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<h2> CHAPTER XXXVI. How Palomides came to the castle where Sir Tristram was, and of the quest that Sir Launcelot and ten knights made for Sir Tristram. </h2>
<p>AND when he came to the land he took off his harness, and sat roaring and
crying as a man out of his mind. Right so came a damosel even by Sir
Palomides, that was sent from Sir Gawaine and his brother unto Sir
Mordred, that lay sick in the same place with that old knight where Sir
Tristram was. For, as the French book saith, Sir Persides hurt so Sir
Mordred a ten days afore; and had it hot been for the love of Sir Gawaine
and his brother, Sir Persides had slain Sir Mordred. And so this damosel
came by Sir Palomides, and she and he had language together, the which
pleased neither of them; and so the damosel rode her ways till she came to
the old knight's place, and there she told that old knight how she met
with the woodest knight by adventure that ever she met withal. What bare
he in his shield? said Sir Tristram. It was indented with white and black,
said the damosel. Ah, said Sir Tristram, that was Sir Palomides, the good
knight. For well I know him, said Sir Tristram, for one of the best
knights living in this realm. Then that old knight took a little hackney,
and rode for Sir Palomides, and brought him unto his own manor; and full
well knew Sir Tristram Sir Palomides, but he said but little, for at that
time Sir Tristram was walking upon his feet, and well amended of his
hurts; and always when Sir Palomides saw Sir Tristram he would behold him
full marvellously, and ever him seemed that he had seen him. Then would he
say unto Sir Dinadan: An ever I may meet with Sir Tristram he shall not
escape mine hands. I marvel, said Sir Dinadan, that ye boast behind Sir
Tristram, for it is but late that he was in your hands, and ye in his
hands; why would ye not hold him when ye had him? for I saw myself twice
or thrice that ye gat but little worship of Sir Tristram. Then was Sir
Palomides ashamed. So leave we them a little while in the old castle with
the old knight Sir Darras.</p>
<p>Now shall we speak of King Arthur, that said to Sir Launcelot: Had not ye
been we had not lost Sir Tristram, for he was here daily unto the time ye
met with him, and in an evil time, said Arthur, ye encountered with him.
My lord Arthur, said Launcelot, ye put upon me that I should be cause of
his departition; God knoweth it was against my will. But when men be hot
in deeds of arms oft they hurt their friends as well as their foes. And my
lord, said Sir Launcelot, ye shall understand that Sir Tristram is a man
that I am loath to offend, for he hath done for me more than ever I did
for him as yet. But then Sir Launcelot made bring forth a book: and then
Sir Launcelot said: Here we are ten knights that will swear upon a book
never to rest one night where we rest another this twelvemonth until that
we find Sir Tristram. And as for me, said Sir Launcelot, I promise you
upon this book that an I may meet with him, either with fairness or
foulness I shall bring him to this court, or else I shall die therefore.
And the names of these ten knights that had undertaken this quest were
these following: First was Sir Launcelot, Sir Ector de Maris, Sir Bors de
Ganis, and Bleoberis, and Sir Blamore de Ganis, and Lucan the Butler, Sir
Uwaine, Sir Galihud Lionel, and Galiodin. So these ten noble knights
departed from the court of King Arthur, and so they rode upon their quest
together until they came to a cross where departed four ways, and there
departed the fellowship in four to seek Sir Tristram.</p>
<p>And as Sir Launcelot rode by adventure he met with Dame Bragwaine that was
sent into that country to seek Sir Tristram, and she fled as fast as her
palfrey might go. So Sir Launcelot met with her and asked her why she
fled. Ah, fair knight, said Dame Bragwaine, I flee for dread of my life,
for here followeth me Sir Breuse Saunce Pite to slay me. Hold you nigh me,
said Sir Launcelot. Then when Sir Launcelot saw Sir Breuse Saunce Pite,
Sir Launcelot cried unto him, and said: False knight destroyer of ladies
and damosels, now thy last days be come. When Sir Breuse Saunce Pite saw
Sir Launcelot's shield he knew it well, for at that time he bare not the
arms of Cornwall, but he bare his own shield. And then Sir Breuse fled,
and Sir Launcelot followed after him. But Sir Breuse was so well horsed
that when him list to flee he might well flee, and also abide when him
list. And then Sir Launcelot returned unto Dame Bragwaine, and she thanked
him of his great labour.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXXVII. How Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan were taken and put in prison. </h2>
<p>NOW will we speak of Sir Lucan the butler, that by fortune he came riding
to the same place thereas was Sir Tristram, and in he came in none other
intent but to ask harbour. Then the porter asked what was his name. Tell
your lord that my name is Sir Lucan, the butler, a Knight of the Round
Table. So the porter went unto Sir Darras, lord of the place, and told him
who was there to ask harbour. Nay, nay, said Sir Daname, that was nephew
to Sir Darras, say him that he shall not be lodged here, but let him wit
that I, Sir Daname, will meet with him anon, and bid him make him ready.
