บทที่ บทที่ 305 · How Sir Tristram and his fellowship came into the

. How Sir Tristram and his fellowship came into the

tournament of Lonazep; and of divers jousts and matters.

But Sir Tristram was not so soon come into the place, but Sir Gawaine

and Sir Galihodin went to King Arthur, and told him: That same green

knight in the green harness with the white horse smote us two down, and

six of our fellows this same day. Well, said Arthur. And then he called

Sir Tristram and asked him what was his name. Sir, said Sir Tristram,

ye shall hold me excused as at this time, for ye shall not wit my name.

And there Sir Tristram returned and rode his way. I have marvel, said

Arthur, that yonder knight will not tell me his name, but go thou,

Griflet le Fise de Dieu, and pray him to speak with me betwixt us. Then

Sir Griflet rode after him and overtook him, and said him that King

Arthur prayed him for to speak with him secretly apart. Upon this

covenant, said Sir Tristram, I will speak with him; that I will turn

again so that ye will ensure me not to desire to hear my name. I shall

undertake, said Sir Griflet, that he will not greatly desire it of you.

So they rode together until they came to King Arthur. Fair sir, said

King Arthur, what is the cause ye will not tell me your name? Sir, said

Sir Tristram, without a cause I will not hide my name. Upon what party

will ye hold? said King Arthur. Truly, my lord, said Sir Tristram, I

wot not yet on what party I will be on, until I come to the field, and

there as my heart giveth me, there will I hold; but to-morrow ye shall

see and prove on what party I shall come. And therewithal he returned

and went to his pavilions.

And upon the morn they armed them all in green, and came into the

field; and there young knights began to joust, and did many worshipful

deeds. Then spake Gareth unto Sir Tristram, and prayed him to give him

leave to break his spear, for him thought shame to bear his spear whole

again. When Sir Tristram heard him say so he laughed, and said: I pray

you do your best. Then Sir Gareth gat a spear and proffered to joust.

That saw a knight that was nephew unto the King of the Hundred Knights;

his name was Selises, and a good man of arms. So this knight Selises

then dressed him unto Sir Gareth, and they two met together so hard

that either smote other down, his horse and all, to the earth, so they

were both bruised and hurt; and there they lay till the King with the

Hundred Knights halp Selises up, and Sir Tristram and Sir Palomides

halp up Gareth again. And so they rode with Sir Gareth unto their

pavilions, and then they pulled off his helm.

And when La Beale Isoud saw Sir Gareth bruised in the face she asked

him what ailed him. Madam, said Sir Gareth, I had a great buffet, and

as I suppose I gave another, but none of my fellows, God thank them,

would not rescue me. Forsooth, said Palomides, it longed not to none of

us as this day to joust, for there have not this day jousted no proved

knights, and needly ye would joust. And when the other party saw ye

proffered yourself to joust they sent one to you, a passing good knight

of his age, for I know him well, his name is Selises; and worshipfully

ye met with him, and neither of you are dishonoured, and therefore

refresh yourself that ye may be ready and whole to joust to-morrow. As

for that, said Gareth, I shall not fail you an I may bestride mine

horse.