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

by Malory, Thomas

  ‘I will well,’ said the knight, ‘that ye have my armour and my shield; if they may do you any avail, I am well pleased.’

  So Sir Palomides armed him hastily in that knight’s armour and his shield that shone like any crystal or silver, and so he came riding into the field. And then there was neither Sir Tristram nor none of his party nor of King Arthur’s that knew Sir Palomides. And as soon as he was come into the field Sir Tristram smote down three knights, even in the sight of Sir Palomides. And then he rode against Sir Tristram, and either met other with great spears, that they all to-brast to their hands, and then they dashed together with swords eagerly. Then Sir Tristram had marvel what knight he was that did battle so mightily with him.

  Then was Sir Tristram wroth, for he felt him passing strong, and he deemed that he could not have ado with the remnant of the knights because of the strength of Sir Palomides. So they lashed together and gave many sad strokes together, and many knights marvelled what knight he was that so encountered with the black knight, Sir Tristram. And full well knew La Belle Isode that it was Sir Palomides that fought with Sir Tristram, for she espied all in her window where that she stood, how Sir Palomides changed his harness with the wounded knight; and then she began to weep so heartily for the despite of Sir Palomides that wellnigh she swooned.

  Then came in Sir Lancelot with the knights of Orkney; and when the other party had espied Sir Lancelot, they cried and said, ‘Return, for here cometh Sir Lancelot.’

  So there came in a knight unto Sir Lancelot and said, ‘Sir, ye must needs fight with yonder knight in the black harness’ (which was Sir Tristram), ‘for he hath almost overcome that good knight that fighteth with him with the silver shield’ (which was Sir Palomides).

  Then Sir Lancelot rode betwixt them, and Sir Lancelot said unto Sir Palomides, ‘Sir knight, let me have this battle, for ye have need to be reposed.’

  Sir Palomides knew well Sir Lancelot, and so did Sir Tristram. But because Sir Lancelot was far hardier knight and bigger than Sir Palomides, he was right glad to suffer Sir Lancelot to fight with Sir Tristram; for well wist he that Sir Lancelot knew not Sir Tristram, and there he hoped that Sir Lancelot should beat or shame Sir Tristram, and thereof Sir Palomides was full fain. And so Sir Lancelot lashed at Sir Tristram many sad strokes; but Sir Lancelot knew not Sir Tristram, but Sir Tristram knew well Sir Lancelot. And thus they fought long together, which made La Belle Isode wellnigh out of her mind for sorrow.

  Then Sir Dinadan told Sir Gareth how that knight in the black harness was their lord Sir Tristram; ‘and that other is Sir Lancelot that fighteth with him, that must needs have the better of him, for Sir Tristram hath had overmuch travail this day.’

  ‘Then let us smite him down,’ said Sir Gareth.

  ‘So it is best that we do,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘rather than Sir Tristram should be shamed, for yonder hoveth the strange knight with the silver shield to fall upon Sir Tristram if need be.’

  And so forthwith Sir Gareth rushed upon Sir Lancelot and gave him a great stroke upon the helm, that he was astonied. And then came in Sir Dinadan with his spear, and he smote Sir Lancelot such a buffet that horse and man yode to the earth and had a great fall.

  ‘Now fie, for shame,’ said Sir Tristram unto Sir Gareth and Sir Dinadan, ‘why did ye so, to smite down so good a knight as he is, and namely when I had ado with him? Ah, Jesu, ye do yourself great shame, and him no disworship, for I held him reasonably hot* though ye had not helped me.’

  Then came Sir Palomides which was disguised, and smote down Sir Dinadan from his horse. Then Sir Lancelot, because Sir Dinadan had smitten him down beforehand, therefore he assailed Sir Dinadan passing sore, and Sir Dinadan defended him mightily. But well understood Sir Tristram that Sir Dinadan might not endure against Sir Lancelot, wherefore Sir Tristram was sorry.

  Then came Sir Palomides fresh upon Sir Tristram; and when Sir Tristram saw Sir Palomides come so freshly, he thought to deliver* him at once, because that he would help Sir Dinadan that stood in peril with Sir Lancelot. Then Sir Tristram hurtled unto Sir Palomides and gave him a great buffet, and then Sir Tristram got Sir Palomides and pulled him down underneath his horse’s feet. And then Sir Tristram lightly leapt up and left Sir Palomides, and went betwixt Sir Lancelot and Sir Dinadan, and then they began to do battle together.

