Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




Then at the last spake Sir Launcelot and said: Knight,
thou fightest wonderly well as ever I saw knight, therefore,
an it please you, tell me your name. Sir, said Sir Tristram,
that is me loath to tell any man my name. Truly,
said Sir Launcelot, an I were required I was never loath
to tell my name. It is well said, said Sir Tristram, then I
require you to tell me your name? Fair knight, he said,
my name is Sir Launcelot du Lake. Alas, said Sir Tristram,
what have I done! for ye are the man in the world
that I love best. Fair knight, said Sir Launcelot, tell me
your name? Truly, said he, my name is Sir Tristram de
Liones. O Jesu, said Sir Launcelot, what adventure is
befallen me! And therewith Sir Launcelot kneeled down
and yielded him up his sword. And therewith Sir Tristram
kneeled adown, and yielded him up his sword. And
so either gave other the degree. And then they both
forthwithal went to the stone, and set them down upon it,
and took off their helms to cool them, and either kissed
other an hundred times. And then anon after they took
off their helms and rode to Camelot. And there they met
with Sir Gawaine and with Sir Gaheris that had made
promise to Arthur never to come again to the court till
they had brought Sir Tristram with them.



CHAPTER VI

How Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram to the court, and
of the great joy that the king and other made for the
coming of Sir Tristram.


RETURN again, said Sir Launcelot, for your quest is done,
for I have met with Sir Tristram: lo, here is his own
person! Then was Sir Gawaine glad, and said to Sir
Tristram: Ye are welcome, for now have ye eased me
greatly of my labour. For what cause, said Sir Gawaine,
came ye into this court? Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, I
came into this country because of Sir Palomides; for he
and I had assigned at this day to have done battle together
at the peron, and I marvel I hear not of him. And thus
by adventure my lord, Sir Launcelot, and I met together.
With this came King Arthur, and when he wist that there
was Sir Tristram, then he ran unto him and took him by
the hand and said: Sir Tristram, ye are as welcome as any
knight that ever came to this court. And when the king
had heard how Sir Launcelot and he had foughten, and
either had wounded other wonderly sore, then the king
made great dole. Then Sir Tristram told the king how
he came thither for to have had ado with Sir Palomides.
And then he told the king how he had rescued him from
the nine knights and Breuse Saunce Pit; and how he
found a knight lying by a well, and that knight smote
down Sir Palomides and me, but his shield was covered
with a cloth. So Sir Palomides left me, and I followed
after that knight; and in many places I found where he
had slain knights, and forjousted many. By my head,
said Sir Gawaine, that same knight smote me down and
Sir Bleoberis, and hurt us sore both, he with the covered
shield. Ah, said Sir Kay, that knight smote me adown
and hurt me passing sore, and fain would I have known
him, but I might not. Jesu, mercy, said Arthur, what
knight was that with the covered shield? I know not,
said Sir Tristram; and so said they all. Now, said King
Arthur, then wot I, for it is Sir Launcelot. Then they
all looked upon Sir Launcelot and said: Ye have beguiled
us with your covered shield. It is not the first time, said
Arthur, he hath done so. My lord, said Sir Launcelot,
truly wit ye well I was the same knight that bare the
covered shield; and because I would not be known that I
was of your court I said no worship of your house. That
is truth, said Sir Gawaine, Sir Kay, and Sir Bleoberis.

