Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




How now, said Launcelot unto Arthur, yonder rideth
a knight that playeth his pageants. So God me help, said
Arthur to Launcelot, ye shall see this day that yonder two
knights shall here do this day wonders. Sir, said Launcelot,
the one knight waiteth upon the other, and enforceth
himself through envy to pass the noble knight Sir Tristram,
and he knoweth not of the privy envy the which Sir
Palomides hath to him; for all that the noble Sir Tristram
doth is through clean knighthood. And then Sir Gareth
and Dinadan did wonderly great deeds of arms, as two
noble knights, so that King Arthur spake of them great
honour and worship; and the kings and knights of Sir
Tristram's side did passingly well, and held them truly
together. Then Sir Arthur and Sir Launcelot took their
horses and dressed them, and gat into the thickest of the
press. And there Sir Tristram unknowing smote down
King Arthur, and then Sir Launcelot would have rescued
him, but there were so many upon Sir Launcelot that they
pulled him down from his horse. And then the King of
Ireland and the King of Scots with their knights did their
pain to take King Arthur and Sir Launcelot prisoner.
When Sir Launcelot heard them say so, he fared as it had
been an hungry lion, for he fared so that no knight durst
nigh him.

Then came Sir Ector de Maris, and he bare a spear
against Sir Palomides, and brast it upon him all to shivers.
And then Sir Ector came again and gave Sir Palomides
such a dash with a sword that he stooped down upon his
saddle bow. And forthwithal Sir Ector pulled down Sir
Palomides under his feet; and then Sir Ector de Maris
gat Sir Launcelot du Lake an horse, and brought it to him,
and bade him mount upon him; but Sir Palomides leapt
afore and gat the horse by the bridle, and leapt into the
saddle. So God me help, said Launcelot, ye are better
worthy to have that horse than I. Then Sir Ector brought
Sir Launcelot another horse. Gramercy, said Launcelot
unto his brother. And so when he was horsed again, with
one spear he smote down four knights. And then Sir
Launcelot brought to King Arthur one of the best of the
four horses. Then Sir Launcelot with King Arthur and
a few of his knights of Sir Launcelot's kin did marvellous
deeds; for that time, as the book recordeth, Sir Launcelot
smote down and pulled down thirty knights. Notwithstanding
the other party held them so fast together that
King Arthur and his knights were overmatched. And
when Sir Tristram saw that, what labour King Arthur
and his knights, and in especial the noble deeds that Sir
Launcelot did with his own hands, he marvelled greatly.



CHAPTER LXXX

How Sir Tristram turned to King Arthur's side, and how
Palomides would not.


THEN Sir Tristram called unto him Sir Palomides, Sir
Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and said thus to them: My fair
fellows, wit ye well that I will turn unto King Arthur's
party, for I saw never so few men do so well, and it will
be shame unto us knights that be of the Round Table
to see our lord King Arthur, and that noble knight Sir
Launcelot, to be dishonoured. It will be well done, said
Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan. Do your best, said Palomides,
for I will not change my party that I came in withal.
That is for my sake, said Sir Tristram; God speed you in
your journey. And so departed Sir Palomides from them.
Then Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Dinadan, turned with Sir
Launcelot. And then Sir Launcelot smote down the King
of Ireland quite from his horse; and so Sir Launcelot
smote down the King of Scots, and the King of Wales;
and then Sir Arthur ran unto Sir Palomides and smote him
quite from his horse; and then Sir Tristram bare down
all that he met. Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan did there as
noble knights; then all the parties began to flee. Alas, said
Palomides, that ever I should see this day, for now have
I lost all the worship that I won; and then Sir Palomides
went his way wailing, and so withdrew him till he came
to a well, and there he put his horse from him, and did off
his armour, and wailed and wept like as he had been a wood
man. Then many knights gave the prize to Sir Tristram,
and there were many that gave the prize unto Sir Launcelot.
Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, I thank you of the
honour ye would give me, but I pray you heartily that ye
would give your voice to Sir Launcelot, for by my faith
said Sir Tristram, I will give Sir Launcelot my voice. But
Sir Launcelot would not have it, and so the prize was
given betwixt them both.

