Kabanata Kabanata 253 · How King Mark had slain Sir Amant wrongfully to-fore King

. How King Mark had slain Sir Amant wrongfully to-fore King

Arthur, and Sir Launcelot fetched King Mark to King Arthur.

Then by the license of King Arthur they went to him and spake with him;

for while the truncheon of the spear stuck in his body he spake: Ah,

fair damosels, said Amant, recommend me unto La Beale Isoud, and tell

her that I am slain for the love of her and of Sir Tristram. And there

he told the damosels how cowardly King Mark had slain him, and Sir

Bersules, his fellow. And for that deed I appealed him of treason, and

here am I slain in a righteous quarrel; and all was because Sir

Bersules and I would not consent by treason to slay the noble knight,

Sir Tristram. Then the two maidens cried aloud that all the court might

hear it, and said: O sweet Lord Jesu, that knowest all hid things, why

sufferest Thou so false a traitor to vanquish and slay a true knight

that fought in a righteous quarrel? Then anon it was sprung to the

king, and the queen, and to all the lords, that it was King Mark that

had slain Sir Amant, and Sir Bersules afore hand; wherefore they did

their battle. Then was King Arthur wroth out of measure, and so were

all the other knights. But when Sir Tristram knew all the matter he

made great dole and sorrow out of measure, and wept for sorrow for the

loss of the noble knights, Sir Bersules and of Sir Amant.

When Sir Launcelot espied Sir Tristram weep he went hastily to King

Arthur, and said: Sir, I pray you give me leave to return again to

yonder false king and knight. I pray you, said King Arthur, fetch him

again, but I would not that ye slew him, for my worship. Then Sir

Launcelot armed him in all haste, and mounted upon a great horse, and

took a spear in his hand and rode after King Mark. And from thence a

three mile English Sir Launcelot over took him, and bade him: Turn

recreant king and knight, for whether thou wilt or not thou shalt go

with me to King Arthur’s court. King Mark returned and looked upon Sir

Launcelot, and said: Fair sir, what is your name? Wit thou well, said

he, my name is Sir Launcelot, and therefore defend thee. And when King

Mark wist that it was Sir Launcelot, and came so fast upon him with a

spear, he cried then aloud: I yield me to thee, Sir Launcelot,

honourable knight. But Sir Launcelot would not hear him, but came fast

upon him. King Mark saw that, and made no defence, but tumbled adown

out of his saddle to the earth as a sack, and there he lay still, and

cried Sir Launcelot mercy. Arise, recreant knight and king. I will not

fight, said King Mark, but whither that ye will I will go with you.

Alas, alas, said Sir Launcelot, that I may not give thee one buffet for

the love of Sir Tristram and of La Beale Isoud, and for the two knights

that thou hast slain traitorly. And so he mounted upon his horse and

brought him to King Arthur; and there King Mark alighted in that same

place, and threw his helm from him upon the earth, and his sword, and

fell flat to the earth of King Arthur’s feet, and put him in his grace

and mercy. So God me help, said Arthur, ye are welcome in a manner, and

in a manner ye are not welcome. In this manner ye are welcome, that ye

come hither maugre thy head, as I suppose. That is truth, said King

Mark, and else I had not been here, for my lord, Sir Launcelot, brought

me hither through his fine force, and to him am I yolden to as

recreant. Well, said Arthur, ye understand ye ought to do me service,

homage, and fealty. And never would ye do me none, but ever ye have

been against me, and a destroyer of my knights; now, how will ye acquit

you? Sir, said King Mark, right as your lordship will require me, unto

my power, I will make a large amends. For he was a fair speaker, and

false thereunder. Then for great pleasure of Sir Tristram, to make them

twain accorded, the king withheld King Mark as at that time, and made a

broken love-day between them.