<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0207" id="link2HCH0207"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER XII. How Sir Palomides followed the Questing Beast, and smote down Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak with one spear. </h2>
<p>AND this meanwhile there came Sir Palomides, the good knight, following
the Questing Beast that had in shape a head like a serpent's head, and a
body like a leopard, buttocks like a lion, and footed like an hart; and in
his body there was such a noise as it had been the noise of thirty couple
of hounds questing, and such a noise that beast made wheresomever he went;
and this beast ever more Sir Palomides followed, for it was called his
quest. And right so as he followed this beast it came by Sir Tristram, and
soon after came Palomides. And to brief this matter he smote down Sir
Tristram and Sir Lamorak both with one spear; and so he departed after the
beast Galtisant, that was called the Questing Beast; wherefore these two
knights were passing wroth that Sir Palomides would not fight on foot with
them. Here men may understand that be of worship, that he was never formed
that all times might stand, but sometime he was put to the worse by
mal-fortune; and at sometime the worse knight put the better knight to a
rebuke.</p>
<p>Then Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak gat Sir Kehydius upon a shield betwixt
them both, and led him to a forester's lodge, and there they gave him in
charge to keep him well, and with him they abode three days. Then the two
knights took their horses and at the cross they departed. And then said
Sir Tristram to Sir Lamorak: I require you if ye hap to meet with Sir
Palomides, say him that he shall find me at the same well where I met him,
and there I, Sir Tristram, shall prove whether he be better knight than I.
And so either departed from other a sundry way, and Sir Tristram rode nigh
thereas was Sir Kehydius; and Sir Lamorak rode until he came to a chapel,
and there he put his horse unto pasture. And anon there came Sir
Meliagaunce, that was King Bagdemagus' son, and he there put his horse to
pasture, and was not ware of Sir Lamorak; and then this knight Sir
Meliagaunce made his moan of the love that he had to Queen Guenever, and
there he made a woful complaint. All this heard Sir Lamorak, and on the
morn Sir Lamorak took his horse and rode unto the forest, and there he met
with two knights hoving under the wood-shaw. Fair knights, said Sir
Lamorak, what do ye hoving here and watching? and if ye be knights-errant
that will joust, lo I am ready. Nay, sir knight, they said, not so, we
abide not here to joust with you, but we lie here in await of a knight
that slew our brother. What knight was that, said Sir Lamorak, that you
would fain meet withal? Sir, they said, it is Sir Launcelot that slew our
brother, and if ever we may meet with him he shall not escape, but we
shall slay him. Ye take upon you a great charge, said Sir Lamorak, for Sir
Launcelot is a noble proved knight. As for that we doubt not, for there
nis none of us but we are good enough for him. I will not believe that,
said Sir Lamorak, for I heard never yet of no knight the days of my life
but Sir Launcelot was too big for him.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0208" id="link2HCH0208"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER XIII. How Sir Lamorak met with Sir Meliagaunce, and fought together for the beauty of Dame Guenever. </h2>
<p>RIGHT so as they stood talking thus Sir Lamorak was ware how Sir Launcelot
came riding straight toward them; then Sir Lamorak saluted him, and he him
again. And then Sir Lamorak asked Sir Launcelot if there were anything
that he might do for him in these marches. Nay, said Sir Launcelot, not at
this time I thank you. Then either departed from other, and Sir Lamorak
rode again thereas he left the two knights, and then he found them hid in
the leaved wood. Fie on you, said Sir Lamorak, false cowards, pity and
shame it is that any of you should take the high order of knighthood. So
Sir Lamorak departed from them, and within a while he met with Sir
Meliagaunce. And then Sir Lamorak asked him why he loved Queen Guenever as
he did: For I was not far from you when ye made your complaint by the
chapel. Did ye so? said Sir Meliagaunce, then will I abide by it: I love
Queen Guenever, what will ye with it? I will prove and make good that she
is the fairest lady and most of beauty in the world. As to that, said Sir
Lamorak, I say nay thereto, for Queen Morgawse of Orkney, mother to Sir
Gawaine, and his mother is the fairest queen and lady that beareth the
life. That is not so, said Sir Meliagaunce, and that will I prove with my
hands upon thy body. Will ye so? said Sir Lamorak, and in a better quarrel
keep I not to fight. Then they departed either from other in great wrath.