Then every man rode to his lodging, and Sir Bleoberis
and Sir Ector rode with Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud
unto their pavilions. Then as Sir Palomides was at the
well wailing and weeping, there came by him flying the
kings of Wales and of Scotland, and they saw Sir Palomides
in that arage. Alas, said they, that so noble a man as ye
be should be in this array. And then those kings gat
Sir Palomides' horse again, and made him to arm him
and mount upon his horse, and so he rode with them,
making great dole. So when Sir Palomides came nigh the
pavilions thereas Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud was in,
then Sir Palomides prayed the two kings to abide him
there the while that he spake with Sir Tristram. And
when he came to the port of the pavilions, Sir Palomides
said on high: Where art thou, Sir Tristram de Liones?
Sir, said Dinadan, that is Palomides. What, Sir Palomides,
will ye not come in here among us? Fie on thee
traitor, said Palomides, for wit you well an it were
daylight as it is night I should slay thee, mine own hands.
And if ever I may get thee, said Palomides, thou shalt
die for this day's deed. Sir Palomides, said Sir Tristram,
ye wite me with wrong, for had ye done as I did ye had
won worship. But sithen ye give me so large warning
I shall be well ware of you. Fie on thee, traitor, said
Palomides, and therewith departed.

Then on the morn Sir Tristram, Bleoberis, and Sir
Ector de Maris, Sir Gareth, Sir Dinadan, what by water
and what by land, they brought La Beale Isoud unto
Joyous Gard, and there reposed them a seven night, and
made all the mirths and disports that they could devise.
And King Arthur and his knights drew unto Camelot,
and Sir Palomides rode with the two kings; and ever
he made the greatest dole that any man could think, for
he was not all only so dolorous for the departing from La
Beale Isoud, but he was a part as sorrowful to depart
from the fellowship of Sir Tristram; for Sir Tristram was
so kind and so gentle that when Sir Palomides remembered
him thereof he might never be merry.



CHAPTER LXXXI

How Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector reported to Queen Guenever
of the beauty of La Beale Isoud.


SO at the seven nights' end Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector
departed from Sir Tristram and from the queen; and
these two good knights had great gifts; and Sir Gareth
and Sir Dinadan abode with Sir Tristram. And when
Sir Bleoberis and Sir Ector were come there as the Queen
Guenever was lodged, in a castle by the seaside, and
through the grace of God the queen was recovered of
her malady, then she asked the two knights from whence
they came. They said that they came from Sir Tristram
and from La Beale Isoud. How doth Sir Tristram, said
the queen, and La Beale Isoud? Truly, said those two
knights, he doth as a noble knight should do; and as
for the Queen Isoud, she is peerless of all ladies; for to
speak of her beauty, bount, and mirth, and of her
goodness, we saw never her match as far as we have ridden
and gone. O mercy Jesu, said Queen Guenever, so
saith all the people that have seen her and spoken with
her. God would that I had part of her conditions; and it
is misfortuned me of my sickness while that tournament
endured. And as I suppose I shall never see in all my
life such an assembly of knights and ladies as ye have
done.

Then the knights told her how Palomides won the
degree at the first day with great noblesse; and the
second day Sir Tristram won the degree; and the third
day Sir Launcelot won the degree. Well, said Queen
Guenever, who did best all these three days? So God
me help, said these knights, Sir Launcelot and Sir Tristram
had least dishonour. And wit ye well Sir Palomides
did passing well and mightily; but he turned against
the party that he came in withal, and that caused him to
lose a great part of his worship, for it seemed that Sir
Palomides is passing envious. Then shall he never win
worship, said Queen Guenever, for an it happeth an
envious man once to win worship he shall be dishonoured
twice therefore; and for this cause all men of worship
hate an envious man, and will shew him no favour, and
he that is courteous, and kind, and gentle, hath favour
in every place.



CHAPTER LXXXII

How Epinogris complained by a well, and how Sir Palomides
came and found him, and of their both sorrowing.


NOW leave we of this matter and speak we of Sir
Palomides, that rode and lodged him with the two kings,
whereof the kings were heavy. Then the King of Ireland
sent a man of his to Sir Palomides, and gave him a great
courser, and the King of Scotland gave him great gifts;
and fain they would have had Sir Palomides to have
abiden with them, but in no wise he would abide; and
so he departed, and rode as adventures would guide him,
till it was nigh noon. And then in a forest by a well
Sir Palomides saw where lay a fair wounded knight and
his horse bounden by him; and that knight made the
greatest dole that ever he heard man make, for ever he
wept, and therewith he sighed as though he would die.
Then Sir Palomides rode near him and saluted him mildly
and said: Fair knight, why wail ye so? let me lie down
and wail with you, for doubt not I am much more
heavier than ye are; for I dare say, said Palomides, that
my sorrow is an hundred fold more than yours is, and
therefore let us complain either to other. First, said
the wounded knight, I require you tell me your name,
for an thou be none of the noble knights of the Round
Table thou shalt never know my name, whatsomever
come of me. Fair knight, said Palomides, such as I am,
be it better or be it worse, wit thou well that my name is
Sir Palomides, son and heir unto King Astlabor, and Sir
Safere and Sir Segwarides are my two brethren; and wit
thou well as for myself I was never christened, but my
two brethren are truly christened. O noble knight, said
that knight, well is me that I have met with you; and
wit ye well my name is Epinogris, the king's son of
Northumberland. Now sit down, said Epinogris, and
let us either complain to other.

