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

by Malory, Thomas

  So Sir Lancelot departed unto King Arthur; and then he told Queen Guenivere how he that jousted so well at the last tournament was Sir Tristram. And there he told her how he had with him La Belle Isode maugre King Mark, and so Queen Guenivere told all this to King Arthur. And when King Arthur wist that Sir Tristram was escaped and come from King Mark and had brought La Belle Isode 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 King Arthur devised, that all the knights of this land, of Cornwall, and of North Wales, should joust against all these countries: Ireland and Scotland and the remnant of Wales, and the country of Gore, and Surluse, and of Listinoise, and they of Northumberland, and all those that held lands of King Arthur’s on this half the sea. So when this cry was made many knights were glad and many were sad.

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Lancelot 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 hath envy to us; therefore when we shall meet at the day of jousts there will be hard shift* for us.’

  ‘As for that,’ said King Arthur, ‘I care not; there shall we prove who shall be best of his hands.’

  So when Sir Lancelot understood wherefore King Arthur made this jousting, then he made such purveyance that La Belle Isode should behold the jousts in a secret place that was honest for her estate.

  Now turn we unto Sir Tristram and to La Belle Isode, how they made joy together daily with all manner of mirths that they could devise. And every day Sir Tristram would go ride an-hunting, for he was called that time the chief chaser of the world, and the noblest blower of a horn of all manner of measures; for as books report, of Sir Tristram came all the good terms of venery and of hunting, and all the sizes and measures of all blowing with a 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 vermin; and all the blasts that longed to all manner of game*—that all manner gentlemen have cause to the world’s end to praise Sir Tristram, and to pray for his soul. Amen, said Sir Thomas Malory.

  [53]

  So on a day La Belle Isode said unto Sir Tristram, ‘I marvel me [much 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 soon destroyed.’

  ‘My fair lady and my love, merci. I will no more do so.’

  So then Sir Tristram rode daily an-hunting armed, and his men bearing his shield and his spear.*

  [55]

  Now as Sir Tristram rode an-hunting he met with Sir Dinadan, that was come into the country to seek Sir Tristram. And anon Sir Dinadan told Sir Tristram his name, but Sir Tristram would not tell 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 also stood by him. And well I wot he was a lover.’

  ‘Ah, fair sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘are not ye a lover?’

  ‘Marry, fie on that craft!’ said Sir Dinadan.

  ‘Sir, that is evil said,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for a knight may never be of prowess but if he be a lover.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Dinadan. ‘Now I pray you tell me your name, sith ye be such 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 if I tell you my name. And as for my name, ye shall not wit as at this time for me.’

  ‘Fie, for shame, are ye a knight and dare not tell your name to me? Therefore, sir, I will fight with you.’

  ‘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 with you,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘ye are not able to withstand me.’

  ‘Fie on thee, coward,’ said Sir Dinadan.

  ‘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.’

  ‘Well,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘peradventure I could tell you tidings of Sir Tristram.’

  ‘God save me’, said Sir Dinadan, ‘from thy fellowship, for Sir Tristram were mickle* the worse and he were in thy company.’ And they departed.

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘yet it may happen that I may meet with you in other places.’

  So rode Sir Tristram unto Joyous Gard, and there he heard in that town great noise and cry.

  ‘What is this noise?’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘Sir,’ said they, ‘here is a knight of this castle that hath been long among us, and right now he is slain with two knights, and for none other cause but that our knight said that Sir Lancelot was better knight than Sir Gawain.’

  ‘That was a simple* cause,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for to slay a good knight for saying well by his master.’

  ‘That is little remedy to us,’ said the men of the town. ‘For and Sir Lancelot had been here, soon we should have been revenged upon those false knights.’

  When Sir Tristram heard them say so, he sent for his shield and for his spear; and lightly so within a while he had overtaken them, and bade them turn and amend that they had misdone.

  ‘What amends wouldst thou have?’ said the one knight.

  And therewith they took their course, and either met other so hard that Sir Tristram smote down that knight over his horse’s tail. Then the other knight dressed him to Sir Tristram, and in the same wise he served the other knight. And then they got off their horses as well as they might, and dressed their shields and swords to do battle to the utterance.

  ‘Now, knights,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘will ye tell me of whence ye be, and what are your names? For such men ye might be ye should hard escape my hands, and also ye might be such men and of such a country that for all your evil deeds ye might pass quit.’

  ‘Wit thou well, sir knight,’ said they, ‘we fear not much to tell thee our names, for my name is Sir Agravain, and my name is Sir Gaheris, brethren unto the good knight Sir Gawain, and we be nephews unto King Arthur.’

  ‘Well,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for King Arthur’s sake I shall let you pass as at this time. But it is shame,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘that Sir Gawain and ye be come of so great blood, that ye four brethren are so named as ye be, for ye be called the greatest destroyers and murderers of good knights that is now in this realm of England. And as I have heard say, Sir Gawain and ye, his brethren, among you slew a better knight than ever any of you was, which was called the noble knight Sir Lamorak de Gales. And it had pleased God,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I would I had been by him at his death day.’

