Le Morte Darthur: The Winchester Manuscript (Oxford World's Classics)

by Malory, Thomas

  [21]

  Then when Sir Tristram was in his pavilion, Gouvernail, his man, came and told him how that King Angwish of Ireland was come thither, and he was in great distress; and there he told him how he was summoned and appealed of murder.

  ‘So God me help,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘this is the best tidings that ever came to me these seven years, for now shall the King of Ireland have need of my help; for I dare say there is no knight in this country that is not in Arthur’s court dare do battle with Sir Blamor de Ganis. And for to win the love of the King of Ireland I will take the battle upon me; and therefore, Gouvernail, bear me this word, I charge thee, to the king.’

  Then Gouvernail went unto King Angwish of Ireland and saluted him full fair. So the king welcomed him and asked what he would.

  ‘Sir,’ he said, ‘here is a knight near hand that desireth to speak with you, for he bade me say that he would do you service.’

  ‘What knight is he?’ said the king.

  ‘Sir, it is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, that for the good grace ye showed him in your lands he will reward you in these countries.’

  ‘Come on, fellow,’ said the king, ‘with me anon, and bring me unto Sir Tristram.’

  So the king took a little hackney and but few fellowship with him, till that he came unto Sir Tristram’s pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw the king he ran unto him and would have held his stirrup; but the king leapt from his horse lightly, and either halsed* other in their arms.

  ‘My gracious lord,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘gramercy of your great goodnesses that ye showed unto me in your marches and lands. And at that time I promised you to do you service and ever it lay in my power.’

  ‘Ah, gentle knight,’ said the king unto Sir Tristram, ‘now have I great need of you—never had I so great need of no knight’s help.’

  ‘How so, my good lord?’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘I shall tell you,’ said the king. ‘I am summoned and appealed from my country for the death of a knight that was kin unto the good knight Sir Lancelot; wherefore Sir Blamor de Ganis and Sir Bleoberis his brother hath appealed me to fight with him or for to find a knight in my stead. And well I wot,’ said the king, ‘these that are come of King Ban’s blood, as Sir Lancelot and these others, are passing good hard knights, and hard men for to win in battle as any that I know now living.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for the good lordship ye showed unto me in Ireland, and for my lady your daughter’s sake, La Belle Isode, I will take the battle for you upon this condition, that ye shall grant me two things: one is that ye shall swear unto me that ye are in the right, and that ye were never consenting to the knight’s death. Sir, then,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘when I have done this battle, if God give me grace to speed, that ye shall give me a reward, what thing reasonable that I will ask you.’

  ‘So God me help,’ said the king, ‘ye shall have whatsoever ye will.’

  [22]

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘Now make your answer that your champion is ready, for I shall die in your quarrel rather than to be recreant.’

  ‘I have no doubt of you,’ said the king, ‘that and ye should have ado* with Sir Lancelot de Lake.’

  ‘As for Sir Lancelot, he is called the noblest of the world of knights, and wit you well that the knights of his blood are noble men, and dread shame; therefore upon my head it is no shame to call him a good knight.’

  ‘Sir, it is noised’, said the king, ‘that Sir Blamor is the hardier knight.’

  ‘As for that, let him be. He shall not be refused and he were the best knight that beareth shield or spear.’

  So King Angwish departed unto King Carados and the kings that were that time as judges, and told them how that he had found his champion ready. Then by the commandment of the kings Sir Blamor de Ganis and Sir Tristram de Lyonesse were sent for to hear their charge. And when they were come before the judges there were many kings and knights that beheld Sir Tristram, and much speech they had of him because he slew Sir Marhalt the good knight, and because he forjousted* Sir Palomides the good knight. So when they had taken their charge they withdrew them to make them ready to do battle.

  Then said Sir Bleoberis to his brother Sir Blamor, ‘Fair dear brother,’ said he, ‘remember of what kin we be come of, and what a man is Sir Lancelot du Lake, neither further nor nearer but brothers’ children; and there was never none of our kin that ever was shamed in battle. But rather, brother, suffer death than to be shamed.’