Then King Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand and
went to the Table Round. Then came Queen Guenever
and many ladies with her, and all the ladies said at one
voice: Welcome, Sir Tristram! Welcome, said the
damosels. Welcome, said knights. Welcome, said
Arthur, for one of the best knights, and the gentlest of
the world, and the man of most worship; for of all
manner of hunting thou bearest the prize, and of all
measures of blowing thou art the beginning, and of all the
terms of hunting and hawking ye are the beginner, of all
instruments of music ye are the best; therefore, gentle
knight, said Arthur, ye are welcome to this court. And
also, I pray you, said Arthur, grant me a boon. It shall
be at your commandment, said Tristram. Well, said
Arthur, I will desire of you that ye will abide in my court.
Sir, said Sir Tristram, thereto is me loath, for I have ado
in many countries. Not so, said Arthur, ye have promised
it me, ye may not say nay. Sir, said Sir Tristram, I will
as ye will. Then went Arthur unto the sieges about the
Round Table, and looked in every siege the which were
void that lacked knights. And then the king saw in the
siege of Marhaus letters that said: This is the siege of the
noble knight, Sir Tristram. And then Arthur made Sir
Tristram Knight of the Table Round, with great nobley
and great feast as might be thought. For Sir Marhaus
was slain afore by the hands of Sir Tristram in an island;
and that was well known at that time in the court of
Arthur, for this Marhaus was a worthy knight. And for
evil deeds that he did unto the country of Cornwall Sir
Tristram and he fought. And they fought so long,
tracing and traversing, till they fell bleeding to the earth;
for they were so sore wounded that they might not stand
for bleeding. And Sir Tristram by fortune recovered, and
Sir Marhaus died through the stroke on the head. So
leave we of Sir Tristram and speak we of King Mark.



CHAPTER VII

How for the despite of Sir Tristram King Mark came with
two knights into England, and how he slew one of the
knights.


THEN King Mark had great despite of the renown of Sir
Tristram, and then he chased him out of Cornwall: yet
was he nephew unto King Mark, but he had great suspicion
unto Sir Tristram because of his queen, La Beale Isoud;
for him seemed that there was too much love between
them both. So when Sir Tristram departed out of Cornwall
into England King Mark heard of the great prowess that
Sir Tristram did there, the which grieved him sore. So
he sent on his part men to espy what deeds he did. And
the queen sent privily on her part spies to know what
deeds he had done, for great love was between them twain.
So when the messengers were come home they told the
truth as they had heard, that he passed all other knights
but if it were Sir Launcelot. Then King Mark was right
heavy of these tidings, and as glad was La Beale Isoud.
Then in great despite he took with him two good knights
and two squires, and disguised himself, and took his way
into England, to the intent for to slay Sir Tristram.
And one of these two knights hight Bersules, and the
other knight was called Amant. So as they rode King
Mark asked a knight that he met, where he should find
King Arthur. He said: At Camelot. Also he asked that
knight after Sir Tristram, whether he heard of him in the
court of King Arthur. Wit you well, said that knight,
ye shall find Sir Tristram there for a man of as great
worship as is now living; for through his prowess he won
the tournament of the Castle of Maidens that standeth by
the Hard Rock. And sithen he hath won with his own
hands thirty knights that were men of great honour.
And the last battle that ever he did he fought with Sir
Launcelot; and that was a marvellous battle. And not
by force Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram to the court,
and of him King Arthur made passing great joy, and so
made him Knight of the Table Round; and his seat was
where the good knight's, Sir Marhaus, seat was. Then
was King Mark passing sorry when he heard of the honour
of Sir Tristram; and so they departed.

Then said King Mark unto his two knights: Now
will I tell you my counsel: ye are the men that I trust
most to alive, and I will that ye wit my coming hither is
to this intent, for to destroy Sir Tristram by wiles or by
treason; and it shall be hard if ever he escape our hands.
Alas, said Sir Bersules, what mean you? for ye be set in
such a way ye are disposed shamefully; for Sir Tristram
is the knight of most worship that we know living, and
therefore I warn you plainly I will never consent to do
him to the death; and therefore I will yield my service,
and forsake you. When King Mark heard him say so,
suddenly he drew his sword and said: Ah, traitor; and
smote Sir Bersules on the head, that the sword went to
his teeth. When Amant, the knight, saw him do that
villainous deed, and his squires, they said it was foul done,
and mischievously: Wherefore we will do thee no more
service, and wit ye well, we will appeach thee of treason
afore Arthur. Then was King Mark wonderly wroth
and would have slain Amant; but he and the two squires
held them together, and set nought by his malice. When
King Mark saw he might not be revenged on them, he
said thus unto the knight, Amant: Wit thou well, an
thou appeach me of treason I shall thereof defend me
afore King Arthur; but I require thee that thou tell not
my name, that I am King Mark, whatsomever come of
me. As for that, said Sir Amant, I will not discover your
name; and so they departed, and Amant and his fellows
took the body of Bersules and buried it.



