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<h2> CHAPTER XVII. How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Bleoberis for a lady, and how the lady was put to choice to whom she would go. </h2>
<p>THEN Sir Tristram rode more than a pace until that he had overtaken him.
Then spake Sir Tristram: Abide, he said, Knight of Arthur's court, bring
again that lady, or deliver her to me. I will do neither, said Bleoberis,
for I dread no Cornish knight so sore that me list to deliver her. Why,
said Sir Tristram, may not a Cornish knight do as well as another knight?
this same day two knights of your court within this three mile met with
me, and or ever we departed they found a Cornish knight good enough for
them both. What were their names? said Bleoberis. They told me, said Sir
Tristram, that the one of them hight Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and the
other hight Dodinas le Savage. Ah, said Sir Bleoberis, have ye met with
them? so God me help, they were two good knights and men of great worship,
and if ye have beat them both ye must needs be a good knight; but if it so
be ye have beat them both, yet shall ye not fear me, but ye shall beat me
or ever ye have this lady. Then defend you, said Sir Tristram. So they
departed and came together like thunder, and either bare other down, horse
and all, to the earth.</p>
<p>Then they avoided their horses, and lashed together eagerly with swords,
and mightily, now tracing and traversing on the right hand and on the left
hand more than two hours. And sometime they rushed together with such a
might that they lay both grovelling on the ground. Then Sir Bleoberis de
Ganis stert aback, and said thus: Now, gentle good knight, a while hold
your hands, and let us speak together. Say what ye will, said Tristram,
and I will answer you. Sir, said Bleoberis, I would wit of whence ye be,
and of whom ye be come, and what is your name? So God me help, said Sir
Tristram, I fear not to tell you my name. Wit ye well I am King Meliodas'
son, and my mother is King Mark's sister, and my name is Sir Tristram de
Liones, and King Mark is mine uncle. Truly, said Bleoberis, I am right
glad of you, for ye are he that slew Marhaus the knight, hand for hand in
an island, for the truage of Cornwall; also ye overcame Sir Palamides the
good knight, at a tournament in an island, where ye beat Sir Gawaine and
his nine fellows. So God me help, said Sir Tristram, wit ye well that I am
the same knight; now I have told you my name, tell me yours with good
will. Wit ye well that my name is Sir Bleoberis de Ganis, and my brother
hight Sir Blamore de Ganis, that is called a good knight, and we be
sister's children unto my lord Sir Launcelot du Lake, that we call one of
the best knights of the world. That is truth, said Sir Tristram, Sir
Launcelot is called peerless of courtesy and of knighthood; and for his
sake, said Sir Tristram, I will not with my good will fight no more with
you, for the great love I have to Sir Launcelot du Lake. In good faith,
said Bleoberis, as for me I will be loath to fight with you; but sithen ye
follow me here to have this lady, I shall proffer you kindness, courtesy,
and gentleness right here upon this ground. This lady shall be betwixt us
both, and to whom that she will go, let him have her in peace. I will
well, said Tristram, for, as I deem, she will leave you and come to me. Ye
shall prove it anon, said Bleoberis.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XVIII. How the lady forsook Sir Tristram and abode with Sir Bleoberis, and how she desired to go to her husband. </h2>
<p>So when she was set betwixt them both she said these words unto Sir
Tristram: Wit ye well, Sir Tristram de Liones, that but late thou wast the
man in the world that I most loved and trusted, and I weened thou hadst
loved me again above all ladies; but when thou sawest this knight lead me
away thou madest no cheer to rescue me, but suffered my lord Segwarides
ride after me; but until that time I weened thou haddest loved me, and
therefore now I will leave thee, and never love thee more. And therewithal
she went unto Sir Bleoberis.</p>
<p>When Sir Tristram saw her do so he was wonderly wroth with that lady, and
ashamed to come to the court. Sir Tristram, said Sir Bleoberis, ye are in
the default, for I hear by this lady's words she before this day trusted
you above all earthly knights, and, as she saith, ye have deceived her,
therefore wit ye well, there may no man hold that will away; and rather
than ye should be heartily displeased with me I would ye had her, an she
would abide with you. Nay, said the lady, so God me help I will never go
with him; for he that I loved most I weened he had loved me. And
therefore, Sir Tristram, she said, ride as thou came, for though thou
haddest overcome this knight, as ye was likely, with thee never would I
have gone. And I shall pray this knight so fair of his knighthood, that or
ever he pass this country, that he will lead me to the abbey where my lord
Sir Segwarides lieth. So God me help, said Bleoberis, I let you wit, good
knight Sir Tristram, because King Mark gave me the choice of a gift in
this court, and so this lady liked me best—notwithstanding, she is
wedded and hath a lord, and I have fulfilled my quest, she shall be sent
unto her husband again, and in especial most for your sake, Sir Tristram;
and if she would go with you I would ye had her. I thank you, said Sir
Tristram, but for her love I shall beware what manner a lady I shall love
or trust; for had her lord, Sir Segwarides, been away from the court, I
should have been the first that should have followed you; but sithen that
ye have refused me, as I am true knight I shall her know passingly well
that I shall love or trust. And so they took their leave one from the
other and departed.</p>
<p>And so Sir Tristram rode unto Tintagil, and Sir Bleoberis rode unto the
abbey where Sir Segwarides lay sore wounded, and there he delivered his
lady, and departed as a noble knight; and when Sir Segwarides saw his
lady, he was greatly comforted; and then she told him that Sir Tristram
had done great battle with Sir Bleoberis, and caused him to bring her
again. These words pleased Sir Segwarides right well, that Sir Tristram
would do so much; and so that lady told all the battle unto King Mark
betwixt Sir Tristram and Sir Bleoberis.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XIX. How King Mark sent Sir Tristram for La Beale Isoud toward Ireland, and how by fortune he arrived into England. </h2>
<p>THEN when this was done King Mark cast always in his heart how he might
destroy Sir Tristram. And then he imagined in himself to send Sir Tristram
into Ireland for La Beale Isoud. For Sir Tristram had so praised her
beauty and her goodness that King Mark said that he would wed her,
whereupon he prayed Sir Tristram to take his way into Ireland for him on
message. And all this was done to the intent to slay Sir Tristram.
