الفصل الفصل 163 · How Sir Tristram was put to the keeping of La Beale Isoud

. How Sir Tristram was put to the keeping of La Beale Isoud

first for to be healed of his wound.

Then the king for great favour made Tramtrist to be put in his

daughter’s ward and keeping, because she was a noble surgeon. And when

she had searched him she found in the bottom of his wound that therein

was poison, and so she healed him within a while; and therefore

Tramtrist cast great love to La Beale Isoud, for she was at that time

the fairest maid and lady of the world. And there Tramtrist learned her

to harp, and she began to have a great fantasy unto him. And at that

time Sir Palamides, the Saracen, was in that country, and well

cherished with the king and the queen. And every day Sir Palamides drew

unto La Beale Isoud and proffered her many gifts, for he loved her

passingly well. All that espied Tramtrist, and full well knew he Sir

Palamides for a noble knight and a mighty man. And wit you well Sir

Tramtrist had great despite at Sir Palamides, for La Beale Isoud told

Tramtrist that Palamides was in will to be christened for her sake.

Thus was there great envy betwixt Tramtrist and Sir Palamides.

Then it befell that King Anguish let cry a great jousts and a great

tournament for a lady that was called the Lady of the Launds, and she

was nigh cousin unto the king. And what man won her, three days after

he should wed her and have all her lands. This cry was made in England,

Wales, Scotland, and also in France and in Brittany. It befell upon a

day La Beale Isoud came unto Sir Tramtrist, and told him of this

tournament. He answered and said: Fair lady, I am but a feeble knight,

and but late I had been dead had not your good ladyship been. Now, fair

lady, what would ye I should do in this matter? well ye wot, my lady,

that I may not joust. Ah, Tramtrist, said La Beale Isoud, why will ye

not have ado at that tournament? well I wot Sir Palamides shall be

there, and to do what he may; and therefore Tramtrist, I pray you for

to be there, for else Sir Palamides is like to win the degree. Madam,

said Tramtrist, as for that, it may be so, for he is a proved knight,

and I am but a young knight and late made; and the first battle that I

did it mishapped me to be sore wounded as ye see. But an I wist ye

would be my better lady, at that tournament I will be, so that ye will

keep my counsel and let no creature have knowledge that I shall joust

but yourself, and such as ye will to keep your counsel, my poor person

shall I jeopard there for your sake, that, peradventure, Sir Palamides

shall know when that I come. Thereto, said La Beale Isoud, do your

best, and as I can, said La Beale Isoud, I shall purvey horse and

armour for you at my device. As ye will so be it, said Sir Tramtrist, I

will be at your commandment.

So at the day of jousts there came Sir Palamides with a black shield,

and he overthrew many knights, that all the people had marvel of him.

For he put to the worse Sir Gawaine, Gaheris, Agravaine, Bagdemagus,

Kay, Dodinas le Savage, Sagramore le Desirous, Gumret le Petit, and

Griflet le Fise de Dieu. All these the first day Sir Palamides struck

down to the earth. And then all manner of knights were adread of Sir

Palamides, and many called him the Knight with the Black Shield. So

that day Sir Palamides had great worship.

Then came King Anguish unto Tramtrist, and asked him why he would not

joust. Sir, he said, I was but late hurt, and as yet I dare not

adventure me. Then came there the same squire that was sent from the

king’s daughter of France unto Sir Tristram. And when he had espied Sir

Tristram he fell flat to his feet. All that espied La Beale Isoud, what

courtesy the squire made unto Sir Tristram. And therewithal suddenly

Sir Tristram ran unto his squire, whose name was Hebes le Renoumes, and

prayed him heartily in no wise to tell his name. Sir, said Hebes, I

will not discover your name but if ye command me.