come off, that [we] were in the
field again. What, said Sir Dinadan, is your heart up?
yesterday ye fared as though ye had dreamed. So then
Sir Tristram was arrayed in black harness. O Jesu,
said Dinadan, what aileth you this day? meseemeth
ye be wilder than ye were yesterday. Then smiled
Sir Tristram and said to Dinadan: Await well upon
me; if ye see me overmatched look that ye be ever
behind me, and I shall make you ready way by God's
grace. So Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan took their
horses. All this espied Sir Palomides, both their going
and their coming, and so did La Beale Isoud, for she
knew Sir Tristram above all other.



CHAPTER LXXVI

How Sir Palomides changed his shield and his armour for to
hurt Sir Tristram, and how Sir Launcelot did to Sir
Tristram.


THEN when Sir Palomides saw that Sir Tristram was
disguised, then he thought to do him a shame. So Sir
Palomides rode to a knight that was sore wounded, that
sat under a fair well from the field. Sir knight, said
Sir Palomides, I pray you to lend me your armour and
your shield, for mine is over-well known in this field,
and that hath done me great damage; and ye shall
have mine armour and my shield that is as sure as yours.
I will well, said the knight, that ye have mine armour
and my shield, if they may do you any avail. So Sir
Palomides armed him hastily in that knight's armour
and his shield that shone as any crystal or silver, and
so he came riding into the field. And then there was
neither Sir Tristram nor none of King Arthur's party
that knew Sir Palomides. And right so as Sir Palomides
was come into the field Sir Tristram smote down three
knights, even in the sight of Sir Palomides. And then
Sir Palomides rode against Sir Tristram, and either met
other with great spears, that they brast to their hands.
And then they dashed together with swords eagerly.
Then Sir Tristram had marvel what knight he was that
did battle so knightly with him. Then was Sir Tristram
wroth, for he felt him passing strong, so that he deemed
he might not have ado with the remnant of the knights,
because of the strength of Sir Palomides. So they lashed
together and gave many sad strokes together, and many
knights marvelled what knight he might be that so
encountered with the black knight, Sir Tristram. Full
well knew La Beale Isoud that there was Sir Palomides
that fought with Sir Tristram, for she espied all in her
window where that she stood, as Sir Palomides changed
his harness with the wounded knight. And then she
began to weep so heartily for the despite of Sir Palomides
that there she swooned.

Then came in Sir Launcelot with the knights of
Orkney. And when the other party had espied Sir Launcelot,
they cried: Return, return, here cometh Sir Launcelot
du Lake. So there came knights and said: Sir Launcelot, ye
must needs fight with yonder knight in the black harness,
that was Sir Tristram, for he hath almost overcome that
good knight that fighteth with him with the silver shield,
that was Sir Palomides. Then Sir Launcelot rode betwixt
Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides, and Sir Launcelot said to
Palomides: Sir knight, let me have the battle, for ye have
need to be reposed. Sir Palomides knew Sir Launcelot
well, and so did Sir Tristram, but because Sir Launcelot
was far hardier knight than himself therefore he was glad,
and suffered Sir Launcelot to fight with Sir Tristram.
For well wist he that Sir Launcelot knew not Sir Tristram,
and there he hoped that Sir Launcelot should beat or shame
Sir Tristram, whereof Sir Palomides was full fain. And
so Sir Launcelot gave Sir Tristram many sad strokes, but
Sir Launcelot knew not Sir Tristram, but Sir Tristram
knew well Sir Launcelot. And thus they fought long
together, that La Beale Isoud was well-nigh out of her
mind for sorrow.

Then Sir Dinadan told Sir Gareth how that knight in
the black harness was Sir Tristram: And this is Launcelot
that fighteth with him, that must needs have the better of
him, for Sir Tristram hath had too much travail this day.
Then let us smite him down, said Sir Gareth. So it is
better that we do, said Sir Dinadan, than Sir Tristram be
shamed, for yonder hoveth the strong knight with the
silver shield to fall upon Sir Tristram if need be. Then
forthwithal Gareth rushed upon Sir Launcelot, and gave
him a great stroke upon his helm so hard that he was
astonied. And then came Sir Dinadan with a spear, and
he smote Sir Launcelot such a buffet that horse and all
fell to the earth. O Jesu, said Sir Tristram to Sir Gareth
and Sir Dinadan, fie for shame, why did ye smite down so
good a knight as he is, and namely when I had ado with
him? now ye do yourself great shame, and him no disworship;
for I held him reasonable hot, though ye had not
holpen me.

Then came Sir Palomides that was disguised, and smote
down Sir Dinadan from his horse. Then Sir Launcelot,
because Sir Dinadan had smitten him aforehand, then
Sir Launcelot assailed Sir Dinadan passing sore, and Sir
Dinadan defended him mightily. But well understood Sir
Tristram that Sir Dinadan might not endure Sir Launcelot,
wherefore Sir Tristram was sorry. Then came Sir Palomides
fresh upon Sir Tristram. And when Sir Tristram
saw him come, he thought to deliver him at once, because
that he would help Sir Dinadan, because he stood in great
peril with Sir Launcelot. Then Sir Tristram hurtled unto
Sir Palomides and gave him a great buffet, and then Sir
Tristram gat Sir Palomides and pulled him down underneath
him. And so fell Sir Tristram with him; and Sir
Tristram leapt up lightly and left Sir Palomides, and went
betwixt Sir Launcelot and Dinadan, and then they began
to do battle together.