  And right so Sir Dinadan got Sir Tristram’s horse, and said on high that Sir Lancelot might hear, ‘My lord Sir Tristram, take your horse.’

  And when Sir Lancelot heard him name Sir Tristram, ‘Ah, Jesu, what have I done?’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘for now am I dishonoured;’ and said, ‘Ah, my lord Sir Tristram, why were ye now disguised? Ye have put yourself this day in great peril. But I pray you to pardon me, for and I had known you we had not done this battle.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘this is not the first kindness and goodness that ye have showed unto me.’

  And anon they were horsed both again. So all the people on the one side gave Sir Lancelot the honour and the degree, and all the people on the other side gave Sir Tristram the honour and the degree. But Sir Lancelot said nay thereto: ‘For I am not worthy to have this honour, for I will report me to all knights that Sir Tristram hath been longer in the field than I, and he hath smitten down many more knights this day than I have done. And therefore I will give Sir Tristram my voice and my name,* and so I pray all my lords and fellows so to do.’

  Then there was the whole voice of kings, dukes and earls, barons and knights, that ‘Sir Tristram de Lyonesse this day is proved the best knight.’

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  Then they blew unto lodging, and Queen Isode was led unto her pavilions. But wit you well she was wroth out of measure with Sir Palomides, for she saw all his treason from the beginning to the ending. And all this while neither Sir Tristram, Sir Gareth, nor Sir Dinadan knew not of the treason of Sir Palomides. But afterward ye shall hear how there befell the greatest debate betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides that might be.

  So when the tournament was done, Sir Tristram, Sir Gareth, and Sir Dinadan rode with La Belle Isode to his pavilions; and ever Sir Palomides rode with them in their company, disguised as he was. But when Sir Tristram had espied him that he was the same knight with the shield of silver that held him so hot that day, then said Sir Tristram, ‘Sir knight, wit thou well here is none that hath need of your fellowship, and therefore I pray you depart from us.’

  Then Sir Palomides answered again as though he had not known Sir Tristram, ‘Wit you well, sir knight, that from this fellowship will I not depart, for one of the best knights of the world commanded me to be in this company, and till he discharge me of my service I will not be discharged.’

  So by his language Sir Tristram knew that it was Sir Palomides, and said, ‘Ah, sir, are ye such a knight? Ye have been named wrong, for ye have been called ever a gentle knight, and as this day ye have showed me great ungentleness, for ye had almost brought me to my death. But, as for you, I suppose I should have done well enough, but Sir Lancelot with you was overmuch; for I know no knight living but Sir Lancelot is too over-good for him, and he will do his uttermost.’

  ‘Alas,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘are ye my lord Sir Tristram?’

  ‘Yea, sir, and that know you well enough.’

  ‘By my knighthood,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘until now I knew you not; for I weened that ye had been the King of Ireland, for well I wot that ye bore his arms.’

  ‘I bore his arms,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and that will I abide by, for I won them once in a field of a full noble knight whose name was Sir Marhalt; and with great pain I won that knight, for there was no other recover.* But Sir Marhalt died through false leeches;* and yet was he never yielded to me.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Palomides, ‘I weened that ye had been turned upon Sir Lancelot’s party, and that caused me to turn.’

  ‘Ye say well,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘and so I take you, and forgive you.’

  So then they rode to their pavilions; and when they were a
lit they unarmed them and washed their faces and their hands, and so yode unto meat, and were set at their table. But when La Belle Isode saw Sir Palomides, she changed then her colour for wrath—she might not speak. Anon Sir Tristram espied her countenance and said, ‘Madam, for what cause make ye us such cheer? We have been sore travailed all this day.’

  ‘Mine own lord,’ said La Belle Isode, ‘for God’s sake be ye not displeased with me, for I may no otherwise do. I saw this day how ye were betrayed and nigh brought unto your death—truly, sir, I saw every deal, how and in what wise. And therefore, sir, how should I suffer in your presence such a felon and traitor as is Sir Palomides? For I saw him with mine eyes how he beheld you when ye went out of the field, for ever he hoved still upon his horse till that he saw you come again-ward, and then forthwith I saw him ride to the hurt knight and changed his harness with him; and then straight I saw him how he sought you all the field. And anon as he had found you he encountered with you, and wilfully Sir Palomides did battle with you. And as for him, sir, I was not greatly afraid, but I dread sore Sir Lancelot, which knew you not.’

