บทที่ บทที่ 298 · How Sir Tristram with his fellowship came and were with an

. How Sir Tristram with his fellowship came and were with an

host which after fought with Sir Tristram; and other matters.

Then departed Sir Tristram, Gareth, and Sir Dinadan, and left Sir

Palomides in the vessel; and so Sir Tristram beheld the mariners how

they sailed overlong Humber. And when Sir Palomides was out of their

sight they took their horses and beheld about them. And then were they

ware of a knight that came riding against them unarmed, and nothing

about him but a sword. And when this knight came nigh them he saluted

them, and they him again. Fair knights, said that knight, I pray you

insomuch as ye be knights errant, that ye will come and see my castle,

and take such as ye find there; I pray you heartily. And so they rode

with him until his castle, and there they were brought into the hall,

that was well apparelled; and so they were there unarmed, and set at a

board; and when this knight saw Sir Tristram, anon he knew him. And

then this knight waxed pale and wroth at Sir Tristram. When Sir

Tristram saw his host make such cheer he marvelled and said: Sir, mine

host, what cheer make you? Wit thou well, said he, I fare the worse for

thee, for I know thee, Sir Tristram de Liones, thou slewest my brother;

and therefore I give thee summons I will slay thee an ever I may get

thee at large. Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I am never advised that

ever I slew any brother of yours; and if ye say that I did I will make

amends unto my power. I will none amends, said the knight, but keep

thee from me.

So when he had dined Sir Tristram asked his arms, and departed. And so

they rode on their ways, and within a while Sir Dinadan saw where came

a knight well armed and well horsed, without shield. Sir Tristram, said

Sir Dinadan, take keep to yourself, for I dare undertake yonder cometh

your host that will have ado with you. Let him come, said Sir Tristram,

I shall abide him as well as I may. Anon the knight, when he came nigh

Sir Tristram, he cried and bade him abide and keep him. So they hurtled

together, but Sir Tristram smote the other knight so sore that he bare

him over his horse’s croup. That knight arose lightly and took his

horse again, and so rode fiercely to Sir Tristram, and smote him twice

hard upon the helm. Sir knight, said Sir Tristram, I pray you leave off

and smite me no more, for I would be loath to deal with you an I might

choose, for I have your meat and your drink within my body. For all

that he would not leave; and then Sir Tristram gave him such a buffet

upon the helm that he fell up-so-down from his horse, that the blood

brast out at the ventails of his helm, and so he lay still likely to be

dead. Then Sir Tristram said: Me repenteth of this buffet that I smote

so sore, for as I suppose he is dead. And so they left him and rode on

their ways.

So they had not ridden but a while, but they saw riding against them

two full likely knights, well armed and well horsed, and goodly

servants about them. The one was Berrant le Apres, and he was called

the King with the Hundred Knights; and the other was Sir Segwarides,

which were renowned two noble knights. So as they came either by other

the king looked upon Sir Dinadan, that at that time he had Sir

Tristram’s helm upon his shoulder, the which helm the king had seen

to-fore with the Queen of Northgalis, and that queen the king loved as

paramour; and that helm the Queen of Northgalis had given to La Beale

Isoud, and the queen La Beale Isoud gave it to Sir Tristram. Sir

knight, said Berrant, where had ye that helm? What would ye? said Sir

Dinadan. For I will have ado with thee, said the king, for the love of

her that owed that helm, and therefore keep you. So they departed and

came together with all their mights of their horses, and there the King

with the Hundred Knights smote Sir Dinadan, horse and all, to the

earth; and then he commanded his servant: Go and take thou his helm

off, and keep it. So the varlet went to unbuckle his helm. What helm,

what wilt thou do? said Sir Tristram, leave that helm. To what intent,

said the king, will ye, sir knight, meddle with that helm? Wit you

well, said Sir Tristram, that helm shall not depart from me or it be

dearer bought. Then make you ready, said Sir Berrant unto Sir Tristram.

So they hurtled together, and there Sir Tristram smote him down over

his horse’s tail; and then the king arose lightly, and gat his horse

lightly again. And then he struck fiercely at Sir Tristram many great

strokes. And then Sir Tristram gave Sir Berrant such a buffet upon the

helm that he fell down over his horse sore stonied. Lo, said Dinadan,

that helm is unhappy to us twain, for I had a fall for it, and now, sir

king, have ye another fall.

Then Segwarides asked: Who shall joust with me? I pray thee, said Sir

Gareth unto Dinadan, let me have this jousts. Sir, said Dinadan, I pray

you take it as for me. That is no reason, said Tristram, for this

jousts should be yours. At a word, said Dinadan, I will not thereof.

Then Gareth dressed him to Sir Segwarides, and there Sir Segwarides

smote Gareth and his horse to the earth. Now, said Sir Tristram to

Dinadan, joust with yonder knight. I will not thereof, said Dinadan.

Then will I, said Sir Tristram. And then Sir Tristram ran to him, and

gave him a fall; and so they left them on foot, and Sir Tristram rode

unto Joyous Gard, and there Sir Gareth would not of his courtesy have

gone into this castle, but Sir Tristram would not suffer him to depart.

And so they alighted and unarmed them, and had great cheer. But when

Dinadan came afore La Beale Isoud he cursed the time that ever he bare

Sir Tristram’s helm, and there he told her how Sir Tristram had mocked

him. Then was there laughing and japing at Sir Dinadan, that they wist

not what to do with him.