Notwithstanding, Sir Tristram would not refuse the message for no danger
nor peril that might fall, for the pleasure of his uncle, but to go he
made him ready in the most goodliest wise that might be devised. For Sir
Tristram took with him the most goodliest knights that he might find in
the court; and they were arrayed, after the guise that was then used, in
the goodliest manner. So Sir Tristram departed and took the sea with all
his fellowship. And anon, as he was in the broad sea a tempest took him
and his fellowship, and drove them back into the coast of England; and
there they arrived fast by Camelot, and full fain they were to take the
land.</p>
<p>And when they were landed Sir Tristram set up his pavilion upon the land
of Camelot, and there he let hang his shield upon the pavilion. And that
same day came two knights of King Arthur's, that one was Sir Ector de
Maris, and Sir Morganor. And they touched the shield, and bade him come
out of the pavilion for to joust, an he would joust. Ye shall be answered,
said Sir Tristram, an ye will tarry a little while. So he made him ready,
and first he smote down Sir Ector de Maris, and after he smote down Sir
Morganor, all with one spear, and sore bruised them. And when they lay
upon the earth they asked Sir Tristram what he was, and of what country he
was knight. Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, wit ye well that I am of
Cornwall. Alas, said Sir Ector, now am I ashamed that ever any Cornish
knight should overcome me. And then for despite Sir Ector put off his
armour from him, and went on foot, and would not ride.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XX. How King Anguish of Ireland was summoned to come to King Arthur's court for treason. </h2>
<p>THEN it fell that Sir Bleoberis and Sir Blamore de Ganis, that were
brethren, they had summoned the King Anguish of Ireland for to come to
Arthur's court upon pain of forfeiture of King Arthur's good grace. And if
the King of Ireland came not in, at the day assigned and set, the king
should lose his lands. So it happened that at the day assigned, King
Arthur neither Sir Launcelot might not be there for to give the judgment,
for King Arthur was with Sir Launcelot at the Castle Joyous Garde. And so
King Arthur assigned King Carados and the King of Scots to be there that
day as judges. So when the kings were at Camelot King Anguish of Ireland
was come to know his accusers. Then was there Sir Blamore de Ganis, and
appealed the King of Ireland of treason, that he had slain a cousin of his
in his court in Ireland by treason. The king was sore abashed of his
accusation, for-why he was come at the summons of King Arthur, and or he
came at Camelot he wist not wherefore he was sent after. And when the king
heard Sir Blamore say his will, he understood well there was none other
remedy but for to answer him knightly; for the custom was such in those
days, that an any man were appealed of any treason or murder he should
fight body for body, or else to find another knight for him. And all
manner of murders in those days were called treason.</p>
<p>So when King Anguish understood his accusing he was passing heavy, for he
knew Sir Blamore de Ganis that he was a noble knight, and of noble knights
come. Then the King of Ireland was simply purveyed of his answer;
therefore the judges gave him respite by the third day to give his answer.