  ‘Brother,’ said Sir Blamor, ‘have ye no doubt of me, for I shall never shame none of my blood. How be I am sure that yonder knight is called a passing good knight as of his time as any in the world, yet shall I never yield me nor say the loath word.* Well may he happen to smite me down with his great might of chivalry, but rather shall he slay me than I shall yield me recreant.’

  ‘God speed you well,’ said Sir Bleoberis, ‘for ye shall find him the mightiest knight that ever ye had ado withal.’

  ‘God me speed!’ said Sir Blamor. And therewith he took his horse at the one end of the lists, and Sir Tristram at the other end of the lists, and so they fewtered their spears and came together as it had been thunder. And there Sir Tristram through great might smote down Sir Blamor and his horse to the earth. Then anon Sir Blamor avoided his horse and pulled out his sword and took his shield before him, and bade Sir Tristram alight, ‘For though my horse hath failed, I trust to God the earth will not fail me.’

  And then Sir Tristram alit and dressed him unto battle; and there they lashed together strongly, razing, foining, and dashing many sad strokes,* that the kings and knights had great wonder that they might stand, for ever they fought like wood men. There was never seen of two knights that fought more fiercely, for Sir Blamor was so hasty he would have no rest, that all men wondered that they had breath to stand on their feet, that all the place was bloody that they fought in. And at the last Sir Tristram smote Sir Blamor such a buffet upon the helm that he there sank down upon his side, and Sir Tristram stood still and beheld him.

  [23]

  So when Sir Blamor might speak, he said thus: ‘Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, I require thee, as thou art a noble knight and the best knight that ever I found, that thou wilt slay me out, for I would not live to be made lord of all the earth, for I have liever die here with worship than live here with shame. And needs, Sir Tristram, thou must slay me, or else thou shalt never win the field, for I will never say the loath word. And therefore if thou dare slay me, slay me, I require thee.’

  When Sir Tristram heard him say so knightly, in his heart he wist not what to do with him, remembering him of both parts, of what blood he was come of, and for Sir Lancelot’s sake he would be loath to slay him; and in the other part, in no wise he might not choose but that he must make him say the loath word, or else to slay him.

  Then Sir Tristram started aback and went to the kings that were judges; and there he kneeled down before them, and besought them of their worships, and for King Arthur’s love and for Sir Lancelot’s sake, that they would take this matter in their hands.

  ‘For, my fair lords,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘it were shame and pity that this noble knight that yonder lieth should be slain; for ye hear well, shamed will he not be, and I pray to God that he never be slain nor shamed for me. And as for the king whom I fight for, I shall require him, as I am his true champion and true knight in this field, that he will have mercy upon this knight.’

  ‘So God me help,’ said King Angwish, ‘I will for your sake, Sir Tristram, be ruled as ye will have me, for I will heartily pray the kings that be here judges to take it in their hands.’

  Then the kings that were judges called Sir Bleoberis to them and asked his advice.

  ‘My lords,’ said Sir Bleoberis, ‘though my brother be beaten and have the worse in his body through might of arms, he hath not beaten his heart, and thank God he is not shamed this day. And rather than he be shamed, I require you,’ said Sir Bleoberis, ‘let Sir Tristram slay him o
ut.’

  ‘It shall not be so,’ said the kings. ‘For his part, his adversary, both the king and the champion, have pity on Sir Blamor’s knighthood.’

  ‘My lords,’ said Sir Bleoberis, ‘I will right as ye will.’

  Then the kings called the King of Ireland, and found him goodly and treatable.* And then, by all their advices, Sir Tristram and Sir Bleoberis took up Sir Blamor, and the two brethren were made accorded with King Angwish, and kissed together and made friends for ever. And then Sir Blamor and Sir Tristram kissed together, and there they made their oaths that they would never none of them two brethren fight with Sir Tristram, and Sir Tristram made the same oath. And for that gentle battle all the blood of Sir Lancelot loved Sir Tristram for ever.

  Then King Angwish and Sir Tristram took their leave; and so he sailed into Ireland with great noblesse and joy. So when they were in Ireland the king let make it known throughout all the land how and in what manner Sir Tristram had done for him. Then the queen and all that there were made the most of him that they might. But the joy that La Belle Isode made of Sir Tristram there might no tongue tell, for of all men earthly she loved him most.

