Bab Bab 193 · How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Nabon, and overcame

. How Sir Tristram fought with Sir Nabon, and overcame

him, and made Sir Segwarides lord of the isle.

In the meantime there came word that Sir Nabon had made a cry that all

the people of that isle should be at his castle the fifth day after.

And the same day the son of Nabon should be made knight, and all the

knights of that valley and thereabout should be there to joust, and all

those of the realm of Logris should be there to joust with them of

North Wales: and thither came five hundred knights, and they of the

country brought thither Sir Lamorak, and Sir Tristram, and Sir

Kehydius, and Sir Segwarides, for they durst none otherwise do; and

then Sir Nabon lent Sir Lamorak horse and armour at Sir Lamorak’s

desire, and Sir Lamorak jousted and did such deeds of arms that Nabon

and all the people said there was never knight that ever they saw do

such deeds of arms; for, as the French book saith, he for-jousted all

that were there, for the most part of five hundred knights, that none

abode him in his saddle.

Then Sir Nabon proffered to play with him his play: For I saw never no

knight do so much upon a day. I will well, said Sir Lamorak, play as I

may, but I am weary and sore bruised. And there either gat a spear, but

Nabon would not encounter with Sir Lamorak, but smote his horse in the

forehead, and so slew him; and then Sir Lamorak yede on foot, and

turned his shield and drew his sword, and there began strong battle on

foot. But Sir Lamorak was so sore bruised and short breathed, that he

traced and traversed somewhat aback. Fair fellow, said Sir Nabon, hold

thy hand and I shall show thee more courtesy than ever I showed knight,

because I have seen this day thy noble knighthood, and therefore stand

thou by, and I will wit whether any of thy fellows will have ado with

me. Then when Sir Tristram heard that, he stepped forth and said:

Nabon, lend me horse and sure armour, and I will have ado with thee.

Well, fellow, said Sir Nabon, go thou to yonder pavilion, and arm thee

of the best thou findest there, and I shall play a marvellous play with

thee. Then said Sir Tristram: Look ye play well, or else peradventure I

shall learn you a new play. That is well said, fellow, said Sir Nabon.

So when Sir Tristram was armed as him liked best, and well shielded and

sworded, he dressed to him on foot; for well he knew that Sir Nabon

would not abide a stroke with a spear, therefore he would slay all

knights’ horses. Now, fair fellow, Sir Nabon, let us play. So then they

fought long on foot, tracing and traversing, smiting and foining long

without any rest. At the last Sir Nabon prayed him to tell him his

name. Sir Nabon, I tell thee my name is Sir Tristram de Liones, a

knight of Cornwall under King Mark. Thou art welcome, said Sir Nabon,

for of all knights I have most desired to fight with thee or with Sir

Launcelot.

So then they went eagerly together, and Sir Tristram slew Sir Nabon,

and so forthwith he leapt to his son, and struck off his head; and then

all the country said they would hold of Sir Tristram. Nay, said Sir

Tristram, I will not so; here is a worshipful knight, Sir Lamorak de

Galis, that for me he shall be lord of this country, for he hath done

here great deeds of arms. Nay, said Sir Lamorak, I will not be lord of

this country, for I have not deserved it as well as ye, therefore give

ye it where ye will, for I will none have. Well, said Sir Tristram,

since ye nor I will not have it, let us give it to him that hath not so

well deserved it. Do as ye list, said Segwarides, for the gift is

yours, for I will none have an I had deserved it. So was it given to

Segwarides, whereof he thanked them; and so was he lord, and

worshipfully he did govern it. And then Sir Segwarides delivered all

prisoners, and set good governance in that valley; and so he returned

into Cornwall, and told King Mark and La Beale Isoud how Sir Tristram

had advanced him to the Isle of Servage, and there he proclaimed in all

Cornwall of all the adventures of these two knights, so was it openly

known. But full woe was La Beale Isoud when she heard tell that Sir

Tristram was wedded to Isoud la Blanche Mains.