บทที่ บทที่ 252 · How King Mark and Sir Dinadan heard Sir Palomides making

. How King Mark and Sir Dinadan heard Sir Palomides making

great sorrow and mourning for La Beale Isoud.

Now turn we unto Sir Dinadan, that found these seven knights passing

heavy. And when he wist how that they sped, as heavy was he. My lord

Uwaine, said Dinadan, I dare lay my head it is Sir Lamorak de Galis. I

promise you all I shall find him an he may be found in this country.

And so Sir Dinadan rode after this knight; and so did King Mark, that

sought him through the forest. So as King Mark rode after Sir Palomides

he heard the noise of a man that made great dole. Then King Mark rode

as nigh that noise as he might and as he durst. Then was he ware of a

knight that was descended off his horse, and had put off his helm, and

there he made a piteous complaint and a dolorous, of love.

Now leave we that, and talk we of Sir Dinadan, that rode to seek Sir

Palomides. And as he came within a forest he met with a knight, a

chaser of a deer. Sir, said Sir Dinadan, met ye with a knight with a

shield of silver and lions’ heads? Yea, fair knight, said the other,

with such a knight met I with but a while agone, and straight yonder

way he yede. Gramercy, said Sir Dinadan, for might I find the track of

his horse I should not fail to find that knight. Right so as Sir

Dinadan rode in the even late he heard a doleful noise as it were of a

man. Then Sir Dinadan rode toward that noise; and when he came nigh

that noise he alighted off his horse, and went near him on foot. Then

was he ware of a knight that stood under a tree, and his horse tied by

him, and the helm off his head; and ever that knight made a doleful

complaint as ever made knight. And always he made his complaint of La

Beale Isoud, the Queen of Cornwall, and said: Ah, fair lady, why love I

thee! for thou art fairest of all other, and yet showest thou never

love to me, nor bounty. Alas, yet must I love thee. And I may not blame

thee, fair lady, for mine eyes be cause of this sorrow. And yet to love

thee I am but a fool, for the best knight of the world loveth thee, and

ye him again, that is Sir Tristram de Liones. And the falsest king and

knight is your husband, and the most coward and full of treason, is

your lord, King Mark. Alas, that ever so fair a lady and peerless of

all other should be matched with the most villainous knight of the

world. All this language heard King Mark, what Sir Palomides said by

him; wherefore he was adread when he saw Sir Dinadan, lest he espied

him, that he would tell Sir Palomides that he was King Mark; and

therefore he withdrew him, and took his horse and rode to his men,

where he commanded them to abide. And so he rode as fast as he might

unto Camelot; and the same day he found there Amant, the knight, ready

that afore Arthur had appealed him of treason; and so, lightly the king

commanded them to do battle. And by misadventure King Mark smote Amant

through the body. And yet was Amant in the righteous quarrel. And right

so he took his horse and departed from the court for dread of Sir

Dinadan, that he would tell Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides what he was.

Then were there maidens that La Beale Isoud had sent to Sir Tristram,

that knew Sir Amant well.