  [24]

  Then upon a day King Angwish asked Sir Tristram why he asked not his boon. Then said Sir Tristram, ‘Now it is time. Sir, this is all that I will desire, that ye will give La Belle Isode, your daughter, not for myself, but for my uncle King Mark shall have her to wife, for so have I promised him.’

  ‘Alas,’ said the king, ‘I had liever than all the land that I have that ye would have wedded her yourself.’

  ‘Sir, and I did so, I were shamed for ever in this world and false of my promise. Therefore,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I require you, hold your promise that ye promised me; for this is my desire, that ye will give me La Belle Isode to go with me into Cornwall for to be wedded unto King Mark, my uncle.’

  ‘As for that,’ King Angwish said, ‘ye shall have her with you to do with her what it please you; that is for to say, if that ye list to wed her yourself, that is me lievest,* and if ye will give her unto King Mark your uncle, that is in your choice.’

  So to make short conclusion, La Belle Isode was made ready to go with Sir Tristram, and Dame Brangwain went with her for her chief gentlewoman, with many other. Then the queen, Isode’s mother, gave Dame Brangwain unto her to be her gentlewoman. And also she and Gouvernail had a drink of the queen, and she charged them that where King Mark should wed, that same day they should give him that drink, that King Mark should drink to La Belle Isode. ‘And then,’ said the queen, ‘either shall love other days of their life.’ So this drink was given unto Dame Brangwain and unto Gouvernail.

  So Sir Tristram took the sea; and when he and La Belle Isode were in their cabin, it happed so they were thirsty; and then they saw a little flacket* of gold stand by them, and it seemed by the colour and the taste that it was noble wine. So Sir Tristram took the flacket in his hand and said, ‘Madam Isode, here is a draught of good wine that Dame Brangwain your maiden and Gouvernail my servant have kept for themselves.’

  Then they laughed and made good cheer, and either drank to other freely, and they thought never drink that ever they drank so sweet nor so good to them. But by that drink* was in their bodies, they loved either other so well that never their love departed, for weal nor for woe. And thus it happed first the love betwixt Sir Tristram and La Belle Isode, the which love never departed days of their life.*

  [28]

  And in the meanwhile word came to Sir Tristram that King Carados, the mighty king that was made like a giant, fought with Sir Gawain and gave him such strokes that he swooned in his saddle; and after that he took him by the collar and pulled him out of the saddle, and bound him fast to the saddle-bow, and so rode his way with him toward his castle. And as he rode, Sir Lancelot by fortune met with King Carados, and anon he knew Sir Gawain that lay bound before him.

  ‘Ah’, said Sir Lancelot unto Sir Gawain, ‘how standeth it with you?’

  ‘Never so hard,’ said Sir Gawain, ‘unless that ye help me, for so God me help, without ye rescue me I know no knight that may, but you or Sir Tristram.’ Wherefore Sir Lancelot was heavy at Sir Gawain’s words.

  And then Sir Lancelot bade Sir Carados, ‘Lay down that knight and fight with me.’

  ‘Thou art but a fool,’ said Sir Carados, ‘for I will serve thee in the same wise.’

  ‘As for that,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘spare me not, for I warn thee I will not spare thee.’

  And then he bound Sir Gawain hand and foot, and so threw him to the ground. And then he got his spear in his hand of his squire, and departed from Sir Lancelot to fetch his course; and so either met with other and brake their spears to their hands. And then they pulled out their swords and hurtled together on horseback more than an hour, and at last Sir Lancelot smote Sir Carados such a buffet on the helm that it pierced his brain-pan. So then Sir Lancelot took Sir Carados by the collar and pulled him under his horse’s feet, and then he alit and pulled off his helm and struck off his head. Then Sir Lancelot unbound Sir Gawain.

  So this same tale was told to Sir Tristram, and said, ‘Now may ye hear the noblesse that followeth Sir Lancelot.’

  ‘Alas,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and I had not this message* in hand with this fair lady, truly I would never stint or that I had found Sir Lancelot.’

