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

by Malory, Thomas

  And anon hastily he armed him and took his horse, and a great spear in his hand, and said to Sir Dinadan adieu, and rode toward Sir Palomides a soft pace. When Sir Palomides saw him, he alit and made a countenance to amend his horse,* but he did it for this cause, for he abode Sir Gaheris that came after him. And when he was come he rode toward Sir Tristram.

  Then Sir Tristram sent unto Sir Palomides and required him to joust with him; and if he smote down Sir Palomides he would do no more to him, and if Sir Palomides smote down Sir Tristram, he bade him do his utterance.* And so they were accorded and met together; and Sir Tristram smote down Sir Palomides, that he had a villainous fall and lay still as he had been dead. And then Sir Tristram ran upon Sir Gaheris, and he would not have jousted; but whether he would or not, Sir Tristram smote him over his horse’s croup, that he lay still.* And Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to an old knight’s place to lodge them; and this old knight had five sons at the tournament, that prayed God heartily for their coming home.

  [34/5]

  And so forthwith came Sir Gaheris and told King Arthur how Sir Tristram had smitten down Sir Palomides, and it was at his own request.

  ‘Alas,’ said King Arthur, ‘that was great dishonour to Sir Palomides, inasmuch as Sir Tristram was so sore wounded. And may we all, kings and knights and men of worship, say that Sir Tristram may be called a noble knight, and one of the best knights that ever I saw days of my life. For I will that ye all, kings and knights, know,’ said King Arthur, ‘that I never saw knight do so marvellously as he hath done these three days; for he was the first that began and longest that held on, save this last day. And though he were hurt, it was a manly adventure of two noble knights. And when two noble men encounter, needs must the one have the worse, like as God will suffer at that time.’

  ‘As for me,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘for all the lands that ever my father left, I would not have hurt Sir Tristram and I had known him at that time that I hurt him, for I saw not his shield. For and I had seen his black shield, I would not have meddled with him for many causes,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘for but late he did as much for me as ever did knight, and that is well known that he had ado with thirty knights, and no help save only Sir Dinadan. And one thing shall I promise you,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘Sir Palomides shall repent it as in his unknightly dealing, so for to follow that noble knight that I by misfortune hurt him thus.’

  So Sir Lancelot said all the worship that might be spoken by Sir Tristram. Then King Arthur made a great feast to all that would come. And thus we let pass King Arthur.

  [35/6]

  And a little we will turn unto Sir Palomides, that after he had a fall of Sir Tristram, he was nigh-hand raged out of his wit for despite of Sir Tristram, and so he followed him by adventure. And as he came by a river, in his woodness he would have made his horse to have leapt over the water; and the horse failed footing and fell in the river, wherefore Sir Palomides was adread lest he should have been drowned. And then he avoided his horse and swam to the land, and let his horse go down by adventure. And when he came to the land he took off his harness, and sat roaring and crying as a man out of his mind.

  Right so came a damosel even by Sir Palomides, and he and she had language together which pleased neither of them. And so this damosel rode her ways till she came to that old knight’s place, and there she told that old knight how she met with the woodest knight by adventure that ever she met withal.

  ‘What bore he in his shield?’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘Sir, it was indented with white and black,’ said the damosel.

  ‘Ah,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘that was Palomides, the good knight. For well I know him,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for one of the best knights living in this realm.’

  Then that old knight took a little hackney, and rode for Sir Palomides, and brought him unto his own manor. And full well knew Sir Tristram him, but he said but little. For at that time Sir Tristram was walking upon his feet and well amended of his hurts; and always when Sir Palomides saw Sir Tristram he would behold him full marvellously, and ever him seemed that he had seen him. Then would he say unto Sir Dinadan, ‘And ever I meet with Sir Tristram, he shall not escape my hands.’

  ‘I marvel,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘that ye do boast behind Sir Tristram so, for it is but late that he was in your hands and ye in his hands: why would ye not hold him when ye had him? For I saw myself twice or thrice that ye got but little worship of Sir Tristram.’

  Then was Sir Palomides ashamed.*

  [36/7]

  So there came a damosel that told Sir Darras that three of his sons were slain at that tournament, and two grievously wounded so that they were never like to help themselves; and all this was done by a noble knight that bore a black shield, and that was he that bore the prize. Then came one and told Sir Darras that the same knight was within his court that bore the black shield. Then Sir Darras yode unto Sir Tristram’s chamber, and there he found his shield and showed it to the damosel.

  ‘Ah, sir,’ said the damosel, ‘this same is he that slew your three sons.’

  Then without any tarrying Sir Darras put Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan within a strong prison, and there Sir Tristram was like to have died of great sickness; and every day Sir Palomides would reprove Sir Tristram of old hate betwixt them,* and ever Sir Tristram spake fair and said little. But when Sir Palomides saw that Sir Tristram was fallen in sickness, then was he heavy for him, and comforted him in all the best wise he could.

  So Sir Tristram endured there great pain, for sickness had undertaken him, and that is the greatest pain a prisoner may have; for all the while a prisoner may have his health of body he may endure under the mercy of God and in hope of good deliverance. But when sickness toucheth a prisoner’s body, then may a prisoner say all wealth is him bereft, and then hath he cause to wail and to weep.* Right so did Sir Tristram when sickness had undertaken him, for then he took such sorrow that he had almost slain himself.

