Book: Le Morte Darthur

T >> Thomas Malory >> Le Morte Darthur




Then came King Mark unto Sir Tristram and said:
Fair nephew, I am sorry of your hurts. Gramercy my
lord, said Sir Tristram. Then King Mark made Sir
Tristram to be put in an horse bier in great sign of love,
and said: Fair cousin, I shall be your leech myself. And
so he rode forth with Sir Tristram, and brought him to
a castle by daylight. And then King Mark made Sir
Tristram to eat. And then after he gave him a drink, the
which as soon as he had drunk he fell asleep. And when
it was night he made him to be carried to another castle,
and there he put him in a strong prison, and there he
ordained a man and a woman to give him his meat and
drink. So there he was a great while.

Then was Sir Tristram missed, and no creature wist
where he was become. When La Beale Isoud heard how
he was missed, privily she went unto Sir Sadok, and prayed
him to espy where was Sir Tristram. Then when Sadok
wist how Sir Tristram was missed, and anon espied that
he was put in prison by King Mark and the traitors of
Magouns, then Sadok and two of his cousins laid them in
an ambushment, fast by the Castle of Tintagil, in arms.
And as by fortune, there came riding King Mark and four
of his nephews, and a certain of the traitors of Magouns.
When Sir Sadok espied them he brake out of the bushment,
and set there upon them. And when King Mark
espied Sir Sadok he fled as fast as he might, and there Sir
Sadok slew all the four nephews unto King Mark. But
these traitors of Magouns slew one of Sadok's cousins with
a great wound in the neck, but Sadok smote the other to
the death. Then Sir Sadok rode upon his way unto a
castle that was called Liones, and there he espied of the
treason and felony of King Mark. So they of that castle
rode with Sir Sadok till that they came to a castle that
hight Arbray, and there in the town they found Sir Dinas
the Seneschal, that was a good knight. But when Sir
Sadok had told Sir Dinas of all the treason of King Mark
he defied such a king, and said he would give up his lands
that he held of him. And when he said these words all
manner knights said as Sir Dinas said. Then by his advice
and of Sir Sadok's, he let stuff all the towns and castles
within the country of Liones, and assembled all the people
that they might make.



CHAPTER LI

How King Mark let do counterfeit letters from the Pope, and
how Sir Percivale delivered Sir Tristram out of prison.


NOW turn we unto King Mark, that when he was escaped
from Sir Sadok he rode unto the Castle of Tintagil, and
there he made great cry and noise, and cried unto harness
all that might bear arms. Then they sought and found
where were dead four cousins of King Mark's, and the
traitor of Magouns. Then the king let inter them in a
chapel. Then the king let cry in all the country that held
of him, to go unto arms, for he understood to the war he
must needs. When King Mark heard and understood
how Sir Sadok and Sir Dinas were arisen in the country of
Liones he remembered of wiles and treason. Lo thus he
did: he let make and counterfeit letters from the Pope,
and did make a strange clerk to bear them unto King
Mark; the which letters specified that King Mark should
make him ready, upon pain of cursing, with his host to
come to the Pope, to help to go to Jerusalem, for to make
war upon the Saracens.

When this clerk was come by the mean of the king,
anon withal King Mark sent these letters unto Sir Tristram
and bade him say thus: that an he would go war upon
the miscreants, he should be had out of prison, and to
have all his power. When Sir Tristram understood this
letter, then he said thus to the clerk: Ah, King Mark,
ever hast thou been a traitor, and ever will be; but, Clerk,
said Sir Tristram, say thou thus unto King Mark: Since
the Apostle Pope hath sent for him, bid him go thither
himself; for tell him, traitor king as he is, I will not go
at his commandment, get I out of prison as I may, for
I see I am well rewarded for my true service. Then the
clerk returned unto King Mark, and told him of the
answer of Sir Tristram. Well, said King Mark, yet shall
he be beguiled. So he went into his chamber, and counterfeit
letters; and the letters specified that the Pope desired
Sir Tristram to come himself, to make war upon the
miscreants. When the clerk was come again to Sir
Tristram and took him these letters, then Sir Tristram
beheld these letters, and anon espied they were of King
Mark's counterfeiting. Ah, said Sir Tristram, false hast
thou been ever, King Mark, and so wilt thou end. Then
the clerk departed from Sir Tristram and came to King
Mark again.