Right so Sir Dinadan gat Sir Tristram's horse, and
said on high that Sir Launcelot might hear it: My lord
Sir Tristram, take your horse. And when Sir Launcelot
heard him name Sir Tristram: O Jesu, said Launcelot,
what have I done? I am dishonoured. Ah, my lord Sir
Tristram, said Launcelot, why were ye disguised? ye have
put yourself in great peril this day; but I pray you noble
knight to pardon me, for an I had known you we had not
done this battle. Sir, said Sir Tristram, this is not the
first kindness ye showed me. So they were both horsed
again.

Then all the people on the one side gave Sir Launcelot
the honour and the degree, and on the other side all the
people gave to the noble knight Sir Tristram the honour
and the degree; but Launcelot said nay thereto: For I am
not worthy to have this honour, for I will report me unto
all knights that Sir Tristram hath been longer in the field
than I, and he hath smitten down many more knights this
day than I have done. And therefore I will give Sir
Tristram my voice and my name, and so I pray all my lords
and fellows so to do. Then there was the whole voice
of dukes and earls, barons and knights, that Sir Tristram
this day is proved the best knight.



CHAPTER LXXVII

How Sir Tristram departed with La Beale Isoud, and how
Palomides followed and excused him.


THEN they blew unto lodging, and Queen Isoud was led
unto her pavilions. But wit you well she was wroth out
of measure with Sir Palomides, for she saw all his treason
from the beginning to the ending. And all this while
neither Sir Tristram, neither Sir Gareth nor Dinadan, knew
not of the treason of Sir Palomides; but afterward ye
shall hear that there befell the greatest debate betwixt Sir
Tristram and Sir Palomides that might be.

So when the tournament was done, Sir Tristram,
Gareth, and Dinadan, rode with La Beale Isoud to these
pavilions. And ever Sir Palomides rode with them in
their company disguised as he was. But when Sir Tristram
had espied him that he was the same knight with the
shield of silver that held him so hot that day: Sir knight,
said Sir Tristram, wit ye well here is none that hath need
of your fellowship, and therefore I pray you depart from
us. Sir Palomides answered again as though he had not
known Sir Tristram: Wit you well, sir knight, from this
fellowship will I never depart, for one of the best knights
of the world commanded me to be in this company, and
till he discharge me of my service I will not be discharged.
By that Sir Tristram knew that it was Sir Palomides. Ah,
Sir Palomides, said the noble knight Sir Tristram, are ye
such a knight? Ye have been named wrong, for ye have
long been called a gentle knight, and as this day ye have
showed me great ungentleness, for ye had almost brought
me unto my death. But, as for you, I suppose I should
have done well enough, but Sir Launcelot with you was
overmuch; for I know no knight living but Sir Launcelot
is over good for him, an he will do his uttermost. Alas,
said Sir Palomides, are ye my lord Sir Tristram? Yea,
sir, and that ye know well enough. By my knighthood,
said Palomides, until now I knew you not; I weened that
ye had been the King of Ireland, for well I wot ye bare his
arms. His arms I bare, said Sir Tristram, and that will I
stand by, for I won them once in a field of a full noble
knight, his name was Sir Marhaus; and with great pain
I won that knight, for there was none other recover, but
Sir Marhaus died through false leeches; and yet was he
never yolden to me. Sir, said Palomides, I weened ye
had been turned upon Sir Launcelot's party, and that
caused me to turn. Ye say well, said Sir Tristram, and
so I take you, and I forgive you.

So then they rode into their pavilions; and when they
were alighted they unarmed them and washed their faces
and hands, and so yode unto meat, and were set at their
table. But when Isoud saw Sir Palomides she changed
then her colours, and for wrath she might not speak.
Anon Sir Tristram espied her countenance and said:
Madam, for what cause make ye us such cheer? we have
been sore travailed this day. Mine own lord, said La
Beale Isoud, for God's sake be ye not displeased with me,
for I may none otherwise do; for I saw this day how ye
were betrayed and nigh brought to your death. Truly,
sir, I saw every deal, how and in what wise, and therefore,
sir, how should I suffer in your presence such a felon and
traitor as Sir Palomides; for I saw him with mine eyes,
how he beheld you when ye went out of the field. For
ever he hoved still upon his horse till he saw you come in
againward. And then forthwithal I saw him ride to the
hurt knight, and changed harness with him, and then
straight I saw him how he rode into the field. And anon
as he had found you he encountered with you, and thus
wilfully Sir Palomides did battle with you; and as for him,
sir, I was not greatly afraid, but I dread sore Launcelot,
that knew you not. Madam, said Palomides, ye may say
whatso ye will, I may not contrary you, but by my knighthood
I knew not Sir Tristram. Sir Palomides, said Sir
Tristram, I will take your excuse, but well I wot ye spared
me but little, but all is pardoned on my part. Then La
Beale Isoud held down her head and said no more at that
time.



