บทที่ บทที่ 228 · How Sir Launcelot hurt Sir Tristram, and how after Sir

. How Sir Launcelot hurt Sir Tristram, and how after Sir

Tristram smote down Sir Palomides.

Then this cry was so large that Sir Launcelot heard it. And then he gat

a great spear in his hand and came towards the cry. Then Sir Launcelot

cried: The Knight with the Black Shield, make thee ready to joust with

me. When Sir Tristram heard him say so he gat his spear in his hand,

and either abashed down their heads, and came together as thunder; and

Sir Tristram’s spear brake in pieces, and Sir Launcelot by malfortune

struck Sir Tristram on the side a deep wound nigh to the death; but yet

Sir Tristram avoided not his saddle, and so the spear brake.

Therewithal Sir Tristram that was wounded gat out his sword, and he

rushed to Sir Launcelot, and gave him three great strokes upon the helm

that the fire sprang thereout, and Sir Launcelot abashed his head lowly

toward his saddle-bow. And therewithal Sir Tristram departed from the

field, for he felt him so wounded that he weened he should have died;

and Sir Dinadan espied him and followed him into the forest. Then Sir

Launcelot abode and did many marvellous deeds.

So when Sir Tristram was departed by the forest’s side he alighted, and

unlaced his harness and freshed his wound; then weened Sir Dinadan that

he should have died. Nay, nay, said Sir Tristram, Dinadan never dread

thee, for I am heart-whole, and of this wound I shall soon be whole, by

the mercy of God. By that Sir Dinadan was ware where came Palomides

riding straight upon them. And then Sir Tristram was ware that Sir

Palomides came to have destroyed him. And so Sir Dinadan gave him

warning, and said: Sir Tristram, my lord, ye are so sore wounded that

ye may not have ado with him, therefore I will ride against him and do

to him what I may, and if I be slain ye may pray for my soul; and in

the meanwhile ye may withdraw you and go into the castle, or in the

forest, that he shall not meet with you. Sir Tristram smiled and said:

I thank you, Sir Dinadan, of your good will, but ye shall wit that I am

able to handle him. And then anon hastily he armed him, and took his

horse, and a great spear in his hand, and said to Sir Dinadan: Adieu;

and rode toward Sir Palomides a soft pace. Then when Sir Palomides saw

that, he made countenance to amend his horse, but he did it for this

cause, for he abode Sir Gaheris that came after him. And when he was

come he rode toward Sir Tristram. Then Sir Tristram sent unto Sir

Palomides, and required him to joust with him; and if he smote down Sir

Palomides he would do no more to him; and if it so happened that Sir

Palomides smote down Sir Tristram, he bade him do his utterance. So

they were accorded. Then they met together, and Sir Tristram smote down

Sir Palomides that he had a grievous fall, so that he lay still as he

had been dead. And then Sir Tristram ran upon Sir Gaheris, and he would

not have jousted; but whether he would or not Sir Tristram smote him

over his horse’s croup, that he lay still as though he had been dead.

And then Sir Tristram rode his way and left Sir Persides’ squire within

the pavilions, and Sir Tristram and Sir Dinadan rode to an old knight’s

place to lodge them. And that old knight had five sons at the

tournament, for whom he prayed God heartily for their coming home. And

so, as the French book saith, they came home all five well beaten.

And when Sir Tristram departed into the forest Sir Launcelot held alway

the stour like hard, as a man araged that took no heed to himself, and

wit ye well there was many a noble knight against him. And when King

Arthur saw Sir Launcelot do so marvellous deeds of arms he then armed

him, and took his horse and his armour, and rode into the field to help

Sir Launcelot; and so many knights came in with King Arthur. And to

make short tale in conclusion, the King of Northgalis and the King of

the Hundred Knights were put to the worse; and because Sir Launcelot

abode and was the last in the field the prize was given him. But Sir

Launcelot would neither for king, queen, nor knight, have the prize,

but where the cry was cried through the field: Sir Launcelot, Sir

Launcelot hath won the field this day, Sir Launcelot let make another

cry contrary: Sir Tristram hath won the field, for he began first, and

last he hath endured, and so hath he done the first day, the second,

and the third day.