  [39/40]

  And every day Sir Palomides brawled and said language against Sir Tristram.

  Then said Sir Dinadan, ‘I marvel of thee, Sir Palomides, whether and thou hadst Sir Tristram here, I trow thou wouldst do no harm; for and a wolf and a sheep were together in a prison, the sheep would suffer the wolf to be in peace.* And wit thou well,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘this same is Sir Tristram, at a word, and now mayst thou do thy best with him, and let see ye now skift* it with your hands.’

  Then was Sir Palomides abashed and said little.

  Then said Sir Tristram to Sir Palomides, ‘I have heard much of your maugre* against me, but I will not meddle with you as at this time by my will, because the lord of this place that hath us in governance, and I dread* him not more than I do thee, soon it should be skift.’

  And so they peaced themselves.*

  Then soon after this Sir Tristram fell sick, that he weened to have died. Then Sir Dinadan wept, and so did Sir Palomides, among them both making great sorrow. So a damosel came in to them and found them mourning. Then she went unto Sir Darras, and told him how the mighty knight that bore the black shield was likely to die.

  ‘That shall not be,’ said Sir Darras, ‘for God defend, when knights come to me for succour, that I should suffer them to die within my prison. Therefore,’ said Sir Darras to the damosel, ‘go fetch me that sick knight and his fellows before me.’

  And when Sir Darras saw Sir Tristram brought before him, he said, ‘Sir knight, me repenteth of your sickness, for ye are called a full noble knight, and so it seemeth by you. And wit yeu well, it shall never be said that I, Sir Darras, shall destroy such a noble knight as ye are in prison, howbeit that ye have slain three of my sons, wherefore I was greatly aggrieved. But now shalt thou go, and thy fellows, and take your horse and your armour, for they have been fair and clean kept. And ye shall go where it liketh you upon this covenant, that ye, knight, will promise me to be good friend to my sons two that be now alive, and also that ye tell me thy name.’

  ‘
Sir, my name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse, and in Cornwall was I born, and nephew I am unto King Mark. And as for the death of your three sons, I might not do withal;* for and they had been the next kin that I have, I might have done none otherwise. And if I had slain them by treason or treachery, I had been worthy to have died.’

  ‘All this I consider,’ said Sir Darras, ‘that all that ye did was by force of knighthood, and that was the cause I would not put you to death. But sith ye be Sir Tristram, the good knight, I pray you heartily to be my good friend, and my sons’.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I promise you by the faith of my body, ever while I live I will do you service, for ye have done to us but as a natural knight ought to do.’

  Then Sir Tristram reposed him there a while till that he was amended of his sickness; and when he was big and strong they took their leave. And every knight took their horses and harness, and so departed and rode together till they came to a crossway.

  ‘Now, fellows,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘here will we depart in sunder.’*

  [X.I]

  Then Sir Tristram departed, and in every place he asked after Sir Lancelot, but in no place he could hear of him whether he were dead or alive; wherefore Sir Tristram made great dole and sorrow.

  So Sir Tristram rode by a forest, and then was he ware of a fair tower by a marsh on the one side, and on that other side was a fair meadow, and there he saw ten knights fighting together. And ever the nearer he came, he saw how there was but one knight did battle against nine knights, and that one knight did so marvellously that Sir Tristram had great wonder that ever one knight might do so great deeds of arms. And then within a little while he had slain half their horses and unhorsed them, and their horses ran into the fields and forests. Then Sir Tristram had so great pity of that one knight that endured so great pain, and ever him thought it should be Sir Palomides by his shield. So he rode unto the knights and cried unto them and bade them cease of that battle, for they did themselves great shame, so many knights to fight with one.

  Then answered the master of those knights—his name was called Sir Breunis sans Pité, that was at that time the most mischievoust knight living—and said thus: ‘Sir knight, what have ye ado with us to meddle? And therefore, and ye be wise, depart on your way as ye came, for this knight shall not escape us.’

  ‘That were great pity,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘that so good a knight as he is should be slain so cowardly; and therefore I make you ware, I will succour him with all my puissance.’*

  [2]

  So Sir Tristram alit off his horse because they were on foot, that they should not slay his horse. And then Sir Tristram dressed his shield, with his sword in his hand, and he smote on the right hand and on the left hand passing sore, that well nigh every stroke he struck down a knight. And when they espied his strokes they fled, both Sir Breunis sans Pité and his fellowship, unto the tower, and Sir Tristram followed fast after with his sword in his hand; but they escaped into the tower and shut Sir Tristram without the gate. And when Sir Tristram saw that, he returned back unto Sir Palomides, and found him sitting under a tree sore wounded.

  ‘Ah, fair knight,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘well be ye found.’

  ‘Gramercy,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘of your great goodness, for ye have rescued me of my life and saved me from my death.’

  ‘What is your name?’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘Sir, my name is Sir Palomides.’