So Sir Daname came forth on horseback, and there they met together with
spears, and Sir Lucan smote down Sir Daname over his horse's croup, and
then he fled into that place, and Sir Lucan rode after him, and asked
after him many times.</p>
<p>Then Sir Dinadan said to Sir Tristram: It is shame to see the lord's
cousin of this place defoiled. Abide, said Sir Tristram, and I shall
redress it. And in the meanwhile Sir Dinadan was on horseback, and he
jousted with Lucan the butler, and there Sir Lucan smote Dinadan through
the thick of the thigh, and so he rode his way; and Sir Tristram was wroth
that Sir Dinadan was hurt, and followed after, and thought to avenge him;
and within a while he overtook Sir Lucan, and bade him turn; and so they
met together so that Sir Tristram hurt Sir Lucan passing sore and gave him
a fall. With that came Sir Uwaine, a gentle knight, and when he saw Sir
Lucan so hurt he called Sir Tristram to joust with him. Fair knight, said
Sir Tristram, tell me your name I require you. Sir knight, wit ye well my
name is Sir Uwaine le Fise de Roy Ureine. Ah, said Sir Tristram, by my
will I would not have ado with you at no time. Ye shall not so, said Sir
Uwaine, but ye shall have ado with me. And then Sir Tristram saw none
other bote, but rode against him, and overthrew Sir Uwaine and hurt him in
the side, and so he departed unto his lodging again. And when Sir Dinadan
understood that Sir Tristram had hurt Sir Lucan he would have ridden after
Sir Lucan for to have slain him, but Sir Tristram would not suffer him.
Then Sir Uwaine let ordain an horse litter, and brought Sir Lucan to the
abbey of Ganis, and the castle thereby hight the Castle of Ganis, of the
which Sir Bleoberis was lord. And at that castle Sir Launcelot promised
all his fellows to meet in the quest of Sir Tristram.</p>
<p>So when Sir Tristram was come to his lodging there came a damosel that
told Sir Darras that three of his sons were slain at that tournament, and
two grievously wounded that they were never like to help themself. And all
this was done by a noble knight that bare the black shield, and that was
he that bare the prize. Then came there one and told Sir Darras that the
same knight was within, him that bare the black shield. Then Sir Darras
yede unto Sir Tristram's chamber, and there he found his shield and showed
it to the damosel. Ah sir, said the damosel, that same is he that slew
your three sons. Then without any tarrying Sir Darras put Sir Tristram,
and Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan, within a strong prison, and there Sir
Tristram was like to have died of great sickness; and every day Sir
Palomides would reprove Sir Tristram of old hate betwixt them. And ever
Sir Tristram spake fair and said little. But when Sir Palomides saw the
falling of sickness of Sir Tristram, then was he heavy for him, and
comforted him in all the best wise he could. And as the French book saith,
there came forty knights to Sir Darras that were of his own kin, and they
would have slain Sir Tristram and his two fellows, but Sir Darras would
not suffer that, but kept them in prison, and meat and drink they had. So
Sir Tristram endured there great pain, for sickness had undertaken him,
and that is the greatest pain a prisoner may have. For all the while a
prisoner may have his health of body he may endure under the mercy of God
and in hope of good deliverance; but when sickness toucheth a prisoner's
body, then may a prisoner say all wealth is him bereft, and then he hath
cause to wail and to weep. Right so did Sir Tristram when sickness had
undertaken him, for then he took such sorrow that he had almost slain
himself.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXXVIII. How King Mark was sorry for the good renown of Sir Tristram. Some of King Arthur's knights jousted with knights of Cornwall. </h2>
<p>NOW will we speak, and leave Sir Tristram, Sir Palomides, and Sir Dinadan
in prison, and speak we of other knights that sought after Sir Tristram
many divers parts of this land. And some yede into Cornwall; and by