So the king departed unto his lodging. The meanwhile there came a lady by
Sir Tristram's pavilion making great dole. What aileth you, said Sir
Tristram, that ye make such dole? Ah, fair knight, said the lady, I am
ashamed unless that some good knight help me; for a great lady of worship
sent by me a fair child and a rich, unto Sir Launcelot du Lake, and hereby
there met with me a knight, and threw me down from my palfrey, and took
away the child from me. Well, my lady, said Sir Tristram, and for my lord
Sir Launcelot's sake I shall get you that child again, or else I shall be
beaten for it. And so Sir Tristram took his horse, and asked the lady
which way the knight rode; and then she told him. And he rode after him,
and within a while he overtook that knight. And then Sir Tristram bade him
turn and give again the child.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXI. How Sir Tristram rescued a child from a knight, and how Gouvernail told him of King Anguish. </h2>
<p>THE knight turned his horse and made him ready to fight. And then Sir
Tristram smote him with a sword such a buffet that he tumbled to the
earth. And then he yielded him unto Sir Tristram. Then come thy way, said
Sir Tristram, and bring the child to the lady again. So he took his horse
meekly and rode with Sir Tristram; and then by the way Sir Tristram asked
him his name. Then he said, My name is Breuse Saunce Pite. So when he had
delivered that child to the lady, he said: Sir, as in this the child is
well remedied. Then Sir Tristram let him go again that sore repented him
after, for he was a great foe unto many good knights of King Arthur's
court.</p>
<p>Then when Sir Tristram was in his pavilion Gouvernail, his man, came and
told him how that King Anguish of Ireland was come thither, and he was put
in great distress; and there Gouvernail told Sir Tristram how King Anguish
was summoned and appealed of murder. So God me help, said Sir Tristram,
these be the best tidings that ever came to me this seven years, for now
shall the King of Ireland have need of my help; for I daresay there is no
knight in this country that is not of Arthur's court dare do battle with
Sir Blamore de Ganis; and for to win the love of the King of Ireland I
will take the battle upon me; and therefore Gouvernail bring me, I charge
thee, to the king.</p>
<p>Then Gouvernail went unto King Anguish of Ireland, and saluted him fair.
The king welcomed him and asked him what he would. Sir, said Gouvernail,
here is a knight near hand that desireth to speak with you: he bade me say
he would do you service. What knight is he? said the king. Sir, said he,
it is Sir Tristram de Liones, that for your good grace that ye showed him
in your lands will reward you in this country. Come on, fellow, said the
king, with me anon and show me unto Sir Tristram. So the king took a
little hackney and but few fellowship with him, until he came unto Sir
Tristram's pavilion. And when Sir Tristram saw the king he ran unto him
and would have holden 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 showed unto me in your marches
and lands: and at that time I promised you to do you service an ever it
lay in my power. And, 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 Launcelot; wherefore Sir Blamore de
Ganis, brother to Sir Bleoberis hath appealed me to fight with him, outher
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 Launcelot and these other, are
passing good 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 me in
Ireland, and for my lady your daughter's sake, La Beale Isoud, I will take
the battle for you upon this condition that ye shall grant me two things:
that one is that ye shall swear to me that ye are in the right, that ye
were never consenting to the knight's death; Sir, then said Sir Tristram,
when that I have done this battle, if God give me grace that I speed, that
ye shall give me a reward, what thing reasonable that I will ask of you.
So God me help, said the king, ye shall have whatsomever ye will ask. It
is well said, said Sir Tristram.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXII. How Sir Tristram fought for Sir Anguish and overcame his adversary, and how his adversary would never yield him. </h2>
<p>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, an ye should have ado with Sir Launcelot du Lake— Sir, said
Sir Tristram, as for Sir Launcelot, he is called the noblest knight of the
world, and wit ye well that the knights of his blood are noble men, and
dread shame; and as for Bleoberis, brother unto Sir Blamore, I have done
battle with him, therefore upon my head it is no shame to call him a good
knight. It is noised, said the king, that Blamore is the hardier knight.
Sir, as for that let him be, he shall never be refused, an as he were the
best knight that now beareth shield or spear.</p>
<p>So King Anguish departed unto King Carados and the kings that were that
time as judges, and told them that he had found his champion ready. Then
by the commandment of the kings Sir Blamore de Ganis and Sir Tristram were
sent for to hear the charge. And when they were come before the judges
there were many kings and knights beheld Sir Tristram, and much speech
they had of him because that he slew Sir Marhaus, the good knight, and
because he for-jousted Sir Palamides the good knight. So when they had
taken their charge they withdrew them to make them ready to do battle.</p>
<p>Then said Sir Bleoberis unto his brother, Sir Blamore: Fair dear brother,
remember of what kin we be come of, and what a man is Sir Launcelot du
Lake, neither farther nor nearer but brother's children, and there was
never none of our kin that ever was shamed in battle; and rather suffer
death, brother, than to be shamed. Brother, said Blamore, have ye no doubt
of me, for I shall never shame none of my blood; howbeit I am sure that
yonder knight is called a passing good knight as of his time one of 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 as recreant. God speed you well, said Sir
Bleoberis, for ye shall find him the mightiest knight that ever ye had ado
withal, for I know him, for I have had ado with him. God me speed, said
Sir Blamore de Ganis; 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
feutred their spears and came together as it had been thunder; and there
Sir Tristram through great might smote down Sir Blamore and his horse to
the earth. Then anon Sir Blamore avoided his horse and pulled out his
sword and threw his shield afore him, and bade Sir Tristram alight: For
though an horse hath failed me, I trust to God the earth will not fail me.
And then Sir Tristram alighted, and dressed him unto battle; and there
they lashed together strongly as racing and tracing, 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, so that there was never
knights seen fight more fiercely than they did; for Sir Blamore was so
hasty that he would have no rest, that all men wondered that they had
breath to stand on their feet; and all the place was bloody that they
fought in. And at the last, Sir Tristram smote Sir Blamore such a buffet
upon the helm that he there fell down upon his side, and Sir Tristram
stood and beheld him.</p>
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