  ‘Ah, Jesu,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘thou hast a fair grace of me this day that I should rescue thee, and thou art the man in the world that I most hate! But now make thee ready, for I shall do battle with thee.’

  ‘What is your name?’ said Sir Palomides.

  ‘My name is Sir Tristram, your mortal enemy.’

  ‘It may be so,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘but ye have done over much for me this day that I should fight with you; for inasmuch as ye have saved my life it will be no worship for you to have ado with me, for ye are fresh and I am sore wounded. And therefore, and ye will needs have ado with me, assign me a day, and then I shall meet with you without fail.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘Now I assign you to meet me in the meadow by the river of Camelot, where Merlin set the perron.’*

  So they were agreed. Then Sir Tristram asked Sir Palomides why the nine knights did battle with him.

  ‘For this cause,’ said Sir Palomides. ‘As I rode upon my adventures in a forest here beside, I espied where lay a dead knight, and a lady weeping beside him. And when I saw her making such dole, I asked her who slew her lord. “Sir,” she said, “the falsest knight of the world, and most he is of villainy, and his name is Sir Breunis sans Pilé.” Then for pity I made the damosel to leap on her palfrey, and I promised her to be her warrant, and to help her to inter her lord. And suddenly, as I came riding by this tower, there came out Sir Breunis sans Pite, and suddenly he struck me from my horse; arid or ever I might recover my horse, this Sir Breunis slew the damosel. And so I took my horse again, and I was sore ashamed; and so began this melée betwixt us, and this is the cause wherefore we did this battle.’

  ‘Well,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘now I understand the manner of your battle. But in any wise, that ye have remembrance of your promise that ye have made with me, to do battle this day fortnight.’

  ‘I shall not fail you,’ said Sir Palomides.

  [Sir Tristram meets various knights as he rides.]

  [5]

  Then Sir Tristram rode straight to Camelot, to the perron that Merlin had made before. So when Sir Tristram came to the tomb of stone he looked about him after Sir Palomides. Then was he ware where came a seemly knight riding against him all in white, and the shield covered.

  When he came nigh Sir Tristram, he said on high, ‘Ye be welcome, sir knight, and well and truly have ye held your promise.’

  And then they dressed their shields and spears, and came together with all their mights of their horses. And they met so fiercely that both the horses and knights fell to the earth, and as fast as they might avoid their horses and put their shields before them; and they struck together with bright swords, as men that were of might, and either wounded other wonderly sore, that the blood ran out upon the grass. And thus they fought the space of four hours, that never one would speak to other. And of their harness they had hewn off many pieces.

  ‘Ah, lord Jesu,’ said Gouvernail, ‘I marvel greatly of the great strokes my master hath given to your master.’

  ‘By my head,’ said Sir Lancelot’s servant, ‘your master hath not given him so many but your master hath received so many, or more.’

  ‘Ah, Jesu,’ said Gouvernail, ‘it is too much for Sir Palomides to suffer, or Sir Lancelot; and yet pity it were that either of these good knights should destroy other’s blood.’

  So they stood and wept both, and made great dole when they saw the bright swords over-covered with blood of their bodies.

  Then at the last Sir Lancelot spake and said, ‘Knight, thou fightest wonder well as ever I saw knight! Therefore, and it please you, tell me your name.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘that is me loath, to tell any man my name.’

  ‘Truly,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘and 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, my name is Sir Lancelot du Lake.’

  ‘Alas,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘what have I done? For ye are the man in the world that I love best.’

  ‘Now, fair knight,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘tell me your name.’

  ‘Truly, sir, I hight Sir Tristram de Lyonesse.’

  ‘Ah, Jesu,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘what adventure is befallen me!’

  And therewith Sir Lancelot kneeled down and yielded him up his sword. And therewith Sir Tristram kneeled down and yielded him up his sword; and so either gave other the degree.* And then they both forthwith went to the stone and set them down upon it, and took off t
heir helms to cool them, and either kissed other a hundred times. And then anon after they took their horses and rode to Camelot; and there they met with Sir Gawain 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.

  [6]

  ‘Return again,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘for your quest is done,* for I have met with Sir Tristram: lo, here is his own person!’

  Then was Sir Gawain glad, and said to Sir Tristram, ‘Ye are welcome, for now have ye eased me greatly of my great labour. For what cause’, said Sir Gawain, ‘came ye into this country?’

  ‘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 perron, and I marvel I hear not of him. And thus by adventure my lord Sir Lancelot and I met together.’

  So with this came King Arthur; and when he wist that Sir Tristram was there, he yode unto him and took him by the hand and said, ‘Sir Tristram, ye are as welcome as any knight that ever came unto this court.’

  And when the King heard how Sir Lancelot and he had fought, and either had wounded other wonderly sore, then the King made great dole.*

  Then King Arthur took Sir Tristram by the hand and went to the Table Round. Then came Queen Guenivere and many ladies with her, and all those ladies said at one voice, ‘Welcome, Sir Tristram!’ ‘Welcome,’ said the damosels.

  ‘Welcome,’ said King 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; 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 King Arthur, ‘ye are welcome to this court.* And also, I pray you,’ said Arthur, ‘grant me a done.’