adventure Sir Gaheris, nephew unto King Arthur, came unto King Mark, and
there he was well received and sat at King Mark's own table and ate of his
own mess. Then King Mark asked Sir Gaheris what tidings there were in the
realm of Logris. Sir, said Sir Gaheris, the king reigneth as a noble
knight; and now but late there was a great jousts and tournament as ever I
saw any in the realm of Logris, and the most noble knights were at that
jousts. But there was one knight that did marvellously three days, and he
bare a black shield, and of all knights that ever I saw he proved the best
knight. Then, said King Mark, that was Sir Launcelot, or Sir Palomides the
paynim. Not so, said Sir Gheris, for both Sir Launcelot and Sir Palomides
were on the contrary party against the Knight with the Black Shield. Then
was it Sir Tristram, said the king. Yea, said Sir Gaheris. And therewithal
the king smote down his head, and in his heart he feared sore that Sir
Tristram should get him such worship in the realm of Logris wherethrough
that he himself should not be able to withstand him. Thus Sir Gaheris had
great cheer with King Mark, and with Queen La Beale Isoud, the which was
glad of Sir Gaheris' words; for well she wist by his deeds and manners
that it was Sir Tristram. And then the king made a feast royal, and to
that feast came Sir Uwaine le Fise de Roy Ureine, and some called him
Uwaine le Blanchemains. And this Sir Uwaine challenged all the knights of
Cornwall. Then was the king wood wroth that he had no knights to answer
him. Then Sir Andred, nephew unto King Mark, leapt up and said: I will
encounter with Sir Uwaine. Then he yede and armed him and horsed him in
the best manner. And there Sir Uwaine met with Sir Andred, and smote him
down that he swooned on the earth. Then was King Mark sorry and wroth out
of measure that he had no knight to revenge his nephew, Sir Andred.</p>
<p>So the king called unto him Sir Dinas, the Seneschal, and prayed him for
his sake to take upon him to joust with Sir Uwaine. Sir, said Sir Dinas, I
am full loath to have ado with any knight of the Round Table. Yet, said
the king, for my love take upon thee to joust. So Sir Dinas made him
ready, and anon they encountered together with great spears, but Sir Dinas
was overthrown, horse and man, a great fall. Who was wroth but King Mark!
Alas, he said, have I no knight that will encounter with yonder knight?
Sir, said Sir Gaheris, for your sake I will joust. So Sir Gaheris made him
ready, and when he was armed he rode into the field. And when Sir Uwaine
saw Sir Gaheris' shield he rode to him and said: Sir, ye do not your part.
For, sir, the first time ye were made Knight of the Round Table ye sware
that ye should not have ado with your fellowship wittingly. And pardie,
Sir Gaheris, ye knew me well enough by my shield, and so do I know you by
your shield, and though ye would break your oath I would not break mine;
for there is not one here, nor ye, that shall think I am afeard of you,
but I durst right well have ado with you, and yet we be sisters' sons.
Then was Sir Gaheris ashamed, and so therewithal every knight went their
way, and Sir Uwaine rode into the country.</p>
<p>Then King Mark armed him, and took his horse and his spear, with a squire
with him. And then he rode afore Sir Uwaine, and suddenly at a gap he ran
upon him as he that was not ware of him, and there he smote him almost
through the body, and there left him. So within a while there came Sir Kay
and found Sir Uwaine, and asked him how he was hurt. I wot not, said Sir
Uwaine, why nor wherefore, but by treason I am sure I gat this hurt; for
here came a knight suddenly upon me or that I was ware, and suddenly hurt
me. Then there was come Sir Andred to seek King Mark. Thou traitor knight,
said Sir Kay, an I wist it were thou that thus traitorly hast hurt this
noble knight thou shouldst never pass my hands. Sir, said Sir Andred, I
did never hurt him, and that I will report me to himself. Fie on you false
knight, said Sir Kay, for ye of Cornwall are nought worth. So Sir Kay made
carry Sir Uwaine to the Abbey of the Black Cross, and there he was healed.