CHAPTER VIII

How King Mark came to a fountain where he found Sir
Lamorak complaining for the love of King Lot's wife.


THEN King Mark rode till he came to a fountain, and
there he rested him, and stood in a doubt whether he
would ride to Arthur's court or none, or return again to
his country. And as he thus rested him by that fountain
there came by him a knight well armed on horseback;
and he alighted, and tied his horse until a tree, and set
him down by the brink of the fountain; and there he
made great languor and dole, and made the dolefullest
complaint of love that ever man heard; and all this while
was he not ware of King Mark. And this was a great
part of his complaint: he cried and wept, saying: O fair
Queen of Orkney, King Lot's wife, and mother of Sir
Gawaine, and to Sir Gaheris, and mother to many other,
for thy love I am in great pains. Then King Mark arose
and went near him and said: Fair knight, ye have made
a piteous complaint. Truly, said the knight, it is an
hundred part more ruefuller than my heart can utter. I
require you, said King Mark, tell me your name. Sir,
said he, as for my name I will not hide it from no knight
that beareth a shield, and my name is Sir Lamorak de
Galis. But when Sir Lamorak heard King Mark speak,
then wist he well by his speech that he was a Cornish
knight. Sir, said Sir Lamorak, I understand by your
tongue ye be of Cornwall, wherein there dwelleth the
shamefullest king that is now living, for he is a great
enemy to all good knights; and that proveth well, for he
hath chased out of that country Sir Tristram, that is the
worshipfullest knight that now is living, and all knights
speak of him worship; and for jealousness of his queen
he hath chased him out of his country. It is pity, said
Sir Lamorak, that ever any such false knight-coward as
King Mark is, should be matched with such a fair lady
and good as La Beale Isoud is, for all the world of him
speaketh shame, and of her worship that any queen may
have. I have not ado in this matter, said King Mark,
neither nought will I speak thereof. Well said, said Sir
Lamorak. Sir, can ye tell me any tidings? I can tell
you, said Sir Lamorak, that there shall be a great
tournament in haste beside Camelot, at the Castle of Jagent;
and the King with the Hundred Knights and the King of
Ireland, as I suppose, make that tournament.

Then there came a knight that was called Sir Dinadan,
and saluted them both. And when he wist that King
Mark was a knight of Cornwall he reproved him for the
love of King Mark a thousand fold more than did Sir
Lamorak. Then he proffered to joust with King Mark.
And he was full loath thereto, but Sir Dinadan edged him
so, that he jousted with Sir Lamorak. And Sir Lamorak
smote King Mark so sore that he bare him on his spear
end over his horse's tail. And then King Mark arose
again, and followed after Sir Lamorak. But Sir Dinadan
would not joust with Sir Lamorak, but he told King Mark
that Sir Lamorak was Sir Kay, the Seneschal. That is
not so, said King Mark, for he is much bigger than Sir
Kay; and so he followed and overtook him, and bade
him abide. What will you do? said Sir Lamorak. Sir,
he said, I will fight with a sword, for ye have shamed me
with a spear; and therewith they dashed together with
swords, and Sir Lamorak suffered him and forbare him.
And King Mark was passing hasty, and smote thick
strokes. Sir Lamorak saw he would not stint, and waxed
somewhat wroth, and doubled his strokes, for he was one
of the noblest knights of the world; and he beat him so
on the helm that his head hung nigh on the saddle bow.
When Sir Lamorak saw him fare so, he said: Sir knight,
what cheer? meseemeth you have nigh your fill of fighting,
it were pity to do you any more harm, for ye are but a
mean knight, therefore I give you leave to go where ye
list. Gramercy, said King Mark, for ye and I be not
matches.

