Chapter Chapter 175 · How Sir Tristram rescued a child from a knight, and how

. How Sir Tristram rescued a child from a knight, and how

Gouvernail told him of King Anguish.

The knight turned his horse and made him ready to fight. And then Sir

Tristram smote him with a sword such a buffet that he tumbled to the

earth. And then he yielded him unto Sir Tristram. Then come thy way,

said Sir Tristram, and bring the child to the lady again. So he took

his horse meekly and rode with Sir Tristram; and then by the way Sir

Tristram asked him his name. Then he said, My name is Breuse Saunce

Pité. So when he had delivered that child to the lady, he said: Sir, as

in this the child is well remedied. Then Sir Tristram let him go again

that sore repented him after, for he was a great foe unto many good

knights of King Arthur’s court.

Then when Sir Tristram was in his pavilion Gouvernail, his man, came

and told him how that King Anguish of Ireland was come thither, and he

was put in great distress; and there Gouvernail told Sir Tristram how

King Anguish was summoned and appealed of murder. So God me help, said

Sir Tristram, these be the best tidings that ever came to me this seven

years, for now shall the King of Ireland have need of my help; for I

daresay there is no knight in this country that is not of Arthur’s

court dare do battle with Sir Blamore de Ganis; and for to win the love

of the King of Ireland I will take the battle upon me; and therefore

Gouvernail bring me, I charge thee, to the king.

Then Gouvernail went unto King Anguish of Ireland, and saluted him

fair. The king welcomed him and asked him what he would. Sir, said

Gouvernail, here is a knight near hand that desireth to speak with you:

he bade me say he would do you service. What knight is he? said the

king. Sir, said he, it is Sir Tristram de Liones, that for your good

grace that ye showed him in your lands will reward you in this country.

Come on, fellow, said the king, with me anon and show me unto Sir

Tristram. So the king took a little hackney and but few fellowship with

him, until he came unto Sir Tristram’s pavilion. And when Sir Tristram

saw the king he ran unto him and would have holden his stirrup. But the

king leapt from his horse lightly, and either halsed other in their

arms. My gracious lord, said Sir Tristram, gramercy of your great

goodnesses showed unto me in your marches and lands: and at that time I

promised you to do you service an ever it lay in my power. And, gentle

knight, said the king unto Sir Tristram, now have I great need of you,

never had I so great need of no knight’s help. How so, my good lord?

said Sir Tristram. I shall tell you, said the king: I am summoned and

appealed from my country for the death of a knight that was kin unto

the good knight Sir Launcelot; wherefore Sir Blamore de Ganis, brother

to Sir Bleoberis hath appealed me to fight with him, outher to find a

knight in my stead. And well I wot, said the king, these that are come

of King Ban’s blood, as Sir Launcelot and these other, are passing good

knights, and hard men for to win in battle as any that I know now

living. Sir, said Sir Tristram, for the good lordship ye showed me in

Ireland, and for my lady your daughter’s sake, La Beale Isoud, I will

take the battle for you upon this condition that ye shall grant me two

things: that one is that ye shall swear to me that ye are in the right,

that ye were never consenting to the knight’s death; Sir, then said Sir

Tristram, when that I have done this battle, if God give me grace that

I speed, that ye shall give me a reward, what thing reasonable that I

will ask of you. So God me help, said the king, ye shall have

whatsomever ye will ask. It is well said, said Sir Tristram.