By then there were come four wounded knights within
the Castle of Tintagil, and one of them his neck was nigh
broken in twain. Another had his arm stricken away, the
third was borne through with a spear, the fourth had his
teeth stricken in twain. And when they came afore King
Mark they cried and said: King, why fleest thou not, for
all this country is arisen clearly against thee? Then was
King Mark wroth out of measure.

And in the meanwhile there came into the country Sir
Percivale de Galis to seek Sir Tristram. And when he
heard that Sir Tristram was in prison, Sir Percivale made
clearly the deliverance of Sir Tristram by his knightly
means. And when he was so delivered he made great joy
of Sir Percivale, and so each one of other. Sir Tristram
said unto Sir Percivale: An ye will abide in these marches
I will ride with you. Nay, said Percivale, in this country
I may not tarry, for I must needs into Wales. So Sir
Percivale departed from Sir Tristram, and rode straight
unto King Mark, and told him how he had delivered Sir
Tristram; and also he told the king that he had done
himself great shame for to put Sir Tristram in prison, for
he is now the knight of most renown in this world living.
And wit thou well the noblest knights of the world love
Sir Tristram, and if he will make war upon you ye may
not abide it. That is truth, said King Mark, but I may
not love Sir Tristram because he loveth my queen and my
wife, La Beale Isoud. Ah, fie for shame, said Sir Percivale,
say ye never so more. Are ye not uncle unto Sir
Tristram, and he your nephew? Ye should never think
that so noble a knight as Sir Tristram is, that he would do
himself so great a villainy to hold his uncle's wife;
howbeit, said Sir Percivale, he may love your queen sinless,
because she is called one of the fairest ladies of the
world.

Then Sir Percivale departed from King Mark. So
when he was departed King Mark bethought him of more
treason: notwithstanding King Mark granted Sir Percivale
never by no manner of means to hurt Sir Tristram. So
anon King Mark sent unto Sir Dinas the Seneschal that he
should put down all the people that he had raised, for he
sent him an oath that he would go himself unto the Pope
of Rome to war upon the miscreants; and this is a fairer
war than thus to arise the people against your king.
When Sir Dinas understood that King Mark would go
upon the miscreants, then Sir Dinas in all the haste put
down all the people; and when the people were departed
every man to his home, then King Mark espied where
was Sir Tristram with La Beale Isoud; and there by
treason King Mark let take him and put him in prison,
contrary to his promise that he made unto Sir Percivale.

When Queen Isoud understood that Sir Tristram was
in prison she made as great sorrow as ever made lady or
gentlewoman. Then Sir Tristram sent a letter unto La
Beale Isoud, and prayed her to be his good lady; and if it
pleased her to make a vessel ready for her and him, he
would go with her unto the realm of Logris, that is this
land. When La Beale Isoud understood Sir Tristram's
letters and his intent, she sent him another, and bade him
be of good comfort, for she would do make the vessel
ready, and all thing to purpose.

Then La Beale Isoud sent unto Sir Dinas, and to
Sadok, and prayed them in anywise to take King Mark,
and put him in prison, unto the time that she and Sir
Tristram were departed unto the realm of Logris. When
Sir Dinas the Seneschal understood the treason of King
Mark he promised her again, and sent her word that King
Mark should be put in prison. And as they devised it so
it was done. And then Sir Tristram was delivered out of
prison; and anon in all the haste Queen Isoud and Sir
Tristram went and took their counsel with that they would
have with them when they departed.



CHAPTER LII

How Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud came unto England,
and how Sir Launcelot brought them to Joyous Gard.