Then Sir Dinadan mocked King Mark and said:
Ye are not able to match a good knight. As for that,
said King Mark, at the first time I jousted with this
knight ye refused him. Think ye that it is a shame to
me? said Sir Dinadan: nay, sir, it is ever worship to a
knight to refuse that thing that he may not attain, there
fore your worship had been much more to have refused
him as I did; for I warn you plainly he is able to beat
such five as ye and I be; for ye knights of Cornwall are
no men of worship as other knights are. And because ye
are no men of worship ye hate all men of worship, for
never was bred in your country such a knight as is Sir
Tristram.



CHAPTER IX

How King Mark, Sir Lamorak, and Sir Dinadan came to
a castle, and how King Mark was known there.


THEN they rode forth all together, King Mark, Sir
Lamorak, and Sir Dinadan, till that they came to a
bridge, and at the end thereof stood a fair tower. Then
saw they a knight on horseback well armed, brandishing
a spear, crying and proffering himself to joust. Now,
said Sir Dinadan unto King Mark, yonder are two
brethren, that one hight Alein, and the other hight
Trian, that will joust with any that passeth this passage.
Now proffer yourself, said Dinadan to King Mark, for
ever ye be laid to the earth. Then King Mark was
ashamed, and therewith he feutred his spear, and hurtled
to Sir Trian, and either brake their spears all to pieces,
and passed through anon. Then Sir Trian sent King
Mark another spear to joust more; but in no wise he
would not joust no more. Then they came to the castle
all three knights, and prayed the lord of the castle of
harbour. Ye are right welcome, said the knights of the
castle, for the love of the lord of this castle, the which
hight Sir Tor le Fise Aries. And then they came into a
fair court well repaired, and they had passing good cheer,
till the lieutenant of this castle, that hight Berluse, espied
King Mark of Cornwall. Then said Berluse: Sir knight,
I know you better than you ween, for ye are King Mark
that slew my father afore mine own eyen; and me had
ye slain had I not escaped into a wood; but wit ye well,
for the love of my lord of this castle I will neither hurt
you nor harm you, nor none of your fellowship. But
wit ye well, when ye are past this lodging I shall hurt
you an I may, for ye slew my father traitorly. But first
for the love of my lord, Sir Tor, and for the love of Sir
Lamorak, the honourable knight that here is lodged, ye
shall have none ill lodging; for it is pity that ever ye
should be in the company of good knights; for ye are
the most villainous knight or king that is now known
alive, for ye are a destroyer of good knights, and all
that ye do is but treason.



CHAPTER X

How Sir Berluse met with King Mark, and how
Sir Dinadan took his part.


THEN was King Mark sore ashamed, and said but little
again. But when Sir Lamorak and Sir Dinadan wist that
he was King Mark they were sorry of his fellowship.
So after supper they went to lodging. So on the morn
they arose early, and King Mark and Sir Dinadan rode
together; and three mile from their lodging there met
with them three knights, and Sir Berluse was one, and
that other his two cousins. Sir Berluse saw King Mark,
and then he cried on high: Traitor, keep thee from me
for wit thou well that I am Berluse. Sir knight, said Sir
Dinadan, I counsel you to leave off at this time, for he is
riding to King Arthur; and because I have promised to
conduct him to my lord King Arthur needs must I take
a part with him; howbeit I love not his condition, and
fain I would be from him. Well, Dinadan, said Sir
Berluse, me repenteth that ye will take part with him,
but now do your best. And then he hurtled to King
Mark, and smote him sore upon the shield, that he bare
him clean out of his saddle to the earth. That saw Sir
Dinadan, and he feutred his spear, and ran to one of
Berluse's fellows, and smote him down off his saddle.
Then Dinadan turned his horse, and smote the third
knight in the same wise to the earth, for Sir Dinadan
was a good knight on horseback; and there began a great
battle, for Berluse and his fellows held them together
strongly on foot. And so through the great force of Sir
Dinadan King Mark had Berluse to the earth, and his
two fellows fled; and had not been Sir Dinadan King
Mark would have slain him. And so Sir Dinadan
rescued him of his life, for King Mark was but a
murderer. And then they took their horses and departed
and left Sir Berluse there sore wounded.