And then they came riding together as it had been thunder, and either
smote other so sore that their horses fell backward to the earth. And then
they avoided their horses, and dressed their shields, and drew their
swords. And then they hurtled together as wild boars, and thus they fought
a great while. For Meliagaunce was a good man and of great might, but Sir
Lamorak was hard big for him, and put him always aback, but either had
wounded other sore.</p>
<p>And as they stood thus fighting, by fortune came Sir Launcelot and Sir
Bleoberis riding. And then Sir Launcelot rode betwixt them, and asked them
for what cause they fought so together: And ye are both knights of King
Arthur!</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0209" id="link2HCH0209"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER XIV. How Sir Meliagaunce told for what cause they fought, and how Sir Lamorak jousted with King Arthur. </h2>
<p>SIR, said Meliagaunce, I shall tell you for what cause we do this battle.
I praised my lady, Queen Guenever, and said she was the fairest lady of
the world, and Sir Lamorak said nay thereto, for he said Queen Morgawse of
Orkney was fairer than she and more of beauty. Ah, Sir Lamorak, why sayest
thou so? it is not thy part to dispraise thy princess that thou art under
her obeissance, and we all. And therewith he alighted on foot, and said:
For this quarrel, make thee ready, for I will prove upon thee that Queen
Guenever is the fairest lady and most of bounty in the world. Sir, said
Sir Lamorak, I am loath to have ado with you in this quarrel, for every
man thinketh his own lady fairest; and though I praise the lady that I
love most ye should not be wroth; for though my lady Queen Guenever, be
fairest in your eye, wit ye well Queen Morgawse of Orkney is fairest in
mine eye, and so every knight thinketh his own lady fairest; and wit ye
well, sir, ye are the man in the world except Sir Tristram that I am most
loathest to have ado withal, but, an ye will needs fight with me I shall
endure you as long as I may. Then spake Sir Bleoberis and said: My lord
Sir Launcelot, I wist you never so misadvised as ye are now, for Sir
Lamorak sayeth you but reason and knightly; for I warn you I have a lady,
and methinketh that she is the fairest lady of the world. Were this a
great reason that ye should be wroth with me for such language? And well
ye wot, that Sir Lamorak is as noble a knight as I know, and he hath ought
you and us ever good will, and therefore I pray you be good friends. Then
Sir Launcelot said unto Sir Lamorak. I pray you forgive me mine evil will,
and if I was misadvised I will amend it. Sir, said Sir Lamorak, the amends
is soon made betwixt you and me. And so Sir Launcelot and Sir Bleoberis
departed, and Sir Meliagaunce and Sir Lamorak took their horses, and
either departed from other.</p>
<p>And within a while came King Arthur, and met with Sir Lamorak, and jousted
with him; and there he smote down Sir Lamorak, and wounded him sore with a
spear, and so he rode from him; wherefore Sir Lamorak was wroth that he
would not fight with him on foot, howbeit that Sir Lamorak knew not King
Arthur.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0210" id="link2HCH0210"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER XV. How Sir Kay met with Sir Tristram, and after of the shame spoken of the knights of Cornwall, and how they jousted. </h2>
<p>NOW leave we of this tale, and speak we of Sir Tristram, that as he rode
he met with Sir Kay, the Seneschal; and there Sir Kay asked Sir Tristram
of what country he was. He answered that he was of the country of
Cornwall. It may well be, said Sir Kay, for yet heard I never that ever
good knight came out of Cornwall. That is evil spoken, said Sir Tristram,
but an it please you to tell me your name I require you. Sir, wit ye well,
said Sir Kay, that my name is Sir Kay, the Seneschal. Is that your name?
said Sir Tristram, now wit ye well that ye are named the shamefullest
knight of your tongue that now is living; howbeit ye are called a good
knight, but ye are called unfortunate, and passing overthwart of your
tongue. And thus they rode together till they came to a bridge. And there
was a knight would not let them pass till one of them jousted with him;
and so that knight jousted with Sir Kay, and there that knight gave Sir
Kay a fall: his name was Sir Tor, Sir Lamorak's half-brother. And then
they two rode to their lodging, and there they found Sir Brandiles, and
Sir Tor came thither anon after. And as they sat at supper these four
knights, three of them spake all shame by Cornish knights. Sir Tristram
heard all that they said and he said but little, but he thought the more,
but at that time he discovered not his name.</p>
<p>Upon the morn Sir Tristram took his horse and abode them upon their way.
