الفصل الفصل 169 · How Sir Bleoberis demanded the fairest lady in King Mark’s

. How Sir Bleoberis demanded the fairest lady in King Mark’s

court, whom he took away, and how he was fought with.

Then it befell upon a day that the good knight Bleoberis de Ganis,

brother to Blamore de Ganis, and nigh cousin unto the good knight Sir

Launcelot du Lake, this Bleoberis came unto the court of King Mark, and

there he asked of King Mark a boon, to give him what gift that he would

ask in his court. When the king heard him ask so, he marvelled of his

asking, but because he was a knight of the Round Table, and of a great

renown, King Mark granted him his whole asking. Then, said Sir

Bleoberis, I will have the fairest lady in your court that me list to

choose. I may not say nay, said King Mark; now choose at your

adventure. And so Sir Bleoberis did choose Sir Segwarides’ wife, and

took her by the hand, and so went his way with her; and so he took his

horse and gart set her behind his squire, and rode upon his way.

When Sir Segwarides heard tell that his lady was gone with a knight of

King Arthur’s court, then he armed him and rode after that knight for

to rescue his lady. So when Bleoberis was gone with this lady, King

Mark and all the court was wroth that she was away. Then were there

certain ladies that knew that there were great love between Sir

Tristram and her, and also that lady loved Sir Tristram above all other

knights. Then there was one lady that rebuked Sir Tristram in the

horriblest wise, and called him coward knight, that he would for shame

of his knighthood see a lady so shamefully be taken away from his

uncle’s court. But she meant that either of them had loved other with

entire heart. But Sir Tristram answered her thus: Fair lady, it is not

my part to have ado in such matters while her lord and husband is

present here; and if it had been that her lord had not been here in

this court, then for the worship of this court peradventure I would

have been her champion, and if so be Sir Segwarides speed not well, it

may happen that I will speak with that good knight or ever he pass from

this country.

Then within a while came one of Sir Segwarides’ squires, and told in

the court that Sir Segwarides was beaten sore and wounded to the point

of death; as he would have rescued his lady Sir Bleoberis overthrew him

and sore hath wounded him. Then was King Mark heavy thereof, and all

the court. When Sir Tristram heard of this he was ashamed and sore

grieved; and then was he soon armed and on horseback, and Gouvernail,

his servant, bare his shield and spear. And so as Sir Tristram rode

fast he met with Sir Andred his cousin, that by the commandment of King

Mark was sent to bring forth, an ever it lay in his power, two knights

of Arthur’s court, that rode by the country to seek their adventures.

When Sir Tristram saw Sir Andred he asked him what tidings. So God me

help, said Sir Andred, there was never worse with me, for here by the

commandment of King Mark I was sent to fetch two knights of King

Arthur’s court, and that one beat me and wounded me, and set nought by

my message. Fair cousin, said Sir Tristram, ride on your way, and if I

may meet them it may happen I shall revenge you. So Sir Andred rode

into Cornwall, and Sir Tristram rode after the two knights, the which

one hight Sagramore le Desirous, and the other hight Dodinas le Savage.