Chapter Chapter 192 · How Sir Tristram and his wife arrived in Wales, and

. How Sir Tristram and his wife arrived in Wales, and

how he met there with Sir Lamorak.

Now turn we unto Sir Tristram, that upon a day he took a little barget,

and his wife Isoud la Blanche Mains, with Sir Kehydius her brother, to

play them in the coasts. And when they were from the land, there was a

wind drove them in to the coast of Wales upon this Isle of Servage,

whereas was Sir Lamorak, and there the barget all to-rove; and there

Dame Isoud was hurt; and as well as they might they gat into the

forest, and there by a well he saw Segwarides and a damosel. And then

either saluted other. Sir, said Segwarides, I know you for Sir Tristram

de Liones, the man in the world that I have most cause to hate, because

ye departed the love between me and my wife; but as for that, said Sir

Segwarides, I will never hate a noble knight for a light lady; and

therefore, I pray you, be my friend, and I will be yours unto my power;

for wit ye well ye are hard bestead in this valley, and we shall have

enough to do either of us to succour other. And then Sir Segwarides

brought Sir Tristram to a lady thereby that was born in Cornwall, and

she told him all the perils of that valley, and how there came never

knight there but he were taken prisoner or slain. Wit you well, fair

lady, said Sir Tristram, that I slew Sir Marhaus and delivered Cornwall

from the truage of Ireland, and I am he that delivered the King of

Ireland from Sir Blamore de Ganis, and I am he that beat Sir Palamides;

and wit ye well I am Sir Tristram de Liones, that by the grace of God

shall deliver this woful Isle of Servage. So Sir Tristram was well

eased.

Then one told him there was a knight of King Arthur’s that was wrecked

on the rocks. What is his name? said Sir Tristram. We wot not, said the

fishers, but he keepeth it no counsel but that he is a knight of King

Arthur’s, and by the mighty lord of this isle he setteth nought. I pray

you, said Sir Tristram, an ye may, bring him hither that I may see him,

and if he be any of the knights of Arthur’s I shall know him. Then the

lady prayed the fishers to bring him to her place. So on the morrow

they brought him thither in a fisher’s raiment; and as soon as Sir

Tristram saw him he smiled upon him and knew him well, but he knew not

Sir Tristram. Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, meseemeth by your cheer ye

have been diseased but late, and also methinketh I should know you

heretofore. I will well, said Sir Lamorak, that ye have seen me and met

with me. Fair sir, said Sir Tristram, tell me your name. Upon a

covenant I will tell you, said Sir Lamorak, that is, that ye will tell

me whether ye be lord of this island or no, that is called Nabon le

Noire. Forsooth, said Sir Tristram, I am not he, nor I hold not of him;

I am his foe as well as ye be, and so shall I be found or I depart out

of this isle. Well, said Sir Lamorak, since ye have said so largely

unto me, my name is Sir Lamorak de Galis, son unto King Pellinore.

Forsooth, I trow well, said Sir Tristram, for an ye said other I know

the contrary. What are ye, said Sir Lamorak, that knoweth me? I am Sir

Tristram de Liones. Ah, sir, remember ye not of the fall ye did give me

once, and after ye refused me to fight on foot. That was not for fear I

had of you, said Sir Tristram, but me shamed at that time to have more

ado with you, for meseemed ye had enough; but, Sir Lamorak, for my

kindness many ladies ye put to a reproof when ye sent the horn from

Morgan le Fay to King Mark, whereas ye did this in despite of me. Well,

said he, an it were to do again, so would I do, for I had liefer strife

and debate fell in King Mark’s court rather than Arthur’s court, for

the honour of both courts be not alike. As to that, said Sir Tristram,

I know well; but that that was done it was for despite of me, but all

your malice, I thank God, hurt not greatly. Therefore, said Sir

Tristram, ye shall leave all your malice, and so will I, and let us

assay how we may win worship between you and me upon this giant Sir

Nabon le Noire that is lord of this island, to destroy him. Sir, said

Sir Lamorak, now I understand your knighthood, it may not be false that

all men say, for of your bounty, noblesse, and worship, of all knights

ye are peerless, and for your courtesy and gentleness I showed you

ungentleness, and that now me repenteth.