Then Sir Palomides began his complaint. Now shall
I tell you, said Palomides, what woe I endure. I love
the fairest queen and lady that ever bare life, and wit ye
well her name is La Beale Isoud, King Mark's wife of
Cornwall. That is great folly, said Epinogris, for to
love Queen Isoud, for one of the best knights of the
world loveth her, that is Sir Tristram de Liones. That
is truth, said Palomides, for no man knoweth that matter
better than I do, for I have been in Sir Tristram's
fellowship this month, and with La Beale Isoud together;
and alas, said Palomides, unhappy man that I am, now
have I lost the fellowship of Sir Tristram for ever, and
the love of La Beale Isoud for ever, and I am never like
to see her more, and Sir Tristram and I be either to
other mortal enemies. Well, said Epinogris, sith that
ye loved La Beale Isoud, loved she you ever again by
anything that ye could think or wit, or else did ye rejoice
her ever in any pleasure? Nay, by my knighthood, said
Palomides, I never espied that ever she loved me more
than all the world, nor never had I pleasure with her,
but the last day she gave me the greatest rebuke that
ever I had, the which shall never go from my heart.
And yet I well deserved that rebuke, for I did not
knightly, and therefore I have lost the love of her and
of Sir Tristram for ever; and I have many times enforced
myself to do many deeds for La Beale Isoud's sake, and
she was the causer of my worship-winning. Alas, said
Sir Palomides, now have I lost all the worship that ever I
won, for never shall me befall such prowess as I had in
the fellowship of Sir Tristram.



CHAPTER LXXXIII

How Sir Palomides brought Sir Epinogris his lady; and
how Sir Palomides and Sir Safere were assailed.


NAY, nay, said Epinogris, your sorrow is but japes to my
sorrow; for I rejoiced my lady and won her with my
hands, and lost her again: alas that day! Thus first I
won her, said Epinogris; my lady was an earl's daughter,
and as the earl and two knights came from the tournament
of Lonazep, for her sake I set upon this earl and
on his two knights, my lady there being present; and so
by fortune there I slew the earl and one of the knights,
and the other knight fled, and so that night I had my
lady. And on the morn as she and I reposed us at this
well-side there came there to me an errant knight, his name
was Sir Helior le Preuse, an hardy knight, and this Sir
Helior challenged me to fight for my lady. And then
we went to battle first upon horse and after on foot, but
at the last Sir Helior wounded me so that he left me for
dead, and so he took my lady with him; and thus my
sorrow is more than yours, for I have rejoiced and ye
rejoiced never. That is truth, said Palomides, but sith
I can never recover myself I shall promise you if I can
meet with Sir Helior I shall get you your lady again, or
else he shall beat me.

Then Sir Palomides made Sir Epinogris to take his
horse, and so they rode to an hermitage, and there Sir
Epinogris rested him. And in the meanwhile Sir Palomides
walked privily out to rest him under the leaves, and
there beside he saw a knight come riding with a shield
that he had seen Sir Ector de Maris bear beforehand; and
there came after him a ten knights, and so these ten
knights hoved under the leaves for heat. And anon after
there came a knight with a green shield and therein a
white lion, leading a lady upon a palfrey. Then this
knight with the green shield that seemed to be master of
the ten knights, he rode fiercely after Sir Helior, for it was
he that hurt Sir Epinogris. And when he came nigh Sir
Helior he bade him defend his lady. I will defend her,
said Helior, unto my power. And so they ran together
so mightily that either of these knights smote other down,
horse and all, to the earth; and then they won up lightly
and drew their swords and their shields, and lashed
together mightily more than an hour. All this Sir Palomides
saw and beheld, but ever at the last the knight with
Sir Ector's shield was bigger, and at the last this knight
smote Sir Helior down, and then that knight unlaced his
helm to have stricken off his head. And then he cried
mercy, and prayed him to save his life, and bade him take
his lady. Then Sir Palomides dressed him up, because he
wist well that that same lady was Epinogris' lady, and he
promised him to help him.