THEN La Beale Isoud and Sir Tristram took their vessel,
and came by water into this land. And so they were not
in this land four days but there came a cry of a jousts
and tournament that King Arthur let make. When Sir
Tristram heard tell of that tournament he disguised himself,
and La Beale Isoud, and rode unto that tournament.
And when he came there he saw many knights joust and
tourney; and so Sir Tristram dressed him to the range,
and to make short conclusion, he overthrew fourteen
knights of the Round Table. When Sir Launcelot saw
these knights thus overthrown, Sir Launcelot dressed him
to Sir Tristram. That saw La Beale Isoud how Sir
Launcelot was come into the field. Then La Beale Isoud
sent unto Sir Launcelot a ring, and bade him wit that it
was Sir Tristram de Liones. When Sir Launcelot under
stood that there was Sir Tristram he was full glad, and
would not joust. Then Sir Launcelot espied whither Sir
Tristram yede, and after him he rode; and then either
made of other great joy. And so Sir Launcelot brought
Sir Tristram and La Beale Isoud unto Joyous Gard, that
was his own castle, that he had won with his own hands.
And there Sir Launcelot put them in to wield for their
own. And wit ye well that castle was garnished and
furnished for a king and a queen royal there to have
sojourned. And Sir Launcelot charged all his people to
honour them and love them as they would do himself.

So Sir Launcelot departed unto King Arthur; and
then he told Queen Guenever how he that jousted so well
at the last tournament was Sir Tristram. And there he
told her how he had with him La Beale Isoud maugre
King Mark, and so Queen Guenever told all this unto
King Arthur. When King Arthur wist that Sir Tristram
was escaped and come from King Mark, and had brought
La Beale Isoud with him, then was he passing glad. So
because of Sir Tristram King Arthur let make a cry,
that on May Day should be a jousts before the castle of
Lonazep; and that castle was fast by Joyous Gard. And
thus Arthur devised, that all the knights of this land, and
of Cornwall, and of North Wales, should joust against
all these countries, Ireland, Scotland, and the remnant
of Wales, and the country of Gore, and Surluse, and of
Listinoise, and they of Northumberland, and all they that
held lands of Arthur on this half the sea. When this cry
was made many knights were glad and many were unglad.
Sir, said Launcelot unto Arthur, by this cry that ye have
made ye will put us that be about you in great jeopardy,
for there be many knights that have great envy to us;
therefore when we shall meet at the day of jousts there
will be hard shift among us. As for that, said Arthur,
I care not; there shall we prove who shall be best of
his hands. So when Sir Launcelot understood wherefore
King Arthur made this jousting, then he made such
purveyance that La Beale Isoud should behold the jousts
in a secret place that was honest for her estate.

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram and to La Beale Isoud,
how they made great joy daily together with all manner
of mirths that they could devise; and every day Sir
Tristram would go ride a-hunting, for Sir Tristram was
that time called the best chaser of the world, and the
noblest blower of an horn of all manner of measures; for
as books report, of Sir Tristram came all the good terms
of venery and hunting, and all the sizes and measures of
blowing of an horn; and of him we had first all the terms
of hawking, and which were beasts of chase and beasts of
venery, and which were vermins, and all the blasts that
long to all manner of games. First to the uncoupling, to
the seeking, to the rechate, to the flight, to the death, and
to strake, and many other blasts and terms, that all manner
of gentlemen have cause to the world's end to praise Sir
Tristram, and to pray for his soul.



CHAPTER LIII

How by the counsel of La Beale Isoud Sir Tristram rode
armed, and how he met with Sir Palomides.