  ‘Madam,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘ye may say what ye will, I may not contrary you; but by my knighthood I knew not my lord Sir Tristram.’

  ‘No force,’* said Sir Tristram unto Sir Palomides, ‘I will take your excuse, but well I wot ye spared me but little. But no force: all is pardoned as on my part.’

  Then La Belle Isode held down her head and said no more at that time.

  [78]

  And therewith two knights armed came into the pavilion, and there they alit both, and came in armed at all pieces.

  ‘Fair knights,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘ye are to blame to come thus armed at all pieces upon me while we are at our meat. And if ye would anything with us when we were in the field, there might ye have eased your hearts.’

  ‘Not so, sir,’ said the one of those knights. ‘We come not for that intent. But wit you well, Sir Tristram, we be come as your friends; and I am come hither for to see you, and this knight is come for to see your queen Isode.’

  Then said Sir Tristram, ‘I require you, do off your helms, that I may see you.’

  ‘Sir, that will we do at your desire,’ said the knights.

  And when their helms were off, Sir Tristram thought that he should know them. Then spake Sir Dinadan privily unto Sir Tristram, ‘That is my lord King Arthur, and that other that spake to you first is my lord Sir Lancelot.’*

  ‘Ah, madam, I pray you arise,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for here is my lord, King Arthur.’

  Then the King and the queen kissed, and Sir Lancelot and Sir Tristram embraced either other in arms, and then there was joy without measure. And at the request of La Belle Isode, King Arthur and Sir Lancelot were unarmed, and then there was merry talking.

  ‘Madam,’ said King Arthur, ‘it is many a day ago sithen I desired first to see you, for ye have been praised so fair a lady! And now I dare say ye are the fairest that ever I saw, and Sir Tristram is as fair and as good a knight as any that I know. And therefore me seemeth ye are well beset* together.’

  ‘Sir, God thank you,’ said Sir Tristram and La Belle Isode. ‘Of your goodness and of your largesse* ye are peerless.’

  And thus they talked of many things and of all the whole jousts.

  ‘But for what cause,’ said King Arthur, ‘were ye, Sir Tristram, against us? And ye are a knight of the Table Round, and of right ye should have been with us.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘here is Sir Dinadan, and Sir Gareth your own nephew, caused me to be against you.’

  ‘My lord Arthur,’ said Sir Gareth, ‘I may bear well, for my back is broad enough; but for sooth, it was Sir Tristram’s own deeds.’

  ‘By God, that may I repent,’ said Sir Dinadan, ‘for this unhappy Sir Tristram brought us to this tournament, and many great buffets he hath caused us to have.’

  Then the King and Sir Lancelot laughed that uneath they might sit.

  ‘But what knight was that,’ said King Arthur, ‘that held you so short?’

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘here he sitteth at this table.’

  ‘What,’ said King Arthur, ‘was it Sir Palomides?’

  ‘Sir, wit you well that it was he,’ said La Belle Isode.

  ‘So God me help,’ said King Arthur, ‘that was unknightly done of you as of so good a knight, for I have heard many people call you a courteous knight.’

  ‘Sir,’ said Palomides, ‘I knew not Sir Tristram, for he was so disguised.’

  ‘So God help me,’ said Sir Lancelot, ‘it may well be, for I knew him not myself.’

  ‘Sir, as for that,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘I have pardoned him, and I would be right loath to leave his fellowship, for I love right well his company.’

  And so they left off and talked of other things; and in the evening King Arthur and Sir Lancelot departed unto their lodging.

  But wit you well Sir Palomides had great envy heartily, for all that night he had never rest in his bed, but wailed and wept out of measure. So on the morn Sir Tristram, Sir Gareth, and Sir Dinadan arose early and went unto Sir Palomides’ chamber, and there they found him fast asleep, for he had all night watched. And it was seen upon his cheeks that he had wept full sore.

  ‘Say ye nothing,’ said Sir Tristram, ‘for I am sure he hath taken anger and sorrow for the rebuke that I gave him, and La Belle Isode.’