  ‘Then shouldst thou have gone the same way,’ said Sir Gaheris.

  ‘Now, fair knights, then must there have been many more good knights than ye of your blood.’

  And therewith Sir Tristram departed from them toward Joyous Gard. And when he was departed they took their horses, and the one said to the other, ‘We will overtake him and be revenged upon him in the despite of Sir Lamorak.’

  [56]

  So when they had overtaken Sir Tristram, Sir Agravain bade him, [‘Turn, traitor knight.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Tristram; and therewith he pulled out his sword and smote Sir Agravain such a buffet upon the helm that he tumbled down off his horse in a swoon, and he had a grievous wound. And then he turned to Sir Gaheris, and Sir Tristram smote his sword and his helm together with such a might that Sir Gaheris fell out of his saddle.

  And so Sir Tristram rode unto Joyous Gard, and there he alit and unarmed him. So Sir Tristram told La Belle Isode of all this adventure, as ye have heard before. And when she heard him tell
of Sir Dinadan, ‘Sir,’ she said, ‘is not that he that made the song by King Mark?’

  ‘That same is he,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for he is the best bourder and japer that I know, and a noble knight of his hands, and the best fellow that I know; and all good knights loveth his fellowship.’

  ‘Alas, sir,’ said she, ‘why brought ye him not with you hither?’

  ‘Have ye no care,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for he rideth to seek me in this country; and therefore he will not away till he have met with me.’ And there Sir Tristram told La Belle Isode how Sir Dinadan held against all lovers.

  Right so came in a varlet and told Sir Tristram how there was come an errant knight into the town, with such colours upon his shield.

  ‘By my faith, that is Sir Dinadan,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘Therefore, madam, wit ye what ye shall do: send ye for him, and I will not be seen, and ye shall hear the merriest knight that ever ye spake withal, and the maddest talker. And I pray you heartily that ye make him good cheer.’

  So anon La Belle Isode sent unto the town, and prayed Sir Dinadan that he would come into the castle and repose him there with a lady.

  ‘With a good will,’ said Sir Dinadan; and so he mounted upon his horse and rode into the castle, and there he alit, and was unarmed and brought into the hall.

  And anon La Belle Isode came unto him, and either saluted other. Then she asked him of whence that he was.

  ‘Madam,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘I am of the court of King Arthur, and a knight of the Table Round, and my name is Sir Dinadan.’

  ‘What do ye in this country?’ said La Belle Isode.

  ‘For sooth, madam, I seek after Sir Tristram, the good knight, for it was told me that he was in this country.’

  ‘It may well be,’ said La Belle Isode, ‘but I am not ware of him.’

  ‘Madam,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘I marvel at Sir Tristram and more other such lovers. What aileth them to be so mad and so besotted upon women?’

  ‘Why,’ said La Belle Isode, ‘are ye a knight and are no lover? For sooth, it is great shame to you; wherefore ye may not be called a good knight by reason but if ye make a quarrel for a lady.’

  ‘God defend me,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘for the joy of love is too short, and the sorrow thereof is duras* over long.’

  ‘Ah,’ said La Belle Isode, ‘say ye nevermore so, for here fast by was the good knight Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, that fought with four knights at once for a damosel, and he won her before the King of Northumberland—and that was worshipfully done,’ said La Belle Isode.

  ‘For sooth, it was so,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘for I know him well for a good knight and a noble, and come he is of noble blood; and all be noble knights of the blood of Sir Lancelot du Lake.’

  ‘Now I pray you, for my love,’ said La Belle Isode, ‘will ye fight for me with three knights that do me great wrong? And insomuch as ye be a knight of King Arthur’s, I require you to do battle for me.’

  ‘Then,’ Sir Dinadan said, ‘I shall say you ye be as fair a lady as ever I saw any, and much fairer than is my lady Queen Guenivere; but wit you well, at one word, I will not fight for you with three knights—Jesu me defend!’

  Then Isode laughed, and had good game at him. So he had all the cheer that she might make him, and there he lay all that night. And on the morn early Sir Tristram armed him, and La Belle Isode gave him a good helm. And then he promised her that he would meet with Sir Dinadan, and so they two would ride together unto Lonazep, where the tournament should be. ‘And there shall I make ready for you where ye shall see all the sight.’

  [57]

  So departed Sir Tristram with two squires that bore his shield and his spears that were great and long. So after that Sir Dinadan departed, and rode his way a great shake* until he had overtaken Sir Tristram; and when Sir Dinadan had overtaken him he knew him anon, and hated the fellowship of him of all other knights.

  ‘Ah,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘art thou that coward knight that I met with yesterday? Well, keep thee, for thou shalt joust with me maugre thy head.’

  ‘Well,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and I am passing loath to joust.’