CHAPTER LXXVIII

How King Arthur and Sir Launcelot came unto their pavilions
as they sat at supper, and of Sir Palomides.


AND therewithal two knights armed came unto the pavilion,
and there they alighted both, and came in armed at all
pieces. Fair knights, said Sir Tristram, ye are to blame to
come thus armed at all pieces upon me while we are at
our meat; if ye would anything when we were in the field
there might ye have eased your hearts. Not so, said the
one of those knights, we come not for that intent, but wit
ye well Sir Tristram, we be come hither as your friends.
And I am come here, said the one, for to see you, and this
knight is come for to see La Beale Isoud. Then said Sir
Tristram: I require you do off your helms that I may see
you. That will we do at your desire, said the knights.
And when their helms were off, Sir Tristram thought that
he should know them.

Then said Sir Dinadan privily unto Sir Tristram: Sir,
that is Sir Launcelot du Lake that spake unto you first,
and the other is my lord King Arthur. Then, said Sir
Tristram unto La Beale Isoud, Madam arise, for here is my
lord, King Arthur. Then the king and the queen kissed,
and Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram braced either other in
arms, and then there was joy without measure; and at the
request of La Beale Isoud, King Arthur and Launcelot
were unarmed, and then there was merry talking. Madam,
said Sir Arthur, it is many a day sithen that I have desired
to see you, for ye have been praised so far; and now I dare
say ye are the fairest that ever I saw, and Sir Tristram is
as fair and as good a knight as any that I know; therefore
me beseemeth ye are well beset together. Sir, God thank
you, said the noble knight, Sir Tristram, and Isoud; of
your great goodness and largess ye are peerless. Thus
they talked of many things and of all the whole jousts. But
for what cause, said King Arthur, were ye, Sir Tristram,
against us? Ye are a knight of the Table Round; of right
ye should have been with us. Sir, said Sir Tristram, here
is Dinadan, and Sir Gareth your own nephew, caused me to
be against you. My lord Arthur, said Gareth, I may well
bear the blame, but it were Sir Tristram's own deeds.
That may I repent, said Dinadan, for this unhappy Sir
Tristram brought us to this tournament, and many great
buffets he caused us to have. Then the king and Launcelot
laughed that they might not sit.

What knight was that, said Arthur, that held you so
short, this with the shield of silver? Sir, said Sir
Tristram, here he sitteth at this board. What, said Arthur,
was it Sir Palomides? Wit ye well it was he, said La
Beale Isoud. So God me help, said Arthur, that was
unknightly done of you of so good a knight, for I have
heard many people call you a courteous knight. Sir, said
Palomides, I knew not Sir Tristram, for he was so disguised.
So God me help, said Launcelot, it may well be, for I knew
not Sir Tristram; but I marvel why ye turned on our
party. That was done for the same cause, said Launcelot.
As for that, said Sir Tristram, I have pardoned him, and
I would be right loath to leave his fellowship, for I love
right well his company: so they left off and talked of
other things.

And in the evening King Arthur and Sir Launcelot
departed unto their lodging; but wit ye well Sir Palomides
had envy heartily, for all that night he had never rest in
his bed, but wailed and wept out of measure. So on the
morn Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan arose early, and
then they went unto Sir Palomides' chamber, and there
they found him fast asleep, for he had all night watched,
and it was seen upon his cheeks that he had wept full sore.
Say nothing, said Sir Tristram, for I am sure he hath taken
anger and sorrow for the rebuke that I gave to him, and
La Beale Isoud.



CHAPTER LXXIX

How Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides did the next day, and
how King Arthur was unhorsed.


THEN Sir Tristram let call Sir Palomides, and bade him
make him ready, for it was time to go to the field. When
they were ready they were armed, and clothed all in red,
both Isoud and all they; and so they led her passing
freshly through the field, into the priory where was her
lodging. And then they heard three blasts blow, and every
king and knight dressed him unto the field. And the first
that was ready to joust was Sir Palomides and Sir Kainus
le Strange, a knight of the Table Round. And so they
two encountered together, but Sir Palomides smote Sir
Kainus so hard that he smote him quite over his horse's
croup. And forthwithal Sir Palomides smote down another
knight, and brake then his spear, and pulled out his sword
and did wonderly well. And then the noise began greatly
upon Sir Palomides. Lo, said King Arthur, yonder
Palomides beginneth to play his pageant. So God me
help, said Arthur, he is a passing good knight. And
right as they stood talking thus, in came Sir Tristram as
thunder, and he encountered with Sir Kay the Seneschal,
and there he smote him down quite from his horse; and
with that same spear Sir Tristram smote down three knights
more, and then he pulled out his sword and did marvellously.
Then the noise and cry changed from Sir Palomides and
turned to Sir Tristram, and all the people cried: O
Tristram, O Tristram. And then was Sir Palomides clean
forgotten.

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