Kabanata Kabanata 250 · How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet to joust with King

. How the six knights sent Sir Dagonet to joust with King

Mark, and how King Mark refused him.

And then they asked him of his adventures, and whether he had seen Sir

Tristram or Sir Launcelot. So God me help, said Sir Dinadan, I saw none

of them sithen I departed from Camelot. What knight is that, said Sir

Brandiles, that so suddenly departed from you, and rode over yonder

field? Sir, said he, it was a knight of Cornwall, and the most horrible

coward that ever bestrode horse. What is his name? said all these

knights. I wot not, said Sir Dinadan. So when they had reposed them,

and spoken together, they took their horses and rode to a castle where

dwelt an old knight that made all knights-errant good cheer. Then in

the meanwhile that they were talking came into the castle Sir Griflet

le Fise de Dieu, and there was he welcome; and they all asked him

whether he had seen Sir Launcelot or Sir Tristram. Sirs, he answered, I

saw him not sithen he departed from Camelot. So as Sir Dinadan walked

and beheld the castle, thereby in a chamber he espied King Mark, and

then he rebuked him, and asked him why he departed so. Sir, said he,

for I durst not abide because they were so many. But how escaped ye?

said King Mark. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, they were better friends than I

weened they had been. Who is captain of that fellowship? said the king.

Then for to fear him Sir Dinadan said that it was Sir Launcelot. O

Jesu, said the king, might I know Sir Launcelot by his shield? Yea,

said Dinadan, for he beareth a shield of silver and black bends. All

this he said to fear the king, for Sir Launcelot was not in his

fellowship. Now I pray you, said King Mark, that ye will ride in my

fellowship. That is me loath to do, said Sir Dinadan, because ye

forsook my fellowship.

Right so Sir Dinadan went from King Mark, and went to his own

fellowship; and so they mounted upon their horses, and rode on their

ways, and talked of the Cornish knight, for Dinadan told them that he

was in the castle where they were lodged. It is well said, said Sir

Griflet, for here have I brought Sir Dagonet, King Arthur’s fool, that

is the best fellow and the merriest in the world. Will ye do well? said

Sir Dinadan: I have told the Cornish knight that here is Sir Launcelot,

and the Cornish knight asked me what shield he bare. Truly, I told him

that he bare the same shield that Sir Mordred beareth. Will ye do well?

said Sir Mordred; I am hurt and may not well bear my shield nor

harness, and therefore put my shield and my harness upon Sir Dagonet,

and let him set upon the Cornish knight. That shall be done, said Sir

Dagonet, by my faith. Then anon was Dagonet armed him in Mordred’s

harness and his shield, and he was set on a great horse, and a spear in

his hand. Now, said Dagonet, shew me the knight, and I trow I shall

bear him down. So all these knights rode to a woodside, and abode till

King Mark came by the way. Then they put forth Sir Dagonet, and he came

on all the while his horse might run, straight upon King Mark. And when

he came nigh King Mark, he cried as he were wood, and said: Keep thee,

knight of Cornwall, for I will slay thee. Anon, as King Mark beheld his

shield, he said to himself: Yonder is Sir Launcelot; alas, now am I

destroyed; and therewithal he made his horse to run as fast as it might

through thick and thin. And ever Sir Dagonet followed after King Mark,

crying and rating him as a wood man, through a great forest. When Sir

Uwaine and Sir Brandiles saw Dagonet so chase King Mark, they laughed

all as they were wood. And then they took their horses, and rode after

to see how Sir Dagonet sped, for they would not for no good that Sir

Dagonet were shent, for King Arthur loved him passing well, and made

him knight with his own hands. And at every tournament he began to make

King Arthur to laugh. Then the knights rode here and there, crying and

chasing after King Mark, that all the forest rang of the noise.