SO on a day La Beale Isoud said unto Sir Tristram: I
marvel me much, said she, that ye remember not yourself,
how ye be here in a strange country, and here be many
perilous knights; and well ye wot that King Mark is full
of treason; and that ye will ride thus to chase and to hunt
unarmed ye might be destroyed. My fair lady and my
love, I cry you mercy, I will no more do so. So then Sir
Tristram rode daily a-hunting armed, and his men bearing
his shield and his spear. So on a day a little afore the
month of May, Sir Tristram chased an hart passing
eagerly, and so the hart passed by a fair well. And then
Sir Tristram alighted and put off his helm to drink of that
bubbly water. Right so he heard and saw the Questing
Beast come to the well. When Sir Tristram saw that
beast he put on his helm, for he deemed he should hear of
Sir Palomides, for that beast was his quest. Right so Sir
Tristram saw where came a knight armed, upon a noble
courser, and he saluted him, and they spake of many
things; and this knight's name was Breuse Saunce Pit.
And right so withal there came unto them the noble
knight Sir Palomides, and either saluted other, and spake
fair to other.

Fair knights, said Sir Palomides, I can tell you tidings.
What is that? said those knights. Sirs, wit ye well that
King Mark is put in prison by his own knights, and all
was for love of Sir Tristram; for King Mark had put Sir
Tristram twice in prison, and once Sir Percivale delivered
the noble knight Sir Tristram out of prison. And at the
last time Queen La Beale Isoud delivered him, and went
clearly away with him into this realm; and all this while
King Mark, the false traitor, is in prison. Is this truth?
said Palomides; then shall we hastily hear of Sir Tristram.
And as for to say that I love La Beale Isoud paramours,
I dare make good that I do, and that she hath my service
above all other ladies, and shall have the term of my life.

And right so as they stood talking they saw afore them
where came a knight all armed, on a great horse, and one
of his men bare his shield, and the other his spear. And
anon as that knight espied them he gat his shield and his
spear and dressed him to joust. Fair fellows, said Sir
Tristram, yonder is a knight will joust with us, let see
which of us shall encounter with him, for I see well he is
of the court of King Arthur. It shall not be long or he
be met withal, said Sir Palomides, for I found never no
knight in my quest of this glasting beast, but an he would
joust I never refused him. As well may I, said Breuse
Saunce Pit, follow that beast as ye. Then shall ye do
battle with me, said Palomides.

So Sir Palomides dressed him unto that other knight,
Sir Bleoberis, that was a full noble knight, nigh kin unto
Sir Launcelot. And so they met so hard that Sir Palomides
fell to the earth, horse and all. Then Sir Bleoberis
cried aloud and said thus: Make thee ready thou false
traitor knight, Breuse Saunce Pit, for wit thou certainly
I will have ado with thee to the utterance for the noble
knights and ladies that thou hast falsely betrayed. When
this false knight and traitor, Breuse Saunce Pit, heard
him say so, he took his horse by the bridle and fled his
way as fast as ever his horse might run, for sore he was of
him afeard. When Sir Bleoberis saw him flee he followed
fast after, through thick and through thin. And by
fortune as Sir Breuse fled, he saw even afore him three
knights of the Table Round, of the which the one hight
Sir Ector de Maris, the other hight Sir Percivale de Galis,
the third hight Sir Harry le Fise Lake, a good knight and
an hardy. And as for Sir Percivale, he was called that
time of his time one of the best knights of the world,
and the best assured. When Breuse saw these knights he
rode straight unto them, and cried unto them and prayed
them of rescues. What need have ye? said Sir Ector.
Ah, fair knights, said Sir Breuse, here followeth me the
most traitor knight, and most coward, and most of villainy;
his name is Breuse Saunce Pit, and if he may get me he
will slay me without mercy and pity. Abide with us, said
Sir Percivale, and we shall warrant you.