Then Sir Palomides went straight to that lady, and
took her by the hand, and asked her whether she knew a
knight that hight Epinogris. Alas, she said, that ever he
knew me or I him, for I have for his sake lost my
worship, and also his life grieveth me most of all. Not
so, lady, said Palomides, come on with me, for here is
Epinogris in this hermitage. Ah! well is me, said the
lady, an he be alive. Whither wilt thou with that lady?
said the knight with Sir Ector's shield. I will do with
her what me list, said Palomides. Wit you well, said that
knight, thou speakest over large, though thou seemest me
to have at advantage, because thou sawest me do battle
but late. Thou weenest, sir knight, to have that lady
away from me so lightly? nay, think it never not; an
thou were as good a knight as is Sir Launcelot, or as is
Sir Tristram, or Sir Palomides, but thou shalt win her
dearer than ever did I. And so they went unto battle
upon foot, and there they gave many sad strokes, and
either wounded other passing sore, and thus they fought
still more than an hour.

Then Sir Palomides had marvel what knight he might
be that was so strong and so well breathed during, and
thus said Palomides: Knight, I require thee tell me thy
name. Wit thou well, said that knight, I dare tell thee
my name, so that thou wilt tell me thy name. I will, said
Palomides. Truly, said that knight, my name is Safere,
son of King Astlabor, and Sir Palomides and Sir Segwarides
are my brethren. Now, and wit thou well, my name is
Sir Palomides. Then Sir Safere kneeled down upon his
knees, and prayed him of mercy; and then they unlaced
their helms and either kissed other weeping. And in the
meanwhile Sir Epinogris arose out of his bed, and heard
them by the strokes, and so he armed him to help Sir
Palomides if need were.



CHAPTER LXXXIV

How Sir Palomides and Sir Safere conducted Sir Epinogris
to his castle, and of other adventures.


THEN Sir Palomides took the lady by the hand and
brought her to Sir Epinogris, and there was great joy
betwixt them, for either swooned for joy. When they
were met: Fair knight and lady, said Sir Safere, it were
pity to depart you; Jesu send you joy either of other.
Gramercy, gentle knight, said Epinogris; and much more
thanks be to my lord Sir Palomides, that thus hath
through his prowess made me to get my lady. Then Sir
Epinogris required Sir Palomides and Sir Safere, his
brother, to ride with them unto his castle, for the safeguard
of his person. Sir, said Palomides, we will be ready to
conduct you because that ye are sore wounded; and so
was Epinogris and his lady horsed, and his lady behind
him upon a soft ambler. And then they rode unto his
castle, where they had great cheer and joy, as great as ever
Sir Palomides and Sir Safere had in their life-days.

So on the morn Sir Safere and Sir Palomides departed,
day until after noon. And at the last they heard a great
weeping and a great noise down in a manor. Sir, said
then Sir Safere, let us wit what noise this is. I will well,
said Sir Palomides. And so they rode forth till that they
came to a fair gate of a manor, and there sat an old man
saying his prayers and beads. Then Sir Palomides and
Sir Safere alighted and left their horses, and went within
the gates, and there they saw full many goodly men
weeping. Fair sirs, said Palomides, wherefore weep ye and
make this sorrow? Anon one of the knights of the castle
beheld Sir Palomides and knew him, and then went to his
fellows and said: Fair fellows, wit ye well all, we have in
this castle the same knight that slew our lord at Lonazep,
for I know him well; it is Sir Palomides. Then they
went unto harness, all that might bear harness, some on
horseback and some on foot, to the number of three score.
And when they were ready they came freshly upon Sir
Palomides and upon Sir Safere with a great noise, and said
thus: Keep thee, Sir Palomides, for thou art known, and
by right thou must be dead, for thou hast slain our lord;
and therefore wit ye well we will slay thee, therefore
defend thee.

Then Sir Palomides and Sir Safere, the one set his back
to the other, and gave many great strokes, and took many
great strokes; and thus they fought with a twenty knights
and forty gentlemen and yeomen nigh two hours. But
at the last though they were loath, Sir Palomides and Sir
Safere were taken and yolden, and put in a strong prison;
and within three days twelve knights passed upon them,
and they found Sir Palomides guilty, and Sir Safere not
guilty, of their lord's death. And when Sir Safere should
be delivered there was great dole betwixt Sir Palomides
and him, and many piteous complaints that Sir Safere
made at his departing, there is no maker can rehearse the
tenth part. Fair brother, said Palomides, let be thy dolour
and thy sorrow. And if I be ordained to die a shameful
death, welcome be it; but an I had wist of this death that
I am deemed unto, I should never have been yolden. So
Sir Safere departed from his brother with the greatest
dolour and sorrow that ever made knight.