  And so they let their horses run, and Sir Tristram missed of him on purpose, and Sir Dinadan brake his spear all to shivers; and therewith Sir Dinadan dressed him to draw out his sword.

  ‘Not so, sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘why are ye so wroth? I am not disposed to fight at this time.’

  ‘Fie on thee, coward,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘thou shamest all knights.’

  ‘As for that,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I care not, for I will wait upon you and be under your protection, for cause ye are so good a knight that ye may save me.’

  ‘God* deliver me of thee!’ said Sir Dinadan. ‘For thou art as goodly a man of arms and of thy person as ever I saw, and also the most coward that ever I saw. What wilt thou do with great spears and such weapons as thou carriest with thee?’

  ‘Sir, I shall give them’, said Sir Tristram, ‘to some good knight when I come to the tournament; and if I see that you do best, sir, I shall give them to you.’

  So thus as they rode talking they saw where came an errant knight before them, that dressed him to joust.

  ‘Lo,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘yonder is one that will joust: now dress you to him.’

  ‘Ah, shame betide thee,’ said Sir Dinadan.

  ‘Nay, not so,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for that knight seemeth a shrew.’*

  ‘Then shall I,’ said Sir Dinadan.

  And so they dressed their shields and their spears, and there they met together so hard that the other knight smote down Sir Dinadan from his horse.

  ‘Lo,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘it had been better ye had left.’

  ‘Fie on thee, coward,’ said Sir Dinadan.

  And then he started up and got his sword in his hand, and proffered to do battle on foot.

  ‘Whether in love or in wrath?’ said the other knight.

  ‘Sir, let us do battle in love,’ said Sir Dinadan. ‘What is your name?’ said that knight, ‘I pray you tell me.’

  ‘Sir, wit you well my name is Sir Dinadan.’

  ‘Ah, Sir Dinadan,’ said that knight, ‘and my name is Sir Gareth, youngest brother unto Sir Gawain.’

  Then either made of other great cheer, for this Sir Gareth was the best knight of all the brethren, and he proved a good knight. Then they took their horses, and there they spoke of Sir Tristram, how such a coward he was; and every word Sir Tristram heard, and laughed them to scorn. Then were they ware where came a knight before them well horsed and well armed, and he made him ready to joust.

  ‘Now, fair knights,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘look betwixt you who shall joust with yonder knight, for I warn you I will not have ado with him.’

  ‘Then shall I,’ said Sir Gareth.

  And so they encountered together, and there that knight smote down Sir Gareth over his horse’s croup.

  ‘How now?’ said Sir Tristram unto Sir Dinadan. ‘Now dress you and revenge the good knight Sir Gareth.’

  ‘That shall I not,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘for he hath struck down a much bigger knight than I am.’

  ‘Ah, Sir Dinadan,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘now I see and feel that your heart faileth you, and therefore now shall ye see what I shall do.’ And then Sir Tristram hurtled unto that knight, and smote him quite from his horse.

  And when Sir Dinadan saw that, he marvelled greatly; and then he deemed that it was Sir Tristram. And anon this knight that was on foot pulled out his sword to do battle.

  ‘Sir, what is your name?’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘Wit you well,’ said that knight, ‘my name is Sir Palomides.’

  ‘Ah, sir knight, which knight hate ye most in the world?’ said Sir Tristram.

  ‘For sooth,’ said he, ‘I hate Sir Tristram most, to the death, for and I may meet with him the one of us shall die.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Tristram. ‘And now, wit you well that my name is Sir Tristram de Lyonesse; and now do your worst.’


  When Sir Palomides heard him say so he was astonished. And then he said thus: ‘I pray you, Sir Tristram, forgive me all my evil will! And if I live, I shall do you service before all knights that be living; and there as I have owed you evil will, me sore repents. I wot not what aileth me, for me seemeth that ye are a good knight; and that any other knight that nameth himself a good knight should hate you, me sore marvelleth. And there-fore I require you, Sir Tristram, take no displeasure at my unkind words.’

  ‘Sir Palomides,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘ye say well, and well I wot ye are a good knight, for I have seen you proved; and many great enterprises ye have done, and well achieved them. Therefore,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and ye have any evil will to me, now may ye right it, for I am ready at your hand.’

  ‘Not so, my lord Sir Tristram, for I will do you knightly service in all thing as ye will command me.’

  ‘Sir, right so I will take you,’ said Sir Tristram.

  And so they rode forth on their ways talking of many things.

  Then said Sir Dinadan, ‘Ah, my lord Sir Tristram, foul have ye mocked me, for God knoweth I came into this country for your sake, and by the advice of my lord Sir Lancelot; and yet would he not tell me the certainty of you where I should find you.’

  ‘Truly,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and Sir Lancelot wist best where I was, for I abide in his own castle.’

  And thus they rode until they were ware of the coast* of Lonazep; and then were they ware of four hundred tents and pavilions, and marvellous great ordinance.*