Then were they ware of Sir Bleoberis that came riding
all that he might. Then Sir Ector put himself forth to
joust afore them all. When Sir Bleoberis saw that they
were four knights and he but himself, he stood in a doubt
whether he would turn or hold his way. Then he said to
himself: I am a knight of the Table Round, and rather
than I should shame mine oath and my blood I will hold
my way whatsoever fall thereof. And then Sir Ector
dressed his spear, and smote either other passing sore, but
Sir Ector fell to the earth. That saw Sir Percivale, and
he dressed his horse toward him all that he might drive,
but Sir Percivale had such a stroke that horse and man fell
to the earth. When Sir Harry saw that they were both to
the earth then he said to himself: Never was Breuse of
such prowess. So Sir Harry dressed his horse, and they
met together so strongly that both the horses and knights
fell to the earth, but Sir Bleoberis' horse began to recover
again. That saw Breuse and he came hurtling, and smote
him over and over, and would have slain him as he lay on
the ground. Then Sir Harry le Fise Lake arose lightly,
and took the bridle of Sir Breuse's horse, and said:
Fie for shame! strike never a knight when he is at the
earth, for this knight may be called no shameful knight of
his deeds, for yet as men may see thereas he lieth on the
ground he hath done worshipfully, and put to the worse
passing good knights. Therefore will I not let, said Sir
Breuse. Thou shalt not choose, said Sir Harry, as at this
time. Then when Sir Breuse saw that he might not choose
nor have his will he spake fair. Then Sir Harry let him
go. And then anon he made his horse to run over Sir
Bleoberis, and rashed him to the earth like if he would
have slain him. When Sir Harry saw him do so villainously
he cried: Traitor knight, leave off for shame. And
as Sir Harry would have taken his horse to fight with Sir
Breuse, then Sir Breuse ran upon him as he was half upon
his horse, and smote him down, horse and man, to the
earth, and had near slain Sir Harry, the good knight.
That saw Sir Percivale, and then he cried: Traitor knight
what dost thou? And when Sir Percivale was upon his
horse Sir Breuse took his horse and fled all that ever he
might, and Sir Percivale and Sir Harry followed after him
fast, but ever the longer they chased the farther were they
behind.

Then they turned again and came to Sir Ector de Maris
and to Sir Bleoberis. Ah, fair knights, said Bleoberis, why
have ye succoured that false knight and traitor? Why
said Sir Harry, what knight is he? for well I wot it is a
false knight, said Sir Harry, and a coward and a felonious
knight. Sir, said Bleoberis, he is the most coward knight,
and a devourer of ladies and a destroyer of good knights
and especially of Arthur's. What is your name? said Sir
Ector. My name is Sir Bleoberis de Ganis. Alas, fair
cousin, said Ector, forgive it me, for I am Sir Ector de
Maris. Then Sir Percivale and Sir Harry made great joy
that they met with Bleoberis, but all they were heavy that
Sir Breuse was escaped them, whereof they made great dole.



CHAPTER LIV

Of Sir Palomides, and how he met with Sir Bleoberis
and with Sir Ector, and of Sir Pervivale.


RIGHT so as they stood thus there came Sir Palomides, and
when he saw the shield of Bleoberis lie on the earth, then
said Palomides: He that oweth that shield let him dress
him to me, for he smote me down here fast by at a fountain,
and therefore I will fight for him on foot. I am ready,
said Bleoberis, here to answer thee, for wit thou well, sir
knight, it was I, and my name is Bleoberis de Ganis.
Well art thou met, said Palomides, and wit thou well my
name is Palomides the Saracen; and either of them hated
other to the death. Sir Palomides, said Ector, wit thou
well there is neither thou nor none knight that beareth the
life that slayeth any of our blood but he shall die for it;
therefore an thou list to fight go seek Sir Launcelot or Sir
Tristram, and there shall ye find your match. With them
have I met, said Palomides, but I had never no worship of
them. Was there never no manner of knight, said Sir
Ector, but they that ever matched with you? Yes, said
Palomides, there was the third, a good knight as any of
them, and of his age he was the best that ever I found;
for an he might have lived till he had been an hardier man
there liveth no knight now such, and his name was Sir
Lamorak de Galis. And as he had jousted at a tournament
there he overthrew me and thirty knights more, and
there he won the degree. And at his departing there met
him Sir Gawaine and his brethren, and with great pain they
slew him feloniously, unto all good knights' great damage.
Anon as Sir Percivale heard that his brother was dead, Sir
Lamorak, he fell over his horse's mane swooning, and there
he made the greatest dole that ever made knight. And
when Sir Percivale arose he said: Alas, my good and noble
brother Sir Lamorak, now shall we never meet, and I trow
in all the wide world a man may not find such a knight as
he was of his age; and it is too much to suffer the death
of our father King Pellinore, and now the death of our
good brother Sir Lamorak.

