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<h2> CHAPTER XXIII. How a damosel sought help to help Sir Launcelot against thirty knights, and how Sir Tristram fought with them. </h2>
<p>AND at the next landing, fast by the sea, there met with Sir Tristram and
with Sir Dinadan, Sir Ector de Maris and Sir Bors de Ganis; and there Sir
Ector jousted with Sir Dinadan, and he smote him and his horse down. And
then Sir Tristram would have jousted with Sir Bors, and Sir Bors said that
he would not joust with no Cornish knights, for they are not called men of
worship; and all this was done upon a bridge. And with this came Sir
Bleoberis and Sir Driant, and Sir Bleoberis proffered to joust with Sir
Tristram, and there Sir Tristram smote down Sir Bleoberis. Then said Sir
Bors de Ganis: I wist never Cornish knight of so great valour nor so
valiant as that knight that beareth the trappings embroidered with crowns.
And then Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan departed from them into a forest,
and there met them a damosel that came for the love of Sir Launcelot to
seek after some noble knights of King Arthur's court for to rescue Sir
Launcelot. And so Sir Launcelot was ordained, for-by the treason of Queen
Morgan le Fay to have slain Sir Launcelot, and for that cause she ordained
thirty knights to lie in await for Sir Launcelot, and this damosel knew
this treason. And for this cause the damosel came for to seek noble
knights to help Sir Launcelot. For that night, or the day after, Sir
Launcelot should come where these thirty knights were. And so this damosel
met with Sir Bors and Sir Ector and with Sir Driant, and there she told
them all four of the treason of Morgan le Fay; and then they promised her
that they would be nigh where Sir Launcelot should meet with the thirty
knights. And if so be they set upon him we will do rescues as we can.</p>
<p>So the damosel departed, and by adventure the damosel met with Sir
Tristram and with Sir Dinadan, and there the damosel told them all the
treason that was ordained for Sir Launcelot. Fair damosel, said Sir
Tristram, bring me to that same place where they should meet with Sir
Launcelot. Then said Sir Dinadan: What will ye do? it is not for us to
fight with thirty knights, and wit you well I will not thereof; as to
match one knight two or three is enough an they be men, but for to match
fifteen knights that will I never undertake. Fie for shame, said Sir
Tristram, do but your part. Nay, said Sir Dinadan, I will not thereof but
if ye will lend me your shield, for ye bear a shield of Cornwall; and for
the cowardice that is named to the knights of Cornwall, by your shields ye
be ever forborne. Nay, said Sir Tristram, I will not depart from my shield
for her sake that gave it me. But one thing, said Sir Tristram, I promise
thee, Sir Dinadan, but if thou wilt promise me to abide with me, here I
shall slay thee, for I desire no more of thee but answer one knight. And
if thy heart will not serve thee, stand by and look upon me and them. Sir,
said Sir Dinadan, I promise you to look upon and to do what I may to save
myself, but I would I had not met with you.</p>
<p>So then anon these thirty knights came fast by these four knights, and
they were ware of them, and either of other. And so these thirty knights
let them pass, for this cause, that they would not wrath them, if case be
that they had ado with Sir Launcelot; and the four knights let them pass
to this intent, that they would see and behold what they would do with Sir
Launcelot. And so the thirty knights passed on and came by Sir Tristram
and by Sir Dinadan, and then Sir Tristram cried on high: Lo, here is a
knight against you for the love of Sir Launcelot. And there he slew two
with one spear and ten with his sword. And then came in Sir Dinadan and he
did passing well, and so of the thirty knights there went but ten away,
and they fled. All this battle saw Sir Bors de Ganis and his three
fellows, and then they saw well it was the same knight that jousted with
them at the bridge; then they took their horses and rode unto Sir
Tristram, and praised him and thanked him of his good deeds, and they all
desired Sir Tristram to go with them to their lodging; and he said: Nay,
he would not go to no lodging. Then they all four knights prayed him to
tell them his name. Fair lords, said Sir Tristram, as at this time I will
not tell you my name.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXIV. How Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan came to a lodging where they must joust with two knights. </h2>
<p>THEN Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode forth their way till they came to
the shepherds and to the herdmen, and there they asked them if they knew
any lodging or harbour there nigh hand. Forsooth, sirs, said the herdmen,
hereby is good lodging in a castle; but there is such a custom that there
shall no knight be harboured but if he joust with two knights, and if he
be but one knight he must joust with two. And as ye be therein soon shall
ye be matched. There is shrewd harbour, said Sir Dinadan; lodge where ye
will, for I will not lodge there. Fie for shame, said Sir Tristram, are ye
not a knight of the Table Round? wherefore ye may not with your worship
refuse your lodging. Not so, said the herdmen, for an ye be beaten and
have the worse ye shall not be lodged there, and if ye beat them ye shall