And then Sir Gaheris took his leave of King Mark, but or he departed he
said: Sir king, ye did a foul shame unto you and your court, when ye
banished Sir Tristram out of this country, for ye needed not to have
doubted no knight an he had been here. And so he departed.</p>
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<h2> CHAPTER XXXIX. Of the treason of King Mark, and how Sir Gaheris smote him down and Andred his cousin. </h2>
<p>THEN there came Sir Kay, the Seneschal, unto King Mark, and there he had
good cheer showing outward. Now, fair lords, said he, will ye prove any
adventure in the forest of Morris, in the which I know well is as hard an
adventure as I know any. Sir, said Sir Kay, I will prove it. And Sir
Gaheris said he would be avised for King Mark was ever full of treason:
and therewithal Sir Gaheris departed and rode his way. And by the same way
that Sir Kay should ride he laid him down to rest, charging his squire to
wait upon Sir Kay; And warn me when he cometh. So within a while Sir Kay
came riding that way, and then Sir Gaheris took his horse and met him, and
said: Sir Kay, ye are not wise to ride at the request of King Mark, for he
dealeth all with treason. Then said Sir Kay: I require you let us prove
this adventure. I shall not fail you, said Sir Gaheris. And so they rode
that time till a lake that was that time called the Perilous Lake, and
there they abode under the shaw of the wood.</p>
<p>The meanwhile King Mark within the castle of Tintagil avoided all his
barons, and all other save such as were privy with him were avoided out of
his chamber. And then he let call his nephew Sir Andred, and bade arm him
and horse him lightly; and by that time it was midnight. And so King Mark
was armed in black, horse and all; and so at a privy postern they two
issued out with their varlets with them, and rode till they came to that
lake. Then Sir Kay espied them first, and gat his spear, and proffered to
joust. And King Mark rode against him, and smote each other full hard, for
the moon shone as the bright day. And there at that jousts Sir Kay's horse
fell down, for his horse was not so big as the king's horse, and Sir Kay's
horse bruised him full sore. Then Sir Gaheris was wroth that Sir Kay had a
fall. Then he cried: Knight, sit thou fast in thy saddle, for I will
revenge my fellow. Then King Mark was afeard of Sir Gaheris, and so with
evil will King Mark rode against him, and Sir Gaheris gave him such a
stroke that he fell down. So then forthwithal Sir Gaheris ran unto Sir
Andred and smote him from his horse quite, that his helm smote in the
earth, and nigh had broken his neck. And therewithal Sir Gaheris alighted,
and gat up Sir Kay. And then they yode both on foot to them, and bade them
yield them, and tell their names outher they should die. Then with great
pain Sir Andred spake first, and said: It is King Mark of Cornwall,
therefore be ye ware what ye do, and I am Sir Andred, his cousin. Fie on
you both, said Sir Gaheris, for a false traitor, and false treason hast
thou wrought and he both, under the feigned cheer that ye made us! it were
pity, said Sir Gaheris, that thou shouldst live any longer. Save my life,
said King Mark, and I will make amends; and consider that I am a king
anointed. It were the more shame, said Sir Gaheris, to save thy life; thou
art a king anointed with cream, and therefore thou shouldst hold with all
men of worship; and therefore thou art worthy to die. With that he lashed
at King Mark without saying any more, and covered him with his shield and
defended him as he might. And then Sir Kay lashed at Sir Andred, and
therewithal King Mark yielded him unto Sir Gaheris. And then he kneeled
adown, and made his oath upon the cross of the sword, that never while he
lived he would be against errant-knights. And also he sware to be good
friend unto Sir Tristram if ever he came into Cornwall.</p>
<p>By then Sir Andred was on the earth, and Sir Kay would have slain him. Let
be, said Sir Gaheris, slay him not I pray you. It were pity, said Sir Kay,
that he should live any longer, for this is nigh cousin unto Sir Tristram,
and ever he hath been a traitor unto him, and by him he was exiled out of
Cornwall, and therefore I will slay him, said Sir Kay. Ye shall not, said
Sir Gaheris; sithen I have given the king his life, I pray you give him
his life. And therewithal Sir Kay let him go. And so Sir Kay and Sir
Gaheris rode their way unto Dinas, the Seneschal, for because they heard
say that he loved well Sir Tristram. So they reposed them there, and soon
after they rode unto the realm of Logris. And so within a little while
they met with Sir Launcelot that always had Dame Bragwaine with him, to
that intent he weened to have met the sooner with Sir Tristram; and Sir
Launcelot asked what tidings in Cornwall, and whether they heard of Sir
Tristram or not. Sir Kay and Sir Gaheris answered and said, that they
heard not of him. Then they told Sir Launcelot word by word of their
adventure. Then Sir Launcelot smiled and said: Hard it is to take out of
the flesh that is bred in the bone; and so made them merry together.</p>
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