Then King Mark and Sir Dinadan rode forth a four
leagues English, till that they came to a bridge where
hoved a knight on horseback, armed and ready to joust.
Lo, said Sir Dinadan unto King Mark, yonder hoveth a
knight that will joust, for there shall none pass this
bridge but he must joust with that knight. It is well,
said King Mark, for this jousts falleth with thee. Sir
Dinadan knew the knight well that he was a noble knight,
and fain he would have jousted, but he had had liefer
King Mark had jousted with him, but by no mean King
Mark would not joust. Then Sir Dinadan might not
refuse him in no manner. And then either dressed their
spears and their shields, and smote together, so that
through fine force Sir Dinadan was smitten to the earth;
and lightly he rose up and gat his horse, and required
that knight to do battle with swords. And he answered
and said: Fair knight, as at this time I may not have ado
with you no more, for the custom of this passage is such.
Then was Sir Dinadan passing wroth that he might not be
revenged of that knight; and so he departed, and in no
wise would that knight tell his name. But ever Sir
Dinadan thought he should know him by his shield that
it should be Sir Tor.



CHAPTER XI

How King Mark mocked Sir Dinadan, and how they met
with six knights of the Round Table.


So as they rode by the way King Mark then began to
mock Sir Dinadan, and said: I weened you knights of
the Table Round might not in no wise find their matches.
Ye say well, said Sir Dinadan; as for you, on my life I
call you none of the best knights; but sith ye have such
a despite at me I require you to joust with me to prove
my strength. Not so, said King Mark, for I will not
have ado with you in no manner; but I require you of
one thing, that when ye come to Arthur's court discover
not my name, for I am there so hated. It is shame to
you, said Sir Dinadan, that ye govern you so shamefully;
for I see by you ye are full of cowardice, and ye are a
murderer, and that is the greatest shame that a knight
may have; for never a knight being a murderer hath
worship, nor never shall have; for I saw but late through
my force ye would have slain Sir Berluse, a better knight
than ye, or ever ye shall be, and more of prowess. Thus
they rode forth talking till they came to a fair place,
where stood a knight, and prayed them to take their
lodging with him. So at the request of that knight they
reposed them there, and made them well at ease, and had
great cheer. For all errant-knights were welcome to him,
and specially all those of Arthur's court. Then Sir
Dinadan demanded his host what was the knight's name
that kept the bridge. For what cause ask you it? said
the host. For it is not long ago, said Sir Dinadan, sithen
he gave me a fall. Ah, fair knight, said his host, thereof
have ye no marvel, for he is a passing good knight, and
his name is Sir Tor, the son of Aries le Vaysher. Ah,
said Sir Dinadan, was that Sir Tor? for truly so ever me
thought.

Right as they stood thus talking together they saw
come riding to them over a plain six knights of the court
of King Arthur, well armed at all points. And there by
their shields Sir Dinadan knew them well. The first was
the good knight Sir Uwaine, the son of King Uriens, the
second was the noble knight Sir Brandiles, the third was
Ozana le Cure Hardy, the fourth was Uwaine les Aventurous,
the fifth was Sir Agravaine, the sixth Sir Mordred,
brother to Sir Gawaine. When Sir Dinadan had seen
these six knights he thought in himself he would bring
King Mark by some wile to joust with one of them. And
anon they took their horses and ran after these knights
well a three mile English. Then was King Mark ware
where they sat all six about a well, and ate and drank such
meats as they had, and their horses walking and some tied,
and their shields hung in divers places about them. Lo,
said Sir Dinadan, yonder are knights-errant that will joust
with us. God forbid, said King Mark, for they be six
and we but two. As for that, said Sir Dinadan, let us
not spare, for I will assay the foremost; and therewith he
made him ready. When King Mark saw him do so, as
fast as Sir Dinadan rode toward them, King Mark rode
froward them with all his menial meiny. So when Sir
Dinadan saw King Mark was gone, he set the spear out of
the rest, and threw his shield upon his back, and came,
riding to the fellowship of the Table Round. And anon
Sir Uwaine knew Sir Dinadan, and welcomed him, and so
did all his fellowship.