be well harboured. Ah, said Sir Dinadan, they are two sure knights. Then
Sir Dinadan would not lodge there in no manner but as Sir Tristram
required him of his knighthood; and so they rode thither. And to make
short tale, Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan smote them down both, and so they
entered into the castle and had good cheer as they could think or devise.</p>
<p>And when they were unarmed, and thought to be merry and in good rest,
there came in at the gates Sir Palomides and Sir Gaheris, requiring to
have the custom of the castle. What array is this? said Sir Dinadan, I
would have my rest. That may not be, said Sir Tristram; now must we needs
defend the custom of this castle, insomuch as we have the better of the
lords of this castle, and therefore, said Sir Tristram, needs must ye make
you ready. In the devil's name, said Sir Dinadan, came I into your
company. And so they made them ready; and Sir Gaheris encountered with Sir
Tristram, and Sir Gaheris had a fall; and Sir Palomides encountered with
Sir Dinadan, and Sir Dinadan had a fall: then was it fall for fall. So
then must they fight on foot. That would not Sir Dinadan, for he was so
sore bruised of the fall that Sir Palomides gave him. Then Sir Tristram
unlaced Sir Dinadan's helm, and prayed him to help him. I will not, said
Sir Dinadan, for I am sore wounded of the thirty knights that we had but
late ago to do withal. But ye fare, said Sir Dinadan unto Sir Tristram, as
a madman and as a man that is out of his mind that would cast himself
away, and I may curse the time that ever I saw you, for in all the world
are not two such knights that be so wood as is Sir Launcelot and ye Sir
Tristram; for once I fell in the fellowship of Sir Launcelot as I have
done now with you, and he set me a work that a quarter of a year I kept my
bed. Jesu defend me, said Sir Dinadan, from such two knights, and
specially from your fellowship. Then, said Sir Tristram, I will fight with
them both. Then Sir Tristram bade them come forth both, for I will fight
with you. Then Sir Palomides and Sir Gaheris dressed them, and smote at
them both. Then Dinadan smote at Sir Gaheris a stroke or two, and turned
from him. Nay, said Sir Palomides, it is too much shame for us two knights
to fight with one. And then he did bid Sir Gaheris stand aside with that
knight that hath no list to fight. Then they rode together and fought
long, and at the last Sir Tristram doubled his strokes, and drove Sir
Palomides aback more than three strides. And then by one assent Sir
Gaheris and Sir Dinadan went betwixt them, and departed them in-sunder.
And then by assent of Sir Tristram they would have lodged together. But
Sir Dinadan would not lodge in that castle. And then he cursed the time
that ever he came in their fellowship, and so he took his horse, and his
harness, and departed.</p>
<p>Then Sir Tristram prayed the lords of that castle to lend him a man to
bring him to a lodging, and so they did, and overtook Sir Dinadan, and
rode to their lodging two mile thence with a good man in a priory, and
there they were well at ease. And that same night Sir Bors and Sir
Bleoberis, and Sir Ector and Sir Driant, abode still in the same place
thereas Sir Tristram fought with the thirty knights; and there they met
with Sir Launcelot the same night, and had made promise to lodge with Sir
Colgrevance the same night.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXV. How Sir Tristram jousted with Sir Kay and Sir Sagramore le Desirous, and how Sir Gawaine turned Sir Tristram from Morgan le Fay. </h2>
<p>BUT anon as the noble knight, Sir Launcelot, heard of the shield of
Cornwall, then wist he well that it was Sir Tristram that fought with his
enemies. And then Sir Launcelot praised Sir Tristram, and called him the
man of most worship in the world. So there was a knight in that priory
that hight Pellinore, and he desired to wit the name of Sir Tristram, but
in no wise he could not; and so Sir Tristram departed and left Sir Dinadan
in the priory, for he was so weary and so sore bruised that he might not
ride. Then this knight, Sir Pellinore, said to Sir Dinadan: Sithen that ye
will not tell me that knight's name I will ride after him and make him to
tell me his name, or he shall die therefore. Beware, sir knight, said Sir
Dinadan, for an ye follow him ye shall repent it. So that knight, Sir
Pellinore, rode after Sir Tristram and required him of jousts. Then Sir
Tristram smote him down and wounded him through the shoulder, and so he
passed on his way. And on the next day following Sir Tristram met with
pursuivants, and they told him that there was made a great cry of
tournament between King Carados of Scotland and the King of North Wales,
and either should joust against other at the Castle of Maidens; and these
pursuivants sought all the country after the good knights, and in especial
King Carados let make seeking for Sir Launcelot du Lake, and the King of
Northgalis let seek after Sir Tristram de Liones. And at that time Sir
Tristram thought to be at that jousts; and so by adventure they met with
Sir Kay, the Seneschal, and Sir Sagramore le Desirous; and Sir Kay
required Sir Tristram to joust, and Sir Tristram in a manner refused him,
because he would not be hurt nor bruised against the great jousts that
should be before the Castle of Maidens, and therefore thought to repose
him and to rest him. And alway Sir Kay cried: Sir knight of Cornwall,