And there Sir Brandiles proffered to joust with Sir Tristram, and Sir
Tristram smote him down, horse and all, to the earth. Then Sir Tor le Fise
de Vayshoure encountered with Sir Tristram and there Sir Tristram smote
him down, and then he rode his way, and Sir Kay followed him, but he would
not of his fellowship. Then Sir Brandiles came to Sir Kay and said: I
would wit fain what is that knight's name. Come on with me, said Sir Kay,
and we shall pray him to tell us his name. So they rode together till they
came nigh him, and then they were ware where he sat by a well, and had put
off his helm to drink at the well. And when he saw them come he laced on
his helm lightly, and took his horse, and proffered them to joust. Nay,
said Sir Brandiles, we jousted late enough with you, we come not in that
intent. But for this we come to require you of knighthood to tell us your
name. My fair knights, sithen that is your desire, and to please you, ye
shall wit that my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, nephew unto King Mark of
Cornwall. In good time, said Sir Brandiles, and well be ye found, and wit
ye well that we be right glad that we have found you, and we be of a
fellowship that would be right glad of your company. For ye are the knight
in the world that the noble fellowship of the Round Table most desireth to
have the company of. God thank them said Sir Tristram, of their great
goodness, but as yet I feel well that I am unable to be of their
fellowship, for I was never yet of such deeds of worthiness to be in the
company of such a fellowship. Ah, said Sir Kay, an ye be Sir Tristram de
Liones, ye are the man called now most of prowess except Sir Launcelot du
Lake; for he beareth not the life, Christian nor heathen, that can find
such another knight, to speak of his prowess, and of his hands, and his
truth withal. For yet could there never creature say of him dishonour and
make it good. Thus they talked a great while, and then they departed
either from other such ways as them seemed best.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0211" id="link2HCH0211"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER XVI. How King Arthur was brought into the Forest Perilous, and how Sir Tristram saved his life. </h2>
<p>NOW shall ye hear what was the cause that King Arthur came into the Forest
Perilous, that was in North Wales, by the means of a lady. Her name was
Annowre, and this lady came to King Arthur at Cardiff; and she by fair
promise and fair behests made King Arthur to ride with her into that
Forest Perilous; and she was a great sorceress; and many days she had
loved King Arthur, and because she would have him to lie by her she came
into that country. So when the king was gone with her many of his knights
followed after King Arthur when they missed him, as Sir Launcelot,
Brandiles, and many other; and when she had brought him to her tower she
desired him to lie by her; and then the king remembered him of his lady,
and would not lie by her for no craft that she could do. Then every day
she would make him ride into that forest with his own knights, to the
intent to have had King Arthur slain. For when this Lady Annowre saw that
she might not have him at her will, then she laboured by false means to
have destroyed King Arthur, and slain.</p>
<p>Then the Lady of the Lake that was alway friendly to King Arthur, she
understood by her subtle crafts that King Arthur was like to be destroyed.
And therefore this Lady of the Lake, that hight Nimue, came into that
forest to seek after Sir Launcelot du Lake or Sir Tristram for to help
King Arthur; foras that same day this Lady of the Lake knew well that King
Arthur should be slain, unless that he had help of one of these two
knights. And thus she rode up and down till she met with Sir Tristram, and
anon as she saw him she knew him. O my lord Sir Tristram, she said, well
be ye met, and blessed be the time that I have met with you; for this same
day, and within these two hours, shall be done the foulest deed that ever
was done in this land. O fair damosel, said Sir Tristram, may I amend it.
Come on with me, she said, and that in all the haste ye may, for ye shall
see the most worshipfullest knight of the world hard bestead. Then said
Sir Tristram: I am ready to help such a noble man. He is neither better
nor worse, said the Lady of the Lake, but the noble King Arthur himself.
God defend, said Sir Tristram, that ever he should be in such distress.