CHAPTER XII

How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet to joust with King
Mark, and how King Mark refused him.


AND then they asked him of his adventures, and whether
he had seen Sir Tristram or Sir Launcelot. So God me
help, said Sir Dinadan, I saw none of them sithen I
departed from Camelot. What knight is that, said Sir
Brandiles, that so suddenly departed from you, and rode
over yonder field? Sir, said he, it was a knight of
Cornwall, and the most horrible coward that ever bestrode
horse. What is his name? said all these knights. I wot
not, said Sir Dinadan. So when they had reposed them,
and spoken together, they took their horses and rode to a
castle where dwelt an old knight that made all knights-errant
good cheer. Then in the meanwhile that they were
talking came into the castle Sir Griflet le Fise de Dieu,
and there was he welcome; and they all asked him whether
he had seen Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram. Sirs, he
answered, I saw him not sithen he departed from Camelot.
So as Sir Dinadan walked and beheld the castle, thereby in
a chamber he espied King Mark, and then he rebuked
him, and asked him why he departed so. Sir, said he, for
I durst not abide because they were so many. But how
escaped ye? said King Mark. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, they
were better friends than I weened they had been. Who
is captain of that fellowship? said the king. Then for to
fear him Sir Dinadan said that it was Sir Launcelot. O
Jesu, said the king, might I know Sir Launcelot by his
shield? Yea, said Dinadan, for he beareth a shield of
silver and black bends. All this he said to fear the king,
for Sir Launcelot was not in his fellowship. Now I pray
you, said King Mark, that ye will ride in my fellowship.
That is me loath to do, said Sir Dinadan, because ye forsook
my fellowship.

Right so Sir Dinadan went from King Mark, and went
to his own fellowship; and so they mounted upon their
horses, and rode on their ways, and talked of the Cornish
knight, for Dinadan told them that he was in the castle
where they were lodged. It is well said, said Sir Griflet,
for here have I brought Sir Dagonet, King Arthur's fool,
that is the best fellow and the merriest in the world. Will
ye do well? said Sir Dinadan: I have told the Cornish
knight that here is Sir Launcelot, and the Cornish knight
asked me what shield he bare. Truly, I told him that he
bare the same shield that Sir Mordred beareth. Will ye
do well? said Sir Mordred; I am hurt and may not well
bear my shield nor harness, and therefore put my shield
and my harness upon Sir Dagonet, and let him set upon
the Cornish knight. That shall be done, said Sir Dagonet,
by my faith. Then anon was Dagonet armed him in
Mordred's harness and his shield, and he was set on a
great horse, and a spear in his hand. Now, said Dagonet,
shew me the knight, and I trow I shall bear him down.
So all these knights rode to a woodside, and abode till
King Mark came by the way. Then they put forth Sir
Dagonet, and he came on all the while his horse might
run, straight upon King Mark. And when he came nigh
King Mark, he cried as he were wood, and said: Keep
thee, knight of Cornwall, for I will slay thee. Anon, as
King Mark beheld his shield, he said to himself: Yonder
is Sir Launcelot; alas, now am I destroyed; and therewithal
he made his horse to run as fast as it might through
thick and thin. And ever Sir Dagonet followed after King
Mark, crying and rating him as a wood man, through a
great forest. When Sir Uwaine and Sir Brandiles saw
Dagonet so chase King Mark, they laughed all as they
were wood. And then they took their horses, and rode
after to see how Sir Dagonet sped, for they would not for
no good that Sir Dagonet were shent, for King Arthur
loved him passing well, and made him knight with his own
hands. And at every tournament he began to make King
Arthur to laugh. Then the knights rode here and there,
crying and chasing after King Mark, that all the forest
rang of the noise.

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