  [After the tournament is concluded, Sir Palomides rides off alone, and meets with his brother Sir Safer.]

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  So on the morn Sir Safer and Sir Palomides rode all that day until after noon. And at the last they heard a great weeping and a great noise down in a manor.

  ‘Sir,’ said Sir Safer, ‘let us wit what noise this is.’

  ‘I will well,’ said Sir Palomides.

  And so they rode till that they came to a fair gate of a manor, and there sat an old man saying his prayers and beads. Then Sir Palomides and Sir Safer alit and left their horses, and went within the gates, and there they saw full goodly men weeping.

  ‘Now, fair sirs,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘wherefore weep ye and make this sorrow?’

  And anon one of those knights of the castle beheld Sir Palomides and knew him, and then he went to his fellows and said, ‘Fair fellows, wit you well all, we have within this castle the same knight that slew our lord at Lonazep, for I know him well for Sir Palomides.’

  Then they went unto harness, all that might bear harness, some on horseback and some upon foot, to the number of three score. And when they were ready they came freshly upon Sir Palomides and upon Sir Safer with a great noise, and said thus, ‘Keep thee, Sir Palomides, for thou art known! And by right thou must be dead, for thou hast slain our lord. And therefore wit thou well we may do thee none other favour but slay thee, and therefore defend thee.’

  Then Sir Palomides and Sir Safer, the one set his back to the other, and gave many sad strokes, and also took many great strokes. And thus they fought with twenty knights and forty gentlemen and yeomen nigh two hours. But at the last though they were never so loath, Sir Palomides and Sir Safer were taken and yielded, and put in a strong prison. And within three days twelve knights passed* upon them, and they found Sir Palomides guilty, and Sir Safer not guilty, of their lord’s death. And when Sir Safer should be delivered there was great dole betwixt his brother and him, and many piteous complaints that was made at their departition; there is no maker* can rehearse the tenth part.

  ‘Now, fair brother, let be your dolour,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘and your sorrow, for and I be ordained to die a shameful death, welcome be it! But and I had wist of this death that I am deemed* unto, I should never have been yielded.’

  So departed Sir Safer, his brother, with the greatest sorrow that ever made knight. And on the morrow they of the castle ordained twelve knights for to ride with Sir Palomides unto the father of the same knight that Sir Palomides slew; and so they bound his legs under an old steed’s belly, and then they rode with Sir
Palomides unto a castle by the seaside, that hight Pelownes, and there Sir Palomides should have his justice—thus was their ordinance. And so they rode with Sir Palomides fast by the castle of Joyous Gard. And as they passed by that castle there came riding one of that castle by them that knew Sir Palomides; and when that knight saw him led bound upon a crooked courser, then the knight asked Sir Palomides for what cause he was so led.

  ‘Ah, my fair fellow and knight,’ said Sir Palomides, ‘I ride now toward my death for the slaying of a knight at the tournament of Lonazep; and if I had not departed from my lord Sir Tristram as I ought to have done, now might I have been sure to have had my life saved. But I pray you, sir knight, recommend me unto my lord Sir Tristram, and unto my lady Queen Isode, and say to them, if ever I trespassed to them, I ask them forgiveness. And also I beseech you recommend me unto my lord King Arthur, and to all the fellowship of the Round Table, unto my power.’

  Then that knight wept for pity, and therewith he rode unto Joyous Gard as fast as his horse might run; and lightly that knight descended down off his horse and went unto Sir Tristram, and there he told him all as ye have heard. And ever the knight wept as he were wood.

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  When Sir Tristram knew how Sir Palomides went to his death, he was heavy to hear thereof, and said, ‘Howbeit that I am wroth with him, yet I will not suffer him to die so shameful a death, for he is a full noble knight.’

  And anon Sir Tristram asked his arms; and when he was armed he took his horse and two squires with him, and rode a great pace through a forest after Sir Palomides, the next way unto the Castle of Pelownes where Sir Palomides was judged to his death. And as the twelve knights led him before them, there was the noble knight Sir Lancelot which was alit by a well, and had tied his horse to a tree, and had taken off his helm to drink of that well. And when he saw such a rout which seemed knights,* Sir Lancelot put on his helm and suffered them to pass by him. And anon was he ware of Sir Palomides, bound and led shamefully toward his death.