Then they rode together a great pace, until they came to a little turret
or castle; and underneath that castle they saw a knight standing upon foot
fighting with two knights; and so Sir Tristram beheld them, and at the
last the two knights smote down the one knight, and that one of them
unlaced his helm to have slain him. And the Lady Annowre gat King Arthur's
sword in her hand to have stricken off his head. And therewithal came Sir
Tristram with all his might, crying: Traitress, traitress, leave that. And
anon there Sir Tristram smote the one of the knights through the body that
he fell dead; and then he rashed to the other and smote his back asunder;
and in the meanwhile the Lady of the Lake cried to King Arthur: Let not
that false lady escape. Then King Arthur overtook her, and with the same
sword he smote off her head, and the Lady of the Lake took up her head and
hung it up by the hair of her saddle-bow. And then Sir Tristram horsed
King Arthur and rode forth with him, but he charged the Lady of the Lake
not to discover his name as at that time.</p>
<p>When the king was horsed he thanked heartily Sir Tristram, and desired to
wit his name; but he would not tell him, but that he was a poor knight
adventurous; and so he bare King Arthur fellowship till he met with some
of his knights. And within a while he met with Sir Ector de Maris, and he
knew not King Arthur nor Sir Tristram, and he desired to joust with one of
them. Then Sir Tristram rode unto Sir Ector, and smote him from his horse.
And when he had done so he came again to the king and said: My lord,
yonder is one of your knights, he may bare you fellowship, and another day
that deed that I have done for you I trust to God ye shall understand that
I would do you service. Alas, said King Arthur, let me wit what ye are?
Not at this time, said Sir Tristram. So he departed and left King Arthur
and Sir Ector together.</p>
<p><SPAN name="link2HCH0212" id="link2HCH0212"></SPAN></p>
<h2> CHAPTER XVII. How Sir Tristram came to La Beale Isoud, and how Kehydius began to love Beale Isoud, and of a letter that Tristram found. </h2>
<p>AND then at a day set Sir Tristram and Sir Lamorak met at the well; and
then they took Kehydius at the forester's house, and so they rode with him
to the ship where they left Dame Bragwaine and Gouvernail, and so they
sailed into Cornwall all wholly together. And by assent and information of
Dame Bragwaine when they were landed they rode unto Sir Dinas, the
Seneschal, a trusty friend of Sir Tristram's. And so Dame Bragwaine and
Sir Dinas rode to the court of King Mark, and told the queen, La Beale
Isoud, that Sir Tristram was nigh her in that country. Then for very pure
joy La Beale Isoud swooned; and when she might speak she said: Gentle
knight Seneschal, help that I might speak with him, outher my heart will
brast. Then Sir Dinas and Dame Bragwaine brought Sir Tristram and Kehydius
privily unto the court, unto a chamber whereas La Beale Isoud had assigned
it; and to tell the joys that were betwixt La Beale Isoud and Sir
Tristram, there is no tongue can tell it, nor heart think it, nor pen
write it. And as the French book maketh mention, at the first time that
ever Sir Kehydius saw La Beale Isoud he was so enamoured upon her that for
very pure love he might never withdraw it. And at the last, as ye shall
hear or the book be ended, Sir Kehydius died for the love of La Beale
Isoud. And then privily he wrote unto her letters and ballads of the most
goodliest that were used in those days. And when La Beale Isoud understood
his letters she had pity of his complaint, and unavised she wrote another
letter to comfort him withal.</p>
<p>And Sir Tristram was all this while in a turret at the commandment of La
Beale Isoud, and when she might she came unto Sir Tristram. So on a day
King Mark played at the chess under a chamber window; and at that time Sir
Tristram and Sir Kehydius were within the chamber over King Mark, and as
it mishapped Sir Tristram found the letter that Kehydius sent unto La
Beale Isoud, also he had found the letter that she wrote unto Kehydius,
and at that same time La Beale Isoud was in the same chamber. Then Sir
Tristram came unto La Beale Isoud and said: Madam, here is a letter that
was sent unto you, and here is the letter that ye sent unto him that sent
you that letter. Alas, Madam, the good love that I have loved you; and
many lands and riches have I forsaken for your love, and now ye are a
traitress to me, the which doth me great pain. But as for thee, Sir
Kehydius, I brought thee out of Brittany into this country, and thy
father, King Howel, I won his lands, howbeit I wedded thy sister Isoud la
Blanche Mains for the goodness she did unto me. And yet, as I am true
knight, she is a clean maiden for me; but wit thou well, Sir Kehydius, for
this falsehood and treason thou hast done me, I will revenge it upon thee.