joust with me, or else yield thee to me as recreant. When Sir Tristram
heard him say so he turned to him, and then Sir Kay refused him and turned
his back. Then Sir Tristram said: As I find thee I shall take thee. Then
Sir Kay turned with evil will, and Sir Tristram smote Sir Kay down, and so
he rode forth.</p>
<p>Then Sir Sagramore le Desirous rode after Sir Tristram, and made him to
joust with him, and there Sir Tristram smote down Sir Sagramore le
Desirous from his horse, and rode his way; and the same day he met with a
damosel that told him that he should win great worship of a knight
adventurous that did much harm in all that country. When Sir Tristram
heard her say so, he was glad to go with her to win worship. So Sir
Tristram rode with that damosel a six mile, and then met him Sir Gawaine,
and therewithal Sir Gawaine knew the damosel, that she was a damosel of
Queen Morgan le Fay. Then Sir Gawaine understood that she led that knight
to some mischief. Fair knight, said Sir Gawaine, whither ride you now with
that damosel? Sir, said Sir Tristram, I wot not whither I shall ride but
as the damosel will lead me. Sir, said Sir Gawaine, ye shall not ride with
her, for she and her lady did never good, but ill. And then Sir Gawaine
pulled out his sword and said: Damosel, but if thou tell me anon for what
cause thou leadest this knight with thee thou shalt die for it right anon:
I know all your lady's treason, and yours. Mercy, Sir Gawaine, she said,
and if ye will save my life I will tell you. Say on, said Sir Gawaine, and
thou shalt have thy life. Sir, she said, Queen Morgan le Fay, my lady,
hath ordained a thirty ladies to seek and espy after Sir Launcelot or Sir
Tristram, and by the trains of these ladies, who that may first meet any
of these two knights they should turn them unto Morgan le Fay's castle,
saying that they should do deeds of worship; and if any of the two knights
came there, there be thirty knights lying and watching in a tower to wait
upon Sir Launcelot or upon Sir Tristram. Fie for shame, said Sir Gawaine,
that ever such false treason should be wrought or used in a queen, and a
king's sister, and a king and queen's daughter.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXVI. How Sir Tristram and Sir Gawaine rode to have foughten with the thirty knights, but they durst not come out. </h2>
<p>SIR, said Sir Gawaine, will ye stand with me, and we will see the malice
of these thirty knights. Sir, said Sir Tristram, go ye to them, an it
please you, and ye shall see I will not fail you, for it is not long ago
since I and a fellow met with thirty knights of that queen's fellowship;
and God speed us so that we may win worship. So then Sir Gawaine and Sir
Tristram rode toward the castle where Morgan le Fay was, and ever Sir
Gawaine deemed well that he was Sir Tristram de Liones, because he heard
that two knights had slain and beaten thirty knights. And when they came
afore the castle Sir Gawaine spake on high and said: Queen Morgan le Fay,
send out your knights that ye have laid in a watch for Sir Launcelot and
for Sir Tristram. Now, said Sir Gawaine, I know your false treason, and
through all places where that I ride men shall know of your false treason;
and now let see, said Sir Gawaine, whether ye dare come out of your
castle, ye thirty knights. Then the queen spake and all the thirty knights
at once, and said: Sir Gawaine, full well wottest thou what thou dost and
sayest; for by God we know thee passing well, but all that thou speakest
and dost, thou sayest it upon pride of that good knight that is there with
thee. For there be some of us that know full well the hands of that knight
over all well. And wit thou well, Sir Gawaine, it is more for his sake
than for thine that we will not come out of this castle. For wit ye well,
Sir Gawaine, the knight that beareth the arms of Cornwall, we know him and
what he is.</p>
<p>Then Sir Gawaine and Sir Tristram departed and rode on their ways a day or
two together; and there by adventure, they met with Sir Kay and Sir
Sagramore le Desirous. And then they were glad of Sir Gawaine, and he of
them, but they wist not what he was with the shield of Cornwall, but by
deeming. And thus they rode together a day or two. And then they were ware
of Sir Breuse Saunce Pite chasing a lady for to have slain her, for he had
slain her paramour afore. Hold you all still, said Sir Gawaine, and show
none of you forth, and ye shall see me reward yonder false knight; for an
he espy you he is so well horsed that he will escape away. And then Sir
Gawaine rode betwixt Sir Breuse and the lady, and said: False knight,
leave her, and have ado with me. When Sir Breuse saw no more but Sir
Gawaine he feutred his spear, and Sir Gawaine against him; and there Sir
Breuse overthrew Sir Gawaine, and then he rode over him, and overthwart
him twenty times to have destroyed him; and when Sir Tristram saw him do
so villainous a deed, he hurled out against him. And when Sir Breuse saw
him with the shield of Cornwall he knew him well that it was Sir Tristram,
and then he fled, and Sir Tristram followed after him; and Sir Breuse
Saunce Pite was so horsed that he went his way quite, and Sir Tristram
followed him long, for he would fain have been avenged upon him. And so
when he had long chased him, he saw a fair well, and thither he rode to
repose him, and tied his horse till a tree.</p>
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