الفصل الفصل 245 · How for the despite of Sir Tristram King Mark came with

. How for the despite of Sir Tristram King Mark came with

two knights into England, and how he slew one of the knights.

Then King Mark had great despite of the renown of Sir Tristram, and

then he chased him out of Cornwall: yet was he nephew unto King Mark,

but he had great suspicion unto Sir Tristram because of his queen, La

Beale Isoud; for him seemed that there was too much love between them

both. So when Sir Tristram departed out of Cornwall into England King

Mark heard of the great prowess that Sir Tristram did there, the which

grieved him sore. So he sent on his part men to espy what deeds he did.

And the queen sent privily on her part spies to know what deeds he had

done, for great love was between them twain. So when the messengers

were come home they told the truth as they had heard, that he passed

all other knights but if it were Sir Launcelot. Then King Mark was

right heavy of these tidings, and as glad was La Beale Isoud. Then in

great despite he took with him two good knights and two squires, and

disguised himself, and took his way into England, to the intent for to

slay Sir Tristram. And one of these two knights hight Bersules, and the

other knight was called Amant. So as they rode King Mark asked a knight

that he met, where he should find King Arthur. He said: At Camelot.

Also he asked that knight after Sir Tristram, whether he heard of him

in the court of King Arthur. Wit you well, said that knight, ye shall

find Sir Tristram there for a man of as great worship as is now living;

for through his prowess he won the tournament of the Castle of Maidens

that standeth by the Hard Rock. And sithen he hath won with his own

hands thirty knights that were men of great honour. And the last battle

that ever he did he fought with Sir Launcelot; and that was a

marvellous battle. And not by force Sir Launcelot brought Sir Tristram

to the court, and of him King Arthur made passing great joy, and so

made him Knight of the Table Round; and his seat was where the good

knight’s, Sir Marhaus, seat was. Then was King Mark passing sorry when

he heard of the honour of Sir Tristram; and so they departed.

Then said King Mark unto his two knights: Now will I tell you my

counsel: ye are the men that I trust most to alive, and I will that ye

wit my coming hither is to this intent, for to destroy Sir Tristram by

wiles or by treason; and it shall be hard if ever he escape our hands.

Alas, said Sir Bersules, what mean you? for ye be set in such a way ye

are disposed shamefully; for Sir Tristram is the knight of most worship

that we know living, and therefore I warn you plainly I will never

consent to do him to the death; and therefore I will yield my service,

and forsake you. When King Mark heard him say so, suddenly he drew his

sword and said: Ah, traitor; and smote Sir Bersules on the head, that

the sword went to his teeth. When Amant, the knight, saw him do that

villainous deed, and his squires, they said it was foul done, and

mischievously: Wherefore we will do thee no more service, and wit ye

well, we will appeach thee of treason afore Arthur. Then was King Mark

wonderly wroth and would have slain Amant; but he and the two squires

held them together, and set nought by his malice. When King Mark saw he

might not be revenged on them, he said thus unto the knight, Amant: Wit

thou well, an thou appeach me of treason I shall thereof defend me

afore King Arthur; but I require thee that thou tell not my name, that

I am King Mark, whatsomever come of me. As for that, said Sir Amant, I

will not discover your name; and so they departed, and Amant and his

fellows took the body of Bersules and buried it.