And therewithal Sir Tristram drew out his sword and said: Sir Kehydius,
keep thee, and then La Beale Isoud swooned to the earth. And when Sir
Kehydius saw Sir Tristram come upon him he saw none other boot, but leapt
out at a bay-window even over the head where sat King Mark playing at the
chess. And when the king saw one come hurling over his head he said:
Fellow, what art thou, and what is the cause thou leapest out at that
window? My lord the king, said Kehydius, it fortuned me that I was asleep
in the window above your head, and as I slept I slumbered, and so I fell
down. And thus Sir Kehydius excused him.</p>
<p>CHAP TER XVIII. How Sir Tristram departed from Tintagil, and how he
sorrowed and was so long in a forest till he was out of his mind.</p>
<p>THEN Sir Tristram dread sore lest he were discovered unto the king that he
was there; wherefore he drew him to the strength of the Tower, and armed
him in such armour as he had for to fight with them that would withstand
him. And so when Sir Tristram saw there was no resistance against him he
sent Gouvernail for his horse and his spear, and knightly he rode forth
out of the castle openly, that was called the Castle of Tintagil. And even
at gate he met with Gingalin, Sir Gawaine's son. And anon Sir Gingalin put
his spear in his rest, and ran upon Sir Tristram and brake his spear; and
Sir Tristram at that time had but a sword, and gave him such a buffet upon
the helm that he fell down from his saddle, and his sword slid adown, and
carved asunder his horse's neck. And so Sir Tristram rode his way into the
forest, and all this doing saw King Mark. And then he sent a squire unto
the hurt knight, and commanded him to come to him, and so he did. And when
King Mark wist that it was Sir Gingalin he welcomed him and gave him an
horse, and asked him what knight it was that had encountered with him.
Sir, said Gingalin, I wot not what knight he was, but well I wot that he
sigheth and maketh great dole.</p>
<p>Then Sir Tristram within a while met with a knight of his own, that hight
Sir Fergus. And when he had met with him he made great sorrow, insomuch
that he fell down off his horse in a swoon, and in such sorrow he was in
three days and three nights. Then at the last Sir Tristram sent unto the
court by Sir Fergus, for to spere what tidings. And so as he rode by the
way he met with a damosel that came from Sir Palomides, to know and seek
how Sir Tristram did. Then Sir Fergus told her how he was almost out of
his mind. Alas, said the damosel, where shall I find him? In such a place,
said Sir Fergus. Then Sir Fergus found Queen Isoud sick in her bed, making
the greatest dole that ever any earthly woman made. And when the damosel
found Sir Tristram she made great dole because she might not amend him,
for the more she made of him the more was his pain. And at the last Sir
Tristram took his horse and rode away from her. And then was it three days
or that she could find him, and then she brought him meat and drink, but
he would none; and then another time Sir Tristram escaped away from the
damosel, and it happed him to ride by the same castle where Sir Palomides
and Sir Tristram did battle when La Beale Isoud departed them. And there
by fortune the damosel met with Sir Tristram again, making the greatest
dole that ever earthly creature made; and she yede to the lady of that
castle and told her of the misadventure of Sir Tristram. Alas, said the
lady of that castle, where is my lord, Sir Tristram? Right here by your
castle, said the damosel. In good time, said the lady, is he so nigh me;
he shall have meat and drink of the best; and an harp I have of his
whereupon he taught me, for of goodly harping he beareth the prize in the
world. So this lady and damosel brought him meat and drink, but he ate
little thereof. Then upon a night he put his horse from him, and then he
unlaced his armour, and then Sir Tristram would go into the wilderness,
and brast down the trees and boughs; and otherwhile when he found the harp
that the lady sent him, then would he harp, and play thereupon and weep
together. And sometime when Sir Tristram was in the wood that the lady
wist not where he was, then would she sit her down and play upon that
harp: then would Sir Tristram come to that harp, and hearken thereto, and
sometime he would harp himself. Thus he there endured a quarter of a year.
Then at the last he ran his way, and she wist not where he was become. And
then was he naked and waxed lean and poor of flesh; and so he fell in the
fellowship of herdmen and shepherds, and daily they would give him some of
their meat and drink. And when he did any shrewd deed they would beat him
with rods, and so they clipped him with shears and made him like a fool.</p>
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