Then in the meanwhile there came a varlet from the
court of King Arthur, and told them of the great tournament
that should be at Lonazep, and how these lands,
Cornwall and Northgalis, should be against all them that
would come.



CHAPTER LV

How Sir Tristram met with Sir Dinadan, and of their
devices, and what he said to Sir Gawaine's brethren.


NOW turn we unto Sir Tristram, that as he rode a-hunting
he met with Sir Dinadan, that was come into that
country to seek Sir Tristram. Then Sir Dinadan told Sir
Tristram his name, but Sir Tristram would not tell him
his name, wherefore Sir Dinadan was wroth. For such a
foolish knight as ye are, said Sir Dinadan, I saw but late
this day lying by a well, and he fared as he slept; and
there he lay like a fool grinning, and would not speak,
and his shield lay by him, and his horse stood by him; and
well I wot he was a lover. Ah, fair sir, said Sir Tristram
are ye not a lover? Mary, fie on that craft! said Sir
Dinadan. That is evil said, said Sir Tristram, for a knight
may never be of prowess but if he be a lover. It is well
said, said Sir Dinadan; now tell me your name, sith ye be
a lover, or else I shall do battle with you. As for that,
said Sir Tristram, it is no reason to fight with me but I
tell you my name; and as for that my name shall ye not
wit as at this time. Fie for shame, said Dinadan, art thou
a knight and durst not tell thy name to me? therefore I
will fight with thee. As for that, said Sir Tristram, I will
be advised, for I will not do battle but if me list. And if
I do battle, said Sir Tristram, ye are not able to withstand
me. Fie on thee, coward, said Sir Dinadan.

And thus as they hoved still, they saw a knight come
riding against them. Lo, said Sir Tristram, see where
cometh a knight riding, will joust with you. Anon, as
Sir Dinadan beheld him he said: That is the same doted
knight that I saw lie by the well, neither sleeping nor
waking. Well, said Sir Tristram, I know that knight well
with the covered shield of azure, he is the king's son
of Northumberland, his name is Epinegris; and he is as
great a lover as I know, and he loveth the king's daughter
of Wales, a full fair lady. And now I suppose, said Sir
Tristram, an ye require him he will joust with you, and
then shall ye prove whether a lover be a better knight, or
ye that will not love no lady. Well, said Dinadan, now
shalt thou see what I shall do. Therewithal Sir Dinadan
spake on high and said: Sir knight, make thee ready to
joust with me, for it is the custom of errant knights one
to joust with other. Sir, said Epinegris, is that the rule of
you errant knights for to make a knight to joust, will he
or nill? As for that, said Dinadan, make thee ready, for
here is for me. And therewithal they spurred their horses
and met together so hard that Epinegris smote down Sir
Dinadan. Then Sir Tristram rode to Sir Dinadan and
said: How now, meseemeth the lover hath well sped.
Fie on thee, coward, said Sir Dinadan, and if thou be a
good knight revenge me. Nay, said Sir Tristram, I will
not joust as at this time, but take your horse and let us
go hence. God defend me, said Sir Dinadan, from thy
fellowship, for I never sped well since I met with thee:
and so they departed. Well, said Sir Tristram, peradventure
I could tell you tidings of Sir Tristram. God defend
me, said Dinadan, from thy fellowship, for Sir Tristram
were mickle the worse an he were in thy company; and
then they departed. Sir, said Sir Tristram, yet it may
happen I shall meet with you in other places.

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