Kabanata Kabanata 187 · How Sir Lamorak jousted with thirty knights, and Sir

. How Sir Lamorak jousted with thirty knights, and Sir

Tristram at the request of King Mark smote his horse down.

The king and the queen made their pavilions and their tents in that

forest beside a river, and there was daily hunting and jousting, for

there were ever thirty knights ready to joust unto all them that came

in at that time. And there by fortune came Sir Lamorak de Galis and Sir

Driant; and there Sir Driant jousted right well, but at the last he had

a fall. Then Sir Lamorak proffered to joust. And when he began he fared

so with the thirty knights that there was not one of them but that he

gave him a fall, and some of them were sore hurt. I marvel, said King

Mark, what knight he is that doth such deeds of arms. Sir, said Sir

Tristram, I know him well for a noble knight as few now be living, and

his name is Sir Lamorak de Galis. It were great shame, said the king,

that he should go thus away, unless that some of you meet with him

better. Sir, said Sir Tristram, meseemeth it were no worship for a

noble man to have ado with him: and for because at this time he hath

done over much for any mean knight living, therefore, as meseemeth, it

were great shame and villainy to tempt him any more at this time,

insomuch as he and his horse are weary both; for the deeds of arms that

he hath done this day, an they be well considered, it were enough for

Sir Launcelot du Lake. As for that, said King Mark, I require you, as

ye love me and my lady the queen, La Beale Isoud, take your arms and

joust with Sir Lamorak de Galis. Sir, said Sir Tristram, ye bid me do a

thing that is against knighthood, and well I can deem that I shall give

him a fall, for it is no mastery, for my horse and I be fresh both, and

so is not his horse and he; and wit ye well that he will take it for

great unkindness, for ever one good knight is loath to take another at

disadvantage; but because I will not displease you, as ye require me so

will I do, and obey your commandment.

And so Sir Tristram armed him and took his horse, and put him forth,

and there Sir Lamorak met him mightily, and what with the might of his

own spear, and of Sir Tristram’s spear, Sir Lamorak’s horse fell to the

earth, and he sitting in the saddle. Then anon as lightly as he might

he avoided the saddle and his horse, and put his shield afore him and

drew his sword. And then he bade Sir Tristram: Alight, thou knight, an

thou durst. Nay, said Sir Tristram, I will no more have ado with thee,

for I have done to thee over much unto my dishonour and to thy worship.

As for that, said Sir Lamorak, I can thee no thank; since thou hast

for-jousted me on horseback I require thee and I beseech thee, an thou

be Sir Tristram, fight with me on foot. I will not so, said Sir

Tristram; and wit ye well my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, and well I

know ye be Sir Lamorak de Galis, and this that I have done to you was

against my will, but I was required thereto; but to say that I will do

at your request as at this time, I will have no more ado with you, for

me shameth of that I have done. As for the shame, said Sir Lamorak, on

thy part or on mine, bear thou it an thou wilt, for though a mare’s son

hath failed me, now a queen’s son shall not fail thee; and therefore,

an thou be such a knight as men call thee, I require thee, alight, and

fight with me. Sir Lamorak, said Sir Tristram, I understand your heart

is great, and cause why ye have, to say thee sooth; for it would grieve

me an any knight should keep him fresh and then to strike down a weary

knight, for that knight nor horse was never formed that alway might

stand or endure. And therefore, said Sir Tristram, I will not have ado

with you, for me forthinketh of that I have done. As for that, said Sir

Lamorak, I shall quit you, an ever I see my time.