And on the morn they of the castle ordained twelve
knights to ride with Sir Palomides unto the father of the
same knight that Sir Palomides slew; and so they bound
his legs under an old steed's belly. And then they rode
with Sir Palomides unto a castle by the seaside, that hight
Pelownes, and there Sir Palomides should have justice.
Thus was their ordinance; and so they rode with Sir
Palomides fast by the castle of Joyous Gard. And as
they passed by that castle there came riding out of that
castle by them one that knew Sir Palomides. And when
that knight saw Sir Palomides bounden upon a crooked
courser, the knight asked Sir Palomides for what cause he
was led so. Ah, my fair fellow and knight, said Palomides,
I ride toward my death for the slaying of a knight at a
tournament of Lonazep; and if I had not departed from
my lord Sir Tristram, as I ought not to have done, now
might I have been sure to have had my life saved; but I
pray you, sir knight, recommend me unto my lord, Sir
Tristram, and unto my lady, Queen Isoud, and say to
them if ever I trespassed to them I ask them forgiveness.
And also I beseech you recommend me unto my lord,
King Arthur, and to all the fellowship of the Round
Table, unto my power. Then that knight wept for pity
of Sir Palomides; and therewithal he rode unto Joyous
Gard as fast as his horse might run, and lightly that
knight descended down off his horse and went unto Sir
Tristram, and there he told him all as ye have heard, and
ever the knight wept as he had been mad.



CHAPTER LXXXV

How Sir Tristram made him ready to rescue Sir Palomides,
but Sir Launcelot rescued him or he came.


WHEN Sir Tristram heard how Sir Palomides went to his
death, he was heavy to hear that, and said: Howbeit that
I am wroth with Sir Palomides, yet will not I suffer him to
die so shameful a death, for he is a full noble knight. And
then anon Sir Tristram was armed and took his horse and
two squires with him, and rode a great pace toward the
castle of Pelownes where Sir Palomides was judged to death.
And these twelve knights that led Sir Palomides passed by
a well whereas Sir Launcelot was, which was alighted there,
and had tied his horse to a tree, and taken off his helm
to drink of that well; and when he saw these knights, Sir
Launcelot put on his helm and suffered them to pass by
him. And then was he ware of Sir Palomides bounden,
and led shamefully to his death. O Jesu, said Launcelot,
what misadventure is befallen him that he is thus led
toward his death? Forsooth, said Launcelot, it were shame
to me to suffer this noble knight so to die an I might help
him, therefore I will help him whatsomever come of it,
or else I shall die for Sir Palomides' sake. And then Sir
Launcelot mounted upon his horse, and gat his spear in
his hand, and rode after the twelve knights that led Sir
Palomides. Fair knights, said Sir Launcelot, whither lead
ye that knight? it beseemeth him full ill to ride bounden.
Then these twelve knights suddenly turned their horses
and said to Sir Launcelot: Sir knight, we counsel thee not
to meddle with this knight, for he hath deserved death, and
unto death he is judged. That me repenteth, said Launcelot,
that I may not borrow him with fairness, for he is over
good a knight to die such a shameful death. And therefore,
fair knights, said Sir Launcelot, keep you as well as
ye can, for I will rescue that knight or die for it.

Then they began to dress their spears, and Sir Launcelot
smote the foremost down, horse and man, and so he served
three more with one spear; and then that spear brast, and
therewithal Sir Launcelot drew his sword, and then he
smote on the right hand and on the left hand. Then
within a while he left none of those twelve knights, but he
had laid them to the earth, and the most part of them
were sore wounded. And then Sir Launcelot took the
best horse that he found, and loosed Sir Palomides and set
him upon that horse; and so they returned again unto
Joyous Gard, and then was Sir Palomides ware of Sir
Tristram how he came riding. And when Sir Launcelot
saw him he knew him well, but Sir Tristram knew him not
because Sir Launcelot had on his shoulder a golden shield.
So Sir Launcelot made him ready to joust with Sir Tristram,
that Sir Tristram should not ween that he were Sir
Launcelot. Then Sir Palomides cried aloud to Sir Tristram:
O my lord, I require you joust not with this knight, for
this good knight hath saved me from my death. When
Sir Tristram heard him say so he came a soft trotting pace
toward them. And then Sir Palomides said: My lord,
Sir Tristram, much am I beholding unto you of your great
goodness, that would proffer your noble body to rescue me
undeserved, for I have greatly offended you. Notwithstanding,
said Sir Palomides, here met we with this noble
knight that worshipfully and manly rescued me from twelve
knights, and smote them down all and wounded them sore.



CHAPTER LXXXVI

How Sir Tristram and Launcelot, with Palomides, came to
joyous Gard; and of Palomides and Sir Tristram.

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