  Then Sir Tristram and La Belle Isode came into Cornwall, and there all the barons met them.

  [29]

  And anon they were richly wedded with great noblesse. But ever, as the French book saith, Sir Tristram and La Belle Isode loved ever together. Then was there great jousts and great tourneying, and many lords and ladies were at that feast, and Sir Tristram was most praised of all other.

  So thus dured the feast long; and after that feast was done, within a little while after, by the assent of two ladies that were with the queen, they ordained for hate and envy for to destroy Dame Brangwain, that was maiden and lady unto La Belle Isode.* And she was sent into the forest for to fetch herbs; and there she was bound hand and foot to a tree, and so she was bound three days. And by fortune Sir Palomides found Dame Brangwain, and there he delivered her from the death, and brought her to a nunnery therebeside for to be recovered.

  When Isode the queen missed her maiden, wit you well she was right heavy as ever any queen might be, for of all earthly women she loved her best, and most cause why,* she came with her out of her country. And so upon a day Queen Isode walked into the forest to put away her thoughts, and there she went herself unto a well and made great moan. And suddenly there came Sir Palomides unto her and heard all her complaint, and said, ‘Madam Isode, and ye will grant me my boon, I shall bring again to you Dame Brangwain safe and sound.’

  Then the queen was so glad of his proffer that suddenly unadvised* she granted all his asking.

  ‘Well, madam,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘I trust to your promise, and if ye will abide half an hour here I shall bring her to you.’

  ‘Sir, I shall abide you,’ said the queen.

  Then Sir Palomides rode forth his way to that nunnery, and lightly he came again with Dame Brangwain; but by her good will she would not have come to the queen, for cause she stood in adventure of her life. Notwithstanding, half against her will, she came with Sir Palomides unto the queen. And when the queen saw her she was passing glad.

  ‘Now, madam,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘remember upon your promise, for I have fulfilled my promise.’

  ‘Sir Palomides,’ said the queen, ‘I wot not what is your desire, but I will that ye wit, howbeit that I proffered you largely, I thought no evil, neither, I warn you, no evil will I do.’

  ‘Madam,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘as at this time ye shall not know my desire.’

  ‘But before my lord my husband, there shall ye know that ye shall have your desire that I promised you.’*

  And then the queen rode home unto the king, and Sir Palomides rode with her. And when Sir Palomides came before the king, he said, ‘Sir king, I re
quire thee as thou art righteous king, that ye will judge me the right.’

  ‘Tell me your cause,’ said the king, ‘and ye shall have right.’

  [30]

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘I promised your queen, my lady Dame Isode, to bring again Dame Brangwain that she had lost, upon this covenant, that she should grant me a boon that I would ask; and without grudging or advisement, she granted me.’

  ‘What say ye, my lady?’ said the king.

  ‘It is as he saith, so God me help, to say the sooth,’ said the queen. ‘I promised him his asking for love and joy I had to see her.’

  ‘Well, madam!’ said the king. ‘And if she were hasty to grant what boon he would ask, I would well that she performed her promise.’*

  Then said Sir Palomides, ‘I will that ye wit that I will have your queen to lead her and to govern her where as me list.’

  Therewith the king stood still, and bethought him of Sir Tristram, and deemed that he would rescue her. And then hastily the king answered and said, ‘Take her to thee, and the adventures withal that will fall of it, for as I suppose thou wilt not enjoy her no while.’

  ‘As for that,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘I dare right well abide the adventure.’

  And so, to make short tale, Sir Palomides took her by the hand and said, ‘Madam, grudge not to go with me, for I desire nothing but your own promise.’

  ‘As for that,’ said the queen, ‘wit thou well, I fear not greatly to go with thee, howbeit thou hast me at advantage upon my promise; for I doubt not I shall be worshipfully rescued from thee.’

  ‘As for that,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘be as it be may.’

  So Queen Isode was set behind Sir Palomides, and rode his way. And anon the king sent unto Sir Tristram, but in no wise he would not be found, for he was in the forest an-hunting; for that was always his custom, but if he used arms, to chase and to hunt in the forest.